The Thracian tomb at Shushmanets
The Thracian tomb at Shushmanets
4.5
About
The temple has an entry corridor and an antechamber, a semi-cylindrical room supported by an elegant column. Four horses and two dogs were sacrificed in the antechamber. The central room is circular in shape, supported by a beautiful polished Dorian column. The tomb's columns represent Thracian beliefs about the universe and the creation myth. Archaeologist Georgi Kitov discovered the tomb in 1996
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
35 reviews
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DoctorJoeE
North Caldwell, NJ460 contributions
Jul 2018 • Couples
Perhaps the best deal in Bulgaria -- 3 genuine Thracian tombs for only 6 Lev. Most people go up the road to Kazanlak and wait in line for a 2-minute peek into a replica tomb. It's an accurate replica, they'll assure you, but since the original is unavailable for comparison there's no way to know -- and even if it is, it's still a replica. Here, a gentleman who speaks excellent English (he used to work at the Met in New York) will sell you tickets to view 3 real McCoys, and answer all your questions. The 3 tombs are within walking distance of each other; each has its own distinctive characteristics. The largest, Shushmanets, is the principal attraction -- the only Thracian structure found so far with Greek-style columns. There is good signage and literature in multiple languages. No lines, no waiting, and stay as long as you want. As a little bonus, there's a nice big stork's nest on the industrial chimney next door.
Written July 13, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Over100Countries
Seattle, WA655 contributions
Jun 2018 • Solo
I enjoyed my visit here. I’d just visited the Thracian tomb in Kazanlak where you just get to see a replica but here you can go inside 3 of the tombs. It’s just a 15 minute drive outside Kazanlak toward the Shipka pass. I was disappointed with the replica in Kazanlak and glad I drove out here.
Written June 2, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nik R
Varna, Bulgaria6,654 contributions
Mar 2015 • Family
I visited the Thracian tomb of Kazanlak when I was a small child and now I decided to show it to my 8 years old son. We visited 3 Thracian tomb located in the so-called Valley of the Thracian Kings - the tomb of Kazanlak, Golyamata Kosmatka and Shushmanets. The last two are situated close to each other and about two kilometers east of the town of Shipka.
The tomb at Shushmanets, like the other tombs, has an antechamber and a burial chamber. The difference is the 2 columns - one in the antechamber and one in the chamber. We were told that there were not any funeral items found, except the remnants of the skeletons of a couple of dogs and 4 horses. The tomb was robbed in the ancient times.
It is open daily from 9 AM till 5 PM. We paid 5 leva (about 2.50 euro) for 2 adults and a kid.
There are some other Thracian tombs close by - Ostrusha, Helvetia, the tomb of the Gryphons, Golyama Arsenalka. But as far as we understood, just 2 or 3 are open for visits, some can be visited but it must be arranged in advance through the guides at the tourist tombs.
If you want to make photos it will cost you about 2.50 euro, which I don't approve much!
The tomb at Shushmanets, like the other tombs, has an antechamber and a burial chamber. The difference is the 2 columns - one in the antechamber and one in the chamber. We were told that there were not any funeral items found, except the remnants of the skeletons of a couple of dogs and 4 horses. The tomb was robbed in the ancient times.
It is open daily from 9 AM till 5 PM. We paid 5 leva (about 2.50 euro) for 2 adults and a kid.
There are some other Thracian tombs close by - Ostrusha, Helvetia, the tomb of the Gryphons, Golyama Arsenalka. But as far as we understood, just 2 or 3 are open for visits, some can be visited but it must be arranged in advance through the guides at the tourist tombs.
If you want to make photos it will cost you about 2.50 euro, which I don't approve much!
Written March 6, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JRiddingtonY
Barnstaple, UK97 contributions
Oct 2019
The tomb here was my favourite although my wife preferred the Seuthes III. You really need to wee them all and reflect on why they are different, etc. etc.
Written October 26, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
fjane84
Island of Malta, Malta669 contributions
Jun 2018 • Couples
From the info centre you get the ticket which includes 3 tombs on the site for only 6 Lev. It includes shushmanets, Griffin and Helvetia. Shushmanets is set dramatically with the forested mountains behind. The guide there spoke English and could explain items, and there is an info panel in English. The pillared entrance way is beautiful detail and the original door showed the colours used to decorate it. It is from the 4th century BC, originally a temple but converted into a tomb. It's incredible how skilled they were without modern technology. A small site but well worth the visit. The info centre also has more to read in English.
Written June 18, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
svetlyo_sv
Varna, Bulgaria523 contributions
Jun 2018 • Family
Impressive stone building, so precise made before 7000 years!!! For sure we don't know nothing how they made it!!!
Written June 17, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wandering963
Saint Paul, MN1,097 contributions
Mar 2018 • Couples
Having very little knowledge of the Thracian civilization before our visit to Bulgaria, we are just blown away by a number of sites related to these people. This series of 3 tombs is one of those sites that is well worth a visit. From the 60 ton single piece carved burial bed to the still intact and working marble doors with original hinges, there are many features of these tombs that would be very interesting to anyone who cares about ancient history.
Written March 26, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
amsterdam05
Amsterdam, The Netherlands1,759 contributions
Sept 2023 • Solo
I came across three Thracian tombs while driving on the main road and decided to visit them. Although it still is amazing how they built the tomb and the hill on top of it, the graves itselves are quite simple.
Written September 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fane Babanul
Rishon Lezion, Israel2,080 contributions
Sept 2019 • Couples
The Thracian graves are on the side of the main N-S road between Veliko Tarnovo and Kazanlak.
Stop and get impressed by the richness of this antique culture.
You can see many of the findings here at the Archeology Museum in Kazanlak.
Stop and get impressed by the richness of this antique culture.
You can see many of the findings here at the Archeology Museum in Kazanlak.
Written September 26, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nadq K.
3 contributions
Sept 2019 • Friends
I am inlove in This powerful and spiritual place.
One of my favourite destinations.
I recommended to Visit
One of my favourite destinations.
I recommended to Visit
Written September 18, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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