The valley of Roses is famous for its rose-growing industry which have been cultivated there for centuries, and which produces close to half (1.7 tonnes) of the world's rose oil. The centre of the rose oil industry is Kazanlak, while other towns of importance include Karlovo, Sopot, Kalofer and Pavel banya. Each year, festivals are held celebrating roses and rose oil.
Secret of great perfumes, the Bulgarian rose
Bulgarian Roses are unrivaled and famous all over the world.
Damascus Rose essential oil (Rosa Damascena Rose Otto) is a luxurious and sought-after rose oil of which Bulgarians are very proud.
A fragrance that is both sweet and intense, it is in this sense the queen of essential oils!
Legend has it that during one of the last crusades, French knights crossing the Balkan peninsula from Syria took with them the fragrant Damascus rose (or Rosa Damascena).
Thanks to the mild climate – warmer winters and cooler summers – and sandy soils of the Kazanlak region of Bulgaria – now known as the “Valley of Roses” – this oilseed plant found a perfect home there.
Historical records show that local people began cultivating and distilling Rosa Damascena in the 17th century when Bulgaria was still under Ottoman rule.
Four centuries later, the small Balkan country, roughly the same size as New York State and home to seven million people, is now the largest producer of Rosa Damascena oil in the world.
Bulgarian rose oil also commands the highest prices on the market.
In 2019, a kilogram or about 35 ounces of rose oil was worth between $8,200 and $9,400, making it more expensive than gold.
The Valley of Roses
Geologically, the region consists of two river valleys, those of Stryama in the west and Tundzha in the east.
The valley is famous for its history and industry of growing Bulgarian Roses which have been cultivated there for centuries and which today produces 85% of the world's rose oil. Indeed, Bulgarian Roses are an unrivaled local product and famous throughout the world.
Rosa damascena (Damask Rose) is the main variety grown in Bulgaria.
They are intended for the production of rose essence used by the greatest perfumers to be available in different forms – perfume, soap, shampoo, creams, oil, rose water, etc.
Legend has it that during one of the last crusades, French knights crossing the Balkan peninsula from Syria took with them the fragrant Damascus rose (or Rosa Damascena).
Thanks to the mild climate – warmer winters and cooler summers – and sandy soils of the Kazanlak region of Bulgaria – now known as the “Valley of Roses” – this oilseed plant found a perfect home there.
Historical records show that local people began cultivating and distilling Rosa Damascena in the 17th century when Bulgaria was still under Ottoman rule.
Four centuries later, the small Balkan country, roughly the same size as New York State and home to seven million people, is now the largest producer of Rosa Damascena oil in the world.
Bulgarian rose oil "Rose Otto"
Bulgarian rose oil also commands the highest prices on the market.
In 2019, a kilogram or about 35 ounces of rose oil was worth between $8,200 and $9,400, making it more expensive than gold.
The flowers are always harvested exclusively by hand very early in the morning – from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. or 10 a.m. at the latest.
To get the most out of the quantity and quality of the flowers, they should be picked while the morning dew is still covering their petals. Once the sun rises and the rose blooms, the dew evaporates into the atmosphere, and with it goes some of the oil.
Leading companies in the health and beauty industry have made this area of the Valley of Roses their home and built their headquarters here.
Many luxury companies such as Elizabeth Arden, Channel, Bulgari, Estée Lauder, and Christian Dior infuse their products with what is known as “the queen of essential oils.”
Nowadays, the smell of a natural ingredient such as Bulgarian rose oil is still preferred by perfumers in making perfumes.
“When you create a perfume, you want to tell a story. By adding a natural fragrance with Bulgarian Rose Oil, it just gives another dimension and also quality,” explains Nathalie Feisthauer, Master Perfumer based in Paris.
She explains that due to its high price, it is not always possible to use a lot of Bulgarian rose oil in commercial perfumes.
Benefits of rose oil for the skin
The regenerative properties of rose oil for the skin and its sweet and intoxicating scent make it an exceptional product of which Bulgaria is very proud.
Similar to its various olfactory qualities, its benefits for the skin are equally impressive.
Rosa Damascena essential oil has natural anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.
It is known to help soothe red or irritated skin and is suitable for sensitive skin.
In some anti-aging products, it is used to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Similar to its various olfactory qualities, its benefits for the skin are equally impressive.
Rosa Damascena essential oil has natural anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.
It is known to help soothe red or irritated skin and is suitable for sensitive skin.
In some anti-aging products, it is used to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Festival of Roses
In addition, an event specially dedicated to this exceptional Bulgarian local product is organized every year in the region.
This is the Rose Valley Festival, an opportunity to celebrate the incomparable flower that is the Bulgarian Rose. But also to participate in the election of the young woman in traditional costume who will best embody the Queen of Roses, both of great beauty and great kindness.
The biggest Bulgarian Rose Festival has been organized annually since 1903 in Kazanlak. It celebrates our deep connection to the Rosa Damascena – the Bulgarian oil-bearing rose and all the gifts it has blessed the Rose Valley with for centuries.
The Rose Festival Is Organized Every Year And Lasts 3 Weeks, With The Culmination Of The Event Always Happening On The First Weekend Of Jne The Coronation of the Rose Queen, Rose Picking Rituals and theo55rade are Its Most Signature Events
During this time, the area gives off a pleasant scent and is covered with multi-colored flowers.
The gathering process, traditionally a woman's task, requires great dexterity and patience.
The flowers are carefully cut one by one and placed in willow baskets which are then sent to the distilleries.
And it will take more than 150,000 petals to extract just a few grams of rose essence by distillation.
In September 2014, the European Commission approved Bulgarian Rose oil (“Bulgarsko rozovo maslo”) as a new protected geographical indication (PGI).
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