Koprinka Dam and Kazanlak
Koprinka dam is situated 7kms from Kazanlak and approx. 40 km from Karlovo. It is just a few kilometers from the spa resort of Pavel Banya.
The beautiful dam is 20 kms in length and is surrounded by stunning scenery and nature, ideal for walking, camping and biking, although the favorite pastime around the lake is fishing.
The excavations during the construction of Koprinka come upon the ruins of Seuthopolis town
Work on the Koprinka dam ended in 1956. It is situated 7 km west of Kazanlak, in the immediate vicinity of the Koprinka village (wherefrom it takes its name) and 300 m south of the Sofia – Burgas highway. Width – around 7 km, surface area – 11 km2, reservoir capacity - 140 000 000 m3, height – 44 m to 78 m. The dam wall allows for visitors to cross freely from the north shore of the construction to the south and enjoy the panoramic view. Especially awe-inspiring are the sunsets in the spring and fall. During the construction work of the dam were discovered the ruins of Seuthopolis - the capital of the ancient Odrysian kingdom. The site is thouroughly researched and all the valuables found are now kept at the Historical Museum, but the capital itself is still under water. The fact that the dam is near Kazanlak makes it an attractive destination for both residents and visitors of the town. The blue waters and the nearby pine-tree forest make for a time well spent. Steady winds and stable waters provide perfect conditions for sports such as yachting, wind surfing, swimming, diving, hang gliding and paragliding, paddle boats and jet skis are also available. Fishing enthusiasts can spend many unforgettable moments here - apart from the typical for the Tundzha river barbel, chub and bleak, carp and zander can also be found, and some of the specimens are of rather impressive proportions. In the last ten years quite large sheatfish have also been caught. In the spring, there are many opportunites for bird-watching as swans, storks, cormorants, mallards and other birds line up along the shoreline of the dam. In the winter hunters can take advantage of the hunting season and take their chances with the migrating flocks of wild ducks streaking above the lake. You can reach the dam by car, bus, bicycle, bike or even on foot. You can also order a sort of air walk, with a motor glider (organized by Aero Delta Co) and take a look at the mirrored water surface from high above.
All information is provided by the Kazanlak tourist information centre website:
There is a project underway to uncover, preserve and reconstruct the Thracian city located beneath Koprinka’s waters, offering visitors a unique look at this wonderful discovery.
For more information on this exciting project, please see the following links:
Seuthopolis Project - Koprinka Dam
Photographs provided by:
Photographer: Kiril Lapustin
