Stara Zagora is the 5th largest city in Bulgaria with a population of about 170 000 people. It is located in the geographical center of Bulgaria. The city itself is situated in a valley, but north of it there is the Sredna Gora Mountain. It serves as a central connection of the Bulgarian railway network, and an important crossroad between the east and the west, the north and the south. Stara Zagora is commonly known as the city of linden trees and poets”. One of the greatest Bulgrian poets - Geo Milev, lived and worked in Stara Zagora.

Stara Zagora is a city with an 8, 000 year history.  During its long history it took different names such as Beroe, Augusta Trayana, Vereya, Irinopolis, Borouy, Eski Zagra, Zheleznik, etc. The first name – Beroe, could be translated as "market town", which was then inhabited by the Thracian tribe of Pirogers. The town was reconstructed and fortified during the Roman rule. It was renamed to Augusta Trayana after Emperor Trajanus. It was mentioned under that name in Greek and Roman inscriptions, and also on local bronze coins.