“A Rose Through Time”
The History of the Rose

From the earliest of times, people from around the world have held the rose close to their hearts. Roses existed long before humans, 35 million year old fossilized rose blossoms and hips have been found in Europe and petrified rose wreaths have been unearthed from ancient Egyptian tombs.

In Greek mythology, Aphrodite, Goddess of Love, is said to have created the rose when her tears mixed with the blood of her lover, Adonis. The Romans also adopted the rose, making it the symbol of love and beauty. When Cupid offered the rose in an attempt to bribe the God of Silence to hush Venus’ amorous escapades, the rose became
a symbol of secrecy.

Master painter, scientist and inventor Leonardo da Vinci drank tea made from rose nectar regularly. In the 17th century the emergence of the perfume industry in France triggered the rapid development of rose production. Today these hardy and disease resistant plants are grown institutionally and by individuals around the globe.

The Kazanlak Rose

The oil-yielding rose and its applications have a long and valued history in Bulgaria. Bulgarian roses were supplied to the Thracian, Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman (Turkish) Empires as the finest roses produced in the known world, for achievement as well as medicinal, romantic and decorative uses.

Roses have been cultivated in the Kazanlak Valley in central Bulgaria since 1256 AD. The Kazanlak Rose, from which SENCE is made, is considered a “very old rose” with a remarkably intense aroma and soft pink color. The Kazanlak Rose was first noted in Thracian literature. Roses from this region of Bulgaria were sought throughout the ancient world. These roses are known around the globe as the finest roses, grown with meticulous care and attention to detail. The Kazanlak Rose is used in perfume, pharmacy and food industries.