A walk in Bulgaria #12 Bansko

Bansko - a magical symbiosis of history, traditions, culture. With all that the visitor finds here - ancient architecture, heroic history, authentic folklore, century-old culture, preserved traditions and customs, specific cuisine, incredible humor and richness of words, the mountainous, enthusiastic city is a peculiar symbol of Bulgarianness.
Bansko Municipality covers the most beautiful part of the majestic Pirin mountain, parts of the Razlog valley, the picturesque Momina Klissura of Mesta and the Dabrashki part of the Rhodopes.

It is commonly believed that Bansko was established as a settlement after several hamlets merged in the period between ХV-ХVІ centuries. The first documentary evidence of Bansko can be found in the Ottoman register of the celepkeşan (sheep-breeders) of 1576.

Up to the ХVIII century, the residents of Bansko were mainly stock breeders and craftsmen, who depended upon the spacious pastures and fertile forests. During the period of the national revival, the town of Bansko developed as a center of trade and crafts. By the shores of the River of Glazne a lot of mills, saw-mills, fulling-mills, tanneries for leather tanning, etc. were built. People of enterprise, the residents of the town maintained commercial relations with towns and villages from the area of the Aegean Sea, Central and Western Europe.

The Municipality of nowadays was included within the borders of Bulgaria in 1912. Bansko was liberated on 5th October during the same year with the help of the revolutionary groups lead by Yonko Vaptsarov, Hristo Chernopeev, Peyo Yavorov and Lazar Kolchagov. The municipal administration of Bansko, consisting of five members, wuth its first mayor Asen Todev was included in the state administration system adopted.
Today it is one of the most popular ski resorts on the Balkans.

In Dobrinishte there is an active ski-base with a chair lift and good ski runs, taverns and a suitable hotel base. The mineral springs in the village determine the development of balneotourism. The other Rhodope and Pirin villages in the municipality offer opportunities for rural tourism. Bansko is situated at 925 meters above sea level. It is 150 km away from Sofia, 150 km from Plovdiv, 60 km from Blagoevgrad and 40 km from Gotse Delchev. It is connected to them by bus transport. The railway passes through the municipality. the Dobrinishte - Septemvri line, which is connected to the railway station. line Sofia Plovdiv. A twelve-kilometer asphalt and refurbished road Bansko - Vihren chalet and a modern gondola lift connect the town with the high mountain and ski area.

So, if you like to explore some culture, fun, spa, ski, lovely food, wine and lots more at the same time, you are welcome to Bansko!