 |
 |
|
|
| About Bansko Resort |
|
| |
|
 Bansko is situated 160km South of Bulgaria’s capital,
Sofia and is Bulgaria’s fastest growing ski resort. It is characterised by a long skiing season and plentiful summer activities.
The picturesque village of Bansko nestles at the foot of the Pirin mountains in the shadow of the mighty Mount Vihren (2914m high and Bulgaria’s second highest peak) and has been allocated the status of a World Heritage Site. Th e Old Town centres around the Church of Sveta Troistsa (complete with a storks nest on the roof of the church tower) and two squares (Ploshtad Vuzrazhdane and  Ploshtad Nikola Vaptsarov) each displaying sculptures relative to the towns history. Ploshtad Nikola Vaptsarov (named after a revolutionary poet) is the site of local gatherings and folk festivals and the place where locals and tourists alike congregate in the numerous pavement cafes to watch the world go by.
The maze of cobbled  streets with traditional Bulgarian buildings surround the squares and are populated by numerous mehanas (traditional taverns with open fires serving delicious local dishes and drinks) A good number of these establishments provide live entertainment in the form of local folk music creating an atmosphere that has to be experienced to be believed.
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 Interesting Sights
Sveta Troitsa (St. Trinity) church (the biggest and the richest in the region of Pirin), its construction was completed in 1835; it strikes the viewer with beautiful frescoes and woodcarvings made by Master Ousta Velyan Ognev. The most outstanding representative of the Bansko art school - Dimitar Molerov, decorated the icons. The size of the temple is impressive; too big for that time. A 30 metre high stone tower rises up in the yard of the church (built by Master Grigor Doyuv in 1850) with a belfry and a clock made by Todor Hadjiradonov and installed in 1869. It is located in the centre of the town behind a tall stone fence.
The Virgin Mary church was built in 6th century and restored at the end of 8th century and the beginning of 19th century has wonderful woodcarvings of the Iconostasis. The native house of Neofit Rilski - preserved in its initial outer appearance and well known as the Benin House. It is situated in the immediate neighbourhood of the St. Trinity church on 17, Pirin Str. (tel.: 07443 4005).
The Velyanova Kashta (the House of Velyanov) - a monument dating back from the Renaissance; one of the most beautiful houses having a rich fresco decoration and fine woodcarvings (2 Velyan Ognev Str., tel.: 07443 4181).
The Sirleshtova Kashta (the House of Sirleshtov) is a small fortress. The special role of this house in Bansko is marked by the one-meter thick ston e walls, the narrow and dark loop-holes, the iron wires on the windows and the heavy doors.
The House of Culture and the Art Gallery of Bansko (tel.: 07443 2292, 5504, 5096). A monument of Father Paisii Hilendarski in the centre of the town at the place of his native house.
Transport
Bus: The most common type of transport that connects the town to the rest of the country is the bus. There are regular bus lines to Sofia, Blagoevgrad, Gotse Delchev, Razlog, Dobrinishte and many other villages in the district. The central bus station is modern and can be located at the eastern end of the town on the main road Sofia-Blagoevgrad- Gotze Delchev.
Railways: Bansko happens to be the last but one station on the narrow gauge line Septemvri-Velingrad-Dobrinishte. The railway station is behind the bus station (tel.: 07443 2215). |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|