About Bansko
Cobble Street in Bansko
Bansko in Bulgaria is an old town, which was established in the 9th century AD and lies160km south of Sofia. The town is surrounded by the Pirin, Rila, and Rhodope Mountains and has around 12,000 inhabitants. It is attractive in all four seasons and is an interesting mixture of natural beauty but still has the atmosphere of an ancient Bulgarian town. While wandering through Bansko's cobblestone streets, you will become aware of the peacefulness that comes from the mountain peaks surrounding the town.
Staroto Gradishte
Remains of ancient fortresses have been preserved in the Staroto Gradishte (Stankale) area, about 4 km southwest of the town and in the Yulen area (downstream Demyanitsa river). Thracian tumuli have been discovered in the vicinity of Staroto Gradishte. Archaeologists discovered a 2nd century B.C. burial site with a set of bronze surgical instruments and remains of medicinal preparations in the ancient Dobrokyovitsa locality (west of Bansko). Southeast of Bansko are remains of late-medieval single-nave churches - St George and St Elijah.
The village of Bansko has a rich historical heritage and attracts many visitors with 120 cultural monuments, museum houses and the Bansko School of Icon Painting and Exhibitions. In the local area there are also a number of monasteries and archeological sites of interest.
Bansko is the birthplace of many famous Bulgarians; poets, writers, painters, iconographers and revolutionaries. Monuments commemorating the life of Nikola Vaptsarov and Paisii Hilendarski have been erected in the town. |