Bansko

Bansko lies in South-West Bulgaria, 160 km from the capital Sofia. Its location in the center between the three main mountain ranges Pirin, Rila and Rhodopes makes it a unique place. The town of Bansko is on 925 m above sea level.

Founded in the 10th century on the site of an old Thracian settlement, by the mid-18th century Bansko was a prosperous place due to its fortuitous location on the overland caravan route between the Aegean and Danubian Europe. Besides traders and merchants, the town was home to craftsmen and artists, influential icon painting and wood-working schools and one of the country’s first monastic cells. Nowadays, Bansko is one of the shiniest jewels in Bulgaria’s tourism crown. It is a magical symbiosis of history, tradition and culture which makes this hospitable mountain town a symbol of the Bulgarian national spirit.

The town centre is a maze of winding cobblestone alleys flanked by high walled historical compounds. You should always be prepared to stumble across the unexpected.

During the 600 years of the Turkish occupation of Bulgaria Bansko was home to many a revolutionary. Some of the old houses in the center are connected by secret tunnels, so the revolutionaries could escape Turkish raids. Bansko was the only town in the area where the Turks had no foothold and it is said that the Turkish military made sure to leave Bansko before nightfall.

Bansko boasts more than 150 cultural monuments. And you can discover many of them by strolling through the old town.

The museum complex headquartered on Vaptsarov square includes three National Revival house museum compounds, an icon exhibition and a crafts and textiles exhibit. There are regular guided museum tours (in English language).

Bansko's "Holy Trinity" is one of the most beautiful orthodox churches in Eastern Europe and if you ever happen to be in Bansko on (orthodox) Easter don't miss the evening mass. It will be an unforgettable experience for you!

Nature is one of the greatest fortunes of Bansko. The most beautiful part of the impressive Pirin National Park belongs to the municipality of Bansko. This small part of paradise includes century old white-fir forests, wide areas of pine-shrub formations, mountain meadows and rocky mountains, deep circuses and emerald lakes. Owing to its unique and stunning nature the National Park 'Pirin' is included in the UNESCO World Natural Heritage.

The Tourist Info Centre, located in the town hall on Vaptsarov square, is always happy to help you with detailed information.