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The town of Bansko has population of 9000 people. It is situated at the Glazne river (the right tributary of Mesta) at the North-eastern bottom of Pirin mountain beneath the highest and most beautiful Karst part of the mountain. Its name has a direct connection with the ancient Bulgarian word "ban" (from boean, boyan) which means master. It is 160 km south of Sofia, 60 km Southeast of Blagoevgrad. 6 km south of Razlog, and 51 km n and one of the ski resorts in the country.The town has both historical and tourist value. The town rose up on its present location around 9-10th centuries after the formation of the adjacent quarters of Bansko. In the middle of 18th century Bansko was a big and rich settlement developing crafts and trade. The caravans of Bansko traders travelled from the Aegean to Middle Europe transporting tobacco, cotton, precious goods, gold.  Bansko lived its "Golden Age" in the second half of 18th century and the beginning of 19th century when it reached economic and cultural peak: The art school of Bansko was established: the disciples of the school added many secular and historical subjects; a monastery school and a comprehensive school were opened. However, the Napoleon wars against Austria and the opening of the water way on the Danube put an end to its growth. In the middle of 19th century the economy of the town suffered decay. According to the resolutions of the Berlin Agreement Bansko was left within the boundaries of the Turkish Empire and its inhabitants actively participated in the consequent rebellions - Kresna-Razlog rebellion (1878-1879) and the Ilinden- Preobrazhenie rebellion (1903). The town was liberated from the Turkish rule on 5th October 1912 (the Balkan war).
Bansko is the native place of the titans of the Bulgarian Renaissance Paisii Hilendarski and Neofit Rilski.The Velyanova Kashta (the House of Velyanov) - a monument dating back to 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 stone walls, the narrow and dark loop-holes, the iron wires on the windows and the heavy doors.  The Todeva (Buinovata) Kashta (the House of Todev) is a masterpiece of construction and the subtle feeling for beauty in everyday life. It was built in 1835. 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.
As for the transport, the basic type of transport that connects the town to the rest of the country is the bus transport. 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 huge. It is located in the eastern end of the town on the main road Sofia-Blagoevgrad- Gotze Delchev, to the railway station. 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).Surrounding areas: Most impressive is the legendary mountain of Pirin. The bigger part of the tourist flow heading for the mountain goes through the town. In the immediate vicinity are the ski centre called 'Chalin Valog', ski centre 'Shiligarnika' one of the biggest in Bulgaria, the chalets of Demyanitza, Bunderitza, Vihren as well as the top peak of Vihren. Bansko Karst springs in the area of Murtva Polyana (Dead Meadow); a ceramic workshop of late ancient times, a fortress called Stana Kale and a necropolis both of late ancient times; Thracian fortress and necropolis together with early Christian basilica in the area of St. Nicola; Thracian tomb in the area of Lisicha Mogila (Fox's Tomb); the Virgin Mary's Birth church. |
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