Situated at the foothills of the Pirin Mountains in southwest Bulgaria lies the attractive ski resort town of Bansko, 925m above sea level. It is not known who actually founded the town and so according to different legends; there are various conclusions as to who really established Bansko. One legend proclaims that the town was founded by the inhabitants of Dobarsko, a village in neighboring Rila. Another section claims that it was founded by an Italian painter, Ciociolino whose name still prevails in Bansko as Chucholin.
Yet another legend has it that the town was established by the Peruns, a Slavic tribe. This particular legend is supported by ethnographic texts and oratories that show to prove that this version of the town’s history could be the right one. As concerns its archaeological background, its history goes back to the early Roman period with structures dating as far back as 100 BC. Bansko, formerly known as Baniçka, was under the Ottoman rule until in 1912 when it became a part of Bulgaria, as an outcome of the First Balkan War.
Today Bansko is a popular ski resort with skiing opportunities for all level skiers. A gondola lift takes skiers up to the Todorka slope, which is also the venue for annual skiing competitions that are held in Bansko. Also available are a number of other recreational activities that are offered by the nearby peaks, pine woods and the beautiful lakes that are scattered around the picturesque town. If this is not enough, then about 5 km from Bansko, is the village of Banya, popular among tourists for its twenty-seven thermal mineral springs.
As for other places of interest, there is the 1835 Holy Trinity Church and the Nikola Vaptsarov Memorial House. A narrow gauge railway operates from Septemvri to Dobrinishte winding its way through the scenic landscape offering the most spectacular view of Bansko and the surrounding mountains.
Photo by G Kesmev provided courtesy of Panoramio.com
Photo by belev provided courtesy of Panoramio.com
Photo by Jackie Gomez-Blasco provided courtesy of Panoramio.com
Photo by lipito6 provided courtesy of Panoramio.com
Photo by lipito6 provided courtesy of Panoramio.com