Historical Bansko and a return to the Golden Age
Scenic Bansko Bulgaria, located at the foot of the spectacular Pirin Mountains, is 60 kilometres from Blagoevgrad and 160 km from Sofia in southeast Bulgaria. This little town of 12,000 is a hotspot for tourists interested in history and a bit of action. The origins of Bansko can be traced back to the 15th-16th century during the Ottoman invasion. Bansko reached its cultural and economic peak sometime in the latter half of the 18th century, a period that is often referred to as its "Golden Age". It was during this period that Bansko art school, a comprehensive school and a monastery were established.
A rich past seeped in historic value
Bansko, Bulgaria has been witness to a lot of drama through the centuries and this has given the town its rich cultural and architectural heritage. Some of the more famous architectural landmarks in Bansko are the Neofit Rilski House Museum, the Monument of Paissii Hilendarski and Sveta Troitsa (The Holy Trinity) Church. The Sveta Troitsa Church is one of the largest in the Pirin region. Constructed in 1835, it features beautiful woodcarvings and frescoes done by Master Ousta Velyan Ognev. The icons were decorated by Dimitar Molerov, one of the most famous Bansko art school graduates. Situated in the heart of the town and fronted by a high stone fence, this house of worship, with its 30 metre stone tower is an impressive part of the town's fabric. Other architecturally impressive buildings are Velyanova Kashta (the House of Velyanov) and Sirleshtova Kashta (the House of Sirleshtov). Adding to Bansko's fame is the fact that it was the birthplace of some great historical figures such as Toma Vishanov-Molera, Neofit Rilski, and Paisii of Hilendar.
Bansko's Golden Ages (construction of a town then and now)
The town of Bansko has a past that dates back many centuries. Certainly, this area has been witness to a great deal of activity. From the middle ages to the present, Bansko has history rich with cultural and social significance. Today's Bansko is a product of this history and the town, unable to stand still, is carving out a bright future as well. While the area has had many significant periods, in general, Bansko has seen two golden eras - during the time of the Bulgarian National Revival and today.
Reviving a nation
The Bulgarian National Revival and the subsequent fall of the Ottoman Empire brought great change and development to Bansko. As birthplace to Bulgarian intellectuals such as Paisii Hilendarski and Neofit Rilski, Bansko has a strong connection to the Bulgarian National Revival. Indeed, even the architecture of the town testifies to Bansko's connection to the revival. A walk around the town will reveal a number of notable buildings built during the Revival in the mid to late 1800's these buildings, characterised by their fortified walls were built almost entirely of stone and feature small windows, heavy metal gates and are located along long winding cobble-stone streets.
Building the future
Just as the fall of the Ottoman Empire brought changes to Bansko, so has accession into the European Union. The quaint narrow cobblestone streets in the centre of the town accent the new development that is taking place everywhere else. New combines with old to make this a town with special energy. Indeed, Bansko is at the centre of Bulgarian development with apartments, hotels, and even golf courses in the works. In fact, one study of foreign investment in the town reveals that 78 per cent of all vacation apartment and housing starts are in Bansko! With its colourful past and bright future, Bansko has made its way onto the current European map in a way that few other towns can brag about.
