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| Pirin National Park |
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South of Bansko
is where the Pirin National Park is situated. The park, which is a UNESCO
World Heritage Site, covers over 27,400 ha and is famous for its lakes, waterfalls, caves, century-old trees and historical
sites. The jagged
mountains include 70 glacial lakes scattered throughout them and are home to hundreds of endemic and rare species. The mountains
also have diverse and unique landscapes of great aesthetic value.
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| Rila Monastery |
Rila Monastery, founded by Ivan Rilski in 927, is 1 hour
away by car. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is Bulgaria's most famous monastery
and set in a narrow forested valley. Explore the 300 monk cells that fill four levels of the beautiful
balconies. The Nativity Church built in the 1830s, contains 1200 fascinating
murals. Rila Monastery helped to keep Bulgarian culture alive during the Turkish rule from the 15th to
the 19th centuries.
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| Melnik |
UNESCO World Heritage Site, Boyana Church,
is located on the outskirts of Sofia. The 10th century eastern church was enlarged at the beginning of the 13th
century by Sebastocrator Kaloyan, who also ordered a second building to be erected next to it. The 13th century frescoes
in the second church make it one of the most important collections of medieval paintings. The collection
is completed with a third 19th century church. The site is one of the most complete and perfectly preserved monuments
of east European medieval art.
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| Vicinty of Melnik |
The smallest town in Bulgaria, Melnik, has had an eventful
and turbulent history. Archaeologists claim that the Thracians were the first to settle here and then came the Romans leaving
an ancient Roman Bridge.
It’s the Slavs, who are supposed to have first named the town Melnik after the sand pyramids that
surround the town. There are 96 buildings that are cultural monuments. The houses appear to be stacked
one above the other. The white house facades are framed with dark boards and the windows are strangely
grouped several together. Inside the houses there are carved wood ceilings, chimneys, decorative cupboards, murals and
even stained glass. Truly a fascinating sight!
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