ABOUT THE TOWN
Blagoevgrad (population: 70 900 inhabitants) is one of the largest towns in Southwestern Bulgaria. It is situated at the foot of the southwestern slopes of
Rila mountain, on both banks of Blagoevgradska Bistritza river, within the river-basin of the big Bulgarian river
Struma. It is located 101km. to the south of
Sofia, at 53 km. to the northwest of
Razlog, and at 65 km. to the north of
Sandanski. The town is considered to be the main centre of Bulgarian Pirin Macedonia.
There are 30 mineral springs with temperature up to 55 C. This makes it a spa resort. It is a regional center as well.
HISTORY
Human presence is detected from the New Stone Age onwards. Remains of a Neolithic settlement were found in 1959 at the nearby village Tserovo. The settlement was within the Macedon Empire under Philip II.
The nowadays town originated in the first years of the Ottoman domination at the place of the Thracian settlement Skaptopara, evidence of which we find in the notorious Skaptopraski inscription from 238. As town Pazarishte it was mentioned for the first time in a Turkish document in 1502, and by the name Banja – in 1576.
In the past the town was an important roadside forest. In 17 th century monks from
Rila monastery opened an ecclesiastical school. During the second half of the 18 th and the beginning of the 19 th century the town developed as a large centre of craftsmanship and commerce.
After the Berlin Treaty, Gorna Djumaja (until 1950 the town has this name) remained within the borders of Turkey and that was the reason to turn into the cradle of resistance and people’s unity. The local population took active part in the uprising that followed. The town was liberated on the 5 th of October 1912 (the Balkan war).
LANDMARKS
Blagoevgrad is rich in cultural monuments and interesting landmarks.
The
Museum of History (telephone: +359 73/29020, 21170, 29173) is situated in Varosha district (the old part of the town). Very interesting and attractive are the
museum-house of George Izmirliev – Makedoncheto,
Stoyan Sotirov art gallery,
Stanislav art gallery, Petit Bijoux art gallery,
Vavedenie Bogorodichno (The Assumption) church, as well as the renaissance houses in Varosha district.
In the town of Blagoevgrad there are erected monuments to Illyo Voivoda, Gotse Delchev, to the eminent Bulgarian writer Peyo Javorov, Kiril and Methodius, and to the Macedonian – Odrin volunteers, to those who perished in the Balkan War (1912-1913).
As a venue of culture the town has several theatres: the
Drama Theatre “Nikola Vaptsarov” (tel.: +359 73/23475),
Puppet Theatre (tel.: +359 73/21080, 22210),
Chamber Opera (tel.: +359 73/20703). Blagoevgrad is a university centre. The following universities are situated there: Southwest University "Neofit Rilski", American University of Bulgaria, Institute for Training Medical Professionals, College-Institute of Electronics and Microelectronics.
The town is famous with its beautiful and functional town centre, all lay out of marble.
TOURIST INFORMATION
Council of tourism (1, Georgi Izmirliev square, tel.: +359 73/65459, 23133), Bureau for Complex Tourist Service (1, St. St. Kiril and Methodius square, tel.: +359 73/23218), Tourist Forum of Pirin (tel.: +359 73/65458).
TRANSPORT
Blagoevgrad is a major and important transport centre in this part of Bulgaria. It is the main stop on the international highway and railway line Sofia-Kulata-Athens. It maintains regular bus connection with the capital
Sofia and many of the towns in Southwestern Bulgaria, as well as with the villages in the region. The bus station (tel.: +359 73/22348, 23750) and the railway station (tel.: +359 73/22286, 23695, 22174) are situated close to each other at the south-west end of the town.
SURROUNDING AREAS
At 3.5 km. to the northeast, in the valley of Blagoevgraska Bistritsa river, is located
Bachinovo park, where annually, in June, a town festival is held. 30 km. far from the town, in northwest
Rila mountain
Bodrost resort is situated with many recreation houses, bungalows and villas. At 5 km. distance from the resort is the oldest reserve park for coniferous species of tress in Bulgaria –
Parangalitsa. At 16 km. to the northwest of Blagoevgrad is situated the village of Stob famous for the nearby
pyramids of Stob – exceptionally beautiful and elegant earthen pyramids, finished with rounded rocky blocks.
Other interesting sights around Blagoevgrad are the following: the antique fortress by village
Klissoura, an ancient settlement, a necropolis and a late antique fortress – close to the
Bodrost resort, remains of antique fortress near Gabrovo village, a medieval fortress between the town and Tserovo village, the church of
The Ascension of Christ near the village of Pokrovnik, the church
St. Archangel Michael and remains from a late antique fortress near the village of Leshko, the churches
St. John the Precursor and
St. George in the village of
Bistritsa, the rock Markov Kamak to the south of Tsarev peak, and the Black rock over the right bank of Blagoevgradska Bistritsa river.
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