The Town of Bansko

 History
Thracians, Romans, Byzantines and Slavs have contributed to the history, culture and manner of this place. As a place from the Bulgarian history, Bansko emerges as e a settlement in the X-XI century. On the basis of the archeological finds, it has got clear, that several kilometers away from the current situation of the town, have been discovered medical instruments, fortification walls and Thracian mounds. According to the Ottoman register of Sheep breeders (Dzhelepkeshans), the name of the town is Baniska. The population has been mainly involved with sheep breeding and craftsmanship. The main capital flow came from domestic animal breeding and timber. In the neigbouring areas of the river settled the artisans, building mills, saw-mills, fulling-mills and other appliances for leather tanning. The production started to meet the demands in Bansko, and the artisans started trading further and further from their home town: along the Aegean coast, Serres and Drama. In exchange for their skill, they sent back home cotton, olives, tobacco, unprocessed and processed leather. As a result from the enterprising attitude of Banskalians, they set up offices at European trade centres. Being acquainted with the manner and culture, acquiring the foreighn traditions by Bulgarian manner, the tradesmen evaluate the economical achievements of the free countries.. Gradually, the need of education and subsequently the acquisition of such, transform the ordinary tradesmen into inspired and knowledgeable in respect to history Bulgarians. So, using their material means, the citizens of Bansko become the main mechanism for the conveyance and establishment of the Revival also in the European parts of the Ottoman Empire. Two-storey fortress houses start being built with big and massive metal gateways. The size of the rooms is expanded, and afterwards the rooms are decorated with Biblical stories. Later, wood-carving is introduced into the interior design. The wood carving receiving popularity, wood-carving workshops start being built along the nearby river. Banskalians show enviable creativity in this craftsmanship. The items produced are casks, jars, doors, woodwork, cupboards, boards, chairs, wooden cups and of course Banskalian peeps. During the full-swing Revival, Bansko was a wealthy town with already strong and numerous intelligence. What should be pointed out as an interesting fact is that Bansko got its liberation from Ottoman rule at the eve of the Balkan War, namely 1912.

Situation

Bansko lies 160 km. away from the city of Sofia and 55 km. away from the district centre – Blagoevgrad. As well as 60 km. from the Greek border.


Interesting Sites
Bansko is a town with plenty of sites to see. You have, however, to carefully choose the season, in our case – winter isn’t the best choice, unless you don’t carry a skier’s heart.

1.The church “The Holy Trinity”
The church’s construction is a three-auditorium basilica. One of the greatest in the country, built by local artisans – Grigor Doyuv, Lazar Glaushkov and with the material support of Lazar German (Golev). Next to it is situated a 30-meter clock bell tower, which is much for a Christian temple. The most reliable hypothesis for its survival is the crescent built into the stone of its fundament by which the Turks were afraid. But it is also possible, that the local bourgeoisie bought it’s preservation (with significant means).

2.The “Nikola Vaptzarov” museum
After the numerous reconstructions, the house achieved a professional level, being distinguished with the non-traditional method of presentation of the information. Due to the Vaptzarov’s relatives, it might be said, that the authentic atmosphere from the poet’s childhood might be reproduced. There are three video halls fitted into the museum, accommodating 40 persons. In the third hall, N.Vaptzarov’s poetry is presented.

In the window screen are laid out the suit, shirt and his watch before his being shot down.

3.The “Neofit Rilski” museum
This is Neofit Rilski’s (Beninata) home house. He used to live in it until 1811. The greater part of his life he spent given to being a monk, science and education. His whole personal archive is kept there – 400 documents and corporeal materials. The house has been functioning as a museum since 1981.

4.Velyan’s house
It is called after the artisan, who incrustrated it both in the inside and outside. – Velyan Ognev. He turns it into an emblematic figure for this period from the Bulgarian housing construction. This Bulgarian National Revival’s house is built of stone and wood. It is contains also two interconnected room-hidings and five rooms with a verandah. The most valuable element of the house is the wall decoration carrying the name “the Blue Room”.