The Molerova House
What makes Bansko one of the most preferred spots for sports and recreation in Bulgaria is the combination between beautiful nature, modern sport facilities, rich culture and numerous accommodation and entertainment opportunities.
This little town in the foot of Pirin Mountain has rich history. Several years ago, Bansko was hardly accessible and very small but gradually developed.
A number of well-known Bulgarians were born there. At the same time, ancient remains speak of a developed civilization that settled in the Pirin region.
Numerous characteristics can be used to describe Bansko. Number one in the list undoubtedly is the excellent winter sports conditions. Modern facilities and the excellently preserved traditional looks of the town come next in the list. Despite the constant tourist flow, Bansko has managed to preserve its authenticity.
BANSKO
Holy Trinity Church
The Holy Trinity Church together with the tower and the unique ring of the bells is the symbol of Bansko.
The preparation for the construction of the church began in 1810. The center of the village was choosen as the right place for the church. The location for the construction of the church was donated by the people of Bansko, the first donor was grandfather Lazko.
In the years of Turkish slavery there was a law, that a church can be only built on a place where earlier stood another church. Because of this the people from Bansko dug secretly a cross and an icon on the selected location.
​Neofit Rilski's Memorial House
Neofit Rilski studied iconography and later became a monk in the Rila Monastery. He was one of the leaders of the Bulgarian revival. Possessing encyclopedic knowledge of culture, education, arts and architecture, he became the author of the first Bulgarian grammar-book.
His home in Bansko now treasures a museum collection. The museum presents two sets of items, ethnographic and documental. The first one is arranged in the authentic home of Neofit Rilski. It reveals the customs of people from the end of the 18th and the beginning of the 19th century. The documents in the second collection describe the activities of Rilski.
Permanent Icon Exhibition of Bansko Art School
The permanent exhibition of the Bansko school of art can be seen in one of the oldest Bansko houses, constructed in 1749. In the past, the building acted as a convent of the Hilendarski and later on of the Rila Monastery.
Six rooms have been turned into exhibition halls and trace the development of Bansko iconographic and wall painting schools. Toma Vishanov – Molera was its founder. Three generations of Molera’s family followed the iconographic traditions.
The museum is situated at 3 Yane Sandanski street and its telephone is 0749/88 273. It is open for visitors every day apart from weekends and its working time is from 9 am to midday and from 2 pm to 5 pm.
Nikola Vaptsarov's Memorial House
​Nikola Vaptsarov’s memorial house in his native town of Bansko opened for visitors in the 50s, right after the poet was awarded posthumously with an international prize for peace. Eventually the museum collection expanded to become impressively complete.
Two video rooms in the museum allow the screening of lectures and films in various languages. A rich ethnographic collection from the beginning of the 20th century is also part of the exposition.
The house became the poet’s home after 1912. His relatives aided the creation of the museum. His mother, sister and brother donated most of Vaptsarov’s personal belongings, including the clothes he wore before his execution in 1942.
Visitors are welcomed every day from 8am to midday and from 2pm to 6pm.
Vihren​
Vihren is the highest peak of Bulgaria's Pirin Mountains. Reaching 2,914 metres, it is Bulgaria's second and the Balkans' third highest, after Musala and Mount Olympus. The peak is located in Pirin's northern parts.
Pirin National Park, Bulgaria​​
Pirin is a realm of steep-flanked peaks and ridges soaring to 9,564 feet (2,915 meters), alpine meadows, dozens of glacial lakes, waterfalls, and evergreen stands. Forests cover more than half the park and include the endemic Macedonian pine. Most of these trees are about 140 years old but some individuals have survived for more than 500 years. One famous tree, the Baykuchevata Macedonian pine, is approximately 1,350 years old.