Facts about Bansko

Bansko is situated in Southwestern Bulgaria and it takes 2 hours to reach from Sofia by car.

Bansko has developed as a favorite ski & snowboard destination thanks to the excellent ski facilities combined with unique architecture and historical sights.

The citizens of Bansko are famous for their patriotism and their strong attachment to the traditions. All of them, children and adults, keep the local originality of the culture in Bansko. They are hospitable and friendly with tourists.

The local erected an impressive Christian Orthodox Church at the time of Ottoman domination. The church tower, which is a symbol of the town, was built in 1850. Everyday the town is awoken by a 15-minute chime.

The pearl of Bulgarian winter resorts

Bansko is the fastest developing modern ski and snowboard center that provides the longest skiing season in Bulgaria. The Pirin Mountain has a predominantly alpine character and the highest peak in the area is Vihren - 2914 m.

The total length of the marked ski runs is 65 kilometers. Some of them offer wonderful conditions for night skiing. The ski runs are available for everyone from 7.30 am to 9.30 pm.

Historical background

Bansko has been declared a unique town of international importance to commercial tourism since 1979. Apart from the beautiful Pirin Mountain with numerous spots of natural beauty the town also boasts of numerous historic sites.

Remains of ancient fortresses have been preserved in the Staroto Gradishte (Stankale) locality situated about 4 km to the southwest, and also in the Yulen locality (downstream Damyanitsa River). Thracian tumuli have been uncovered in the vicinity of Staroto Gradishte.

Archeological works have unearthed a 2nd century B.C. burial site containing a set of bronze surgical instruments and remains of medicinal preparations in the centuries-old Dobrokyovistsa locality (west of Bansko).

Scientists assume that a medieval settlement used to exist in the Sveta Troitsa (Holy Trinity) locality (northeast of the town). Remains of the late-medieval single-nave churches 'St.George' and 'St.Elijah' have been found in southeast of Bansko.