Bansko enjoys a picturesque situation in a valley surrounded by Pirin, Rila
and the Rhodope Mountains in the South-West of Bulgaria. It has a population of about 12000 inhabitants. The town lies at an equal distance of 160 km from the three major cities in the southern part of the Balkan Peninsula - Sofia, Plovdiv (Bulgaria) and Thessaloniki (Greece).
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Bansko is attractive in all seasons, because of its magnificent scenery, mild climate, the freshness of the surrounding pine forests and high peaks (Vihren 2913 m). The new modern ski&snowboard runs and lifts, long time mountaineering and tracking traditions combined with the unique heritage, customs, food and drinks and folklore have turned it into an attractive visiting spot.
Bansko was declared a unique settlement of international cultural tourism in 1979. It is famous for its rich heritage and historical sights. There are ruins of ancient fortresses in Yulen and Starogradishte, 4 km south-west, where there are ancient Thracian tomb mounds. On the sight of Dobrokiovitsa to the west of Bansko ancient medical drugs and copper instruments, dating back from the 2nd Century B.C. were found. It has been suggested that the ancient settlement was situated on the sight of (Sveta Troitsa (St. Trinity). The ruins of St. George's and St Elijase's medieval churches were fount to the south-east of the town.
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Here, at the foot of Pirin Mountains, the traditional houses look almost like fortresses. And there, behind the high stone walls, heavy gates and small latticed windows, the true Bulgarian spirit lives in spacious rooms with friezes and bay windows, carved ceilings and doors, colourful home-woven rugs and embroidered cushions. It lives in the murals, the icons and the amazingly wooden carved iconostasis of the Holy Trinity Church (1832-35).
With its 120 cultural monuments, museum-houses and permanent ethnographic and Bansko school of icon painting exhibitions the town attracts visitors both from the country and abroad.
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