question:
Where are the most beautiful and popular ski and spa resorts nearly to Sofia?

Blagoevgrad is а city and administrative center in southwestern Bulgaria

Blagoevgrad region abounds in natural resources - relatively mild continental mediterranean climate, numerous spas, lush mountain forests and two famous rivers

Blagoevgrad features a pedestrian downtown with preserved 19th century architecture and numerous restaurants, cafes, coffee shops and boutiques. Several three star hotels can be used by tourists visiting Blagoevgrad. Many restaurants and traditional pubs offer high quality cuisine and a rich wine and refreshments list.

Attractions in the surrounding area include the resort Bodrost. It is a tourism and ski resort. Bodrost is located in the valley of the Blagoevgradska Bistritsa, 30 km east from Blagoevgrad at around 1250m above sea level. It is an entry point to the Rila National Park.

The town is very attractive to investors, both foreign and native; coincidence Blagoevgrad is the third largest by number of building permits. Blagoevgrad has a real opportunity to grow towards neighborhoods "Elenovo and Strumsko and most likely will" swallow up "in nearby villages" as soon as possible. A few years ago was made a major overhaul of the city park and also a new bridge was built. Is now ready and the new building, which became sergiyniya market in modern shopping center.

Of special interest to the visitors is the Revival Varosha with its unique architecture. 200 meters west began park Bachinovo, along the river Bistrica. Along the 2.5 mile path located facilities, playgrounds, Aqua-Blagoevgrad and indoor pool. At the end of the alley is artificially made ​​lake with a depth of 2-4 m which is filled with water from the River Bistrica, in which swim water wheels made ​​in the form of swans. A small amount each can drive the boats around the vast lake. In the vicinity is a ski run Bodrost.

Nature is generous to Blagoevgrad - here are some of the most beautiful mountains in Bulgaria - Rila, Pirin, Rhodope, Belasitsa, Ograzhden and Vlahina, Struma, Mesta and others, beautiful Kresna gorg formed by the passage of the Struma River in scenic rocks, Melnik Sand Pyramids, among which is a town-museum of Melnik, famous Melnik wine matures in ancient stone cellars.

Interesting fact about Melnik is that local houses have no yards, and they are arranged amphitheatrically forming narrow and picturesque streets. Remarkable monuments are Boyar house, Beiska house, Kordopulova, Kehayov, Kushkovata, Sivov, Spandonievata, Yankov house.

One of the places where you can really feel and enjoy the unique atmosphere that inspires this small town is a "hotel complex Melnik". He has 27 double rooms, 6 triples, 4 normal suites and one presidential. The complex also features a restaurant with 140 seats. Built exclusively in style, the restaurant is especially suitable for family and business celebrations. In restaurant “Melnik” you can enjoy traditional Bulgarian dishes and taste the famous local wine.

"Rozhen monastery" is easily accessible by the tourist path which began from Melnik to the monastery.

The complex is composed by a church, chapel ossuary, residential and farm buildings. Rozhen monastery is one of the largest monasteries in Bulgaria.In the church are preserved frescoes from 1597, 1611, 1715 and 1732, as a predominant share a past, and stained glass from 1715.

Remarkable for its high artistic value are wood-carved iconostasis and the iconostasis icons. The monastery is also known with the miraculous icon of Holy Mother. Each year on September 7, pilgrims from around the country offer their gifts to the miraculous icon, asking it to forgive their "known and unknown 'sins. They spent the night in the monastery Rojhen for health and for Virgin Mary's protection.

Another sacred place in the area is Rupite, which is located near the town of Petrich, where Strumeshnitsa flows into the Struma - 10 km northeast of Petrich. Here you will find a unique landmark - extinguished volcano casing. Exactly in its crater is situated the famous area of the Vanga - Rupite. Those who come here feel the tidal forces and say that the place has a magnetic charm. Hot mineral springs have exceptional healing qualities and have the name of the area. They are visited by people from all over the country with diseases of the cardiovascular, locomotor and nervous system.

Few side is the house where Vanga has accepted people and lived in the last year of her life. Nearby is also the church of "Saint Petka" to the right side of which is the grave of the Vanga. The church was built with money gathered from Vanga. Near Petrich the balneological resort Marikostinovo is located as well. It is famous for its curative mud.

At 3,5 km to the north-east, in the valley of Blagoevgradska Bistritsa River is located the Bachinovo Park, where, annually, in June, a town festival is held. In the same valley, 30 km away from the town, in Northwestern Rila the Bodrost Resort is situated, with many recreation houses, bungalows, and villas. Several brand new small hotels offer all modern conveniences for the perfect holiday in the mountain.

At 5 km distance from the resort is the oldest reserve park for coniferous species of trees in Bulgaria - Parangalitsa. There is the highest tree in our country - a 60-metre spruce. The “Parangalnitsa” reserve is a great site for eco tourism with the complete natural recourses of the Nature Park Rila. From Bodrost Resort, marked trails set out to various destinations in Rila - Macedonia Chalet (3-4 hours), Chakalitsa Chalet (2-3 hours), Tsarev Vruh (2 hours).

16 kilometers north of Blagoevgrad and several kilometers before the town of Rila is situated the village of Stob with the famous nearby pyramids of Stob - exceptionally beautiful and elegant earthen pyramids, finished with rounded rocky blocks. They are moulded in up to 40 metres thick reddish drifts. They are called in different ways - Samodivski Komini (Nymphs’ Chimneys), Kouklite (the Dolls), Zuberite (the Pinnacles), Choukite (Rocky Peaks), Bratyata (The Brothers), Svatovete (In-laws), etc.

Other interesting sights around Blagoevgrad: The antique fortress by the village of Klissoura; an ancient settlement, a necropolis and a late antique fortress - close to the Bodrost Resort; another late antique fortress - at about several kilometres from the village Selishte. There are remains of antique fortresses near the village of Gabrovo. There is a medieval fortress between the town and the village of Tserovo.

The Ascension of Christ Church near the village of Pokrovnik, the Saint Archangel Mihail Church and remains from a late antique fortress near the village of Leshko, the Saint Ivan the Precursor Church and Saint Georgi Church (built in 1861, presently a monument of culture) in the village of Bistritsa. The rock Markov Kamuk to the south of Tsarev peak. Chernata Skala (The Black rock) - over the right bank of Blagoevgradska Bistritsa River nearby Macedonia chalet.

In Blagoevgrad region is highly developed tourism. The ski resorts Bansko, Razlog and Dobrinishte offers excellent conditions for winter sports lovers. Beautiful authentic villages, architectural reserves Kovachevitsa, Leshten and Dolen with stone houses covered with tiles are monuments of architecture from the Bulgarian Revival.

Resorts with spas Sandanski, Ognyanovo and Simitli are an excellent place for recreation in all seasons. From the field are scattered ruins of prehistoric, ancient and medieval villages, telling ancient history of the region, and many monasteries and churches - monuments. The area of Blagoevgrad is one of the fastest growing and developing regions of Bulgaria. The town and its surroundings are very attractive for local and foreign investments, tourism and holidays.

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The next article: Macedonian part of Bulgaria - near Blagoevgrad - is one of the most beautiful!.

 
12апр2011