This weekend, I took my first mini trip in Bulgaria. I traveled to the ski town of Bansko, which sits at the bottom of the Pirin Mountains. The history of Bansko is interesting because it was founded in the 9th century, but it was not until the 19th century that it became better known. Bankso was home to a very famous Bulgarian poet named Neofit Rilski (1793-1881) and Father Paisii (1722-1773) who helped to kick off the National Revival of Bulgaria. Now, Bansko is a prosperous ski resort and weekend retreat for many foreigners. Many business owners readily speak English, although not all of my interactions with the locals were in my native tongue.
On our first day, there was such a heavy fog that we could not see the majestic mountains that surrounded us. We explored the city and ate at a traditional Bulgarian restaurant referred to as “mexana.” Bansko is also home to the Church of Sveta Troitsa, which was built in 1832. The story of this church is actually very interesting. Bulgarian merchants bribed Ottoman officials so they could have permission to build a Christian church. This particular location was important because a “miracle-working icon” was found at the site. Walls 12 feet high were built to conceal that the church building that was larger than the Ottomans would allow. When I visited, there was construction going on inside of the church and worshippers were still entering to light candles. The church is not large, but the inside is beautifully and ornately decorated.
On Saturday, we rode the gondola up to the top of the Pirin Mountain, but the fog was still very heavy. (At one point, while sitting in the lodge, we could not see skiers outside the windows.) It began to snow as we prepared to make our way back down the mountain and to our hotel. We warmed up by visiting the hotel sauna and steam room!
You can see the effects of the money from the European Union in Bansko- construction is visible everywhere. Mexana workers sit outside the restaurants and yell at tourists as they pass by trying to convince the tourists to try their restaurant. Many of the workers resort to flattering the female tourists, but to little avail. Mexanas are in great supply in Bansko, and many of them offer the same sorts of Bulgarian foods. I tried the stuffed peppers, the herb roasted pork with mashed potatoes, and the ice cream with hot fruit (which was huge, but delicious!!).
On our last day, the fog cleared and we were able to see the Mountains. Wow! They surrounded our hotel, but we never knew it. I took many pictures, but none of them can do the Pirin Mountains justice. I hope you enjoy them anyways!!
( P.S. the history of Bansko is borrowed from my travel guide, because plaques are rarely in English. Any other monuments I took pictures of I do not know the history of—sorry. )
