Payless

Bansko is one of the most popular and fastest growing cities in Southwestern Bulgaria. It is located near Blagoevgrad, at the foot of Pirin mountain, nearly 1,000 meters above sea level. In the 19th century the village was the center of the Bulgarian spirit in the territory of Pirin Macedonia, bordering with the Greek and Turkish populations. Today the city is a popular winter resort. Besides a large tourist center Bansko attracts with its old architecture.

Velyanova house in Bansko during the Renaissance was owned by a wealthy family, but when the wealthy farmer was on the road robbers invaded and killed his wife. He never returned to it and left the house deserted. In 1835 was granted to a talented artist Velyan Ognev who was invited to participate in the decoration and furnishing of the church "Holy Trinity". He turned the house into a work of art, decorated it with murals and paintings reflect two of the memories of the owner of his visits to Venice and Constantinople.

Next to the temple "Holy Trinity" is the house-museum of Neofit Rilski, patriarch of Bulgarian Education and fierce fighter for the Bulgarian schools during the Ottoman rule. The house with its typical Bansko architecture, with its massive stone walls, underground shelters, gates and pine ceilings, is preserved in its authentic form.

You have to see the house-museum of Nikola Vaptsarov. One of the most talented Bulgarian poets, lost his life until age 32 because of his beliefs. His death is not only a personal tragedy, but irrevocable loss to Bulgaria.

Icon exhibition, aptly housed in the restored building of the Bansko convent, gives magnificent view of the legacy of the colorful talented artists from Bansko in the 18th and 19th century whose works are among the highest achievements of the Bulgarian creative genius. While cooperating with other cultural centers in the country (Samokov, Tryavna and Debar) they remain completely distinctive stylistic differences of their art.

Founder of the Bansko School of Art is Thoma Vishanov, who returned with confidence to Bansko after his stay in several European countries and influenced by the european art directions. The best proof is the most valuable icon of "Christ's blessing", where the Saviour is painted as a Spanish nobleman. His work was continued by his son Dimitar Molerov and his grandson Simeon Molerov.

Among the most important historical and cultural landmarks of the city is the church "Holy Trinity". Builders foresaw and placed alongside the cross and the Islamic crescent and thus saved the temple from destruction by the local ottoman authorities. The church was completed in 1835. For carving and decoration had been charged the chef of the Debar Art School Velyan Ognev and icons were painted by some of the most prominent representatives of the Bansko School of Art Thoma Vishanov - Molera and his sons Dimitar, Simeon and Georgi Molerovi.

The symbol of Bansko is an exceptional architectural achievement. The clock bell tower, was built in 1850 by the outstanding Ousta Grigor Dokov.