Bansko is the newest and top Bulgarian ski resort, and the most rapidly developing one. It is an interesting combination between the virgin nature of the Pirin Mountains and the atmosphere of the ancient Bulgarian small town.
The town of Bansko is located on 925 m. above sea level, and its skiing area is on 2000-2500 m above sea level. It attracts visitors by its 120 cultural monuments, its museums and the permanent ethnographic exhibitions. Surrounded by The Pirin, The Rila and The Rhodopa mountains, Bansko is a nice mountain resort with short summer and long winter. The skiing season starts in the middle of December and ends in mid April. Buying real estate in Bansko is a great investment opportunity! Property price rises of over 70% per last year (2004). Recomended as execelent real estate property investment in Bulgaria.
No other town offers possibilities for mountain tourism and winter sports and competitions, for congress, eco and country tourism, for golf, for alpinism (rock and ice climbing) and spa treatment, mountain cycling, summer and winter walking tours in the mountain.
Bansko is among those Bulgarian towns which Fate had destined to play a noteworthy role in the historic development of our, nation especially during the colossal national upsurge during the Revival Period. Its achievements cannot be touched by the relentless passage of time. They lie in the unique houses of Banskalii with their tall pinewood gates and carved-wood ceilings, in the architecture and the fine iconostasis of churches, in the daring brushstroke of the icons painted by local iconographers, for here Past and Present are interwoven in a way that is at once distinctive and original.
Bansko is an important cultural centre for the region. According to historic records, the settlement was first established about 9th -10th century A.D. on the site where ancient Thracian settlements had existed. In the 18th century it was mentioned as a large and prosperous village of thriving crafts and trade. Original fortified and artistically decorated houses have been preserved from the 18th and 19th century, built almost entirely of stone, with small barred windows, tall walls, heavy metal-plated gates and interconnected by narrow and winding cobble-stone streets. Remarkable as architectural monuments and examples of fine art are the Velyanova, Benina, Sirleshtova, Todeva, Molerova, Dragostinova, Sharkova houses. The Sveta Troitsa church, the bell tower with the big clock, the midlevel church "Assumption of the Virgin Mary" with its remarkable wood-carved iconostasis make for fine accents in Bansko's atmosphere. Also noteworthy are the museum houses and collections, souvenir shops and romantic holiday residences, hotels and taverns cuddled in the narrow and picturesque streets.
The atmosphere of an ancient Bulgarian town from the 10th century combines with its natural beauty and outdoor opportunities. Situated in the foothills of one of the country's most beautiful mountains, Bansko is known as an alpine skiing, hiking and climbing centre. The alpine character of the Pirin Mountains create excellent skiing conditions for all types of skiers and experts can enjoy some of the country's best downhill skiing. Bansko Ski Area will make you feel the bite of the crystal-clear February cold and the sensation conveyed by gentle yet whimsical March. And all this amidst the dynamics and emotions of winter sport competitions and the contrasting serenity of the first free downhill run.The skiing area comprises 11 marked ski runs and 4 ski tracks with a total length of over 25 km. Their location allows for multiple skiing combinations by offering descents of varying difficulty and slope.
Since 2003, Bansko Ski Area offers the latest state-of -the -art Doppelmayr ropeways, including an 8-passenger Gondola ropeway, 4-seater chairlifts, 2-seater chairlifts, T-bar lifts, platters, etc. Existing facilities and installations are envisaged for replacement with new ones.
Bansko is a town of notable past, honourable present and stable future that brought through the centuries, preserved and developed the unique and ever-seeking spirit of Bulgarians.
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