Tourist sights in Bansko, Bulgaria

Bansko is a picturesque, small town situated at the foot of the Pirin Mountains. It is famous for its beautiful scenery and well organized winter tourism. Apart from skiing, the guests of the city can explore the sights and museums of the city, which, as you will see, are a lot. Although it is a small town, Bansko has preserved many Renaissance houses, as well as memories of the country's customs, traditions and history. You'll be surprised how many historical figures somehow touched the city's history and become a part of it forever.

House-museum “Neofit Rilski”

The house-museum is located in the center of Bansko (Usta Gligora 2 str., 2770, Old town) and is open for visits every day from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm, including weekends. This house is the home of Neofit Rilski, whose real name was actually Nikola Benin. From there is its current name - Benin's House. The house was declared a monument of culture and opened for visitors for the first time, as a museum, in 1981. It was restored after a fire in 1810, and today there can be seen documents and transcripts left by Neofit Rilski. In the house-museum you can see his book "Bulgarian Grammar" and his copy of “Slav-Bulgarian History”. The building itself consists of two floors. On the first one you can see the hiding place.

Historical-ethnographic complex “Radonova House”

The museum complex in Bansko offers a documentary photo exhibition about the past of the town. Almost all of the exhibits are from the Renaissance and have managed to give a very clear view of the people's being during this time. The official status of the house is a historical and ethnographic museum, so it is definitely worth visiting. Originally the house belonged to the Hadjivalchevi family, but after that it was owned by Krum Radonov, who was a participant in the Bulgarian Communist Party and a teacher. He was also a general during the war. Today in the museum you can see household objects and archeological objects found during excavations in the area.

“Velyanova House”

Velyanova House is also located in the central part of Bansko and is open for visitors from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm every day except Sunday and Monday. As a building it is a typical Renaissance house, but its walls are painted by master Velyan Ognev. The walls are decorated inside and outside and there are frescoes and carvings. The house is a real jewel, so you must definitely take the time for visiting it.

“Holy Trinity” Church

The church was built in 1835 and for a long time was the largest church in the country. This temple is very special, because at the entrance there is a cross and a crescent. The symbolism behind the two religious signs indicates that there is continuity and tolerance between the two religions. Velyan Ognev also takes part in the painting of the church. A symbol of Bansko is the bell tower, which was built shortly after the main building - in 1850.

Permanent iconic exhibition “Bansko Art School”

The exhibition is housed in the oldest building in the city, just a few minutes away from the city center. The building was built in 1749 and in various years it was functioning as a female convent. Today the "Bansko Art School" show its works in the building. The founder of the school is Toma Vishanov-Molera, whose heirs continue his work and even painted the “Vatoped Monastery” in Athos.

„Nikola Vaptsarov“ Museum

In the central square of Bansko you will also notice the house-museum "Nikola Vaptsarov". Do not miss to visit this museum, because it was the poet's home. His mother helped to rearrange the furniture and give the house appearance just as it was in his childhood. You will also see the clothes that the poet wore before the shooting, as well as his manuscripts and the first editions of some of his poems. The museum is open from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm and from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm every day.