Blagoevgrad: South Bulgaria’s Jewel

Blagoevgrad is a province of southwestern Bulgaria. The region is also known as Pirin Macedonia. It borders Greece, the Republic of Macedonia, and four other Bulgarian provinces. It is the third largest Bulgarian province next to Burgas and Sofia Provinces. The provinces’s central city is Blagoevgrad. Several industries thrive in the province, such as food and tobacco processing; textile; transport and communications; iron processing; agriculture; tourism; and production of pharmaceuticals, plastics, paper, and shoes.

The province includes the mountains Rila, Pirin, the Rhodopes, Slavyanka, Belasitsa, Vlahina, Maleshevo, Ograzhden, and Stargach. Predominantly mountainous, the province has a score of mountain resorts scattered throughout its area with kilometers of ski runs ideal for the ski enthusiast. Shiligarnika is the biggest ski centre in the Pirin Mountain. The Treshtenik tourist complex is a convenient starting point for many of the hiking routes through the Rila Mountains. The Semkovo ski resort is built over spacious meadows and surrounded by pine forests. There is a nearby natural park with dancing bears. The Popina Luka Resort is a point of departure for several marked tourist routes in Pirin.

Curative springs also abound in the area. A popular spa destination is Marikostenovo in the town of Petrich. The water is good for various ailments. The spa resort of Ognyanovo is located in the skirts of the Rhodopi Mountain, some 550 meters above sea level. It offers perfect conditions for spa treatments all year round. The mineral water is good for neurological, bone, muscular, intestinal, endocrine, and other illnesses. The best climate in all of Bulgaria can be found in Sandanski, and with the presence of its hot mineral springs, it is a popular destination.

Ten kilometers northeast of Petrich stands the Roupite Nature Reserve. An extremely beautiful place, the steaming mineral springs at the bottom of a volcano is an impressive sight. The Bulgarian prophet, Vanga, supposedly lived in the area. Occupying a large part of the Pirin Mountain is the Pirin National Park. It has several reserves in its midst. The Bayuvi Dupki-Dzhindzhiritsa Reserve, is one of the oldest in Bulgaria. The Yulen Reserve hides diverse sub-alpine and alpine ecosystems. The remains of the ancient Roman town of Nikopolis ad Nestum can be found some seven kilometers east of the town of Gotse Delchev. The town was said to have been built in honor of the Roman Emperor Trayan’s victory over the tribe of the Dacas. The famous Pyramids of Stob can be found 16 km north of Blagoevgrad. The pyramids are exceptionally beautiful and elegant. The monasteries Rozhen and Gorna Breznitsa can also be found in the area.

A land of unparalleled beauty blessed by all that nature could offer, Blagoevgrad is definitely worth a visit.