The Pirin Mountain is the second highest mountain in Bulgaria and the third highest mountain on the Balkan Peninsula. Pirin Mountain is about 80 km long and 40 km wide. It covers an area of 2585 km2 of extraordinary natural beauty - high peaks and lakes (176) and about 90% of these lakes are located more than 2100 m above sea level.
The main ridge of the Pirin Mountain (The highest peak Vihren Peak at 2914 m) is aligned from Northwest to South-Southeast. Ancient Thracians called Vihren Peak – Orbelus, which means, “snow mountain”. The Slavs named it after their thunder god Perun, who according to their beliefs dwelled on the inaccessible mountain peaks. This is an appropriate name for this wild, rugged mountain, which is one of the most beautiful Bulgarian mountains, with its numerous lakes, hidden in deep cirques.
Glaciers created 119 of them. The sharply contoured landscape and the blend of Central European and Mediterranean climate ensure a wide variety of flora and fauna. In 1962 part of the mountain was proclaimed as a national park, initially named "Vihren" and later on renamed "Pirin". Noting the uniqueness of the park and its global significance, UNESCO included it in the World Register of Natural Heritage.
The park also contains 70 glacial lakes, many caves, waterfalls, majestic abysses and cliffs. The areas of natural beauty include the Bounderishki caves, Kasana, Kyoshkata, the rock formation Pirostiata, the Demyanishki Skok and Yulenski Skok waterfalls, the natural reserve "Bayuvi dupki - Dzhindzhiritsa".
The mountain is almost impassable. Roads have been made from Bansko, Sandanski, Gotse Delchev.
The specific atmosphere of the Bulgarian National Revival, the rich culture-historic heritage, the preserved folklore and crafts, the original cuisine, the plenty of cozy and snug small private hotels and mehani /taverns/ in traditional style, makes the main city in Pirin area - Bansko a unique tourist centre. One can see 150 cultural monuments. The Bansko's Art School in woodcarving, icon painting and wall painting was formed at the end of the 18th century and shows one of the brightest phenomena in the history of the Bulgarian culture of this period.
Main towns in Pirin Mountain area: Blagoevgrad and Bansko Towns in Pirin Mountain area: Razlog, Gotse Deltchev, Melnik, Petrich, Sandanski, Kresna
The town of Bansko has population of 10 000 residents in the southwest part of the Republic of Bulgaria, located at 160 km from the city of Sofia; 200 km from the city of Thessaloniki, 500 km from the city of Istanbul and 200 km from the city of Skopje.
The town is at the foot of the Pirin Mountain at 925 m altitude.
The average monthly temperature for January is – 18 0C and for July, it reaches + 22 0C.
Bansko is the most quickly developing ski resort in southeast Europe, with increasing importance during the summer season.
The specific town atmosphere, the hospitable residents and original kitchen, the excellent wine and services attract more than 500 000 foreign and Bulgarian tourists annually.
Visiting the town, they get in touch with unique art and resort values, combined with distinctive folklore and traditional crafts.
More than 150 monuments of culture and museum expositions are preserved here.
There are more than 200 folk-style taverns as well as modern restaurants and public houses, providing unforgettable experience.
Within the range of 10 km, the nature has generously provided for the people hot mineral springs, which help against stomach pains and problems with the locomotory system.
In the near future, the construction of a golf playground and an airport for charter flights shall commence.
Bansko is history, culture, nature, romanticism, sport and recreation.
Pirin National Park
“Pirin National Park” is located in the Pirin Mountains, between the valleys of the rivers Strouma and Mesta. In 1963, Vihren National Park (6212 ha) was established in the northern part of the Pirin Mountains and in 1976, it was enlarged to 27000 ha and renamed Pirin National Park The park was extended again in 1987 to its present size.
Baevi Doupki Natural Reserve was established in 1934 extended in 1976 and renamed Baevi Doupki- Dzhindzhiritsa Reserve in 1979. It lies within Pirin National Park and was internationally recognised as a Biosphere Reserve under UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere Programme in 1977. Pirin National Park was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1983.
The area of the National Park is 40060 ha, includes Baevi Doupki- Dzhindzhiritsa Reserve (2873 ha) and Malka Dzhindzhiritsa and Segmen Tepe Reserve (339 ha) and is the largest in the country. It includes parts of the mountain, which are 1000 m above sea level with unique ecosystems, areas with specific geomorphology, a large number of Bulgarian and Balkan indemnities and relicts. There are a few trees declared to be natural heritage, including the "Baykusheva" white fir, more than 1200 years old, 16 m high and with a circumference of 5.70 m.
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