ABOUT BANYA
Location:
The village of Banya is located in the central part of the Razlog Valley, locked between Pirin, Rila and the Rhodope Mountains. It is 156 km from Sofia, and Bansko is only 5 km to the north. The village has a population of about 3,000.
History
The abundance of mineral springs is the reason why this place has been inhabited since ancient times. The first remains of material culture, dated around the 4th century BC, were bequeathed by the Thracians. In the 2nd century BC, the area became the property of Philip II of Macedon. Then a temple to Apollo as a healing god was erected in the village. In the 3rd century BC, the Celts arrived, who maintained peaceful coexistence with the Thracians. With the expansion of the Roman Empire in the 1st century BC, the Razlog Valley became part of it. The Romans built a mineral bath that impresses tourists to this day. When the empire was Christianized, the temple of Apollo was destroyed, and the church of “St. Bogoroditsa” was built in its place. After the division of the Roman Empire in the 4th century, the village passed into the borders of Byzantium. When the Slavs settled in the valley, the peace between the different tribes was preserved. It was not broken, even when the village became part of the Bulgarian state in the 9th century.
Tourism
Until recently, the relatively unknown village of Banya offers today incredible opportunities for rest and recreation. In the village itself, you can visit several sites revealing interesting details of the daily life and the rich history of the region: the museum, the old Bulgarian and old Turkish baths, the public laundry, and you will probably be extremely surprised to see perhaps the only monument in Bulgaria to G. Dimitrov and Lenin. In addition, you can play tennis, volleyball, basketball or football on the open village playground. In the village you will also find a horse riding facility, as well as a climbing wall. For lovers of more extreme sports, jeeps and ATVs are available for various safaris. Picnics and mountain hikes are also some of the most attractive pleasures, for which the three mountains surrounding the village offer rich opportunities: Pirin, Rila and Rhodope.
The entire region boasts an exceptional wealth of mineral waters, all with different composition and healing properties. In the village of Banya alone, 8 hot springs (out of 72 in total) are captured, and nearby you can also bathe in the mineral pools of Dobrinishte (10 km), Eleshnitsa (6 km), Bachevo (11 km), etc.
Only 5 km from Banya are the lifts of one of the most famous Bulgarian ski resorts – Bansko. 10 km away you can ski in Dobrinishte, and 17 km away is the Kulinoto ski slope. You can also visit the famous churches in the village of Dobarsko (13 km), visit the free bear park or the newly opened Funpark in the village of Belitsa (15 km), walk along the eco-trails of Razlog (2 km), play golf (5 km), swim in the Mediterranean Sea (160 km). Last but not least, we recommend visiting the ethnographic museum of Razlog, climbing the “Steps” complex, where you will enjoy a beautiful panoramic view of Razlog, as well as getting acquainted with the ancient Bulgarian calendar in the city park.
But one of our biggest attractions is the local cuisine, cooked with love and healthy homemade products. The taverns and restaurants of Banya village are famous for their hospitality, delicious and rich menus at affordable prices.