THE BULGARIAN CONTRIBUTION TO WORLD HERITAGE

For several decades now, under UNESCO aegis, attempts have been made to preserve the planet’s most valuable cultural and natural heritage.
The UNESCO World Heritage List now features over 700 landmarks with 9 Bulgarian wonders (7 cultural and 2 natural sites) included among them.

Madara Horseman (8th - 9th century)
The only one of its kind in Europe, the magnificent bas-relief is cut into the sheer rock at a height of 23 m. A horseman can be seen followed by a dog and a lion pierced by a spear, in their natural size. The composition is comparable to the East Iran triumph scenes and the Ancient traditions as well. The details speak in favour of the Bulgarian origin of the bas-relief. There is a supposition that the relief reflects khan Tervel as a winner. The Greek inscriptions give information about the events which occured in Bulgaria and Byzantium in that period.

Kazanluk Thracian Tomb (4th - 3rd century BC)
A Thracian beehive-type tomb from the end of the 4th and the beginning of the 3rd century BC. It consists of an antechamber, a stone corridor (dromos) and a domed chamber, built of stone and brick.

The murals on the walls are of great artistic value. They reflect battle scenes and the symbolic farewell with the Thracian ruler accompanied by three racing chariots.

Sveshtari Thracian Tomb (3rd century BC)
Discovered in 1982 under a large hill. Richly ornamented, the central chamber was decorated as a facade of a temple with depicted horseman who takes a golden garland from the hands of a goddess with a religious procession following her.
The three walls have high reliefs with 10 carriatides.

Boyana Church (13th century)
Marking the beginning of portrait painting in European art, the portraits of Sebastocrator Kaloyan and his wife Dessislava are the oldest realistic images of monumental art in Mediaeval Europe.
The wonderfull frescoes were created by a Bulgarian artist a century before the Italian Renaissance, before Giotto.

Rila Monastery (10th century)
The largest monastery in the Balkans, monument of the mediaeval Bulgarian culture, Rila Monastery is a genuine treasure-house of artworks, valuable frescoes and historic documents.
The monastery church is famous for its splendour, woodcuts and icons.

Nessebur (2nd millenium BC)
The ancient museum town is situated on a rocky peninsula, linked with mainland by a narrow isthmus. Founded by the Thracians more than 3,000 years ago, the small town is a genuine treasure-house of architectural and artistic monuments. The town’s more than 40 ancient churches are a splendid example of Byzantine architecture.

Ivanovo Rock Monasteries (13th - 17th centuries)
A natural museum of Bulgarian painting, with 20 mediaeval churches, chapels and monastic cells hewn into the craggy gorge of the Roussenski Lom river by the village of Ivanovo, near Rousse. In the Covered-up church one can see many inscriptions, portraits of saints, and other surviving items, among which the church-donor’s portrait - most likely the czar Ivan Asen II.

Pirin National Park
Alpine relief, 176 mountain lakes, white-fir and black-pine forests and about 100 varieties of endemic, endangered and rare plants, including the edelweiss and the famous Baikusheva fir, almost 1,300 years old.

Sreburna Wildlife Reserve
Sreburna is a fresh-water lake, located near the Danube and extending over an area of 600 hectares, at 16 km to the west from the town of Silistra.

The lake’s animal world is represented by 6 kinds of fish, 14 species of amphibians, 160 bird varieties, 35 species of mammels and 120 pairs of Dalmatian pelikans which nest here. It is believed that their number throughout the world does not exceed 1,200 pairs.
Special monitors have been installed among the thick reeds for undisturbed wildlife observation.

The Seven Rila Lakes in Rila Mountain

The chain of the Seven Rila Lakes is the largest, most picturesque and most visited group of lakes in all of the Rila Mountains. The lakes are found at differing altitudes and appear like large footprints or steps leading up the mountain. Each of the lakes are named according to its shape.

The first lake - “The Tear”(Salzata) is the highest of the Rila Lakes. It is found at 2535 meters above sea level and has an area of .7 hectares. It is 4.5 meters at its deepest.

The second lake - “The Eye” (Okoto) is found at 2440 meters above sea level and has an area of 6.8 hectares. It is the deepest of thelakes with a depth of 37.5 meters.

The third lake - “The Kidney” (Babreka) is at an altitude of 2282 meters above sea level and has an area of 8.5 hectares. It is 28 meters at its deepest.

The fourth lake - “The Twins” (Bliznaka) are actually one lake nearly split into two. They are at 2243 meters above sea level and is the largest and longest of the lakes. It has an area of 9.1 hectares and a depth of 27.5 meters.

The fifth lake - “Three-Lobed Lake” (Trilistnika) has an irregular shape and steep banks and is found at 2216 meters above sea level. It is 6.5 meters deep and has a total area of 2.6 hectares.

The sixth lake - “The Fish Lake” (Ribno Ezero) is found at 2184 meters above seal level and has an area of 3.5 hectares. It is the shallowest of the lakes at 2.5 meters. The 7 Lakes Lodge is found at its most Northern bank.

The seventh lake - “The Low Lake” (Dolnoto Ezero) is at 2095 meteres above sea level, has an area of 5.9 hectares and is 11 meters deep.

The Seven Rila Lakes comprise an extremely sensitive and wonderous spot within the boundaries of Rila National Park. Many of its species are native to the area and are listed in the Red Data Book of Flora and Fauna, which denotes them as endangered or rare.

An interesting event that occurs annually within the area of The Seven Lakes is the celebration of the followers of the Bulgarian Christian Spiritualist, Peter Dunov [ Benisa Duno ]. “The Dunovistes” gather each year on the 19th of August to celebrate the teachings of Mr. Dunov by dressing in white and dancing and singing in large concentric circles under the peaks of Rila.

Sapareva Banya is located in southwestern part of Bulgaria, on the northern slope of mountain Rila, in two hours drive from Sofia, the Capital of Bulgaria. Municipality is the popular tourist zone, known by its Seven Rila Lakes, the Skakavitza Reserve and Waterfalls. Municipality with the administrative centre Sapareva Banya, also includes villages Saparevo, Recilovo, Ovchrtzi and the mountain resort Panichishte, located 15 kilometers to the east from Dupnitza.

Municipality proudly shares one third of its territory with Rila National Park, which was established in 1992.

Sapareva Banya is well-known for its unique geothermal mineral water. Here you will find the hottest mineral water in all Europe (103 C) and the only active Geyser in the Balkans. You can reach Sapareva Banya and the Panichishte Resort, driving in southern direction from Sofia on international highway E - 79 within 45 minutes, than take the Doupnitza exit and follow the signs to Sapareva Banya (15 minutes). For public transportation services to Sapareva Banya there is one direct bus dailyat 2:00p.m. from the “Ovcha Kypel” bus station. Buses run hourly from the same station to Doupnitza where you can catch any of the “Saparevo” buses that run every half hour. All buses will drop you off in front of the Tourist Information Center in Sapreva Banya.

Tourism in Sapareva Banya

In recent years great attention was paid to improving the tourism infrastructure in Sapareva Banya. New sidewalks, trees, cafes and hotels have sprung up in the center and along the main road leading to Panichishte. Sapareva Banya’s growth as a Bulgarian mountain resort has been largely due to its proximity to Sofia and its growing opportunities for mountain, ski, religious and spa tourism.

Being in Sapareva Banya enjoy the following:

The Geyser which is located in the center of town and surrounded by a large city park and restaurant by the same name. This Geyser is the оnly one in the Balkans and sprays geothermal mineral water 18 meters into the air every 20 seconds. Be sure to visit the Geyser at night when the colored lights at its base create a striking effect.

Located directly across from the Municipal Administration, the Byzantine church of St. Nikola dates from the XIII century is surrounded by antiquities from the Roman city of Germanea, now Sapareva Banya.

The Sapareva Banya Sanitorium Health Center is a short walk down from the Geyser and is an affordable getaway for Bulgarian tourists. Be sure to stroll the paths through the ancient roman ruins directly in front of the main building.

Mineral Water SPA in Sapareva Banya

Sapareva Banya is justly proud of its cool mountain water and healing geothermal mineral waters. The mineral water is largely sulfuric with significant levels of iron, calcium and manganese. It is the hottest mineral water in the Balkans and produces the only active geyser here as well. The geyser and its surrounding park were developed in 1957 and have been tapped as a geothermal heating source for the municipal buildings and the greenhouses.

The sanatorium and medical center of Sapareva Banya already more than 50 years specializes on treatment of patients with illnesses of the top respiratory system, nervous and is intimate - vascular system, inflammations and complications of impellent system, mental and neurologic traumas, professional and various chronic diseases, orthopedic lacks, etc. Its staff is composed of trained specialists in mud treatments, hot water massage and physical therapy. The Sanatorium complex also contains an outdoor mineral water pool for use during the summer season.

After a day spent hiking the trails of Northwestern Rila, treat yourself to a bath in the hottest and most therapeutic water in Europe. The Sapareva Banya Mineral Baths have been completely remodeled and are open from 7:00a.m. until 7:00p.m. The baths are divided into men’s and women’s pools where personal massages are available. A third section offers private baths for family use.

Afterwards enjoy a drink in the adjacent city park and pavilion.

Panichishte city near Sapareva Banya
The Pahichishte Resort is situated in 20 minutes drive from Sapareva Banya up a scenic mountain road, at the height of 1400 m. This resort is absolutely unknown to the Russian tourists. Modern hotels, restaurants and bars, meeting all requirements and wishes of tourists, 5 lifts, 6 lines of various complexity, children’s and racing lines, fresh mountain air, interesting excursions, excellent driving, floor prices for mountain-skiing services - guarantee excellent rest.

Is available regular transportation from the Information Tourist Center of Sapareva Banya. Be sure to visit the Rila National Park Visitors Center located in the resort. For further information please click on “Panichishte” from the home page.

Recilovo near Sapareva Banya
The first village you will see entering our municipality is Resilovo, located just 5 kilometers East of the City of Doupnitza. The village is famous for having one of the very few functioning convents in Bulgaria. Known as the Devine Mother Monastery, it is nestled in the forest just above the village. The monastery is opened daily and services are held each Sunday morning. In the fall, at the first of October is celibrated the festival of the monastery. Traditional music can be heard, dance groups perform and excellent food and drink are available.

Ovchartzi village near Sapareva Banya
Next village, Ovchartzi is situated right at the foot of some of the most beautiful nature on Rila Mountain. Just a twenty minute walk from the center you reach the base of the Ovchartzi Waterfalls. Here there is an observation point from where you can watch water fall from 39 meters and crash into to large pools located just below. There are two very nice “mehanas” (traditional restaurants) located along the walk. This village is also famous for its group of singing grandmothers that perform at national festivals throughout Bulgaria.

Saparevo village near Sapareva Banya
Just 4 kilometers East of Sapareva Banya lies the village of Saparevo. This is a quintessential Bulgarian village set in the rolling foot hills of Rila Mountain. Life here is traditional and centered largely around the Eastern Orthodox Church. Have a walk through the streets and visit the Church of the Devine Mother near the center, before hiking 25 minutes up to the Paraklic of The Archangel Micheal.