Sandanski - About

More about the city

Sandanski

Country: Bulgaria

Sandanski is a town in South West Bulgaria located on the territory of Blagoevgrad District. The town is the warmest in the country with average annual air temperature of 14.1°С. The town population is 24,908 as per data of the National Statistical Institute as of 31st December 2018. The town is also famous as the best natural “sanitarium” for bronchial asthma in Europe and it is also recommended for treatment of various lung diseases. The town is beautiful, green, and lively, and due to its strategic location and natural resources, it has been populated ever since ancient times.

History

The historians consider Sandanski one of the most ancient towns on the Balkan peninsula. Data of archaeological excavations shows that a village existed on the current territory of the town as early as in the 2 millennium B.C.—also the times of ancient Troy. The region was populated by Thracians of the “medi” tribe who populated the middle stream of the Strimon river (nowadays Struma). After being conquered by the Romans, the village grew larger and flourished. Laws were established, streams with curative properties were captured, mineral baths were built as well as multiple roads. All of the above led to the economic growth of the whole region. After the Barbarian conquests at the end of the 4th century AD and after adopting Christianity, a new prime in architecture, art and way of life in the city took place. During the times of the Byzantine emperor Justinian the Great, the village was expanded and modernized. In the late antiquity period (the 4th – 6th century), the ancient predecessor of today's Sandanski was an important cultural and religious center which is evident from the six early Christianity basilicas found there. In medieval times, the town was called Saint Vrach, but during the period in which Bulgaria was under Ottoman rule, the town suffered a decline and it turned into a small village. It wasn’t until the Liberation, even as late as in the beginning of the 20th century, when the town began returning to its old self of historic and cultural center. In 1929, it was officially classified as town and turned into an administrative and political center of the region.

Geography

Sandanski is located in the Sandanski-Petrich hollow—in the skirts of Pirin mountain. The town is located amphitheatrically on the south-west slopes of Pirin and on the lower stream of Sandanska Bistritsa river. It is located in the middle between the Kresna Gorge and the Rupel Gorge, which contributes to its extremely favorable climate. Sandanski is the warmest town in Bulgaria and its region is the most sunny in the country. Winters are not too cold with mainly rainfalls rather than snowfalls. The town is located at altitude of 240 – 296 meters and the air has the lowest contents of allergens in the whole country. Thanks to its unique nature, soft climate, warm mineral springs and its clean air, the town has turned into a modern cultural center attracting tourists from all over Europe. The resort is at almost the same distance from Sofia and Thessaloníki, which makes it a key point on the international main road E79. Melnik, the smallest town in Bulgaria, is located near Sandanski as well as the amazing Rozhen Monastery.

Infrastructure

The town has well-developed road infrastructure and positive demographic and ecological indices. Over BGN 10 million have been invested in the hotel infrastructure in the last 2 years which additionally contributes to the affirmation of the town as one of the best SPA destinations in Bulgaria. In December 2018, Lot 3.3 of Struma Highway between Kresna and Sandanski was opened which rerouted and normalized the traffic toward Greece. Sandanski is one of the greenest towns in Bulgaria. The town park Saint Vrach, which was also the former name of the town, spans on a territory of 344,000 sq.m. and it is one of the largest town parks in the country. It is the only park with sand alleys. It also has centuries-old conifers, which are proclaimed as natural resources. The park has multiple rare plants, as well as exotic ones, brought from the Middle East, America, North Africa and the Mediterranean. Sandanski’s unique location, its rich cultural heritage, gorgeous natural treasures and excellent climate make it a true “pearl” in this part of Bulgaria. The quality of public services is high, the social investments increase with each year, and the environment is favourable for small and middle businesses. The town has pleasant living conditions, huge tourist potential and may opportunities for significant cultural, social, and business events.

Development

Sandanski can boast with its rich nature. Blessed by God and withstood the whims of time. A town with 3200-year-old history, an ancient civilizations crossroad and a medium of rich culture of the times of Thracians and Romans. A combination of favourable natural resources, among which multiple mineral springs with various temperatures (there are over 80 springs with temperature exceeding 42 – 81°С ), low mineralization and rich chemical composition, makes Sandanski a year-round tourist destination. The town offers various opportunities for active recreation and it charms with its cozy urban environment, amazing climate, and interesting architectural and art sights. Actually, the architectural heritage of Sandanski is one of the richest in Bulgaria—over 100 cultural monuments have been documented on the town territory. Historical evidence show that the brave Thracian hero Spartak used to live in the region. His image is immortalized in the memorial complex Spartak which welcomes and sends away town visitors at the town entrance. The town also impresses with its rich cultural schedule—a night of museums, holiday concerts, poetry evenings, dance festivals, folk festivals and many other interesting events. A summer theater is located in the Saint Vrach park where each year the original Macedonian song festival “Pirin Folk” is held, as well as the Youth of the Balkans festival.