Surrounded by 1m thick stone walls, this 19th-century church has the air of a fortress. By contrast, the interior is a multicolour marvel with flower-spangled ceilings and columns painted rich shades of green and crimson. In the churchyard, the 30m-high clock tower (1850) is one of Bansko's most recognisable landmarks.
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
Church of Rozhdestvo Bogorodichno
21.92 MILES
The highlight of Rila Monastery is this magnificent church, built from 1834 to 1837, with distinctive black-and-white archways and three yellow-painted…
-
0.08 MILES
This richly painted 18th-century mansion stands out among Bulgaria's countless heritage properties. Admire elaborate frescoes within the house-museum and…
-
22.03 MILES
Bulgaria's largest Revival-era building, this whitewashed and wooden mansion beams down from a cliff face at the eastern end of Melnik's main road. Dating…
-
Ecclesiastical & Historical Museum
21.93 MILES
Rila Monastery's museum has a diverting collection of items and documents from across the centuries, including 14th-century wood carvings, Revival-era…
-
House Museum of Nikola Vaptsarov
0.18 MILES
This house-museum was the birthplace of Nikola Vaptsarov (1909–42), a respected antifascist poet and activist. Influenced by communist ideology while a…
-
0.03 MILES
Occupying a Revival-era stone and wood building, this house-museum exhibits manuscripts by, and photos of, Rilski (1793–1881), the father of Bulgarian…
-
22.03 MILES
Learn the history and tools of Melnik's winemaking trade; ogle 400-plus bottles of wine; and work your way through a tasting menu at this fun museum…
-
Museum of Otets Paisii Hilendarski
0.07 MILES
Commemorating the eponymous local monk, author and instigator of Bulgarian nationalism, this museum contains a chapel with a replica of the room at the…
Nearby attractions
1. House Museum of Neofit Rilski
0.03 MILES
Occupying a Revival-era stone and wood building, this house-museum exhibits manuscripts by, and photos of, Rilski (1793–1881), the father of Bulgarian…
2. Museum of Otets Paisii Hilendarski
0.07 MILES
Commemorating the eponymous local monk, author and instigator of Bulgarian nationalism, this museum contains a chapel with a replica of the room at the…
0.08 MILES
This richly painted 18th-century mansion stands out among Bulgaria's countless heritage properties. Admire elaborate frescoes within the house-museum and…
4. Bansko Permanent Icon Exhibition
0.08 MILES
Housed within a former nunnery dating to 1749, this small museum exhibits 18th- and 19th-century icons painted by the Bansko School of art.
5. Historical & Ethnographical Museum
0.14 MILES
This museum in a 19th-century mansion contains finds dating back to 6000 BC, plus antique, medieval and 19th-century National Revival–period items.
6. House Museum of Nikola Vaptsarov
0.18 MILES
This house-museum was the birthplace of Nikola Vaptsarov (1909–42), a respected antifascist poet and activist. Influenced by communist ideology while a…
7. Church of Rozhdestvo Bogorodichno
21.92 MILES
The highlight of Rila Monastery is this magnificent church, built from 1834 to 1837, with distinctive black-and-white archways and three yellow-painted…
8. Ecclesiastical & Historical Museum
21.93 MILES
Rila Monastery's museum has a diverting collection of items and documents from across the centuries, including 14th-century wood carvings, Revival-era…