en bg

Home › Dobarsko

Dobarsko is a village in Rila, located 17 km from Bansko and 70 km from Blagoevgrad. A small tributary of the river of Klinoshtitsa passes through it and the Rila National Park starts on its territory. It includes a number of nature reserves, protected areas, natural landmarks, ancient forests and trails, beautiful meadows, sparkling lakes. The oldest traces of the history of the village are the remains of a Roman kiln for bricks and tiles from 3-4 century and it is first mentioned under the name of Gnidobradsko in a certificate of King Shishman from 1378 for the Rila Monastery. According to the legend, the blinded Samuil's soldiers stopped here on their way to the Rila Monastery. They found healing in the curative water welling up in the courtyard of the medieval church of St. Theodore Tyron and Theodore Stratelates. Today, too, the church, built in 1614, gathers many visitors with its unique murals for which it is declared a monument of culture, and in the flower garden in front of the entrance one may find the healing spring where everyone can be sprayed with the "magic" water. The Candlemas Church from the 19th century is a symbol of the Bulgarian National Revival with its valuable iconostasis is painted by Simeon Molerov, a representative of the Bansko Art School. The chapel of Virgin Mary is very close to the village, too. It is built on one of the eight sanctuaries of Obrochishte. Dobarsko is a part of the pilgrimage path that includes all the churches in the village, located in the form of a cross. Mount St. Elijah is in the south from there, in the north - the chapel of the Virgin Mary, in the east - Kopanata Church, and in the west - Georgiev Church. Hikers may go to the Shtrokaloto Waterfall that is located next to Dobarsko and visit the century-old tree which is considered to be a Doklyuva fir tree aged 500 years. A part of the huge tree roots have come to the surface and form a gap that tourists often use as a shelter against storms. Other popular routes in the region of Dobarsko are Patekata na Gluhara Trail and the Patekata na Rilskata Iglika Trail. Rural and ecotourism have been successfully developed in recent years and there are comfortable hotels in Dobarsko and guest houses. The proximity to Bansko makes it even a more attractive resting place for people who prefer the fresh mountain air and beautiful scenery.