Tourism In Sandanski

PRES SANDANSKI
Location
The town of Sandanski has a strategic location 160 km southwest of Sofia, 20 km of the Bulgarian - Greek border and 160 km of Thessaloniki ,Greece and it is easily accessible for tourists from around the world through international airports in Sofia and Thessaloniki. The town is located in the valley of the river Sandanska Bistrica at the foot of the Pirin Mountains. Itis famous Bulgarian balneology and Spa resort, well-known for the curative power of its mineral springs.

History
The combination of favourable natural resources with a wealth of geothermal springs made the town one of the oldest settlement centers in the Balkans since the time of the Trojan War. Since most profound antiquity in these places has maintained an active cultural and economiclife. Traces of prehistoric, Thracian, Hellenic, Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman, Bulgarian revival and contemporary presence can be found scattered throughout the municipality. Historical legend says that around today’s Sandanski town was born and grown up the brave Thracian mercenary Spartacus from the tribe Medi, who had become a Roman soldier and commander and after that he arisen against the RomeEmpire. To VI century the city is one of the first Christian Episcopal offices in Bulgaria. At the end of VI century was destroyed by barbarian tribes. New life of the settlement provides two brothers - Kozma and Damjan - folk healers and in their memory, it begins to be called Sveti Vrach (Saint Healer) until 1947 when it was renamed of the revolutionary Yane Sandanski. The ancient village liesentirely on the premises of the modern city.

Clime
Without exaggeration the climate of Sandanski can be described as unique. Throughout the year, air temperatures are higher than anywhere else in the country. The average annual temperature (14.7C) is the highest in Bulgaria. The winter is mild and short, and the autumn - long and warm. The relative air humidity is low (66 per cent), and the annualduration of sunshine is no less than 2,436 hours. Sandanski has the lowest annual rainfall in Bulgaria (127 litres per square metre) and almost no foggy days. The air is remarkably clean and pollution free.

Healer

The mild Mediterranean climate and the lack of pollution bring the glory to the Municipality of Sandanski as the best natural clinic for asthma in Europe. The air in Sandanski iscrystal clean, rich in oxygen and negative ions reflects favourably in patients with chronic allergic diseases of the respiratory system and allergies. The climate treatment in combination with balneotherapy with mineral water, given decades before potential tourist development of the municipality. The mountainous climate in secondary and high Parts of the mountains Pirin and Slavyanka is verysuitable for recreation.

SPA
The healthy climate and the mineral springs in the resort had attracted settlers since Antiquity. The mineral springs of Sandanski have temperatures ranging from 33 to 83 degrees Centigrade, which makes them appropriate for baths and even drinking. The town has large ranger of hotels, from small family hotels to big five stars luxurious hotels, offering spa andmineral water procedures for full relax. In 2009 the city won the award for The Best Spa Destination in Bulgaria.

Sightseeing: The Ancient town of Sandanski was declared an Archaeological and cultural monument of national importance. Interesting to the visitors of the town is the Archaeological Museum. It features valuable exhibits from a late Antiquity town of the 4th – 6th century. Other landmarksare the Basilica of Bishop John - located at area of the Archaeological Museum and the Early-Christian Complex - includes a Basilica and an ancient street from V-VI century, the Saint George Church, St.St. Kuzma and Damyan Monastery, Sandanski Art Gallery and the two plane trees. The trees are declared nature landmarks and are 500 years old, one of them being 25 metres high. Great pride of...