MUNICIPALITY OF SANDANSKI

Municipality of Sandanski is located among the majestic Pirin Mountain and the borders with Greece and Macedonia. The municipality occupies a great part of the large Sandanski-Petrich basin with a picturesque valley of the middle current of Struma River which is situated along the banks of the river Sandanska Bistritsa. Sandanski has the highest number of sunny days in the country – 2,506 hours.

Municipality of Sandanski is characterized by wide variety of terrain – flat in the valley of the Struma River, mountain, highland and foothill in the mountains Pirin, Slavyanka, Ograzhden and Maleshevska. The municipality covers parts of the National Park “Pirin”, listed as World Heritage by UNESCO.

The mineral springs are an exceptional natural wealth of the municipality. Sandanski is recognized as the best natural treatment clinic for diseases of the respiratory tract.

Archaeological heritage in the municipality is one of the richest and most various in Bulgaria with declared 5000 monuments of culture including the period from the earliest times to the Middle Ages.

Under present Sandanski is situated the ancient city – the most important ancient and early Christian center in the whole region. Here is found the Roman settlement of I-II century. Especially valuable are the four basilicas of early Christianity / IV-VI c /. Particularly interesting are the Episcopal basilica, the Basilica of Bishop John and the Early Christian complex. Outside the ancient city is the tomb-mausoleum of the Roman aristocrat /II-IV century/. Above the foundations of the basilica of Bishop John lies the Archaeological Museum, which is specialized in antique archeology. Its rich collection includes 11,367 exhibits.

A legend tells that somewhere around the town of Sandanski was born a brave Thracian warrior Spartak.

22 km southeast of Sandanski, in the south-western slopes of Southern Pirin, the smallest town in Bulgaria – Melnik is situated among the unique natural phenomenon. Melnik is an ancient town with an exceptionally rich cultural and historical heritage and preserved ancient architecture. Together with the Melnik pyramids and the nearby Rozhen monastery, Melnik was declared a historical archaeological and architectural reserve of international importance.