Banya, Pazardzhik Province Explained

Official Name:Banya
Native Name:Баня
Settlement Type:Village
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Type1:Provinces
Subdivision Name1:Pazardzhik Province
Subdivision Type2:Municipality
Subdivision Name2:Panagyurishte Municipality
Timezone:EET
Utc Offset:+2
Timezone Dst:EEST
Utc Offset Dst:+3
Pushpin Map:Bulgaria
Pushpin Map Caption:Location of Banya
Postal Code Type:Postal Code
Population Total:856
Population Footnotes:[1]
Population As Of:2007-01-01
Population Density Km2:auto
Area Total Km2:34.017
Elevation M:520
Postal Code:4523
Coordinates:42.45°N 33°W
Leader Title:Mayor
Leader Name:Ivan Prodanov
Leader Party:Independent

Banya (Bulgarian: Баня) is a village in the Panagyurishte Municipality, Bulgaria. As of 2007 it has 856 inhabitants. The village is known throughout the region with its mineral baths and its spa resort. The ruins of an ancient fortress are located 3 km to the south.

Geography

The village of Banya is situated in a mountainous region. It lies in the Sredna Gora mountain, in the Bata-Banya valley. The river Banska Luda Yana runs through the village and flows into the Panagyurska Luda Yana downstream. The closest settlements are the town of Panagyurishte, which is the centre of the municipality at 11 km and the village of Bata at 5 km. Bukova Mogila Peak (974 m) is located to the south-west.

The village has been inhabited since the time of the Thracians. A tomb of a Thracian ruler has been discovered and the artifacts can be seen in the Village Hall. Banya was the birthplace of one of the most charismatic figures in the April Uprising, the priest Gruyo Banski and his followers Atanas Kaloyanov and Stoyan Karoleev.

There are chitalishte, library, kindergarten and school. Banya has several recreation facilities with its mineral springs, outdoor and indoor pools, hotel, restaurants and pub. The population is Christian Orthodox, there are two churches and a small chapel with frescoes.

Culture and landmarks

A monument of Gruyo Banki has been erected in the centre of the village. His house is converted to a small museum. There is a path leading to the locality Kalato where there are remains of a Roman fortress. It was used as a refuge by the local population during the Ottoman rule. The surroundings of the village are dominated by old oak and beech forests and hundreds of decares of orchards, mainly sour cherry and plum.

Regular events

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Bulgaria Guide, Banya . 11 January 2009 .