Country Bulgaria Time zone EET (UTC+2) Elevation 520 m Local time Thursday 5:23 AM Province Pazardzhik Province | Provinces Pazardzhik Province Postal Code 4523 Area 34.02 km² Population 856 (1 Jan 2007) | |
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Weather 3°C, Wind NW at 31 km/h, 84% Humidity Municipality Panagyurishte Municipality | ||
Banya (Bulgarian: Баня) is a village in the Panagyurishte Municipality, Bulgaria. As of 2007 it has 856 inhabitants. The village is famous throughout the region with its mineral baths and its spa resort. The ruins of an ancient fortress are located 3 km to the south.
Contents
Map of 4523 Banya, Bulgaria
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 rich history. It was 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 excellent conditions for recreation 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 beautiful 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.