Blagoevgrad is a town with a long history. In around 300 years B. C. the Thracian civilisation emerged. The settlement with the trace name Skaptopara was known for the hot springs in the vicinity. After the Ottoman conquest of the peninsula from the 15th century there is a town with big population, which name changed many times and finally was named Gorna Dzhumaya („dzhumaya“ is arabic word – sounds a little different from the Turkish “Dzhamaa” and it means „lots of people“) means – Friday. Friday was a day for celebration pray for Muslim people, therefore a market day.
On October the 5th year 1912 Gorna Dzhumaya is liberated by the bulgarian army. After WW I in the city are settled many Bulgarians - refugees from Aegean Macedonia (Greek Macedonia) and Vardar Macedonia (Republic of Macedonia).
Gradually the organization of public services and sanitation in the city began. In year 1920 the Solun gymnasium moves in Blagoevgrad (nowadays its called National humanitarian highschool “St. Cyril and Methodius”). At first there were two schools – Junior high school and Agrarian high school. Archaeological museum was also built.
Blagoevgrad is the city with the most sunny days in the year. The climate is transitional continental with very strong Mediterranean influence, due to air masses, coming from south by the valley of Struma river. The city is protected from the cold north winds because of the natural barrier of the high Rila mountain and the eminence by village Belo Pole. Mountain breeze, coming from Rila by the river Bistritsa cool the air during summer heat. Winds are mild – 1,6 metres per second. Thanks to mountain woods around the city and the lack of industrial pollution, the air in Blagoevgrad is clean. The winter is soft, short and almost without snow, average temperature in January is 0,6°С. The summer is long and dry, with very low rain level. Avegare temperature in July is 23,4°С and max temperature, measured in Blagoevgrad is 39,9°С. Average annual air temperature is 12,6°С.
Sightseeing:
- Interesting for town's visitors is the neighbourhood “Varosha” because of its unique architecture from the period of the Bulgarian national revival. It is also a cultural centre of the town.
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Near the city there is a ski-run “Bodorst”.
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The glory of the city and Bulgaria is also spread by “Pirin” - ensemble for national folk dances and songs, who is the winner of many national and international awards.
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Blagoevgrad's theatre founded in year 1920.
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Regional historical museum in Blagoevgrad founded in year 1957
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Nowadays in museum's funds are kept materials about historical past of the region. Very interesting are memorial tablets from the roman times from the valley of Struma river, findings from the ancient necropolis by the village Rupite, the ceramics and the coins from antiquity and medieval times, findings from medieval city Melnik and Samuil's fortress