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Southwestern Bulgaria >> Petrich
It is 13 km west of the frontier checkpoint of Koulata (at the border with Greece), 20 km east of the frontier checkpoint of Zlatarevo (at the border with Macedonia), 23 km from the town of Sandanski, 88 km from Blagoevgrad, and 189 km from the capital city Sofia It is located at the immediate northern foothill of the Belasitsa Mountain, along the banks of the Petrich River (the right tributary of the Stroumeshnitsa River flowing into the River Strouma). The Petrich Field along the Stroumeshnitsa Valley is one of the most fertile in Bulgaria. Due to the Mediterranean influence coming through the valley of the Strouma River a number of citrus fruits grow here - lemons, kiwi, figs, etc., as well as early fruits and vegetables.
History. Petrich was included in the territory of the Bulgarian State during the reign of Knyaz Boris I (852-889). In the Middle Ages it was a solid Bulgarian fortress of utmost importance for Tsar Samouil's wars (997-1014) with Byzantium. Petrich preserved its Bulgarian spirit under the Ottoman rule as well. In 16th century, the Christian population was 90%. In the second half of 19th century, the town decayed and at the threshold of 20th century, there are about 6000 inhabitants. In 1873, the first school was opened, and here in 1878 the Macedonian Bulgarians signed and sealed their appeal to the Great Powers against the resolutions of the Berlin Congress of the same year according to which the Petrich district was detached from Bulgaria. From 19th January 1892 Petrich and its district were included in Bulgarian Exarchate. The town population actively participated in the national liberation struggles of Macedonia. In 1899, a revolutionary committee of the IMRO (Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organisation) was set up. Petrich was liberated from Turkish rule in the Balkan War (1912-1913). Part of the population emigrated but refugees from Vardar and Aegean Macedonia settled here. During the World War I, the town was almost completely destroyed.
Landmarks. The Town Museum of History is situated in the centre (tel.: 0745 23092). The Holy Virgin Church, erected in 1857 and declared a cultural monument (tel.: 0745 24504) The Assumption Church, 19, 28th October Street (tel.: 0745 22444); St. Georgi Church 14, Moussala Str. (tel.: 0745 28420); St Nikola Church (tel.: 0745 27139).
Accommodation. Bulgaria Hotel - the biggest and most luxurious hotel in the town. It is situated right opposite the bus station in the central part of the town at 21, Tsar Boris III. Agatha Hotel in the Tsar Samouil National Sports Base (near the stadium). In Petrich there are a few private family hotels.
Transport. There is bus and railway transport to and from Petrich connecting it with the rest of the country. The bus station is situated in the central part of the town opposite the Bulgaria Hotel (tel.: 0745 24348, 22136). There are bus lines to Sofia, Blagoevgrad, Sandanski, Koulata, Zlatarevo and all villages in the Petrich Field. Petrich is the last railway station on the General Todorov - Petrich extension of the railway line Sofia - Koulata -Athens. The railway station is located in the northern part of the town (tel.: 0745 23357, 22842); there is a public bus line to the railway station. There are several bus lines within the town itself.
Surrounding areas. The most significant sight near Petrich is the Samouil Fortress-National Museum (18 km west of the town and 6 km north of the village of Klyuch, on the right bank of the Stroumeshnitsa River). At the beginning of 11th century, the Bulgarian Tsar Samouil built a defensive system against the Byzantine invasion in the Klyuch Saddle (between Belasitsa and Ograzhden Mountains). In the summer of 1014, the Byzantine Emperor Vasilius II and numerous armies entered the saddle. After a series of futile attacks to the Bulgarian defence, he sent part of the army to march round the Belasitsa Mountain and turn up in the rear of the Bulgarians. The defenders of the fortification were taken by surprise and 15 000 of them were taken prisoners. The infuriated Byzantine Emperor ordered all the captives to be blinded; to every 100 soldiers he left one with one eye to lead them. All this broke Tsar Samouil and on 6th October 1014 he died desperate. Ever since the Byzantine Emperor has been called Vasilius the Murderer of Bulgarians. Four years after this crucial battle Bulgaria fell under Byzantine rule for nearly two centuries. The imposing bronze statue of Samouil is a remarkable sight; he is in full height with legs bent in the knees under the burden of severe anguish. On either side of the statue, there are stone plates with embossed figures of the blinded soldiers. There is a museum exhibition offering significant historical information about the Bulgarian State. The biggest dwelling-place in the settlement is preserved under a glass dome. The whole of the Klyuch Saddle can be viewed from a 25 m high panoramic platform. Working hours: 08.00 a.m. - 05.00 p.m. One can use the regular bus lines from Petrich to Zlatarevo border checkpoint. Five kilometers northeast of Petrich one can find remains dating back to the Hellenic epoch (most probably of the ancient town of Petra) “Parts of a fortress wall, foundations of public buildings, architectural fragments. Coins dating back to 4th-3th centuries BC were discovered. The Roupite Nature Reserve is 10 km northeast of the town. There is a railway station on the General Todorov -Petrich line. One can see the hot steaming mineral springs at the bottom of the dead volcano of Kozhouh. This is an extremely beautiful and impressive place. The Bulgarian prophet Vanga lived here and helped the people in her last years. Her house and the St. Petka Church remind us of her. She herself was the initiator and donator for the construction of the church. The village of Marikostinovo is a spa resort 13 km east of Petrich. There are many hot mineral springs with water temperature of 58-62 C. The water is good for various illnesses. An ancient necropolis of 7th-10th century is situated nearby. The mountain of Belassitsa - it rises steep south above the town and in fact is its biggest natural park. The biggest area of edible chestnut trees can be found on the northern slopes. The mountain spreads in the territories of three countries - Bulgaria, Greece and Macedonia, and the crossing point of their borders is Mt. Toumba (1881 m), which can be climbed up for 6-7 hours starting at the village of Gabrene (only upon permission of the border authorities, there are no markings). Nine kilometers away from the town (there is an asphalt road), 720 m above sea level is the Belasitsa Chalet. One can walk the distance for 2 hours following a direct marked track. The chalet is a massive three-storied building with 80 beds in separate rooms. Tel.: 0745 22449 (Kalabak Tourist Association. Petrich). The chalet is the starting point of several marked tracks to Vodopada (the Waterfall) (0.30 min), Zaslona (the Shelter) (1 hour). Tourists can climb up the highest peak of the mountain, Mt. Radomir (2029 m) for about 6 hours but only upon permission of the border authorities at the piquet. There are no markings above the piquet.
 | Detailed information about the Bulgarian towns and cities |
Central Southern Bulgaria
Batak, Bratsigovo, Peroushtitsa, Pazardzhik, Koprivshtitsa, Sopot, Karlovo, Kalofer, Hissarya - spa resort, Plovdiv, Asenovgrad, Chepelare, Smolyan, Devin, Pavel Banya, Kazanluk, Stara Zagora, Chirpan, Dimitrovgrad, Haskovo, Kurdzhali | Southeastern Bulgaria
Svilengrad, Elhovo, Yambol, Sliven, Kotel, Karnobat, Aitos, Malko Turnovo | Northwestern Bulgaria
Berkovitza, Chiprovtzi, Belogradchik, Vidin, Kozlodui, Oriahovo, Montana, Vratsa, Mezdra, Botevgrad, Etropole, Yablanitza, Cherven bryag, Loukovit, Lom | Central Northern Bulgaria
Teteven, Troyan, Apriltzi, Lovech, Pleven, Nikopol, Svishtov, Pavlikeni, Sevlievo, Gabrovo, Tryavna, Dryanovo, Elena, Veliko Turnovo, Gorna Oryahovitsa, Byala, Rousse | Southwestern Bulgaria
Petrich, Sandanski, Gotse Delchev, Bansko ski resort, Razlog, Blagoevgrad, Doupnitsa, Samokov, Kyustendil, Pernik, Pirdop and Zlatitsa, Panagyurishte, Kostenets, Velingrad | Northeastern Bulgaria
Pliska, Shoumen, Veliki Preslav, Turgovishte, Razgrad, Toutrakan, Silistra, Dobrich, Provadia | Bulgarian Black Sea Coast
Shabla, Roussalka, Kavarna, Balchik, Albena, Zlatni Pyasutsi (GOLDEN SANDS), St. St. Konstantin and Elena, Varna, Kamchia, Obzor, Elenite, Slunchev Bryag (SUNNY BEACH), Nessebar, Pomorie, Bourgas, Sozopol, Dyuni, Primorsko, Kiten, Tsarevo, Ahtopol | Bulgarian Mountains
Rila, Rila Monastery, Borovetz, Malyovitza, Pirin, Melnik and The Rozhen Monastery, Shiligarnika, Stara Planina (The Balkan Mountain), KOM - Emine Route, The Rhodope Mountains, Pamporovo, Bachkovo Monastery, Shiroka Luka, Vitosha |
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