region information
100 km south of Sofia on the way to Thessaloniki and Athens is the largest city in Southwest Bulgaria and regional center - Blagoevgrad. Situated on both sides of the river. Bystrica, almost where it flows into the Struma River. Where the river and towering on either side of Rila and Vlahina form Blagoevgrad valley. This is almost the geographical center of the Balkans - a region in which from time immemorial has the presence of civilized life. From VI-V millennium BC. are few known prehistoric settlements in the vicinity.
