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MUNICIPALITY DOBARSKO
THE MAGIC OF DOBARSKO FOR TEN DAYS

The village of Dobarsko, Razlog district is situated 80 km. South Blagoevgrad and 17 km. from the winter resort Bansko. Population 700 people /200 houses/.

In the village of Dobarsko is restored and preserved the church of St. Teodor Tiron i Teodor Stratilat /1614/. The three-decker church from 17 century is half dug into the ground as the builders didn’t want to attract Ottoman authorities’ attention. The beautifully preserved murals of the church depict scenes from Jesus Christ’s life. The ancient church of St. Teodor Tiron i Teodor Stratilat is an unique sanctuary and is in UNESCO’s World heritage list.

Dobarsko Renaissance church - Sretenie Gospodne /1860 /is still functional. It has richly decorated iconostasis made by artists from Bansko School.
In this beautiful area of untouched nature there are eight consecrated grounds. In one of them /500 m. from the village/ was rebuilt the church of Uspenie Presveta Bogoroditsa.
In addition to the heavenly nature one can enjoy:
Fresh air and tradition organic food;

In a historical document Dobarsko is mentioned for the first time in Tsar Shishman’s Rila Decree from 1378. Dobarsko is the most economically developed settlement in Razlog valley until the end of 18 century, when Bansko outgrows it. The huge amount of cattle bred in its beautiful pastures was brought south to Seres and Drama in the winter where the Dobarsko tradesmen exported wool to Bosnia, Serbia, Austria and Hungary.
A legend tells that founders of this marvelous place in the south foot of the holy Rila mountains were the blinded soldiers from Tsar Samuil’s army who couldn’t get to the Rila monastery as the winter came too early. The historical fact is: Tsar Samuil's army was defeated in battle at Belassitsa Mountain in 1014 by the Byzantine Emperor Basil 11, whose nickname was Bulgarochthonos (the 'Bulgar-Slayer'). Basil 11 took most of the Bulgarian army prisoner, blinded the soldiers, and sent the men back to the Tsar leaving one one-eyed man to lead the blind men. The soldiers had their reasons to choose the location of the village of Dobarsko - water with healing powers that springs in the churchyard of St. Theodor Tiron and Theodor Stratilat church.
In a historical document Dobarsko is mentioned for the first time in Tsar Shishman’s Rila Decree from 1378. Dobarsko is the most economically developed settlement in Razlog valley until the end of 18 century, when Bansko outgrows it. The huge amount of cattle bred in its beautiful pastures was brought south to Seres and Drama in the winter where the Dobarsko tradesmen exported wool to Bosnia, Serbia, Austria and Hungary.
A legend tells that founders of this marvelous place in the south foot of the holy Rila mountains were the blinded soldiers from Tsar Samuil’s army who couldn’t get to the Rila monastery as the winter came too early. The historical fact is: Tsar Samuil's army was defeated in battle at Belassitsa Mountain in 1014 by the Byzantine Emperor Basil 11, whose nickname was Bulgarochthonos (the 'Bulgar-Slayer'). Basil 11 took most of the Bulgarian army prisoner, blinded the soldiers, and sent the men back to the Tsar leaving one one-eyed man to lead the blind men. The soldiers had their reasons to choose the location of the village of Dobarsko - water with healing powers that springs in the churchyard of St. Theodor Tiron and Theodor Stratilat church.
St. Theodor Tiron and Theodor Stratilat church was built in 1614 by educated and wealthy people. The principal donor Hassiya had just returned from a visit to Jerusalem and 'other holy places'. He brought holly soil from Jerusalem so that even people who can not afford to go to the sacred grounds of Christianity to receive holy blessing.
The unique church, in UNESCO’s world heritage list, was restored in 1978. Phenomenal murals depict Jesus Christ in a space rocket as well as St. Cyril and St. Policarp.

Dobasko main street separates the old St. Theodor Tiron and Theodor Stratilat church from the second church in the village named Sretenie Gospodno. It was built in 1860. Its richly decorated iconostasis was made by artists from Bansko School.

 

 

Contacts: E-Mail: dobarsko@abv.bg; info@dobarsko.org
Internet: www.dobarsko.org , phone/Fax +359 73 83 25 39

Mrs. Nina Baikova – GSM 0888455415