The sacred place Rupite

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Rupite is a small mountainous protected area in the southeastern part Blagoevgrad Province, some 10 kilometres northeast of Petrich, on the right bank of the Struma River. It is best known as the place where the Bulgarian prophet Baba Vanga (1911-1996) lived and was buried. In 1992 by her will the Church of St Petka was constructed at this site and has since then become a place of worship for many people. The icons were created by the noted artist Svetlin Rusev and were not generally approved by the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church for being too realistic and not conforming to the canons. Right next to the church there are thermal springs (78 0С). The water is good for healing cardiovascular problems, bone and joint weakness, which makes it a famous SPA centre as well. Nearby is also the the house of Vanga.

It is also interesting to note that the area is in fact the crater of an extinct volcano, its appearance being shaped by the volcanic hill of Kozhuh. In the southwestern approuches of the hill, excavations have revealed remains of an anciant town Petra build more than 5000 years ago.

Hotels

	Hotel Komitite Petrich	view profile
	Hotel Merilyn Petrich • Price per person: 5 - 7.5 EUR	view profile
	Lodging rooms Zora Petrich • Price per person: 8.35 - 15 EUR	view profile
	Guest house Ana-Val Sandanski • Price per person: 16.25 - 16.9 EUR	view profile
	Hotel Rio Petrich	view profile
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