“Presentation of the Blessed Virgin“ church

The constraction of “Presentation of the Blessed Virgin“ church started in 1840 and ended in 1844. The people built the temple with their own money and voluntary work. There’s a monument, dedicated to Gotse Delchev’s family in the churchyard. Before the construction of that church, a small chapel at the same spot housed the so called “cell” school /all primary schools attached to monasteries during the Ottoman Rule were called “cell schools”/of Gorna Dzhumaya. It was built as a replica of the Rila Monastery temple and the bell tower is to the side of the building.

The church “Presentation of the Blessed Virgin“ was consecrated in 1844 in Varosha, and in the next 50 years it was completed and painted.

The constraction of the church was made by master builders from the village of Stoymirovo, Maleshevsko and the voluntary work of all the Bulgarians from the town and the surrounding villages. The murals were made by icon painters from The Bansko Art School - Mihail Golev, Dimitar Sirleshtov, Kosta Marunchev. The majority of the icons were made by masters from Bansko and Samokov Art schools.

Availability for visits: Free, all year round

Transport accessibility: at the centre of Blagoevgrad town, road nearby

Tourist infrastructure: hotels, restaurants, shops