The region

The village of Banya is located in a mountainous area at 801 m above sea level, in the center of the Razlog valley between three mountains – Pirin, Rila and Rhodopes. It is located at a 5 km distance from Bansko and Razlog, 25 km from Yakoruda and about 150 km from Sofia and Plovdiv. The Septemvri-Dobrinishte railway, which was built in the 1930s, passes through here.

In the village there is a Turkish bath, the so-called Murtina bath, from the 17th century and a second Turkish bath – the so-called Roman bath, also known as the Old Bulgarian bath.

The area of Trestenik is located on the outskirts of the village. Also known as the villa area of the village, the area is home to many private villas. Nature has left a beautiful imprint on this part of the forest. There are mineral springs as well as rich vegetation. There is also a private dam in Trestenik. The most famous is the “Hunter’s Villa”, which is emblematic of the people practicing hunting in the village. Trestenik is a popular place for picnics and Sunday outings in the forest.

Another landmark is the Kameno sanctuary (also known as Kamenot or the Big Stone), located at the southern end of the village and revered in antiquity as a cult place. Later legends about it are also associated with the image of Krali Marko, who, according to the legend, threw the stone right here.

There is an Ethnographic and Historical Museum in the village.