6 km south from the world famous ski resort of Bansko a road sign says “Welcome to Dobrinishte”. This literally means “Good things” and plenty of goodness is being there for you.
Dobrinishte is a very old village – there are archaeological artifacts from 6000 years ago. Within the city are gushing 17 mineral springs, which are ideal for relax and refreshment. It is no coincidence that at the time of the Roman Empire in the area were built baths, which later are upgraded by the Turks. Nowadays the mineral water of Dobrinishte is a great choice for a great spa therapy. The visitors can enjoy water tenderness in public pool or spa at several hotels.
If you really want to understand how the Bulgarians from the valley of the Mesta River live, you should spend some time here. Locals are typical mountaineers, very lofty and good-natured, great persons and healthy. Their characters are mainly due to the fresh air, pure water in rivers, delicious cuisine and unique sense of humor. The town is a perfect place for culinary feasts in one of the many family taverns – “mehana”. The word “mehana” has a very interesting origin. In the old days the locals drank heavy red wine, which transported in leather wine-skins through the mountain. From there appeared the word – a place, where men gathered to drink wine from “meh”. And in nowadays there is a passage, high in the mountains, named Wine Gate.
Dobrinishte is located at the outskirts of Pirin Mountain. Here is the longest ski track in the Bulgaria (5008 m), called “Bezbog” (in Bulgarian means “Godless“. In the winter snows a lot and the conditions are great for free-ski riding. The ski-enthusiasts can sleep in hut “Bezbog” at the top of the mountain and to be the first ski-riders just before the dawn and the ski-lift has been opened. In winter the ski tracks around Dobrinishte are superior place for romantics and extreme skiers.
If you don’t ski, you could just relax at the spa and try the delicious food. You must be ready to taste the local dishes, which includes a lot of meat, steamed vegetables, dairy products and typical salami. Up in the mountain, because of the low temperatures, typical is the big amount of foods. The names of local delicacies are difficult to pronounce. But this should not stop you to try them. Ask for “kapama” – typical for the region. You should try also “chomlek” (usually lamb kebab) or “banski starets” (salami with herbs and peppers). This must be garnished with red wine from Melnik region and incredible local folk songs. The local male bass voices are unique and local songs can be heard everywhere in the taverns.
The hotels at Dobrinishte ar cozy. Most of them are family hotels and bear the names of their owners. This is a guarantee for good memories and high spirits.
How to get there? - Why not get on the only narrow-gauge line in Bulgaria. It will go through the highest station in Balkans – Avramovo. But you must have patience - it takes 7 hours from Sofia, but will remain romantic memories of train smoke in tunnels. A quicker option is to take bus to Bansko and get from there by taxi. There are buses to Gotse Delchev passing by Dobrinishte. The busses are on every hour.
Author: Gavrail Gavrailov