Climate and Natural Resources

The territory of Kresna Municipality is an interesting mosaic of different kinds of relief. Altitude varies from 150 m above sea level in the village of Dolna Gradeshnitsa up to 2914 m above sea level at Vihren peak. The valley of the Struma river can be described as a typical transitional Mediterranean climate. The average duration of sunshine is 243 days per year – one of the highest values in the country, approaching the values measured in the most famous resorts of Dalamtia. With main thoroughfare the Struma river, to the North of Kresna it forms a picturesque gorge, having been named after the town. Natural water basins are the Vlahinski, Sinevrashki and Georgiiski lakes.
Mineral springs have been found at 4 main places: between the town of Kresna and the village of Nova Gradeshnitsa, between the villages of Stara Kresna and Oshtava, near the villages of Gorna Breznitsa and Vlahi.
The Breznishki mineral springs are of 36o – 38o C temperature, acidity is 8,5.
Water is caught and has a high content of sodium and sulfate ions. It is suitable for treatment of pulmonary and bone-joint diseases. It is also used for daily wants.
In the village of Gorna Breznitsa is the largest natural field of plane-tree, covering an area of 11.40 hectares. There are circa 3000 trees, aged approximately from 300 up to 500 years.
The specific natural resources are favorable to various recreation activities in a forest environment and along the Struma river valley - sporting for health, hiking in the open air, picnics, gathering wild fruits, amateur fishing, etc.

Historical Heritage

The village of Gorna Breznitsa is situated in an area rich in cultural and historical records of the past, of great archeological and architectural as well as geographical value.
Architectural and Ethnographic Sights
Historical records of architectural value are the Eastern Orthodox churches situated in the Malashevska mountain. These are typical representatives of the architectural style mostly used during the time of Turkish slavery – half-dug into the earth, simple outer appearance /Goreme, Gorna Ribnitsa, Kurpelevo, Velyushtets, etc./. One larger church of that period is the church in the village of Dobri Laki, dating back to year 910. The rest of the churches are build more recently and are of artistic rather that historical value.
Apart from the churches, other architectural sights are also the preserved buildings of the Ograzhden – Malashevtsi house type in the villages of Igralishte /10 historical records/ Goreme / 4/, Kolibite /3/ and Gorna Ribnitsa /Yane Konyarski house/. All of them are at the same time interesting ethnographic sights, too. In the village of Ilindentsi there are a number of old water-mills, currently not working.
Archeological Landmarks
Archeological findings of different historical ages have been found out in the surroundings of the villages of Ilindentsi, Mikrevo, Palat, Igralishte, Goreme and Klepalo, some of these sites have not been dated yet.
Bigger registered sites are located on the land of the Ilindentsi and Mikrevo villages, and have been described and dated, as follows:

The Village of ILINDENTSI 

1. A big ancient centre (prob. The town of Neine), a settlement and a sanctuary.
In the land of the Ilindentsi village are the “Hilyadnitsa” and “Rukaloto” areas. There, on an upland of about 600 m length and 70 m width is situated a large ancient centre. D.Dechev mentions that, between these two areas there was a massive wall of which there presently aren’t any visible traces. Numerous finds have come out of this place: votive tablets of the Thracian horseman, Artemis, Zeus and Hera, a pedestal from a Dionysus statue, fragments of a marble arch, various architectural elements, coins, etc. Besides, there were found 10 inscriptions in Hellenic, dating back to the I – III century. There is an inscription of particular interest, revealing the fact that this place had the structure of a town. Another lettering tells about a temple of Izida and Serapis and from it, it is understood that the name of the town was Neine. This inscription was dated back to year 78. It is presumed that in the beginning of the II century Roman colonials have settled here. The town lived from the second half of the I century up to the middle of the III century, when it was destroyed. Nowadays over the whole area there are remains of mortar, fragments of building ceramics and pottery, as well as bitsof architectural elements

2. The Necropolis
In the “Hilyadnitsa” and “Shtavenska Skala” areas there is an ancient necropolis. Several tombs were found during farm works. The tombs were made of stone plates, parallelepiped shaped. The dead were laid in them accompanied by burial gifts – amphorae, dishes, pots, etc. There are coins found, from the emperors Probus (276-282) and Maximin (286-305), etc.. Also found here are tombstones with busts of the dead. Most probably this necropolis belonged to the town of Neine described above.

3. A Prehistoric Place.
During an expedition in 1991 of the South West University, a Neolithic object was registered on the village land.

4. An Ancient Settlement
There is an ancient settlement and a necropolis in the village farm-yard and to the west of it. Building and farm works reveal remains of buildings made of stones and welded together with mortar. Columns have been excavated, too.  In the area, part of which is being cultivated, there are fragments of ceramics for building and pottery. This probably is the place from which comes a votive tablet of the Thracian horseman. A number of tombs were also found nearby. The burial ceremony is laying of the corpse. There is also a tombstone with pictures of the dead people on it.

5. An Ancient and Medieval Settlement
2 km to the north-east of the village, in the “Grad Kayasi” or the “Kostenurkata” areas (the latter name coming from an hill resembling a turtle) there is an ancient, late-ancient and medieval settlement. On the hill are revealed fragments of building ceramics. No traces of walls are visible, but it is possible that a small fortification – a watch-point has been rising here. Following eastwards is a shallow gorge, and further next – a low plateau. On the latter are observed fragments of building ceramics and pottery, typical for the period within the III – V century and the Middle Ages. It is obvious that a significant settlement existed here. Votive tablets of the Thracian horseman and Artemis come out from here, which leads to a presumption that there also might have been a Thracian-Roman place here.

6. The Necropolis
2 km to the south-west of the village, in the “Temni Dol” area there is an ancient necropolis. Several tombs were discovered here during ploughing. The tombs are built of stone plates, and are parallelepiped-formed. The dead were laid in them, only there is no information on the presence of tomb gifts. Dating in this case is conditional.

7. A Church
2 km to the north-east of the village, in the “Gramadete” area there is a medieval church. On a flat area, presently used as a pasture, the remains of a building can be seen, directed east-westward. Construction is of shattered stones. Size is 7 x 18 m. Fragments of building ceramics lay around. Among people it is known as the “St.Archangel” church. It might be connected with the medieval settlement located nearby.

8.A Prehistoric Field
Remains of prehistoric animals were found on the land of the Ilindentsi village. According to these was registered inhabitation on these grounds by three-fingered horses (hyperions) that disappeared in Europe about 2 million years ago, having appeared about 11 million years ago. This is the most popular fauna species for the late miocene covering the period within 11 down to 5 million years ago. From the remains it was concluded that these lands were inhabited by rhinoceroses and giraffes.

The Village of Mikrevo

1.A Late Ancient Place
About 2 km to the south-west of the village, in the “Vrachvite” area. This is a plateau with low-grade slopes. On the surface there are ruins of buildings, mostly stones and building ceramics, while on the south slope there are outlined foundations. Plenty of cultural remains (bits of bricks, roof-tiles and pottery) are scattered throughout the terrain. Dating – IV – VI century.

2. Late Ancient Necropolis
Right to the south-west of the village, behind the last houses. It was by accident, during farm works, that a necropolis was found out; built of bricks welded together with mortar. The burial made by laying down of the corpse was of an adult individual. A ceramic pot was inserted into the tomb. This tomb testifies there had been a necropolis on this place.
Concerning the “Turlin Bair” area. This is a plateu at an altitude of 143 m height above sea-level; located 0,600 km to the south-eastward from the village centre. Over an area sized about 1,5 – 2 decares are found fragments of pottery and building ceramics. Probably there was also a settlement on this place.
In its south-eastern part the settlement, and may be the necropolis have been destroyed while building the contemporary road leading from the village of Mikrevo to the village of Tsaparevo. Dating – Early Iron Age, IV – VI century.

3. Settlement
The “Beluha” area, 1 km to the south of the “Gradishteto” and to 1,5 km to the west of the village. Located on the first river terrace over the bay. This is a low-grade slopes plateau. Fragments of pottery can be seen over the terrain surface. Low concentration of ceramic materials. Dating – Early Iron Age – Late Iron Age.

4. Early Christian Basilica
The “Dolno Gradishte” area. Located 23,5 km to the north-east of the village. The site was being investigated in the years 1996, 2002 and 2003. A basilica with three naves was excavated, with a narthex, a baptisterium and polychrome floor mosaic. Registered are two periods of build. Dating – beginning of V – VI century.

5. A Medieval Necropolis
In the “Podina” area. Located at 0,5 km to the south-west of the village. Glass and metal bracelets have been found in tombs, during excavation works.

6. A Fortress
The “Vraten Chukar” area. It is situated 1,325 km to the south-west of the village, along the way to the village of Tsaparevo. An upland, elevation of 281,0. 5 decares area. On the northern and western slopes there are fragments of pottery, building ceramics and piles of stones. Medium concentration of finds. The western slope is a pasture, the eastern is a privately owned farm land, a vineyard. On the hill were found coins from emperor Constantine. Dating –Late Bronze Age.

7. A Fortress
Located in the “Gradishteto”area, 3 km to the north-west of the village. Situated on a hill, about 100 m high, surrounded by steep ravines, except for the southern side. There is a fortress wall passing over the edge, made of shattered stones welded together with mortar. It encircles an area of irregular shape. There are stones piled at some places, probably tower ruins. Over the terrain there are scarce bits of late Roman ceramics, mostly from doliums amd amphorae. The whole area is presently planted.

8. A Fortress
The “Dolno Gradishte” area is 3,375 kм to the north-east of the village centre. It is situated on a hill slope, over an area of 1,5 decares. On the terrain surface can be seen fragments of pottery, building ceramics, stones and mortar.

Gorna Breznitsa is located in a region rich in cultural events of international and domestic importance.
In the regional administrative centre – Blagoevgrad – there is a theatre, a library with 345,000 volumes, an opera. In Bansko, Blagoevgrad and Sandanski there are Art Galleries, and in all smaller settlements there are working community centres. Cultural events of international importance are the Blagoevgrad Theatrical Festival, Bansko Jazz Fest and the “Melnik Poetic Evenings” International Contest, the “Maleshevo Sings and Dances” International Folklore Festival.
Very typical are the local folk fairs taking place in various villages throughout the region and usually related to significant Christian celebration days.
In the first week of February takes place the Wine Fair, in the village of Ilindentsi. The Gods of Wine and Fertility are being met then, and the Tsar of Vines is being chosen. The Autumn Fair of Fertility takes place in October in the village of Mikrevo. In the end of the year, in December there is a Christmas Carnival being organized together with a feast to celebrate the meeting of New Year.
Since 1998 in the village of Ilindentsi started the construction of the unique Sculpture Park where the International Sculpture Simposium of the “Art Centre” Foundation of Ilindentsi takes place. All materials needed for the sculptures are supplied from the big marble quarries nearby. Over 50 sculptural projects have been realized so far in the Park, with the participation of artists from Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia, Austria, France, The Netherlands, India, Japan, USA, Israel, Canada, Mexico. At the creative house of the Park are offered conditions to professionals and amateurs to paint and stone-cut. The hosts and their friends from the village offer their guests teaching lessons in knitting and in making pastry and other original local meals, and in traditional local crafts.

a Curious Fact
The village of Gorna Breznitsa is called “The Bulgarian Paradise of Kiwi”. This exotic fruit is being grown up in almost every village yard. The first pair of trees was planted back in 1973 and since then the number of plants throughout the village is constantly growing.