28.04.2014

We are going to visit Vanga - the village of Rupite in Bulgaria

Near the town of Petrich in the Blagoevgrad region, not far from the Greek, Macedonian and Bulgarian borders, there is Rupite village. Lived in this place great Vanga. This legendary woman has become a symbol of Bulgaria, she saved many lives, organized the construction Church of St. Petka of Bulgaria (Chapel of Saint Paraskeva). Now, when she is gone, people come here to bow to her and receive a charge of cosmic energy, and it should be noted that guests are very fond of here.

The village of Rupite is located at the foot of the hill, which the locals call "mountain Kozhuh", it is a former volcano. In several places around the Rupite district there are springs with healing mineral water with a temperature of 75°C.

In 1962 Mount Kozhukh was declared a natural landmark. Surroundings of Rupite village and Mount Kozhuh will be of interest to those travelers who prefer: grow here rare plants and live rare animals. Some of them are listed in the Red Book of Bulgaria. The climate in the area is transitional Mediterranean, which creates conditions for the development of heat-loving representatives of flora and fauna.


Thermal springs and natural beauty attract tourists to this picturesque region of Bulgaria all year round. But the real attraction of the Rupite area is connected with the name blind soothsayer Vanga.

During her lifetime, she claimed that this area is charged with a special energy that helps people. Grandmother Vanga, as people respectfully called her, built a small house for herself there. In it, she met an endless stream of visitors from all over the world. Thousands of people who needed help relied on her ability to predict the future, point out a way out of difficult life situations, give advice on how to recover from a serious illness.
Chapel of Saint Paraskeva or whatever they call it Church of St. Petka of Bulgaria in Bulgaria included in the 100 national tourist sites, was built at the expense of Vanga's grandmother in 1994. The project is the work of architects Bogdan Tomalevsky and Lozan Lozanov. A close friend of Vanga, the famous Bulgarian artist Svetlin Rusev, made the interior painting in the temple and painted icons, but the images he created are very different from the canonical church ones. This non-canonical design of the temple became the reason for many discussions between believers and disapproval of the church.

When you drive in Rupite on a narrow road designed for only one car, thoughts of religion, self-sacrifice, a gift from above, responsibility and recognition rush through your head. Questions that you could ask Vanga pop up by themselves.

On the way to the world of Vanga, you will see mountains, an extinct Kozhukh volcano and a church floating in almost colorless water dust rising from thermal springs. Once in this world, you forget about everything in the world, it seems that good takes you into its arms and the whole universe belongs to you.

Really unusual place Wang chose to live, in fact, like herself - it is unique. In front of the house there are tiny pools with water from thermal springs, in which everyone who visits this monastery can wash, which gives a charge of unusual energy. I must say that Vanga took baths in them every night at night.

The chapel founded by Vanga makes a deep impression. The faces of the saints, looking from the icons, executed in an unconventional style, are a little embarrassing, and at the same time cause spiritual awe, tears of peace pour from their eyes from their lively looks. Under the influence of the atmosphere, you will probably want to purchase the book “Vanga. Life for people”, which tells about the unusual life of this woman. The book is published in five languages, including Russian.

The house and surroundings are cozy, everything is arranged very harmoniously, with love. Kindness and grace are in the air. Striking in the eye a large number of flowers placed in Vanga's house, on the grave, in the courtyard. All the flowers are in pots - grateful visitors leave them - Vanga considered fresh flowers the embodiment of life, she did not like cut flowers. Probably because Vanga herself was pure in soul, loved everything genuine, then even after her death a sense of life's authenticity is preserved in her monastery. Even a large stream of people passing through Vanga's monastery every day cannot prevent this.

And when you plunge into the pools from hot springs, all problems will recede into the background, there will be a feeling of soul flight and harmony, as if you were charged with cosmic energy.

There are others in the Rupite area historical and worth seeing and are usually included in tourist routes. Those who are fond of esotericism can continue their journey further south - to small village Golden leaf, where the Reverend Stoina once lived. She, too, was a blind soothsayer. Stoina lived alone in the church of St. George.

From the hotel guide we bought a full-day excursion to Rupite, the Rozhen Monastery and the town of Melnik for 70 euros, and the next day we went to the very south of Bulgaria.

Our path flowed through narrow mountain gorges among low mountains covered with deciduous forest. At first, the mountains were covered with snow, but with the advance to the south, the snow disappeared. Then the mountains parted and receded into the background, and on both sides bright fields of winter crops were already green.

And here is the turn on Rupite - the place where the fortune teller Vanga spent the last years of her life. So to speak, a world-famous Bulgarian character (when the conversation turned on which of the famous Bulgarians we can name, we only remembered Cyril with Methodius and Vanga).

The place chosen by Wang is indeed unusual. This is a wide valley at the foot of the Kozhukh volcano destroyed by the eruption. Steam from hot springs rises above the ground, streams with hot water snake among the green grass.

In the IV century BC. Here was the ancient city of Petra. Having existed for 10 centuries, it was buried under lava during a volcanic eruption. On the slope of the volcano there is a cross in memory of the dead people.

As the guide told us, in this place it is always several degrees warmer than in the district, and we soon made sure of this.

Indeed, it was warm, the grass was green, even the sun peeped through the sky.

At the expense of Vanga in 1992, the Church of St. Petka of Bulgaria was built here. They consecrated it only after 2 years, it really did not look like an ordinary church.

Strange murals at the entrance, a strange iconostasis with huge faces. There was something painful and unpleasant in the painted figures and faces, causing internal rejection. As if not people, but alien creatures.

Portrait-icon of Vanga

It was once said on TV that this church was consecrated for a large bribe. I remember the church in Talashkino near Smolensk, built according to the design of Roerich - our churchmen never consecrated it, although outwardly it did not stand out from church canons as much as this one.

Next to the church is Vanga's grave.

And across the river - her modest house, in which she received people.

In general, the whole complex is decorated very nicely: white benches, a carved bridge, thickets of young green bamboo along the banks of the river, southern conifers are planted around the territory: arborvitae, junipers, cypresses, cedars.

Near the largest thermal lake, guinea fowl walk in a fenced-off corner. Near the thermal lakes - warnings: “Mineral water is 75 degrees. Kupaneto is taken away. Special algae are still found in this hot water. Both water and algae, we were told, are extremely beneficial and cure a lot of diseases.

Then we went to the Rozhen Monastery.

As soon as we left the green valley of Rupite, good weather and the sun ran out, the sky was covered with low clouds, it began to snow. The road took higher and higher, and high sandy remnants appeared outside the windows on both sides - the Melnik pyramids. They seemed just a miracle of nature, something on the verge of the impossible. In appearance - from ordinary sand, of various forms, created as a result of the weathering of sandstones. Some of them reached high altitude. There is, let's say, a sandy finger rising into the sky, or a narrow pyramid, and for some reason it does not collapse.

At a small parking lot, we left the bus and walked uphill.

Way to the Rozhen Monastery

From the high plateau there was a wide view of the steep sandy walls. We were almost on the same level with them.

Rozhensky Monastery is located on a gentle peak. It is first mentioned in 890. Its favorable location - far from the roads, on top of a mountain - served as a certain guarantee of safety from the Turks, nevertheless, it was burned several times, and it was restored again.

The walls of the monastery are like those of a fortress, and the entrance is completely inconspicuous and cramped, from the corner.

In the center of the narrow courtyard is the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin, along the perimeter there are monastic cells two or three stories high with open wooden galleries.

A vine stretches from the church to the gallery, giving a dense shade in summer.

Inside the church there are frescoes of the 17th century and a carved iconostasis of amazing craftsmanship (it is stored separately, it was specially opened for us). The main shrine of the temple is the miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary. Since the monastery was a “branch” of one of the Athos monasteries, most of the murals were made in Athos traditions.

Only 3 monks live in the monastery.

5 km from the monastery, almost on the border with Greece, is the town of Melnik, the smallest of the existing Bulgarian towns. Its population is about 200 people. The town is extremely picturesquely built into the surrounding landscape: a narrow gorge divided by a river, the sandy rocks of the Melnikov Pyramids and at the foot of the rocks - white houses, one above the other.

Many mehans, we had lunch in one of them. And we went up the gorge, where almost at the very end of the town on a hill stands Kordopulova kyshta - the house-museum of a rich wine merchant. Below along the path are the ruins of an ancient temple.

The lower level of the house Big hall for wine tastings and the entrance to an extensive network of caves that store barrels of wine.

Upstairs are spacious living quarters.

On the roof there is a terrace paved with stone, from which you can see the whole town, closely compressed by mountains.

The town is like a museum. The unexpectedly large school building indicates that Melnik knew and better times and life in this wine-growing region was in full swing. In the XIII century, he even visited the capital of the independent region of the despot Alexy Slav. At the time of its heyday there were 70 churches in it. Silent witnesses of the past are vast 800-year-old plane trees along the banks of the river.

In general, we liked the tour, we visited the south of the country, looked at three interesting places each one is unique. And such bizarre rocks from sandstone, I did not even expect to see it, this is an undeclared bonus in addition to the program.

We spent the remaining days on the slope, but there was little joy from skiing. We tried to get to the ski lift early, so we usually only stood (!) for about an hour. We found a track where you could ski without a queue - on Chalin Volog: this is an intermediate station, a small peak between Bansko and Banderishkova Polyana. At the beginning of the route there is a steep ice couloir, which for many was an insurmountable obstacle, so there were few skiers on this route. In the end, I overcame this couloir, one might say, in one breath, without even slowing down. And after it began a good red track. After 3 p.m., the queues at the top usually ended, so it was possible to ride there too. And at the end of the skiing - the obligatory "May Day demonstration" after turning off the upper lifts, when all the skiers of Bansko found themselves on the same track and rolled down in a single stream.

On the slopes of Todorka

Queue for the lift

Crowds and bare ice on the slopes caused injuries, and we often observed snowmobiles with stretchers hurrying after (or already with) the next victim. And at dinner, you look, one had a broken nose, the other had a band-aid on his forehead, the third with a bandaged arm.

I was very surprised by the large number of Britons. And before that, in the autumn we were in Turkey, there were so many of them that the prices for goods were first of all indicated in pounds, and only then in Turkish liras and other currencies. Here is the riddle. It seems not poor people, why do they gravitate so much to places cheap holiday? And to the question: "Where are you from?" they will never say: “From the UK”, but always: “From Scotland” or “From Wells” or “From England”.

On the eve of our departure, we decided to go in the afternoon to see the Rila Monastery. The main argument for the trip was the words of the guide with whom we went to Melnik: "The Rila Monastery for Bulgaria is the same attraction as for Egypt - the pyramids."

The drive there is about two hours. The turn to the monastery is almost immediately after Blagoevgrad. And soon, far ahead, in the haze, the snowy peaks of Ryl appeared, as if floating in the air.

We passed a narrow winding gorge and stopped at the high stone walls of the monastery. Not even high - tall, with a good 5-6-storey building.

Rila Monastery

The monastery itself is built on a spacious mountain ledge. Once upon a time, the Monk John of Rila retired from the world to these remote places, and by the 10th century, by the hands of his associates and disciples, a monastery was erected here. In the summer, tourists are taken to the cave where the holy hermit lived.

Through the archway we entered the wide monastery courtyard. In the center of the courtyard there is an elegant, brightly decorated Church of the Nativity of the Virgin, along the perimeter - monastery buildings: cells, a refectory, a library, a museum; along all floors there are galleries with arches.

Hrelova Tower (XIV century) with a belfry

The main decorative element of the monastery is the arches. They frame the residential buildings along the contour, surround the church on three sides, and there are also two arches on the tower in front of the bells. The gallery in front of the entrance to the church is painted very colorfully and it seems that - almost the other day.

Inside the church, too, everything is rich and elegant.

They showed us the cells of the monks - I had never seen such Sybarite cells before. At first we entered a small (but quite comfortable and not cramped) room, and I thought that this was the cell. But no, it turned out that this room was for an acolyte, and the next, more spacious and comfortable dwelling is intended for a monk. By the way, in Bulgarian churches (as well as in Greek ones, by the way) you can sit during the service.

In general, the monastery gave the impression of a little toy and fake, very pretty, all brand new. I liked the abandoned Rozhen Monastery much more, there was some kind of authenticity in it. It is worth itself, hidden high in the mountains, around - strange sandy rocks. Detachment and silence. And in Rilskoe it is very vain.

In the evening we bought more souvenirs and prepared for departure.

The main Bulgarian souvenir is rose oil and cosmetics based on it. In the Kazanlak Valley (also called the Valley of Roses), a special variety of oil-bearing roses grows, from which oil is pressed.

Leather products are inexpensive here, such as wallets, belts, bags. Lots of original pottery.

For some reason, hooligan Baba Yaga dolls are very common. When they clap, they begin to laugh hoarsely, sparkle with their eyes, and move. They say they drive out evil spirits. These brawlers are made in China.

Local wine is quite good and cheap. A lot has been written about food and mechanics, the food here is really excellent, just a paradise for food lovers.

In general, it must be admitted, the Bulgarians give the impression of hospitable, friendly and open people. Our languages ​​are similar, if you wish, you can always understand a friend, although sometimes you get into trouble because of the so-called "false friends of the translator." For example, the word "right" they mean "straight." “Bulka” is a bride, “T-shirt” is a mother, and words that begin with “chickens”, including “chicken”, are obscene. Even more misleading is their nodding of the head which means "no" and the negative shaking which actually means "yes". You ask in the museum: “Can I take pictures at your place?”, In response, they nod their heads approvingly and say “It’s not possible.” You ask in a cafe: "Bring a beer." The girl, as if with some regret, shakes her head and immediately brings beer. You even begin to wonder if they are as simple-hearted and sincere as it seems at first glance.

By the way, although the Bulgarians expressed gratitude in every possible way to the Russians who liberated them from the 500-year-old Turkish yoke (after all, 300 thousand Russians died), however, in both world wars, Bulgaria, a Slavic and Orthodox country, acted as an ally of our enemy - Germany.

When we were in Greece, we were told that during the war (World War II) there were three zones of occupation: German, Italian and Bulgarian. The Italians did little harm to the Greeks and are remembered mainly for their numerous romantic relationships with local girls. The German occupation is classical, like ours. But the pickles of all fell to those who were occupied by the Bulgarians. This is all according to our Greek guide.

The country is not rich in sights. The general pattern for all countries that have been under the Turks is that in cultural life country during the entire reign of the Turks gaping scorched spot. And in present-day Turkey, the main sightseeing objects (in addition to natural ones) are ancient Greek and Roman ruins.

Now Bulgaria has become a member of the European Union. It is expected that by October 2011 it will enter the Schengen area. The question of the country's entry into the euro zone is not yet on the agenda. We were told that the average salary in Sofia is about 250 euros, and around the country - 150 euros. Therefore, the population in search of work travels to other countries.

The next morning, still in the dark, we were picked up by a bus with our things, and we went to the airport. I immediately fell asleep, and when I opened my eyes, our bus was descending from the pass along a steep and narrow gorge.

Then the mountains ended, and the endless steppe began. And this steppe, judging by the map, extended to the very Black Sea.

And in Plovdiv, our green plane was waiting for us, all alone on a huge airfield.

We immediately climbed into it and flew to Moscow.

In general, I do not advise you to go skiing in Bulgaria, especially on New Year. And not for the New Year either, because in the low season you can go to Austria for about the same money as to Bulgaria. Or, better, I will not advise anything, because everything, of course, is subjective, and I myself read the reviews of people who were in Bansko at the same time with us and were satisfied with the skiing.

So take note and decide for yourself!

Temple of Vanga is located in the village of Rupite, in Bulgaria. Church Church "St. Petka of Bulgaria". The name of this small town will not say anything at all, palaces or something else to see there, nature and ancient ruins as well. This small village was famous for the fact that this place was the birthplace of the seers Vanga - Vangelia Pandeva-Gushcherova, and it was there that her temple was built. Wang was very hurt that not all people believe in God, do all sorts of unholy deeds and unrighteous deeds. The schism of the Bulgarian church was received with particular pain. Therefore, the construction of the church was a dream of her whole life, which could unite all believers, she had to cherish this dream for twenty whole years. Vanga always claimed that it would not be her who would build the temple, but the government, the people themselves, and not the foundation of her name. On the table she always had a piggy bank, to which everyone who came paid attention. It was there that she put money for the temple, so it can be argued that the temple was built with her personal funds. She liked to repeat that she was building not a church, but a path to God. And finally, in October 1991, the construction of the temple began. Krasimira Stoyanova told about the confidence and enthusiasm with which her aunt Vanga set about making her dream come true. She herself chose the place, and also took part in laying the foundation. The Vanga Foundation decided to move the construction site. After the construction of the temple was completed, the church authorities refused to consecrate the temple, when Vanga received this news, tears poured from her eyes in a hail. Local residents even began to threaten that I was destroying an unconsecrated church, then the church authorities made concessions and in 1994 they consecrated the altar, where the relics of St. Kharlampy still lie. Metropolitan Nathanael of Nevrokop conducted the consecration of the temple. At first, they refused to consecrate the temple due to the fact that it was not built according to Christian customs and canons. The architecture is really very unusual, the architects decided that medieval buildings are already a thing of the past. The rulers of the foundation claimed to everyone that they wanted to build a "universal European church." The appearance of the building even caused particular bewilderment: everything is white, both the building and the roof. In order for something to give the church a canonical Orthodox appearance, local residents many icons were brought here, they are still there and decorate interior. The temple was named St. Petka of Bulgaria, in Russian this name sounds like Paraskeva. That was the name of Vanga's mother. The main place is occupied by Vanga's portraits in the interior design of the temple. Many believers have invested their skill, soul and efforts in decorating the premises to make it look beautiful and unusual. The well-known Bulgarian artist Svetlin Rusev took part in the construction and decoration; he worked on the portrait of the seers for several months. Also, the wood carver Grigor Paunov and the sculptor Krum Damyanov, many masons, carpenters and painters and other craftsmen, all made an effort. The temple is presented as a symbol of holiness and purity for many tourists and pilgrims, all because of the white color of the temple. But disagreements are also caused, then that the walls are decorated with portraits of Vanga, because they say that the temple hastened the death of the seer. There is an old belief that the person at whose expense he built the temple, not only should not enter it, but his shadow should not fall on the building. The controversy has not subsided before, and some spiritual leaders are completely afraid to call Vanga's name out loud, because they consider her a witch. But time gave positive results and the church of St. Petka is a favorite place for tourists, they even get married and baptized in it, just between two portraits of Vanga and Christ. There is a belief that if you baptize a baby near the portrait of Vanga, then he will live a happy life. In life, Vanga had no children of her own, but she became the godmother of more than 5,000 girls and boys from all over Bulgaria and other countries of the world. Vanga had two houses - Rupite and Petrich - she handed them over to the state, the will was drawn up in the name of Dr. Napoleonov, this is Petrich's oldest public figure. The doctor disposed of property and real estate as Vanga wanted, and often recalled and quoted her words: “A person comes into this world poor, poor and leaves.”

At the entrance and exit to the territory of the church, near the parking lot, a small market was arranged by local residents, where you can buy local products such as oil, pepper, honey and others. Not far from the temple is a house in which Vanga received all her visitors. People throw coins into the well located here for good luck. If you go a little further, you can stumble upon a mineral spring, in which the water temperature is about seventy-five degrees.

Rupite Protected Area is one of the most famous places in the Balkans. Rupita owes his popularity mineral springs, extinct volcano Kozhukh-gora, as well as the fact that it is the birthplace of the Bulgarian seer Vanga. The Rupite area is located near the Bulgarian city of Petrich near the village of Rupite on a rocky volcanic hill, the whole area is considered the crater of a huge ancient volcano.

Since 1962, a part of this area with an area of ​​about half a hectare has been a natural landmark. Mineral healing springs have average temperature 74° give up to 35 liters per second. The floodplain natural forest mainly consists of white poplar. The transitional Mediterranean climate prevailing in the area allows the herbaceous vegetation of the Mediterranean to grow here, as well as the development of some types of heat-loving animals.

A huge variety of snake species reigns here, one of them is a rare cat snake, 201 species of birds, including Mediterranean ones, which you will not find anywhere else in Bulgaria - the Mediterranean mocking, masked and black-fronted shrike. During the wintering and migration period, here you can meet the small cormorant, which is listed in the World Red Book.

On the south side, as well as at the foot of the volcanic hill, there are the ruins of an ancient ancient city, which bore the name of Heraclea Sintica and was the main city of the Sints - an ancient Thracian tribe. The existence of the city is attributed to the period from the 4th century BC. until the 6th century AD

On the territory there is a church of St. Petka Bolgarskaya, which was built in 1994 with the money of the prophetess Vanga, two years before her death. Vangelia Gushcherova was born in 1911, and she spent her last years in Rupita in a small house, next to which the temple was built. Svetlin Rusev, the famous Bulgarian artist, covered it with frescoes in a realistic style that goes beyond the boundaries approved by Orthodox canons.

It is known that Vanga lost her sight in early childhood, after which her unique abilities were discovered. The prophetess believed that this area has a unique energy, and the water from the springs is truly healing. The worldwide fame of Vanga attracts thousands of believers and curious people every year.

Rupite is a village in Southwestern Bulgaria, eight kilometers from Petrich (Petrich municipality), which is located two kilometers from the "Vangi Complex", located in a valley called "Rupite locality". This area is famous for its hot springs, where the water temperature reaches up to 75°C.

The Rupite area is located in the Petrich-Sandan basin at the foot of a small mountain-wall of the ancient Kozhukh volcano. This is the only volcano on the territory of Bulgaria. It has not been active for many thousands of years. Archaeologists claim that the Rupite area is located in its former crater, although if you look at the map, this is hard to believe. However, it doesn't matter.

Vanga's house

Until the 1970s, Vanga loved to visit this valley, she rested here, considered it a place of power. Then (1970) she built a dacha for herself here - a small house, which now houses a museum. Later, more houses grew up around this house - a reception and outbuildings. Initially, Vanga spent the day in this house, and went to sleep in her house in Petrich, but then, when her health completely weakened, she remained to live in this country house permanently. This happened after 1994. On August 3, 1996, Vanga was taken to the Government Hospital in Sofia and died eight days later. She was 85 years old.

In this house, on September 6, 1984, Vanga publicly bequeathed all her property to the Bulgarian state. And on December 4, 1994, here she established a fund that bears her name and donated funds to this fund for the construction of the temple. Sveta Petka Bulgarska“.

And these are the rooms from the reception house.

After the death of Vanga, on August 11, 1996, the house was sealed, because her will was disputed by her sister Lyuba Gaygurova. The court rejected the sister's claims to Vanga's inheritance.
On March 25, 2014, the house was opened to visitors.

Fund "Vanga"

The fund was established in December 1994. Among the founders are academician Svetlin Rusev, professors Toncho Zhechev, Emil Popov, Plamen Pantev, Dr. Evgeny Tasovski, Tony Tonev and quite a few other people. Vanga was elected honorary chairman. After her death, this place was taken by Dimitar Valchev for life.

The fund is still active. Its goal is to popularize the life and work of the prophetess Vanga and support the Vanga complex in the Rupite area.

Monument to Vanga

The monument to Vanga stands at the bridge leading to the temple. It was put here in honor of Vanga's centenary birthday - October 3, 2011. This is a two-meter metal sculpture by Professor Emil Popov.

Vanga's grave

Vanga's grave, contrary to her wishes, is located next to the temple near the bell tower under a persimmon tree. Vanga wanted to be buried near her house, but the members of the fund ordered otherwise.

Temple of Vanga "Sveta Petka Bulgarska"

Temple Sveta Petka Bulgarska stands in the center of the so-called monastery complex. True, there is not a single monk or nun in it. Only technical workers serving the Vanga complex, which includes the monastery complex, live on the territory of this complex - in fact, this is one and the same, and has some meaning, probably only in legal matters. Which do not concern us.

The history of the construction of this most unusual Bulgarian church is as follows: in 1991, Vanga had a prophetic dream and announced that she wanted to build a church named after St. Petka of Bulgaria. Her idea was supported and the architects Bogdan Tomalevsky and Lozan Lozanov made the project. Absolutely free.

In 1992, the project was approved by Metropolitan Pimen of Nevrokop, and on May 31, with his blessing, the church began to be built.

Construction was carried out with the help of paid specialists and volunteers. Svetlina Rusev was entrusted with the painting of the Vanga temple - according to her idea, these should be images of suffering people, those who daily ask for her help.

The temple was inaugurated on October 14, 1994. Due to the non-canonical painting of the temple, the Bulgarian clergy refused to consecrate it for a long time. Wikipedia says that the temple has not yet been consecrated and therefore does not belong to any denomination and is simply called the temple. Foundation members claim that the temple is consecrated. However, knowing how BCP representatives treat Vanga, I strongly doubt it.

The monastic part surrounding the temple was built at the end of May 2002. There are rest rooms for monks (which are not), a room for ceremonies, such as baptism and the Vanga Museum.

Vanga Museum

The museum is called the "Vanga Exhibition Hall" - it is part of the monastery complex located behind the temple. It was opened on October 14, 2012 and was designed by Svetlin Rusev. The museum is an exhibition of archival photographs, boards with Vanga's statements and a demonstration of films about Vanga. at the very beginning of the museum there is a large TV, which plays a film by journalist Tom Tomov „Ty reche Vanga“.

Cheshma

This thing is called cheshma and is located next to Vanga's house. It was made by sculptor Leda Starcheva in 2012.
Hot runs out of cheshma mineral water. It is believed that the water from the area Rupite treats skin diseases, discopathy, kidneys and gallbladder. The water here is considered highly mineralized and should be drunk very carefully and as prescribed by a doctor.

Park in Vanga complex

The whole park covers an area of ​​23 hectares, 5,000 trees are planted here - a total of one hundred species. Turtles live in hot lakes, fish live in a cooler pond. Behind this pond there is a poultry yard with peacocks and other birds. Persimmon, quince and kiwi grow near Vanga's house. Bamboo grows around the temple.

He is looking at me.

memorial cross

A huge cross on the slope of Mount Kozhukh was erected in 2009 according to Vanga's testament. Vanga believed that in ancient times, people who died due to its eruption lived at the foot of this volcano. Interestingly, in 2007, as a result of excavations on the slope of Kozhukh, the remains of the city of Heraclea Sintika, dating back to the fourth century BC, were found.

Vanga wanted everyone who climbs it (there are steps) to repeat the path of Christ to Calvary.

The cross measures 30 meters long and 15 meters wide and is built into the petrified lava of the volcano. The author and performer of this memorial is the sculptor Ivan Rusev.

Vanga's biography

Vanga was born on October 3, 1911 in Strumica, Macedonia. Full name is Vangelia Pandev Gushcherova. She was only child in family. After the death of her mother, her father remarried (and gave birth to three more children), so Vanga had sisters.
At the age of 15, Vanga lost her sight as a result of a dust storm. Therefore, then she studied at a special school for the blind in the city of Zemun - Serbia.
It is believed that Vanga received her gift of clairvoyance in April 1941.
In 1942, she married Dimitar Gushcherov from the village of Kranzhilitsa (Petrich community) and from then until the end of her life she lived in Bulgaria. The husband died in 1962.
Vanga did not have her own children, but she took care of Veneta Mitreva and Dimitar Valchev like a mother.

Visiting the complex "Vanga"

There is free parking and a toilet in front of the complex, there is a cafe on the territory of the complex, but I never went there. All visits are free and photography is not prohibited.

The Vanga complex is open every day from 8.00 to 17.00. The service in the church takes place every week on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 10.00, as well as on all official holidays.

All photos were taken by me at the end of November 2017.