I like to walk my dog during the weekends in the mountains above Bansko. But our path always leads us through old town Bansko where long time ago (XIX c) lived painter Velyan Ognev who was the famous artists of the Debar Art Scool. Before he came to Bansko he traveled a lot along Italy and Europe and arrived in Bansko upon request to paint murals in the Holy Trinity church. It is believed that before he drew the most beautiful mural in the church, he married Sofia Benina and got a house for living. He painted the entire interior of it, but the most beautiful room, a room for ladies – where his wife received visits of her friends, was painted most exquisitely. And it is considered that the room served as a test for the most beautiful mural in the church.
Bansko houses were built not only for living, but they also served as havens and defense against frequent attacks by thieves. That is the reason why the houses were enclosed by fences and had walls thicker than 1m. However, when Velyan painted his house, many of the inhabitants wanted to decorate their living spaces too, and this house on the photo is one of those houses that was painted based on admiration of the painter’s house.
– Lyubozar Dimitrov
Secretary
