Balsha, Bulgaria Explained

42.5708°N 23.4397°W

Official Name:Balsha
Native Name:Балша
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Type1:Province
(Oblast)
Subdivision Name1:Sofia City
Leader Title:Mayor
Leader Name:Nikolay Nodkov
Established Title:Named as "Pancharevo"
Established Date:unknown
Timezone:EET
Utc Offset:+2
Pushpin Label Position:right
Pushpin Map Caption:Location of Balsha
Postal Code Type:Postal Code
Population Total:719
Population As Of:Census 2024
Elevation M:617
Postal Code:1217
Area Code:(+359) 02 ???
Blank Name:Car plates
Blank Info:C, CA, CB

Balsha is a village in Sofia Oblast (the capital region) in Bulgaria. It has a population of 719 people (2024) and lies at 617 metres of altitude - located right at the beginning and at the westernmost part of the Stara Planina mountain range.[1]

History

According to legend, the Sofia valley was covered by a lake which reached all the way to Stara Planina. Three young women got married in villages on the opposite sides of the lake - Balsha, Yana and Boyana.

Another legend tells that a local aristocrat whose name was Balsha was helping the church and the close by monastery St Theodor Stratilat.

The Balsha village is also where Bulgarian patriot Ivan Denkoglu was born.

Education

There is a primary school in the nearby village of Dobroslavtsi (179 OU), located about 4,3 km away.

Transport

It is possible to reach the village with Sofia metropolitan public transport via local bus nr. 30 (from Vrabnitsa - which itself can be reached with the Sofia metro).

Sightseeing

The St. Theodor Stratilat monastery is located at a walking distance from the village.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: История на с. Балша . noviiskar.org . bg.