Bansko Art School

The Revival-period Art School is one of the most striking phenomena in Bulgarian cultural history during the 18th and 19th centuries. Its representatives - iconographers, wood-carvers and builders, greatly contributed to progressive changes in artistic thinking during the Revival period. Their artistic heritage is up there among the most significant achievements of Bulgarian national genius. They collaborated with representatives of other cultural centres - the towns of Samokov, Tryavna, Debar, but for over one century they preserved the unrivalled signature style of their works. Bansko's rising economic affluence during the 18th and 19th centuries and active trade relations with other cultural centres in Western Europe naturally lead to an upsurge in spiritual life. Relations with Mount Athos and the Rila Monastery played an important role in this respect.