Djindjiritsa reserve, Bansko

The Djindjiritsa reserve (aka Bayuvi Dupki) was established in 1934 and is one of the oldest reserves in Bulgaria. It covers an area of about 3000 hectares in Pirin mountain, at altitude between  1200 and 2884 m., not far away west of towns of Bansko and Razlog.

The reserve is a home of variety of animals and plants including the two rare species of Byala Mura (Macedonian pine) pine and Cherna Mura (Bosnian pine). Near 60% of the area of the reserves is covered by woods. Among the animals species that can be seen, there are chamois (typical for the reserve), wild boars, martens, squirrels, grouse, brown bears and lot of birds as falcons, hawks, woodpeckers and others.

There is a legend about the origin of the name Djindjiritsa. It tells that once the local people had believed that these dense woods are inhabited only by evil spirits and genies. The region has wonderful meadows but the shepherds were afraid to take the sheep there because of the genies. Finally the shepherds dared and let the herds on the meadow, but for security reasons they surrounded the meadows with chains (in Bulgarian sindjir), and it was called Sindjiritsa. Once a wolf attacked the herd but the frightened shepherd thought it for an evil beast, ran down from the hill shouting "genie in Sindjiritsa (the chain)", and since then the district is called Djindjiritsa.

Other sights, landmarks and places of interest when visit town of Bansko >>

• Bansko ski-centers, Pirin (category: Ski resort)
• House-museum "Neofit Rilski" (category: Museum)
• Baykusheva mura - The oldest coniferous tree in Bulgaria (category: Parks & Gardens)
• Bansko Opera fest (end of August) (category: Events & Festivals)

Other sights from category Reserve in Bulgaria

• Sreburna Natural Reserve (village Sreburna)
• Natural Park Rusenski Lom (municipality Ivanovo)
• Mantaritsa Biosphere Reserve (municipality Rakitovo)
• Boatin preserve (village Cherni Vit)
• Eco-park "The water mills" (village Sladka voda)
• The Old Oak Reserve at Island of Vardim (village Vardim)
• The Dragoman marsh (town Dragoman)