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Bulgaria
Blagoevgrad Province
Petrich
Things to Do in Petrich
Rupite
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Rupite

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Rupite
4.5
63 reviews
#1 of 8 things to do in Petrich
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Baba Vanga Museum
33
Speciality Museums • Historic Sites
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
63 reviews
Excellent
49
Very good
7
Average
7
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Nik R
Varna, Bulgaria6,679 contributions
Spiritual place
Apr 2018 • Family
Rupite, as many of you probably know, is the place where Baba (Grandma) Vanga, the famous Bulgarian prophetess, loved to stay and spent the last years of her life. It is close to Petrich, located in the crater of the extinct volcano Kozhuha and the place is claimed to contain highly concentrated cosmic energy.
It is a spiritual and relaxing place with natural hot springs where the church "Sveta Petka Balgarska" was built 2 years before Baba Vanga died. The murals are not the typical ones you will see in the Orthodox churches in Bulgaria. A bit of a drawback for me was the modern architecture of the church. Just next to it is the grave where the prophetess was buried. Adjacent is a small museum with brief info and photos of Baba Vanga's life.
Very interesting and impressive is the small, modest house where Vanga lived her last years and used to meet the people searching for her help.
You can sit and relax at some of the gazebos or have a picnic on the grass, children can play around the small pond with turtles or enjoy the guinea fowls, Baba Vanga's favourite birds.There is also a huge cross embedded into the slope, made on the request of Vanga.
For people not very familiar with the life of the prophetess, it is mindful to make some research before visiting Rupite in order to feel the vibe of the place.
Of course, there are people behaving disrespectfully but don't allow them to spoil your day :).
Written April 19, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Anna V
Sofia, Bulgaria69 contributions
Paradisiacal place in the mountain
Aug 2013 • Family
My family and I went to Rupite and the Museum of prophetess Vanga in August. We stayed amazed at the incredible scenery, tranquility, beautiful gardens, a person can clear your mind and enjoy it.People go there and see this amazing place. You will find your inner peace and tranquility. Fresh air and scenery that takes your breath away.
Written September 15, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jeanne70
Paris1,034 contributions
Baba Vanga pilgrimage
Jul 2016 • Couples
We went to Rupite from Melnik and it is quite a short drive; both can be done as a day trip from Bansko, in that case it is a good idea to have lunch in Melnik. We decided to have a look a Rupite on the spur of the moment because I heard before about the famous Baba Vanga, the "Bulgarian Nostradamus" as I heard her described in Bulgaria. The road to get there is very narrow so you have to be a little careful, especially as big buses take it. We were surprised that there were so many visitors when we went, in the summer 2016, there were many groups, young and older people end even a very glamorous wedding. There is a car park before you get to the park and the complex itself is much bigger than what I expected. There is a very big and beautiful park, a church, a sculpture, life size, of Baba Vanga, a small museum next to it, her tomb, her small cottage and the room where she used to receive visitors. The church is not old, in a more modern style than the usual church I saw in Bulgaria with interesting mural paintings. In the museum there is a very striking portrait of Baba Vanga and many photos showing her with some famous and not so famous visitors. Near the entrance of the museum there is a small shop where you can buy some icons and souvenirs. But the place I found the most touching was her modest little house, so sweet and tiny, almost like a doll house, with her familiar items and pieces of furniture, it is very special. I couldn't stay long because of the big number of visitors and people queuing. The park is really beautiful and some people were having a picnic, relaxing on the benches and many children playing, it was a lovely atmosphere. I read later that there are mineral springs but we didn't realise that a the time. We will need to go for another visit!
Written September 27, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Tony_le_Blanc
Killarney, Ireland234 contributions
Very nice
Nov 2022
In the caldera of an extinct volcano this is a very pretty and interesting place. You can visit the hot springs and the Baba Vanga museum or just take a walk around. There are lovely turtle ponds in the Baba Vanga museum. Very pretty.
Written November 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Aleksandar S
Sofia, Bulgaria192 contributions
Amazing silent place
Aug 2013 • Couples
I am really amazed from this place. Last month me and my girlfriend visited "Rupite" for a while and we were surprised from this silent and pieceful place. "Baba Vanga" is Bulgarian famous prophet and saint. In "Rupite" you can see her house where she spent her last hours, helping people solve their problems.
Written September 8, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
burntfalafel
Tbilisi, Georgia128 contributions
Serenity
Mar 2016 • Solo
I went there by train. Get off at Rupite station which is basically a bench and a small sign in the middle of nowhere next to some fields. It's hard to miss the place, because you see it once the train leaves General Todorov village and goes on a little bridge over a river.

The place itself was very serene and quiet. All in all, there were maybe about 10 people visiting, but it was off season, so it must be pretty packed during summer.

There's a church, Baba Vanga's house, her monument and her graveyard. There's also a small cafe and a souvenir shop. The view is just breathtaking. Make sure you wash your hands and face in one of those little fountains with the water from the hot springs. I had some stress-based severe skin irritation and it was gone the next day, so that water must be really healing. I actually saw a man taking a dip in the hot springs that lay next to the park. I wasn't as brave, so I just put my feet into.

I had some time left, so I decided to walk through the bridge to the General Todorov hoping it's some nice little village. The bridge was shaky and in very bad condition, so I'm suprised how it can still contain a train on regular basis. The village was not what I pictured. There were no people and nothing to do there. I think i was the only exciting news that happened in the village over the past 20 years. There was a small cafe at the station, i ordered a coffee and some cake, and locals checked in to see some strange foreigner. They gave me some candy and tried to talk to me which was a fun experience.
Written July 25, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
free_songbird
Sofia, Bulgaria120 contributions
Wonderful
Sep 2014 • Friends
It's a place located inside the mountains. It is mostly a park, a small church, the Statue of Vanga and her house...At the back of the facilities there are mineral springs that you can enjoy while watching the exciting green and smelling the clean air...It's a protected area where rare plants and birds may be seen...Also inside the pools area there is a "cafe" place that sells fantastic "kebabtche"!
Written September 28, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Christine N
Lausanne, Switzerland681 contributions
Unique attraction - religious and sacred site, serene nature, piece of history about Baba Vanga
Apr 2018 • Family
As a foreigner, I was never familiar with Baba Vanga nor her cultural legacy or sacred importance to many Bulgarians. After visiting Rupite, however, I learned a lot about what this woman did, how she lived, and why she was so influential during her lifetime.

Rupite is a site dedicated to the legacy of "Grandmother" Baba Vanga, a spiritual woman claiming to heal and predict the future through paranormal means. While there was plenty of controversy surrounding her work, there is no question that many people came to seek her counsel and blessing during the time that she lived in Rupite. One family member told me stories of how people would come in the thousands to visit Baba Vanga, crowds covering the massive park area just waiting outside her house to be able to see this highly-sought after woman.

Today the park has numerous points of interest - a large statue commemorated to Baba Vanga, a church and spring, Baba Vanga's tomb, a small museum with photos and videos, Baba Vanga's original house, gardens, and a sacred cross set among a large grassy area. It is definitely important to have some context about Baba Vanga before visiting this site, or else a lot of the meaning and significance is lost.

This park is definitely worth a visit - the serene area is well-maintained and beautifully honors the legacy of a unique woman.
Written April 12, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Ruth H
3 contributions
Enjoy bathing in hot springs
Mar 2017 • Friends
We visited Rupite from Septembrivi, so it was a long but stunning drive up through the mountains, down to Bansko and round towards Greece. The garden of Baba Vanga was serene but the best bit, for me, was enjoying the hot spring pools just outside the garden. Make sure you find them! The atmosphere was lovely...low key, relaxed, and the water a mud was a joy to be in. All free. Take a picnic, beer, swimsuit and dressing gown for afters! Enjoy the natural beauty of sitting in a very hot pool within a beautiful meadow.
Written March 31, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
dalex
Washington DC, DC14 contributions
The magic persists
Mar 2014 • Family
There is something magical, relaxing and pacifying with this place. Maybe the prophet, Vanga, who lived here was somehow utilizing the powers of this place.

Anyhow, if you are in the area and you have a day to spend, it is about 3 hours driving south of Sofia.

After visiting, Melnik may offer a good restaurant or even a nice place to stay for the night, as the local red wine is famous within Bulgaria at least.
Written July 18, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Rupite (Petrich) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about Rupite