The town of Blagoevgrad is the district centre of the Blagoevgrad District and has a population of 71 000 inhabitants. It lies at a distance of 97km south-west of Sofia. Blagoevgrad is a municipal centre with 25 settlements. The town is situated 430 m above the sea level at the foot of Rila Mountains along both banks of the Bistritza River, which runs through Blagoevgrad. The region has been populated since the New Stone Age. Close to Blagoevgrad is discovered a settlement which has been part of the empire of Philip II Makedonski.

The first settlers of Blagoevgrad are the Thracians who were attracted by the mineral springs which are later on target of the Roman conquerors. The name of the town at that time is Skaptopara. This settlement exists until VI c. when it is demolished by the barbarians. The survivals found a new settlement which is included in the limits of Bulgaria in IX c. After the Ottoman invasion from XIV c. onwards the town changes its name several times - Pazarishte (1502), Banya (1576), Gorna Dzhumaya and other names. It is a significant fortress, guarding the road along the valley of the Struma River. The inhabitants of the town obtained a sultan's decree for building a church there. The "Vavedenie Bogorodichno"/Holy Annunciation/ Church is consecrated in 1844. In 1913 Gorna Dzhumaya is liberated and becomes part of Bulgaria. Before World War II the town develops as a tobacco manufacturing centre. Today in the town are manufactured tobacco products, measuring devices, acoustical apparatus, furniture etc. The town has two Universities - the Southwestern and the American Universities. In 1950 the town changes its name to Blagoevgrad.

Interesting tourist sights in the town are: the History Museum, Varosha quarter, art galleries, the "Vavedenie Bogorodichno"/Holy Annunciation/ Church, monuments of national heroes who have contributed to the Bulgarian liberation from the Ottoman yoke.

On the territory of the district are located the following natural landmarks: "Pirin" National Park, the Reserves "Parangalitza", "Tissata" (along the Struma River), "Ali botush" (Slavianka Mountains), "Orelyak" (near Gotze Delchev), "Kongura" (Petrich) "Konski Dol" (in Satovcha), "Temna Dupka" (in Kovachevitza).

The most famous rocky phenomena on the territory of the district are the Melnik Pyramids and the Kresna Defile.

Tourist sights

The "Vavedenie Bogorodichno" (Holy Annunciation) Church in the town of Blagoevgrad is built in 1844. Its iconostas has been made to the likeness of the one in the Rila Monastery.

The Varosha Quarter in Blagoevgrad is a complex of well-preserved and restored ancient houses. It is built during the Revival Period.