Park Sandanski, Park in Sandanski, Bulgaria

Sveti Vrach park covers 344 decares on both banks of the Sandanska Bistritsa in Sandanski, with sandy alleys, an artificial lake with ducks and swans, and two cable footbridges over the river, the first built in 1959. Over 160 plant species grow here, among them centuries-old plane trees declared natural monuments, plus cedars, ginkgo, sequoia and magnolia.

The first white and black pines were planted in 1916 by soldiers of the Second Army under General Georgi Todorov. In 1919, 18 cedar and sophora saplings arrived from Italy to combat mosquitoes along the Sandanska Bistritsa. The park was named Sveti Vrach in 1981, became a monument of garden and park art in 1991, and a monument to General Todorov was placed at the entrance in 2005.

The name Sveti Vrach, "Holy Healer", was given to the park in 1981. Its summer theatre, built in 1974, hosts the Pirin Folk festival and Mladdostta na Balkanite (Youth of the Balkans). The Spartak stadium inside the grounds is the home of FC Vihren.

The park lies on both banks of the Sandanska Bistritsa and is crossed by two illuminated cable bridges, the first built in 1959. Its alleys are sandy, the only such park in Bulgaria, so choose footwear accordingly. The swimming complex opened in 1956 and the summer theatre in 1974.

The park's name, Sveti Vrach (Holy Healer), was given in 1981 and refers to the town's old name, linked to the healing reputation of the area. The first trees, white and black pines, were planted in 1916 by soldiers of the Second Army under General Georgi Todorov, whose monument stands at the entrance since 2005.