Balsha Bulgarian: Балша is a village in Sofia City Province of western Bulgaria. It has a population of 719 people (2024) and lies at 617 metres of altitude - located in Sofia Valley on the southern foothills of the western Balkan Mountains.
History
According to legend, the Sofia valley was covered by a lake which reached all the way to the Balkan Mountains. Three young women got married in villages on the opposite sides of the lake - Balsha, Yana, and Boyana. Another legend tells that a local aristocrat whose name was Balsha was helping the church and the close by monastery St Theodor Stratilat. The Balsha village is also where Bulgarian patriot Ivan Denkoglu was born. == Education ==
Education
There is a primary school in the nearby village of Dobroslavtsi (179 OU), located about 4,3 km away. == Transport ==
Transport
It is possible to reach the village with Sofia metropolitan public transport via local bus nr. 30 (from Vrabnitsa - which itself can be reached with the Sofia metro). == Sightseeing ==
Sightseeing
The St. Theodor Stratilat monastery is located at a walking distance from the village. == Gallery ==
Gallery
File:Theodore Stratelates Monastery of Balsha.JPG|St Theodor Stratilat monastery File:Saint Petka Church in Balsha.JPG|Old and new St Petka church File:Medieval frescos in Balsha.JPG|Inside of old St Petka church File:Chitalishte in Balsha.JPG|Ivan Denkoglu cultural centre File:Balsha Town Hall.JPG|The town hall File:Entrance to Balsha.JPG|Entrance to the village ==References==