Malio rid
Old houses and barns, on the left the big walnut-tree under which I played for hours as a kid and up above and away the highest local mountain hill. Ironically earned the name "Malio rid" ("Малио рид" in Bulgarian) which means "the little hill".
Now everything looks deserted... and indeed it is. There are under 10 local people living in the whole village. Not counting the people coming to their weekend villas from time to time.
But back in the beginning of the 20th century the village Blateshnitsa numbered over 1200 inhabitants. There were 2 schools and they were full. Now one of them is demolished long ago and the building of the other was being used as a mountain hostel. And now it's abandoned too.
The church is big, made in late 19th century by the local builder, master Milenko, who also built the southern wing of the famous Rila Monastery. Nowadays the church is empty, its doors are closed, it's bell tower is silent. And there is no priest in it, even for holidays.
