Rupite is a village situated in the Sandanski–Petrich valley, 8 km northeast of Petrich, and 20 km southwest of the town of Melnik. The population of the village is 1140 inhabitants. It is located in the picturesque place of the same name. The village is proud with the home and the grave of the well-known Bulgarian prophet Vanga. According to her the whole area of Rupite is filled with cosmic energy. Based on Vanga’s idea the church of St. Petka was built in the village of Rupite.

     Rupite is situated in the south-west part of Bulgaria, near Struma River. It is located on a volcano crater, and its relief is formed by the volcano hill Kozhuh, the thermal springs, and the hill of Pchelina. The altitude is not high and there are no large settlements, industrial factories or heavy traffic. The region is famous for its thermal curative springs and attracts many visitors. The place is also remarkable for the 2 protected areas located there - the Natural landmark Kozhuh, and the protected area Rupite, where is the only Bulgarian bay forest of silver poplar situated at Struma River.

     Flora and Fauna

     Rupite has a variety of flora and fauna. Lots of its representatives are threatened with extinction. The flora includes species such as willows, poplars, alder trees and east plane trees. In the Red Book of Bulgaria 13 species of plants from that region are included. The most typical are the Dracunculus vulgaris Schot, which grows only in this place in Bulgaria, Amygdalus Webbii Spach (specific type of almond tree), and the broad-leaved meadow saffron. The only place where the Ephedra campylopoda C. A. Ker grows is the hill of Pchelina.

     The fauna includes sun loving species, as well as species from the north. Many of them are threatened with extinction. There live the small chub, the Pelobates syriacus balcanica, almost all types of snakes in Bulgaria, and the 2 types of turtles, and the two types of freshwater tortoise. In the region of Rupite there are 201 species of birds. In Bulgaria many of them can be seen only in this place.

     Mineral Water of Rupite

     The temperature of the mineral waters of Rupite is 76 degrees C. They contain sulfates and hydrocarbonates of sodium and calcium, fluorine, and silicon. The influence of mineral waters is especially favourable for diseases of the digestive system, and metabolism disorders, diseases of the locomotory system, of the nervous system, gynecological and skin diseases.

     Surroundings

     A site of interest in the region of the village of Rupite is the volcanic peak Kozhuh. Once there was an ancient town called Petra. It was a cultural and religious centre. And the whole place of Rupite, where the village is situated attracts not only with its beauty, but also with the abundance of curative mineral springs and the variety of its flora and fauna.