Mineral Water – Bulgarian Liquid Treasure

Bulgaria is one of the leading SPA destinations in Europe, because of the abundance of mineral springs, located throughout the whole its territory. The number of the springs is more than 700, with different composition, temperature and properties of the mineral water.

These are the Ancient Thracians that have built some of the oldest settlements in Bulgaria around thermal springs. They were first to discover the healing quality of the water and had built their cities nearby.

Most of these settlements become nowadays some of the best SPA resorts in Bulgaria. We select few of them to present you their treasures.

Chiflik

Chiflik is a small village, situated at 190 km from the capital Sofia, in the heart of the Balkan mountain (Stara Planina) and at 16 km from the Troyan Monastery (XVII century), famous for its miraculous icon of St. Mary. Here is a real kingdom of centuries-old forests and crystal clear air. The rich nature and the geothermal springs with mineral water provides a possibility for relax all seasons round. The mineral swimming pools are with a constant temperature of water 34◦ C.

Devin

The town is a famous balneological resort and together with Sandanski is the city with the largest number of sunny days in Bulgaria. There are more than 15 mineral springs on the town’s area. The waters are good for treatments of hepatobiliary, kidney and urological, endocrine diseases, also cardiovascular, endocrine-metabolic problems.

Hissar

In the resort’s territory are located 22 springs with different physical and chemical characteristics and temperature, between 41 – 52°С. That is a unique fact not only for Bulgaria, but for the whole world. The mineral water is light, clear, colourless, and tasty. It is slightly mineralized, hypo- and hyper-thermal, with a predominance of hydrocarbons, sodium, sulphate and fluorine ions, as well as substantial amounts of radioactive gas. The radioactive emanation is 10-165 Em, pH – 7.6 – 9.02 and over 20 microelements. The acid content – 200 – 270 mg. It has proved to be extremely effective in the treatment of diseases of the urinary system, renal and gastrointestinal tract, diseases of the pancreas, of the gall-bladder and gall tract.

Kyustendil

The Ancient town Pautalia has been well-known in the Roman Empire with its SPA and balneological treatments. Only high-standing Roman warriors had the privilege to use them. Today, the same mineral water is used during the procedures. It has temperature of +73 °С, a low level of mineralization (719 mg/l) with a high level of alkalinity – pH 9.15. The water has proven its curative quality for a number of illnesses: gynecological, male and female sterility, neurological and skin diseases, diseases of the respiratory system, the musculoskeletal structure, various job-related illnesses etc.

Sandanski

There are over 80 mineral water springs in the town. The mineral waters are perfect for outdoor swimming all year round and have a strong healing effect. The area is known for its low humidity and high average temperature. Local mineral water is clear, transparent, with pleasant taste; it is used for a treatment of disorders of gastrointestinal tract and kidneys. Mineral waters of Sandanski belong to acroterms (42-81°С). The waters are of bicarbonate and sulphate sodium type, with neutral to a slightly alkaline reaction, rich in flour and metasilicic acid – this defines their therapeutic value.

Shipkovo resort

The use of mineral water in the Shipkovo SPA began during the Bulgarian Revival.  There are two mineral springs on the village territory. The total flow of the water is about 62 l. per sec. The temperature varies from 18°С to 38°С. The waters have healing characteristics in treatment of disorders of gastrointestinal tract and kidneys, hepatitis, gall and kidney stones, musculoskeletal system and peripheral nervous system.

Velingrad

There are more than 90 mineral water springs in the town, also known like the SPA Capital on the Balkans. The waters possess differing temperature, mineralization, radon, silicic acid and fluorine content, and are suitable for treatment of a wide range of diseases. The biggest Karst spring in Bulgaria, with an average discharge of 1200 litres of ice-cold water per second, is located nearby Velingrad, too.

These are just few of the places in Bulgaria, where you can try a favorable impact of mineral waters, located all over the country. It will be even better if you come and find out by yourself.