Aquae Calidae – another place with millenial history in Bulgaria

The new tourist complex Aquae Calidae nearby the Black sea coast in the town of Burgas, Bulgaria, is one of the newest attractions, revealing a rich history and local natural resources of the country. The place keeps offers to its guests the healing power of the mineral springs, known even to the ancient Thracians.

Three Nymphs’ Thracian Sanctuary

According to the ancient Greek mythology, the Nymphs have been guardians of the springs and the whole nature. It was believed that the springs, was kept by descendants of Oceanus and Tethys, possessed healing powers, gave eternal youth and immortality. A legend tells that three of the Nymphs were guardians of the mineral springs nearby the ancient town of Aquae Calidae (the name means “Hot waters” from Latin). They failed to protect the water clean and were petrified by the Gods.

The built of the Roman Baths

In the first centuries A.D., the Romans have preserved the Thracian settlements, created around the mineral springs and have constructed public baths. That was made around the whole territory of the newly announced Thrace province with main autonomous centers Serdika, Pautalia, Nicopolis ad Nestum, and etc. There is an evidence that the healing power of the mineral waters of Aquae Calidae was used by Philip II of Macedonia, the Roman Emperors Justinian I and Constantine IV, Bulgarian Khan Tervel, and Sultan Suleiman, I the Magnificent. Because of the attacks of Barbarian tribes in the VI Century around the city and the bathrooms, a fortress wall was built.

The creation of the Bulgarian State

It is believed that Aquae Calidae played an important role in the Khan Asparuh’s victory over the armies of the Byzantine Emperor Constantine the IV in Onglos. After the establishment of the Bulgarian state, the town was named Therma or Thermopolis.

The Crusades

After the capture of Baldwin, I of Flanders by the army of Tsar Kaloyan, his brother Henry I of Flanders took a punitive campaign against the Bulgarian cities, located South of the Balkan Mountain. The knights captured the town of Therma and renamed it “La Fermata”.

The Ottoman Period

Throughout the Suleyman, I the Magnificent reign, over the half-destroyed Roman baths was constructed a new bath building (hammam kapladzha). As gratitude for his gout’s cure, the Sultan published a decree, which richly endowed the region of the mineral springs.

Aquae Calidae Complex today

Fully restored, the complex was opened in 2015 and became one of the newest attractions in Bulgaria, that shows the ancient history and mineral resources of the country. After the restoration the Suleiman’s bath original vision is fully preserved, tiled with marble and typical oriental ceramics.

The clear, a hot (+41 degrees), slightly mineralized water of Aquae Calidae heals a number of diseases of the musculoskeletal system, peripheral and central nervous system and helps in overall body strengthening. The complex offers to its guests a cafe, souvenir shop, park and open stage. Each visitor can relax in a romantic atmosphere, enjoy a cup of coffee, sip the curative spring water and feel the spirit of antiquity.