Bulgarian Regions

Sapareva Banya

Sapareva Banya is located in southwestern part of Bulgaria, on the northern slope of mountain Rila, in two hours drive from Sofia, the Capital of Bulgaria. Municipality is the popular tourist zone, known by its Seven Rila Lakes, the Skakavitza Reserve and Waterfalls. Municipality with the administrative centre Sapareva Banya, also includes villages Saparevo, Recilovo, Ovchrtzi and the mountain resort Panichishte, located 15 kilometers to the east from Dupnitza.

Municipality proudly shares one third of its territory with Rila National Park, which was established in 1992.

Sapareva Banya is well-known for its unique geothermal mineral water. Here you will find the hottest mineral water in all Europe (103 C) and the only active Geyser in the Balkans. You can reach Sapareva Banya and the Panichishte Resort, driving in southern direction from Sofia on international highway E - 79 within 45 minutes, than take the Doupnitza exit and follow the signs to Sapareva Banya (15 minutes). For public transportation services to Sapareva Banya there is one direct bus dailyat 2:00p.m. from the "Ovcha Kypel" bus station. Buses run hourly from the same station to Doupnitza where you can catch any of the "Saparevo" buses that run every half hour. All buses will drop you off in front of the Tourist Information Center in Sapreva Banya.

Sapareva Banya is justly proud of its cool mountain water and healing geothermal mineral waters. The mineral water is largely sulfuric with significant levels of iron, calcium and manganese. It is the hottest mineral water in the Balkans and produces the only active geyser here as well. The geyser and its surrounding park were developed in 1957 and have been tapped as a geothermal heating source for the municipal buildings and the greenhouses.

The sanatorium and medical center of Sapareva Banya already more than 50 years specializes on treatment of patients with illnesses of the top respiratory system, nervous and is intimate - vascular system, inflammations and complications of impellent system, mental and neurologic traumas, professional and various chronic diseases, orthopedic lacks, etc. Its staff is composed of trained specialists in mud treatments, hot water massage and physical therapy. The Sanatorium complex also contains an outdoor mineral water pool for use during the summer season.

After a day spent hiking the trails of Northwestern Rila, treat yourself to a bath in the hottest and most therapeutic water in Europe. The Sapareva Banya Mineral Baths have been completely remodeled and are open from 7:00a.m. until 7:00p.m. The baths are divided into men's and women's pools where personal massages are available. A third section offers private baths for family use.

 

Churches

You can visit many churches and chapels in Sapareva Banya. Directly in the town, there is the Church of 40 Martyrs dated by 1859, whose altar has been shaped by known woodcarver Stanislav Dospevski. Also in the town of Sapareva Banya is the Byzantine church of Saint Nicholas. The original foundation of this church dates to the XIII century, later on it has been several times renovated.In the park surrounding the church, you can see an assembly of ancient monuments, including the original bath, found during the archeological digs of the Roman ruins of the ancient city of Germanea. Now the church is in the process of reconstruction.

In the village of Resilovo there is a Monastery of Divine Mother, which was constructed in 1927 by a rich widow of a seaman gone in Black sea. It is one of the few female monasteries functioning in Bulgaria, opened for daily visits. Every year, on the first of October is celibrated the holiday of the Monastery. Now is conducted the reconstruction of the courtyard and gardens.

The church of Divine Mother in the village of Saparevo is located on a hilltop above the center. The legend says that to one of local residents in the dream came an angel and told about the treasure buried on the nearby slope. The treasure was precisely in that place, as it was shown in dream. In gratitude, was constructed church which till the present day is considered to be the biggest in the area. The building of church is unique for its four inner columns ornamented with gilded images of animals.

Craft Manufacture

The most known craft manufacture in the area is the exquisite needlework created by the Bulgarian women. Magnificent pattern decorating national suits is seen on table cloths, carpets and wall hangings. You can see and buy samples of these works in Tourist Information centre.

Houses, restaurants and cafe reflect specificity of the Bulgarian architecture, styles and methods. Local masters-masons combine river stone and slate with the forged iron and wood, creating magnificent gardens and internal patios. In the house of Doctor Marinov there is a big assembly of works made of wood from across Bulgaria. Within more than 40 years, doctor assembled this collection and now with pleasure exhibits its to groups of tourists organized via Information Centre.

Local Artists

The Artists Guild of Sapareva Banya is composed of accomplished artist and poets. Poets Mihael Kaldrumov, Vessela Gyviiskа, and Antonia Mitsova are all respected local authors. The painters Vassil Koritarov, Vassil Krapchanski and Radostine Angelokov are still producing fine landscapes and portraits. You can see their works in Cultural Center of Sapareva Banya.

Traditions and Festivals

In Sapareva Banya are celibrated the following festivals:

January 1^st - Kykeri Festival. Large frightening costumes, adorned with horns and bells are worn by dancers. People believe that the loud singing and dancing is brings good fortune for the New Year.

August 15^th - The Celebration of the Divine Mother. Within the Municipality there are two churches and a monastery devoted to the Divine Mother and all celebrate this day with large pots of stew made by the churches for their parishioners.

40 days before Orthodox Easter - Todorov Day. This is the celebration of Saint Theodore. On this day it is tradition for young men from all of the villages to compete in horse races.

August 19^th - The Celebration of the Dunovites. This is the yearly celebration of the followers of Peter Dunov, the Bulgarian Christian spiritualist. Each year hundreds of his followers dress in white, dance in large concentric circles and sing songs praising the Sun and the Earth. Respectful spectators are welcomed.

Economics in Sapareva Banya

The greatest challenge for Sapareva Banya, and Bulgaria in general, has been the transition to a market economy. Being one of the smallest Bulgarian municipalities, Sapareva Banya contributes a very small percentage of the productive output for the country and the Kystendil Region. The dynamics of growth and production have switched from varying areas since the political change of 1990, explaining the changes in structural production. At the beginning of this phase, agriculture and industry performed at similar rates of production, later there were changes to a mainly industrial emphasis and growth pattern. While the growth of industry is welcomed, the municipality would like to regain its former levels of agricultural production.

The majority of the firms registered in the municipality fall within the small or medium sized category and have low potential for the generation of gross surplus income. Most of these are family run businesses dealing in commercial trade, hotels and restaurants. These businesses comprise the foundation of the tourism infrastructure in Sapareva Banya and are largely responsible for the growth in tourism levels in the municipality.

The territory of the Municipality of Sapareva Banya is conducive to a variety of agricultural endeavors. The Doupnitza basin and the low slopes of Rila Mountain are ideal for crop cultivation, while the higher slopes of Rila are suitable for stock breeding, pasture and milk production. The altitude and climate in the immediate area are highly favourable for fruit growing and the community has a strong tradition in this area. The natural gift of geothermal water has been helpful in the agricultural development of Sapareva Banya. Vegetables and hot house flowers are grown throughout the year in the local greenhouse complex.

Tourism in Sapareva Banya

In recent years great attention was paid to improving the tourism infrastructure in Sapareva Banya. New sidewalks, trees, cafes and hotels have sprung up in the center and along the main road leading to Panichishte. Sapareva Banya's growth as a Bulgarian mountain resort has been largely due to its proximity to Sofia and its growing opportunities for mountain, ski, religious and spa tourism.

Being in Sapareva Banya enjoy the following:

The Geyser which is located in the center of town and surrounded by a large city park and restaurant by the same name. This Geyser is the оnly one in the Balkans and sprays geothermal mineral water 18 meters into the air every 20 seconds. Be sure to visit the Geyser at night when the colored lights at its base create a striking effect.

Located directly across from the Municipal Administration, the Byzantine church of St. Nikola dates from the XIII century is surrounded by antiquities from the Roman city of Germanea, now Sapareva Banya.

The Sapareva Banya Sanitorium Health Center is a short walk down from the Geyser and is an affordable getaway for Bulgarian tourists. Be sure to stroll the paths through the ancient roman ruins directly in front of the main building.

History of Sapareva Banya

History of Sapareva Banya has been always linked to balneology and mineral water resources on which it was founded.

Numerous archeological excavations testify that balneotherapy existed already in IV - V millenia B.C. (the hydrothermal centers nearby Hisari, Sofia, baths in Khaskovo). Balneology and climate therapy were practised here in the most civilized way. Bases of balneotherapy were put by the populace of Thrace. People of Thrace saw in mineral waters an important source of health, force and beauty. Many towns and villages were built on the places of warm sources, such as Sapareva Banya, Pautalia, Kiustendil, Serdika (Sofia) and many others. In days of Roman empire balneology and treatment by warm sources have reached the blossoming. Augusta (Hisarea), Desudava (Sandanski), Taonas (Slivenski mineral baths), Germopolis (mineral baths in Burgas) and others were developed as new balneological centers. Paytalia and Augusta (August) were considered to be the biggest centers in Roman empire. Unfortunately, now we cant see the Roman terms in there complite origipnal condition. We admire the perfect architectural designs and technics, and even use some of these ancient constructions till the present day.

In the Middle Ages the most visited balneological centers were Hisarea, Sapareva Banya, Moerichileri, Vergiets. Now, A civilization known as the "Kremenik" lived here in Neolithic times (5,500 B.C.). Tools, a grain mill and household items were found during archeological digs carried out in the late 1970's. Later excavations conducted in the 1980's centered round the Roman ruins, which can still be seen near the Sanitorium and in the park garden of the church of St. Nikola in the center of town. The town was an important stop along the Roman road connecting Rome, Greece and the Black Sea. You can see Sapareva Banya in Roman times when it was known as "Germanea" peresented in the works of local painter and historian Vassil Koritarov.

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