Banya

Banya ski resort

Location

The village of Banya is situated in the south-west of Bulgaria, in a valley between the three big mountains Rila, Pirin and the Rhodopes. It is 156 km away from the capital Sofia and only 6 km from Bansko ski resort and the town of Razlog. The population of the resort is about 3,000.

History

The mineral springs in the site are the reason this region to be settled very early. The first inhabitants are the Thracians, which is proved by the remains of their culture around the old bath and outside the village dated back about IV century BC. In II century BC the region was conquered by Philip II, the king of the Macedonian tribes. A temple of Apollo (as a god of health) was built then in the village. During the III century BC in the region came Celts, and remained to live together with the Thracians. With the expansion of the Roman Empire during the I century BC the valley of Rila, Pirin and Rhodopes was joined to it. Traditional Rome thermals that can be seen even today, were built in the village. As the Empire was Christian already, the old temple of Apollo was destroyed and replaced by the “Holy Virgin” church (II century). After the breaking up of the Roman Empire (IV century), the village became a part of the Byzantium Empire. Very soon the Slavs came, but all tribes continued to live separately in peace. In IX century the region became a part of the Bulgarian state.

Bulgaria was conquered by the Ottoman Empire in the XIV century. The Christian church and churchyard were destroyed during the XVI-XVII century and a mosque was built. In 1801 the village was totally burned down, but XIX century was time of cultural and economic revival for the village. It was emancipated from the Ottoman Empire at the beginning of XX century (1912).

Sightseeing

There are several archeological sites in the village and its surroundings because of Banya’s long history. The old Roman thermals, which are about to be renovated, and “St. George” church are announced monuments of culture. The tradition of local crafts as iconography, wood-carving, loom and embroidery is still alive. In the village there are two warm mineral pools – one Olympic-size swimming pool and one for children.

Mineral water

The mineral springs of Banya are 72, situated in the village and at the foot of the height Zhensko bardo. The total capacity of the springs is about 76 l/s. Water temperature is between 37-57oC. The water is clean, scentless and without a precipitate, good for drinking. It contains of hydro-carbonate, sulephate, sodium, fluorine and silicon and is weakly mineralized. It is used for medical treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases of the locomotory system, chronic gynecological diseases and inflammatory diseases of the nervous system. There are also mud-curing deposits.

Tourism

Banya is currently undergoing massive development into a spa and wellness resort with plenty of new hotels, restaurants and other tourist facilities emerging each season. Its closeness to Bansko is the reason Banya to be preferred by the ski lovers. At the same time it preserves its traditional village style and is perfect not only for winter but for summer tourism, too.

Banya SPA resort is famous for its curative mineral water springs with average temperature 58°C. More than 75 hot springs are discovered on the territory of Banya.

SPA centres and swimming pools

So, the first thing to do in Banya is visiting of one of the SPA centres and swim in the mineral water swimming pools.

All hotels in Banya offer SPA centres with indoor and outdoor swimming pools for adults and children, jacuzzi, steam baths, saunas, kneipp path, massages, SPA and Wellness procedures.

There is a large open-air swimming pool with mineral water in the village. It is with Olympic sizes and suitable for swimming all day long, lying on the sunbeds, playing tennis or volleyball on the fields near the pool. On the territory neat this swimming pool there are showers, rest rooms, dressing rooms and cafe. This is a municipality's territory.

Churches and preserved ancient baths

There are two churches in Banya. The central one is a big church of St. George with a nice park around it.

Turkish and Roman ancient baths are now restored and renovated with the funds of the EU.

Children playground with rope facilities for climbing, a big slide and some other entertainment facilities are constructed near the Turkish bath.

Benches with a small scene are constructed near the Roman bath.

Playgrounds and sport facilities

Two playgrounds suitable for football, tennis, volleyball, basketball are located in the village – one of them is near the school and the one is near the public bath. There are outdoor fitness facilities, as well.

• International Balloon festival 2015 will be held in Banya resort

  Date: 2015-01-14 Autor:

  

  International Balloon festival 2015 will be held... read more

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• Banya

  Date: 2012-10-01 Autor:

  

  Location: The village of Banya is situated in... read more

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