Sapareva Banya - Bulgaria

The town of Sapareva Banya is located in Western Bulgaria, 70 km south of Sofia and 55 km east of Kyustendil. The city population is 3800 people. The city is located below the northern slopes of the Rila Mountains, at 750 meters above sea level. The E-79 international highway passes near the city, facilitating transport links in the region.

The climate here is transitional continental. The average monthly temperature in January is 0 degrees and in July it is +22 degrees.

Sapareva Banya is first and foremost popular with its mineral waters - the hottest mineral water in Europe springs in the town - +103 ° С. Here is also the one of a kind on the Balkan Peninsula geyser. The symbol of Sapareva Banya is the geyser - a fountain located in the city center. In 1957, during hydrological studies at 73 m underground, hot water and vapor with temperatures above 102 ° C were discovered. The water column under pressure pushes hot water over the surface to a height of 18 m.

The mineral water of Sapareva Banya is clear, colorless, with a smell of hydrogen sulfide. Water treats diseases of the musculoskeletal system, peripheral nervous system, gynecological diseases, acute and chronic poisoning with salts of heavy metals, diseases of the skin, upper respiratory tract and more.

The healing properties of the water in Sapareva Banya cause the region to be inhabited since ancient times. The oldest known name of the city - Germanea, was given by the Thracians and was associated with hot mineral springs. According to scientists in the Thracian language, "germany" meant "hot water." There are also hypotheses that Herman was a Thracian god of heat. In the 3rd century AD. Germanea became one of the important centers of the Roman province of Inner Dacia. The city suffered serious damage in the 5th century after the attacks of the barbarians. Remains of the ancient city can be seen around the medieval St. Nicholas Church, located in the city center opposite the municipality.

The settlement became part of the First Bulgarian State in the 6th century. During the Middle Ages, Germania was an important trade center with developed viticulture and agriculture. In 1205, under the reign of Tsar Kaloyan (1197 - 1207), Germanea was included within the boundaries of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom (1185 - 1393).

During the Ottoman rule, local people were forced to leave the city and settle in the present village of Saparevo. Sheep breeding is being developed in the area to meet the needs of the Ottoman army and the urban Ottoman population. Many new settlers came, leading to an economic boom.

An interesting local landmark is the medieval church "St. Nicolas ”, built in the 13th century. Local people discovered the remains of the church in 1837 when they started to build a new church in the same place.

Icon of St. The Virgin Mary, considered miraculous, is stored in another temple in the city - the church "St. Forty Martyrs. "The temple was built in 1859 and the murals were made in 1878-1879.

The finds discovered during the archaeological excavations in the area can be seen in the ethnographic collection at the local school "Hristo Botev".

Part of the territory of the municipality falls within the boundaries of Rila National Park, where popular tourist destinations such as the Seven Rila Lakes, the Panichishte Resort and others are located.

Panichishte is a mountain resort at 1350-1450 m above sea level. In winter, there are several slopes and ski lifts available to tourists. The proximity to Rila National Park and the Rila Lakes makes Panichishte a favorite vacation spot in the summer. In the area there are marked tourist routes and good conditions for practicing different types of sports. More information about tourism opportunities in the area can be found at the Visitor Information Center. There are many hotels and restaurants in the area.

From Sapareva Banya begin several tourist routes to several monasteries and churches in the nearby villages. Tourists can obtain more information at the Geyser Information Center. The Resilov Monastery is located 7 km southeast of the town, which is a functioning maiden monastery, founded in the 1930s.

In Sapareva Banya there is a city mineral bath, rehabilitation centers, hotels, guest houses and restaurants.