Mineralni Bani and Haskovo
Mineralni Bani program
The mineral water - the most valuable natural wealth of the region - hyperthermal /57 °C/ and unique in its chemical composition and healing properties.
The most valuable natural resource in the area is the mineral water, which is hyperthermal - around 54-59°C and is unique in its chemical composition and healing properties. The mineral baths are a national balneological resort, favorable for relaxation and balneotherapy at any time of the year. The center of the resort is surrounded by beautiful forest vegetation, providing crystal clear air and natural beauty.
The village has been known as a spa resort since the Roman era, when the hot springs attracted people with their healing power. During the Middle Ages, the glory of the mineral water and the miraculous effect of the numerous warm springs in these places continued to spread. According to historical information, the so-called town of Toplitsos with a population of over 12,000 people was located here. The discovered archaeological monuments confirm that around the mineral springs in different historical periods life was very alive.
Program
The program can be completed for more days if interested.
3 days, 2 nights + breakfast, lunch and dinner
1 day (Friday)
Arrival in Sofia. Transfer to Mineralni Bani. Accommodation at Hotel Bulgaria 3***. Free time. Dinner. Spa procedures, use of mineral pool, possibility of massages.
19:00 Walk to the center near the Mineral Baths. A visit to a mineral bath Couple Bath, which for some evening turns into a stage for a light show against the background of quiet, pleasant music and spectacular laser beams illuminating the entire mineral pool.
20:00 Dinner.
Day 2 (Saturday)
7:30 - 09:00 Breakfast in the hotel restaurant.
09:00 a.m. Step (Bogorodichna) Step is a Christianized ancient megalithic sanctuary. It is carved into the rock, and its dimensions are truly impressive - 2 meters long, 1 meter deep, 0.75 m wide. It is believed that this place has healing power, brings good luck and fulfills wishes. According to local legend, the step was taken by the Virgin Mary, who stepped here with one foot and with the other to the "Sveta Petka" monastery near Asenovgrad.
Optional (visit to the Terrarium) Not for the faint of heart. Here is the only building in Bulgaria and on the Balkan Peninsula, built specifically to be home to different types of snakes. Permanent exhibition with extremely exotic species from different parts of the world.
10:00 a.m. Roman fortress "Holy Spirit". After a short and beautiful ten-minute walk through the forest, you will reach the fortress. The fortress has experienced 4 periods of construction: Roman, Late Roman, Early Byzantine and Medieval. Its shape is an irregular polygon and very well preserved. During archaeological excavations in the fortress, more than 120 copper, silver and gold coins and one lead seal were also found. In historical literature, the fortress and the settlement in Mineralni Bani are identified with Toplitza, which was mentioned by the Byzantine historian in connection with the Pecheneg raids in the middle of the 11th century, when the fortress was probably destroyed.
13:00 Lunch in Haskovo
14:00 Haskovo - Visit to the "Holy Mother of God" - monument and Orthodox chapel The sculpture, 14 meters high and weighing 80 tons, stands on a 17-meter pedestal, which on the inside represents a chapel. With this statue, in 2004 the city entered the "Religion" section of the Guinness Book as the tallest statue of the Virgin and Child. Due to its record size and favorable location, the statue of the Holy Virgin can be seen from the entire city even at night. Since 2009, the monument has been included in the list of 100 national tourist sites. The Mother of God has always been considered the patroness of the city of Haskovo. There is no fee to visit the monument, opening hours: October - February - 08:30 - 17:30; March, April - 08.30 - 18.30; May - September 08.30 - 20.30
Walk in Yamacha Park. Haskovo Bell tower and panoramic view of the city Very close to the monument is the 30-meter Haskovo bell tower, opened in 2010. It is one of the highest on the Balkan Peninsula, and from its top there is an incredible panoramic view of the entire city. With its almost 30-meter height, it is one of the highest on the Balkan Peninsula. There are 8 bells of different sizes on it. The bell tower is accessible to tourists, and from its highest point there is a beautiful view of the city.
A walk around the city center. Visit to the Old Clock Tower of Haskovo
The Clock Tower of Haskovo was built at the beginning of the 19th century as a symbol of the city and its economic boom. The restored clock tower rises 23 meters and is built of cut uzundzh stone. In its upper part there are three dials and an electronic mechanism with GPS calibration, and a bell measures the elapsed hours. A curious fact is that the bell belongs to the Whitechapel Foundry, which produced Big Ben, the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia, the bells of the London Olympics and the jubilee bells of Queen Elizabeth II... The Whitechapel Foundry (established in 1570) is included in Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest in the UK. The old clock tower of Haskovo has been completely restored with donations.
A walk in the city center and the Drama Theater.
16:30 Back to the Mineral Baths Spa procedures, use of the mineral pool, possibility of massages. 20:00 Dinner.
Day 3 (Sunday)
7:30 Breakfast at the hotel restaurant. Transfer to Sofia airport. Return flight.
Clean environment - absence of air pollutants and presence of wonderful forest vegetation, endowing the resort with crystal clear air and natural beauty.
