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About Bania
SPA RESORTS
The pretty health resort village of Banya is situated amidst a large park at the foot of the "Sashtinska Sredna gora" mountain, near the geographic centre of the country in the Valley of Roses, between the Balkan and the Sredna Gora mountains. It is easily reachable by car, train or bus.
The beaches, swimming pools, sport complexes, balneological hotels and rehabilitation establishments in town create wonderful conditions for pleasant summer holidays and tourism. The fans of the Bulgarian wines may sample the quality drinks produced by the famous “Rose Valley” winery.
The remains of an ancient village prove that the town was used for hydrotherapy in ancient times. There are 9 hydrothermal sources.
There are plenty of mineral springs and the place was populated even in the new Stone Age. In the region are found many funeral Thracian mounds, which testify the existence of Thracian settlements in the area. Later, during the period of Bulgarian Revival was developed the production of rose, spearmint and lavender oils, as well as wine-growing. After the Liberation the two brothers Bagarov, who were contractors, came in the town and constructed three factories for rose oil distillation and holiday houses in the area of the thermal springs
Boris III and his Palace
The summerhouse of Boris III with its picturesque yard-garden, lovingly called by the locals “The Palace” is located in the town of Banya. In 1927 Tzar Boris III took a cure for rheumatism in the country house of the manufacturer I. Bagarov. Pleased at his stay, he decided to build up a tsar’s estate. It was located in a country yard with luxury vendure and was finished in 1929. The small architectural complex covers an area of 10 decares, 7 of which belong to the park. The villa is built in the Bulgarian Revival architectural style – with a large porch and wooden columns. The complex has two additional smaller buildings – one for the guests and one for the servants. A massive stone wall with two oak doors surrounds the whole villa... more info
Restaurant "Kiparis" - the old house of the Bagarovi family
in 1925 the family Bagarovi had a a rose oil factory in Banya. They had a nice big house which is now a restaurant. At the restaurant you feel the cool breeze from river "Striama".
The park
500 dka big, Boris III had a passion for plants and he began to build his own park. With his help, the landscaping began and the first poplar trees were planted around 1938 and the main planting started around 1955. The area was originally marshy and tons of sand were needed to make the land good for planting. There are lots of exotic trees here including Ginko Biloba, Red Oak, Black Pine and Acacia.
"Girl's Breast"
Two hills can be seen from any point in Banya which look like girls breasts, hence the name. A thousand years ago Banya was a lake. People tied their boats up to side of the 'girl's breasts' and on the summit there was a Thracian town. In the region are found many funeral Thracian mounds, which testify the existence of Thracian settlements in the area. If you climb up the hills the view at the top is incredible. You will see all the surrounding villages - Karlovo, Vedrare, Kurtovo, Vasil Levski village, Sushisa, Domlian, Prolom, Voiniagovo, Dabene and Gorni Domlian.
The hamlet of Kishish
Along the River Strama, about 2 k from Banya there is a little village called Kalugerovo (the old name for Kishish). Amidst this village are natural springs of cold water. Oak leaves have been found in the springs which appeared to have come from the "Stara Palanina" mountain range which proves that this spring water must come from the mountains. This village is so isolated, it was used during the times of the Ottoman Empire by local people to hide from the Turks. There used to be a rose oil extraction factory here but now only two chimneys remain.
The Strama River - picnicking and fishing
Aside from the beautiful pools, the river is another reason to come to Banya. Along the river bank is a well known tourist attraction called "Tepavitsa"; a water driven machine for washing rugs used in olden times and a fishery, a pheasant farm and an ostrich farm. In the river lives bream, trout and pike and fishing is permitted. There are also fishing facilities in the dams at Mihiltsi (4 k) and Domlan (8 k).
The Climate
Winter lasts from November to the end of February. Days are mild, dry, clear and sunny with some snowfall. Snow never lasts long though because of the underground hot springs. Day time temperatures are generally around 5 degrees C. Spring lasts until the end of April with balmy temperatures up to 25 degrees C. Summers are hot, approx 30-38 degrees C. There is no 'best' time to come to Banya as each season brings its own particular charm and the pools are relaxing and beneficial both during the warm and the cold seasons.
Exarch Stefan
Exarch Stefan I (1878 - 1957) was exiled to the house of Bagarovi after the Communists overthrew the king on the 9 September 1944 as he was a very high ranking man of the church. He is recognized by the Christian world as initiating independence of the Bulgarian church from Rome. Whilst in exile he did not suffer materialistically and still kept his chauffeur driven car and was permitted to attend church once a week in Banya. This however did not help his mental state and he became increasingly depressed as he had no contact with other church leaders.
