Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Royal Mineral Baths in Bulgaria's Bankya regain authentic spendour after decades of oblivion

3
Photo: BGNES

The emblematic building of the royal mineral baths in the small town of Bankya close to Sofia may soon start to receive visitors after years of ruin. The impressive edifice has a history of over 100 years, as its construction began in 1907 under the direction of the famous German architect of the time, Prof. Karl Hoheder (1854-1917). In just four years, the architectural masterpiece was fully completed and the public baths began to receive the first visitors. 

After long years of neglect, the restoration of the building began in 2018, as its central lobby and the hall with the original mineral-water pool are now fully restored along with the authentic tiling and the dome.
Old photos of the premises were used for the restoration work, and a Bulgarian manufacturer of ceramics managed to produce the same colour of tiles as the original ones. 
The renovated healing facility features also a modern spa centre and a Viennese coffee lounge.
The baths are expected to open to the public in the autumn of 2020.


Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

Gallery

More from category

Renovated St. Ivan Rilski Church in Chicago to welcome first parish priest

On 19 October 2025, the day on which Orthodox Bulgarians commemorate St Ivan Rilski the Miracle-Worker, the newly renovated St Ivan Rilski Church in Chicago will officially reopen its doors. Named after Bulgaria’s heavenly patron , the church will host..

published on 10/10/25 4:31 PM

Bulgarian archaeologists uncover large circular temple at Perperikon

Archaeologist Nikolay Ovcharov on Thursday announced the discovery of a large circular temple at Perperikon, the early-historic rock complex in the Eastern Rhodopes, BTA reported. Dating to the 3rd–4th centuries AD , the structure is believed to..

published on 10/10/25 8:15 AM
Dr. Filip Petrunov

New discoveries revive the legends of Kaliakra – the glamorous capital of Dobrotitsa

This summer, archaeologists once again breathed life into the legends woven into the rocks of Kaliakra . Among the ruins of the once majestic fortress above the Black Sea, over 400 artefacts were discovered, shedding new light on..

published on 10/4/25 5:45 AM