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

In the footsteps of medieval monks – the hidden face of the Ivanovo Rock Monastery

High in the canyon of the Rusenski Lom River lies one of the most impressive spiritual centers of Bulgaria. It is a complex of dozens of rock-hewn cells, chapels and churches carved on both sides of the river , which came to life in the 13th century..

published on 8/31/25 11:35 AM

A liturgy was held on St. John Island near Sozopol for the first time in 500 years

For the first time in 500 years, the chants of the Divine Liturgy echoed through the ruins of the medieval monastery ''St. John the Baptist'' on St. John Island near Sozopol. The occasion was the commemoration of the Beheading of St. John the Baptist,..

published on 8/29/25 11:30 AM
Photo: Holy Trinity Church in Madison, Ilinois

Bulgarian Orthodox community in Madison needs a priest for the Bulgarian Holy Trinity Church

The church board of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church “Holy Trinity” in Madison, Illinois (USA), has announced on its Facebook page that it needs a priest to serve in the church. “We humbly ask all brothers and sisters in Christ – in the wider..

published on 8/27/25 1:34 PM