National spa and resort village Mineralni Bani, Haskovo

Mineralni Bani National Spa and Resort Village, also known as Haskovo Mineral Baths, is a village in Southern Bulgaria, Haskovo Region and the administrative center of the Mineralni Bani Municipality.

Mineralni Bani is located on the northern slopes of the Eastern Rhodopes, at the western foot of the Mechkovets hill, at an altitude of 280 meters above sea level.

View from the Roman fortress "Toplitsa" in the Sveti Duh area

The climate in the area of the resort village is temperate continental with Mediterranean influence, and the area is characterized by a large number of sunny days per year, over 2100 sunny hours per year.

National Balneological and Resort Village Mineralni Bani, Haskovo

The region has a temperate continental climate - mild winters, warm summers and long autumns.

The fountain in front of the Mineralni Bani municipality building, Haskovo

The municipality of Mineralni Bani is surrounded by beautiful forest vegetation, which provides it with crystal clear air and natural beauty.

In the 1950s and 1970s, massive afforestation with black and white pine was carried out, which developed well in this place.

Chapel of the Holy Spirit, Mineral Baths, Haskovo — Holy Spirit Chapel

The forests in the Mineralni Bani region are a great asset and determine the ecology of the area, protecting it from torrential rains. However, over the years, they have given way to the invasion of people and turned into fields and pastures.

There is no developed heavy industry on the territory of the municipality, therefore there are no environmental pollutants and the area is ecologically clean.

The favorable climate and ecologically clean nature favor year-round balneotherapy and fruitful recreation.

Numerous archaeological finds from the prehistoric era, antiquity and the Middle Ages have been discovered in the area of the resort village, which is evidence of the millennial use of the abundant and hot mineral healing waters in these places.

On one of the hills above the resort village of Mineralni Bani in the Sveti Duh area, the remains of an ancient and medieval fortress "Toplitsa", which functioned from the 2nd century to the 14th century, have been preserved.

The Thracian rock wineries of Sharapani are also of interest.

Mineral spring in Mineralni Bani, Haskovo

The mineral water - the most valuable natural resource of the Municipality, is hyperthermal with a temperature of 57°C and is unique in its mineral composition.

Drilling No. 2VP

The water is characterized as highly mineralized, hyperthermal, sulfate-calcium-sodium and silicon water, containing fluoride, without sanitary-chemical and microbiological signs of pollution.

Flow rate – 24.1 l/s
Temperature – 57.5°C

Composition:

Anions:

Fluorine – 4.05 mg/l
Chloride – 62.80 mg/l
Sulfate – 857.16 mg/l
Carbonate < 6.00 mg/l
Bicarbonate – 136.68 mg/l
Nitrate – 7.35 mg/l
Nitrite < 0.05 mg/l

Dry residue at 180°C – 1517 mg/l
Dry residue at 260°C – 1489 mg/l
Electrical conductivity – 2030 μS/cm
pH 7.27

Cations:

Ammonium < 0.05 mg/l
Lithium – 0.10 mg/l
Sodium – 317.30 mg/l
Potassium – 20.18 mg/l
Calcium – 176.35 mg/l
Magnesium – 3.00 mg/l
Iron – 0.49 mg/l
Manganese – 0.84 mg/l
Metasilicic acid – 80.41 mg/l

Total mineralization – 1667 mg/l
Carbon dioxide – 22.00 mg/l
Hydrogen sulfide – 336.26 mg/l

Microelements:

Aluminum – 0.11 mg/l
Arsenic – 0.015±0.006 mg/l
Antimony < 0.005 mg/l
Cadmium < 0.005 mg/l
Chromium < 0.005 mg/l
Copper < 0.050 mg/l
Nickel < 0.005 mg/l
Lead < 0.010 mg/l
Selenium < 0.010 mg/l
Mercury < 0.001 mg/l
Zinc – 0.041 mg/l
Barium – 0.023 mg/l
Boron – 0.444 mg/l
Cyanides < 0.010 mg/l

Radiological indicators:

Total α-activity – 0.34±0.12 Bq/l
Total β-activity – 1.12±0.19 Bq/l
Radium-226 – 0.175±0.046 Bq/l
Radon-222 – 94.0±5.5 Bq/l
Natural uranium – 0.000114±0.000029 mg/l
Total indicative dose – 0.036±0.010 mSv/year

The use of mineral water for drinking balneotherapy and balneoprophylaxis should be done only on medical prescription, in compliance with strictly defined methods and dosages / amount of water taken, temperature and method of intake, continuation of the treatment and prophylactic course.

The water is not recommended for drinking without a doctor's prescription!

Drilling No. 4VP

The water is characterized as highly mineralized, hyperthermal, sulfate-calcium-sodium and silicon water, containing fluoride, without sanitary-chemical and microbiological signs of pollution.

Flow rate – 24.1 l/s
Temperature – 56.6°C

Composition:

Anions:

Fluorine – 4.01 mg/l
Chloride – 60.99 mg/l
Sulfate – 841.11 mg/l
Carbonate < 6.00 mg/l
Bicarbonate – 130.58 mg/l
Nitrate – 8.05 mg/l
Nitrite < 0.05 mg/l

Dry residue at 180°C – 1514 mg/l
Dry residue at 260°C – 1474 mg/l
Electrical conductivity – 2030 μS/cm
pH 7.27

Cations:

Ammonium < 0.05 mg/l
Lithium – 0.14 mg/l
Sodium – 322.50 mg/l
Potassium – 20.52 mg/l
Calcium – 180.36 mg/l
Magnesium – 3.10 mg/l
Iron – 0.41 mg/l
Manganese – 0.83 mg/l
Metasilicic acid – 81.01 mg/l

Total mineralization – 1654 mg/l
Carbon dioxide – 21.56 mg/l
Hydrogen sulfide – 344.08 mg/l

Microelements:

Aluminum – 0.12 mg/l
Arsenic – 0.023±0.006 mg/l
Antimony < 0.005 mg/l
Cadmium < 0.005 mg/l
Chromium < 0.005 mg/l
Copper < 0.050 mg/l
Nickel < 0.005 mg/l
Lead < 0.010 mg/l
Selenium < 0.010 mg/l
Mercury < 0.001 mg/l
Zinc – 0.033 mg/l
Barium – 0.023 mg/l
Boron – 0.446 mg/l
Cyanides < 0.010 mg/l

Radiological indicators:

Total α-activity – 0.32±0.14 Bq/l
Total β-activity – 1.21±0.20 Bq/l
Radium-226 – 0.194±0.049 Bq/l
Radon-222 –88.3±5.2 Bq/l
Natural uranium – 0.000114±0.000029 mg/l
Total indicative dose – 0.04±0.010 mSv/year

The water is not recommended for drinking without a doctor's prescription.

Drilling No. 5VP

The water is characterized as highly mineralized, hyperthermal, sulfate-calcium-sodium and silicon water, containing fluoride, without sanitary-chemical and microbiological signs of pollution.

Flow rate – 1.33 l/s
Temperature – 57.6°C

Composition:

Anions:

Fluorine – 4.08 mg/l
Chloride – 60.28 mg/l
Sulfate – 868.27 mg/l
Carbonate < 6.00 mg/l
Bicarbonate – 136.68 mg/l
Nitrate – 7.4 mg/l
Nitrite < 0.05 mg/l

Dry residue at 180°C – 1549 mg/l
Dry residue at 260°C – 1510 mg/l
Electrical conductivity – 2040 μS/cm
pH 7.25

Cations:

Ammonium < 0.05 mg/l
Lithium – 0.13 mg/l
Sodium – 328.00 mg/l
Potassium – 20.40 mg/l
Calcium – 180.36 mg/l
Magnesium – 2.96 mg/l
Iron – 0.38 mg/l
Manganese – 0.80 mg/l
Metasilicic acid – 80.41 mg/l

Total mineralization – 1690 mg/l
Carbon dioxide – 22.90 mg/l
Hydrogen sulfide – 320.60 mg/l

Microelements:

Aluminum – 0.12 mg/l
Arsenic – 0.017 mg/l
Antimony < 0.005 mg/l
Cadmium < 0.005 mg/l
Chromium < 0.005 mg/l
Copper < 0.050 mg/l
Nickel < 0.005 mg/l
Lead < 0.010 mg/l
Selenium < 0.010 mg/l
Mercury < 0.001 mg/l
Zinc – 0.074 mg/l
Barium – 0.023 mg/l
Boron – 0.452 mg/l
Cyanides < 0.010 mg/l

Radiological indicators:

Total α-activity – 0.19±0.10 Bq/l
Total β-activity – 1.16±0.19 Bq/l
Radium-226 – 1.165±0.042 Bq/l
Radon-222 – 111.7±6.4 Bq/l
Natural uranium – 0.000020±0.000005 mg/l
Total indicative dose – 0.034±0.009 mSv/year

The water is not recommended for drinking without a doctor's prescription!

Currently, 15 hydrothermal springs have been drilled in the territory of the resort village, the temperature of which varies from 54°C to 56°C.

The hot mineral springs gushing in the territory of the resort village of Mineralni Bani, Haskovo, are particularly suitable for the treatment of:

Diseases of the musculoskeletal system;
Diseases of the peripheral nervous system - radiculitis, polyneuritis, sciatica, lumbago, etc.
Chronic obliterating diseases of the peripheral arteries (Buerger's disease, Raynaud's disease), etc. The resort is world-famous for the treatment of Buerger's disease. This specific disease is successfully treated in only five places in the world. One of them is the resort village of Mineralni Bani, Haskovo.

The public bath in the national spa and resort village of Mineralni Bani, Haskovo

The hot healing mineral springs, abundant sunshine and mild climate have an extremely beneficial effect on the human body.

At the disposal of visitors to the resort are sports, medical and prophylactic terrains, trails for dosed field treatment, and conditions for recreation in the forest and park areas of the resort.

In their free time, guests have the opportunity to take walks and excursions in the picturesque surroundings of the resort, as well as visit the nearby regional town of Haskovo and its attractions.

The walks here are extremely pleasant and, together with the use of healing mineral water, have an extremely positive effect on the overall health of the body.

This is the Church of St. George. Its architects are Yuri and Petya Georgiev.

Church of St. George in Mineralni Bani, Haskovo

In the next photo I have shown the so-called "Step of the Virgin Mary", which can be seen in the center of the resort village.

The Footstep of the Virgin Mary in Mineralni Bani, Haskovo

Nearby is Angelov Kamak, from where Voivode Angel Kariotov protected the Bulgarian population with his famous shooting accuracy and belief in justice.

Eco-trails and routes

Several eco-trails and routes are located on the territory of the Mineralni Bani municipality, offering unique natural experiences and sights.

Among them are:

"Mineral Baths - Aikaas"
"Sarnitsa - Kupena - Orlovi Skali"
"Aikaas - Gradishteto - Sarnitsa"
"Boyan Botevo - Ulu Dere - Orlovi Skali"
"Mineral Baths Village - Gradishte area - Garvanitsa Peak"
"Sarnitsa - Pette Chuchura - Angel Voyvoda"
"Bryastovo - Uzun Dere - Orlovi Skali"

These trails offer the opportunity for walks in nature, revealing the beautiful views and rich history of the region.

Mechkovets Peak is 860 meters high. Southwest of Mechkovets is Irimiyski Peak, which is 724 meters high. South of Mechkovets is Kaloyanov Peak. In the past, Mechkovets was called Aidaa, i.e. Bear Mountain.

If you start from Mineralni Bani to Mechkovets peak, the road passes through Avramov Kamak in the Sharapani area. On the right you can see the Eared Chuka and Garvanitsa Hill. On the side of this hill there are rock masses that look like rabbit ears. Behind it are the Golyamo Gradishte (557 meters above sea level) and Malkoto Gradishte (472 meters above sea level). Next to the alpine shelter there is a fountain, above which you can see interesting rocks called "The Sphinx" and "The Blind Dog". The shelter was once a chapel.

To the west is the Pozharishteto area with the famous Momina Skala. After this area is the "Tanti Bunar" well - a creation of nature in the rock massif. Right next to the rock rises Kaleto Peak (757 meters above sea level), on which there are remains of a Thracian fortress. West of the village of Gorno Bryastovo are Mount Sveta Gora - 533 meters, and Mount Chala - 782 meters.

You can also start for Mount Mechkovets from the village of Gorno Bryastovo, passing by the large oak, Kameniya Kladenets, the Karadzhovitsa and Maranitsa localities. Continuing towards Mount Mechkovets, you pass through Mandra Cheshma and Dilyankina Cheshma.

In the southern part of the Mechkovets ridge there is an interesting rock formation. It resembles a medieval castle with strong and stable towers. There are remains of a Thracian settlement. Trapezoidal cult niches are visible on the neighboring rocks. The most striking is the "Zaeka" rock. Other rocks can be likened to an eagle, a dog and human figures.

When climbing Mechkovets Peak, a huge panorama opens up - the contours of Haskovo and Dimitrovgrad. To the south is the Trakiets Dam. Above the dam, a chain of the Eastern Rhodopes is outlined.

South of Mechkovets Peak are Chernata Skala and Kupena Peak, on which the Kalpak Kaya rock stands like a cap. Half an hour's drive from Kupena Peak is Probitiat Kamak, and to the north of it are Shilata - rocks whose edges rise above the surrounding forested terrain.