Bulgaria has a variety of mineral waters with temperatures up to 100oC. Thermal waters with high alkalinity and low level of TDS are predominant. The country is situated in the Southern part of the Balkan Peninsula and is an heir of many ancient civilizations. There are extremely good bio-climatic conditions, which combined with the ancient Mediterranean traditions in thermal water use, provide for and are a sound base for the development of balneology and spa treatment in Bulgaria.

A number of big spa resorts have developed in places of old Thracian or Roman residential areas like Sandanski (Medius/Dezudava/Sveti Vrach), Kyustendil (Pautalia), Hissarya (Diocletianopol/Augusta), Velingrad, Sapareva banya, among many. Even the capital city of Bulgaria, Sofia, has been established, by Thracian tribes in the third century BC, close to thermal springs with temperatures of 20oC - 50oC.

The most active development of Bulgaria's spa system is in the period 1970-1980. Until 1990 about 40 spa resorts of local and national significance were actively operating in Bulgaria. In these spas a wide range of diseases are treated using scientific methods and programs, confirmed by a long-term professional experience. Bulgarian spas are under the Ministry of Health governance and their sponsoring, management and exploitation is conducted according to the laws and regulations in the country.


CONDITIONS FOR SPA TOURISM IN BULGARIA

Bulgaria is located on an area of 111,000 sq. km and there is an extraordinary combination of factors providing perfect conditions for spa tourism, healing and recreation. The abundance of thermal waters, their variety and purity, the moderate-to-continental climate and the Mediterranean influence, as well as the national traditions in thermal water healing in Bulgaria, are prerequisites for an effective and complete use of the rich natural resources.


THERMAL WATERS IN BULGARIA - The prerequisite for effective spa procedures

Mineral waters are one of the most precious natural resources in Bulgaria. There are more than 500 hydrothermal sources with a total flow rate of 3000 l/s, having different temperature and mineral composition. Almost all of them are thermal as the temperature varies in a wide range from 20oC to 100oC. About 33 % of the total discovered flow rate is of temperature between 20oC-30oC, and 43% - between 40oC-60oC.

About 70% of thermal waters in Bulgaria are slightly mineralized with fluoride concentration ranging from 0.1 to 17mg/l, various metasilicic acid concentrations (up to 230mg/l) and of mostly low alkalinity. In comparison to most of European mineral waters, the Bulgarian ones have a lot of advantages: low TDS close to the optimal one, typical for the potable water, high purity level especially in terms of anthropological pollution, microbiological purity and a variety of water types. Besides using mineral waters in spa centers, in most of the sites they flow out of taps. This allows for a free of charge and massive water use for drinking and disease prevention. In the capital city area only, there are six mineral water springs provided with many built fountains.


CLIMATE - Another important factor

Considering the relatively small area of Bulgaria, its climate is very diverse: from moderate to transcontinental with Mediterranean influence from South and local Black Sea influence from East. Spa centers in Bulgaria are usually placed in mountain tourist resorts and some are at the seaside. The altitude varies in a wide range (from the sea level up to 800 m) and this satisfies the specific needs of the patients and provides good conditions for treatment. In most of the healing centers there are all year round activities: disease prevention, treatment and rehabilitation.


THE BALNEOLOGICAL (SPA) TRADITION IN BULGARIA

In the biggest spa centers in Bulgaria there is data about using the thermal waters both for healing and heating in the Roman baths in I-IV century AC. The remains as well as the literature records show that these baths were also social centers. Today, highly experienced specialists are working in spa resorts throughout Bulgaria, to offer treatment of a wide range malfunctions and diseases such as: chronic respiratory malfunctions, locomotory system problems; peripheral nervous system diseases; digestive system, gynecological and kidney diseases; chronic intoxication problems, etc.

Treatment includes mineral water drinking in prescribed doses depending on its composition. Mineral water is widely used for healing baths in tubes, showers, pools, as well as for inhalation (mixed with herbs or other medications), irrigation, etc. This treatment is combined with other physiotherapeutic or rehabilitation procedures, sunbaths, etc. The wide spread thermal water therapy allows using an outpatient treatment that keeps the patients’ every day routine unchanged: one goes to work and comes for treatment during suitable day hours. There are a lot of beaches created around indoor and outdoor geothermal pools that help improve the prophylactics of many diseases.