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

Three points of views by Bulgarian historians on the Unification of Bulgaria in 1885

In June 1878, after the 10 th Russo-Turkish war in a row, at the Berlin congress, the lands in the Balkans inhabited by Bulgarians were divided up into five. Northern Dobrudja was handed over to Romania. Serbia got the Sanjak of Niš. The lands..

published on 9/6/25 8:05 AM

Bulgarian Orthodox Church marks start of ecclesiastical New Year on September 1

The New Church Year begins on September 1. The month of September is the seventh month of the year according to the Jewish calendar. It is associated with a number of biblical events, which is why it was designated as the beginning of the Church New..

published on 9/1/25 12:19 PM

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