1. Bulgaria: a destination for tourism and rehabilitation
InvestBulgaria Agency
May, 2011

2. Bulgaria is a country of old history, ethnological and cultural heritage and beautiful nature
Historical Heritage
Sea Resorts
Nature Landmarks
Cultural Sightseeing
Ancient Buildings
Ski Resorts
Nature Parks
Beautiful Nature

3. Key facts about Bulgaria
Republic of Bulgaria is a country in Southeast Europe - member of the European Union
Borders with: Greece and Turkey, Romania, the Black sea, Serbia and Macedonia
Population – 7.3m (2011)
Covers 22% of the Balkan Peninsula
- 110 510 sq.km land and 333 sq.km water surface
- 35% of the territory consists of forests
- 41% by plains and valleys
- 30% - by mountains
The country has a network of about 540 rivers and 378 km coastline along the Black sea
Bulgaria ranks FIRST in Europe by diversity of wildlife spread in three national parks, eleven nature parks and seventeen biosphere reserves
Rila - the highest mountain in Bulgaria (peak Musala: 2925m)
Sofia is the biggest city and the capital of the country

4. Hundreds of historical, cultural and natural landmarks are located all over the country
Fortress Tsarevets
Fortress Kaliakra
Veliki Preslav
Baba Vida Fortress
Fortress Pliska
Magura cave
Troyan monastery
SOFIA
Belogradchik Rocks
Etar
Nessebar
Vitosha mountain
Kazanluk's Thracian Tomb
Ancient Plovdiv
Sozopol
Rila monastery
Pyramids of Melnik
Rupite
Perperikon

5. Bulgaria is a very attractive destination for treatment, prophylactics and recreation
Moderate climate with 4 seasons and considerable reflection of the Mediterranean
Spring
typical continental and changeable
Variety of favorable climatic regions – combination of balneotherapy with climatic treatment
Summer
hot and dry
The most precious natural treasures of Bulgaria -uniqueness, variety and abundance of hydrothermal, bioclimatic, mud treatment, sea cure, and other health resources
healthy sea and mountain climate
lovely scenery and landscapes
numerous mineral springs (over 600)
dozens of lagoon firth mud sources
curative peat deposits
Autumn
mild and pleasant
Winter
wet & snowy
Every kind of known mineral water may be found in Bulgaria!
The Bulgarian mineral waters are known for their greatly varied chemical composition and, mineralization, type of dissolved mineral salts, curative gases and biologically active micro components

6. Tourist arrivals (2009, mln.)
More tourists have visited Bulgaria than India, Australia or Brazil in 2009 and numbers keep on growing .
International arrivals to Bulgaria (mln.)
Tourist arrivals (2009, mln.)
8.53
(1) France
8.37
(2) USA
7.87
(3) Spain
7.72
7.50
(4) China
7.28
(5) Italy
6.98
(16) Greece
(25) Hungary
(27) Switzerland
(38) Czech Rep
The world tourist guide “Lonely Planet” placed Bulgaria on the 5th place in its top list of travel destinations for 2011
9 World Cultural Heritage sites
60 historic towns and resorts (5 UNESCO protected sites)
(39) Bulgaria
(40) Australia
(41) India
(42) Sweden
(43) Brazil
(45) Argentina
(46) Denmark
Source: NationMaster.com ; World Statistics Pocketbook

7. Mineral water is among the greatest treasures of Bulgaria
Bulgaria has about 600 mineral water deposits with over 1600 springs of varying physic-chemical composition, temperature (10°C - 103°C) and indisputable curative properties
75% of the water is warm to hot
l/sec - capacity of the mineral sources
meters depth of water sources
Bulgaria ranks second in the world by mineral water resources after Iceland
About 65 balneological resorts
each resort has thermal springs, with curative effects on various organs and parts of the body
drinking mineral water
most are located in mountainous regions of Bulgaria and offer fresh air, perfect harmony and perfect conditions for recreation
professional medical teams, specialists and medical centers
Some of the best specialized rehabilitation hospitals are in Velingrad, Pomorie, Sandanski and Banite
The most significant effects of the Bulgarian mineral waters:
Decreasing blood pressure
Regenerative, strengthening the immune system and cardio-vascular system
Improving metabolism
Eliminating functional disorders
Anti-inflammatory
Certain mineral waters enhance the resistance of the organism to harmful radioactive effects

8. Areas with concentration of mineral springs
Source: Idex Imoti

9. Thracian & Roman period
Bulgaria has been famous for its climate and mineral springs since Antiquity
Empress Helena was a frequent visitor to Odessos (now Varna)
Prehistoric village established near Hissarya
Spa centers were established such as: Augustra (Hisarya), Dezudava (Sandanski), Pautalia (Kyustendil) and Serdika (Sofia)
Thracian & Roman period
Byzantine period
Ottoman times
5-6 Millenium BC
1-2 century AD
3-7 century AD
1400 AD
1878 AD
Roman Emperor Constantine the Great: “Serdica spring is my Rome!”
Baths and water fountains built near many mineral springs

10. Many public mineral baths were built since the Russo-Turkish war in 1878 and the independence of Bulgaria
Bankya public mineral bath was favorite resort for many citizens of Sofia
The state mineral bath in Varshetz (1938)
1900
1920
1930
1945
Photo from Kyustendil public mineral bath (c.1920)
Current building of the Sofia public mineral bath was built in 1913

11. Balneology has developed significantly in Bulgaria over the last several decades
Hissarya was among the favorite balneology resorts in 1970s and 1980s
Kleptuza lake c. 1950
Strimon spa hotel in Kyustendil
1950
1970
1990
2010
Spa hotel “Medite” in Sandanski
Pavel Banya national hospital
Balneo sanatorium in Velingrad (1968)

12. Sandanski The warmest town in Bulgaria
Sandanski is located halfway between Sofia and Thessaloniki, in the foot of the Pirin mountain
Considered the birthplace of Spartacus
suitable climate (with the highest average annual temperature, +14.1°C)
Over 80 mineral water springs
Uniqueness of the mineral water
the mineral water is hyperthermal, slightly mineralized, clear, without residue and pleasant at taste
contains hydro-carbonate compounds, silicon and low levels of fluorine
Temperature ºC, Mineralization mg/l, Metasilicon acid 4 mg/l, Flow l/sec, pH =
Indications for treatment:
diseases of the respiratory system
chronic diseases (bronchitis, asthma, allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, pharingitis)
treatment after pneumonia, bronchiectasitis
chronic diseases of the joints, Behterev’s disease, spondylarthrosis, post-fracture treatment, rheumatic arthritis
diseases of peripheral nervous system, neuralgia, neuritis, plexitis
rehabilitation after strokes

13. Bankya National center for rehabilitation for patients with cardiovascular disease
Bankya – a prestigious national and international resort, about 17 km west of the capital Sofia, at the foot of a mountain
lots of greenery and sunny days
moderate continental climate
gentle mountain breezes
many mineral springs
Uniqueness of the mineral water
hydrothermal water
contains sodium sulfate and hydro-carbonate compounds, silicon and low levels of fluorine
Temperature 33°C -36 ºC, Mineralization 310 mg/l, flow 1100 l/min, pH = 9.53; nitrogen gas; microelements: Cu, Fe, Mo, Ag, Ti, Al, Ga, Ge, Sr, Ba, As, B
Indications for treatment:
diseases of cardio-vasculary system: arterial hypertension, ischemic heart disease, post-myocardial infarction state, rhythm and conductive disorders, heart faults, states after heart operations, diseases of the veins and the arteries
diseases of the nervous system: post-stroke states, functional neurological, radiculitis, plexitis, discopathy
diseases of the loco-motory system: diseases of the joints, rheumatic arthritis, diseases of the muscles and tendons, posttraumatic states, osteoporosis
metabolic diseases: mellitus diabetes, disturbed fat metabolism
The Mineral Baths built in 1907

14. Hissarya A favorite spa destination since antiquity
Hissarya was found 4-5 millennium BC and was a major Roma spa center
Diocletianopolis (also known as Augusta) was one of the largest Roman settlements in the region and was granted a city status in 293 AD
Very well preserved fortress (4 gates, 44 towers, wall is over 11m high)
Contains one of the best preserved Roman public baths (thermae) in Europe
very mild climate
over two dozen different mineral springs
Uniqueness of the mineral water
slightly mineralized, containing sodium sulfate and hydrocarbon compounds, silicon and fluorine
24 mineral springs with water Т ºC; Mineralization mg/l, flow 1200 l/min, рН = ; microelements: Cu, Pb, Sn, Fe, Mn, V, Cr, Ni, Co, Mo, W, Ag, Al, TL, Ga, Ge, Sr, Ba, Li, As, B.
Indications for treatment:
urinary-secretory system: kidney-stone disease, chronic pyelonephritis, chronic cystitis and uretitis, post-extra corporal lithotripsia state, a single kidney
alimentary system: chronic gastritis and gastroduodenitis, functional diseases of the stomach, dyspeptic syndrome, chronic unspecific enterocolitis, ulcer disease
gallbladder-liver diseases: gallbladder-stone disease, dyskinesia, post-viral hepatitis state
metabolism diseases: хhyperamnesimia, obesity, diabetes, podagra;
loco-motory system arthro-rheumatic diseases

15. Hissarya Available plots
First plot characteristics:
Location: near a beautiful park called Momina salza, nearby is a well preserved Roman amphitheater
Land area: sq. m
Ownership: municipal property
4 sources of thermal water next to the plot
Second plot characteristics:
Location: near a beautiful park called Summer theatre
Land area: sq. m
Note: Both plots are offering opportunities for Greenfield investment. There are no buildings within their borders

16. Sapareva Banya The hottest mineral spring in Bulgaria, with temperature of 103°C
Sapareva Banya - located 75 km southwest of Sofia at the foot of the Rila mountain
the only one in Bulgaria and continental Europe geyser-fountain
clear mountain water
natural resources, climate and location are prerequisites for development of balneology, ecological and rural tourism
Archaeological excavations from Thracian times indicate that the Thracians have evaluated healing qualities of mineral waters for healing
Uniqueness of the mineral water
on every 6 seconds water column hot water erupts on 18 m
slightly mineralized with alkaline reaction and great capacity, fluorine, sulfide-hydrogen sulfide, silicone, sulfate-hydro-carbonate-sodium, lithium
clear, colorless, with the richest content of hydrogen sulfide in Bulgaria mg /l
Indications for treatment:
diseases of locomotive and nervous system
gynecological
skin diseases
prophylaxis of osteoporosis
tooth caries

17. Velingrad “The SPA capital of the Balkans”
Velingrad - the Pearl of Bulgarian Balneology
40 km from Sofia, located in one of the most picturesque part of The Rhodope Mountains
Inhabited since 5 century BC. Legends say that Orpheus lived there
Transitional continental climate with a Mediterranean influence: warm summers and mild winters
Less rainfall and extended sunshine during the entire year
“Kleptuza” is the largest Karst spring in Bulgaria (1200L ice-cold water / second)
Uniqueness of the mineral water
about 90 mineral water springs: slightly mineralized water, hyper thermal, with hydro-carbonate and sodium sulphate compounds, with fluorine, silicon and with low radon content. Т ºC Mineralization mg/l
Indications for treatment:
diseases of the central and the peripheral nervous system
inflammatory and regenerative diseases of the joints
orthopedic and traumatic diseases
inflammatory diseases of the upper respiratory tract and the lungs, allergy
cardio-vascular diseases
endocrinal and metabolic diseases
gastro-intestinal diseases: ulcer, gastritis, colitis
diseases of the urinary system, skin diseases, etc.

18. Kyustendil One of the oldest Bulgarian towns, with over 8000 years of history
The history of Kyustendil is related to the healing mineral springs
Major Thracian settlement, dating from 5-6 century BC
Roman town, Pautalia, built in 45AD, religious and administrative center
One of the most important medieval administrative centers, changed hands between Bulgarians, Byzantines, Serbs, and Turks
Uniqueness of the mineral water
Hyperthermal, clear, colorless, with a pleasant taste
contains sodium sulphate, sulphide, hydro-carbonate compounds, as well as fluorine
temperature Т 72 и 74 ºC; Mineralization 640 mg/l; flow 2200 l/min
a peat mine near the village of Baikal
Indications for treatment:
degenerative and inflammatory diseases of bones and joints
diseases of peripheral nervous system
intoxication with heavy metals, as well as chronic diseases
inflammatory chronic diseases, sterility, resulting from the inflammation process
treatment after thermal traumas (burnings) or other skin plastics

19. Kyustendil Available plots
Characteristics of the biggest plot:
Land area: sq. m
Ownership: private municipal land
Several other plots available:
Size: between 300 – sq.m
Characteristics of the water: hyperthermal, whit sodium sulphate, sulphide, hydro-carbonate compounds, as well as fluorine, Temperature ºC; Mineralization 720 mg/l; pH =8.49

20. Pavel Banya Balneology centre with national and international importance
situated on 185 km from Sofia, in the unique Valley of Roses, between Stara planina and Sredna gora
Nine mineral springs, 7 useful for balneology
transitional continental climate, with average annual temperature +10.8ºC
National balneology center built in 1970s
Uniqueness of the mineral water
mineral water is hyperthermal, slightly mineralized
contains sodium and hydro-carbonate compounds, as well as radon, silicon and fluorine with slightly alkaline reaction
Temperature 54 º- 63 °C; Mineralization 646 mg/l; flow 600 l/min; Ph = 7.2
Indications for treatment:
diseases of the peripheral nervous system
degenerative neurological diseases;
orthopedic diseases: articulations, posttraumatic and degenerative diseases and disease of the joints;
gynecological diseases;

21. Pavel Banya Characteristics of the plot:
Location: Viden village, Pavel Banya municipality
Land area: sq. m
Ownership: private municipal land
Characteristics of the water: hyperthermal, slightly mineralized, Temperature 61 ºC; Mineralization = 0,62 g/l; Flow:16 l/sec.
Note: There is an unfinished building within the borders of the plot

22. Pomorie the mud – the black gold of Pomorie
Pomorie – acknowledged since antiquity when the mud was used by the Thracians and the Romans
about 400 km of Sofia and 20 km of Burgas
continental climate with Mediterranean influence
the lagoon lake, from which extracted the curative firth mud
Uniqueness of the the Pomorie firth mud
ranked among the best in the world for its proven medicinal and healing properties
natural product formed from organic and non-organic compounds, which are activated by biological, chemical, and microbiological processes
black, fine, fat with a big viscosity, low radioactivity, a lot of gases, aminoacids and hormone like substances; hidrogen sulfate, magnesium, chloride, calcium, sodium, sulfate, iron compounds
Indications for treatment:
diseases of the locomotory system
diseases of peripheral and central nervous system
women's and men’s gynecological diseases: prostatitis, epididymitis, etc.
skin diseases: psoriatic arthritis, neurodermitis, chronic eczemas, skin ulcers
diseases of the respiratory system
metabolic diseases: diabetes, diabetes polyneuropathy, obesity, podagra;
general disease prevention and strengthening of the body
Coin of Roman Emperor Caracalla minted in Pomorie

23. Banite known for its mineral springs
Banite, (Smoliansko) - in the heart of the Rhodope Mountains
270 km from Sofia; among the picturesque slopes of the mountain and along a river
moderate continental climate with Mediterranean influence
according to a legend here was found hot mineral spring since Roman times II century A.D.
Uniqueness of the mineral water
hyperthermal, slightly mineralized, pleasant of taste
contains sodium sulfate and hydro-carbonate compounds, as well as silicon and low levels of fluorine; Т 42 ºC; Mineralization 958 mg/l
Indications for treatment:
diseases of the locomotory system
diseases of the peripheral nervous system: neuralgia, neuritis, radiculitis, discopathy, polyradiculoneuritis
uro-genital diseases: adnexitis, endometritis, dismenorrhoea, prostitis, uretitis
occupational diseases: vibrational disease, intoxications with salts of heavy metals, diseases resulting from stress and fatigue
diseases of the gastro-intestinal tract

24. Troyan Mountains, springs and traditional crafts
Established along the ancient Roman road Via Trayana, the city has been inhabited since the Thrakian period.
Located about 200km from Sofia in the foot of the Stara Planina (“Balkan”) mountain
More than 30 waterfalls over 20m high are located in the nearby “Severen Djendem” national park
“Steneto” national park is located alongside the Tcherni Osam river and covers dozens of caves and rock formations
“Beklemeto” located at 1320m in the beginning of the Troyan Pass is the best Bulgarian resort for cross-country skiing and biathlon
The Troyan Pass is one of the major roads between North and South Bulgaria, and one of the highest altitude roads in the country (1565m)
Mineral springs and other resorts are located nearby Troyan
Shipkovo has three warm mineral spring (32°C, 10 l/sec) and has been granted a national resort status in 1946
Chiflik is a Thracian settlement , located 16km from Troyan and near the “Kozya Stena” park, one of the few places in Europe where edelweiss still grows

25. Shipkovo (Troyan) Available plots
First plot characteristics:
Location: within Shipkovo village, Troyan municipality
Land area: sq. m
Ownership: private state land
5 sources of thermal water next to the plot
Second plot characteristics:
Ownership: Ministry of Health
Note: there is a resort clinic building with store, a rehabilitation centre
Third plot characteristics:
Land area: sq. m
Note: There are a building and a swimming pool

26. Banya (Karlovo mineral baths)
Banya (also known as Karlovo Mineral Baths) is located nearby the spa resort Hissarya
About 150km from Sofia and 45km from Plovdiv
Artefacts dating from 4-6 millennia BC have been found near Banya
The mineral springs in Banya have been known since Roman times
Known during Ottoman times as Sari göl (“yellow lake”)
Favorite destination of the last Bulgarian king, Boris III, who built a small royal villa and a public bath in the 1930s
The chemical composition in the water is very rare, the only known resort with similar water quality is Karlovy Vary in the Czech Republic
“Bancheto” public bath is built right over a mineral spring and the water flows directly in the swimming pools
Indications for treatment
Locomotory system
Peripheral nervous system and spinal cord
Chronic heart diseases
Uro-genital diseases

27. Banya (Karlovo mineral baths)
Characteristics of the plot:
Land area: sq. m
Ownership: private municipal land
Characteristics of water: hyporthermal, slightly mineralized, pleasant at taste, with sodium sulphate and hydro-carbonate compounds; Temperature = º
Indications for treatment and contraindications:
diseases of the peripheral nervous system neuralgia
diseases of the locomotory system: arthroses, arthritis, etc.
womens’ gynecological diseases
Note: 9 sources of thermal water: 6 are in use, 3 of them are free