General Information

Bankia is a national balneological center for prophylaxis and rehabilitation for people suffering from heart diseases. It has an international significance because of the curative qualities of its mineral springs. It is situated 17km from Sofia. Bankia has a population of 9800 people and is an ecological preserve. Situated on green rocky slopes of the mountain Liulin, it is surrounded by picturesque parks and gardens on both its western and southern parts.

The climate, the beautiful nature, the curative qualities of the mineral waters and its extensive sanatorium resort infrastructure with high qualified medical specialists make the town of Bankia an attractive resort for many people from the whole world.

Bankia and its vicinity offer a wide range of accommodation options including hotels, guest houses, apartments and villas. A number of hotels and guest houses were built in the last few years making it possible for visitors to Bankia and the region to enjoy their holiday. A number of privately owned villas and apartments also became available for rent directly from the owners. Please make sure that you check our listings of rental guest houses, villas, apartments and hotels in Bankia.

 

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Sights

Bankia offers a unique climate and mineral waters. Bankia´s climate offers unique freshness, dry air, and a permanent breeze which continuously refreshes the air in Bankia. The pine forests and the rich flora saturates the mountain breeze with air curative qualities. Only in Bankia there are no harmful bio-pathogenic rays. That was declared by BAN (The Bulgarian Science Academy) after long years of examinations. The most precious richness of the town in the antiquity as well as today is its mineral springs. The water is used for drinking as well as for external treatments. It belongs to the group of the low mineralized nitrogen-thermal waters. Its composition is similar to the famous Vichy springs in France. Its temperature is about 36 degrees and pleasant for the body. There are many microelements called ´metal vitamins´ like copper, iron, silver, etc. in it. Many of them are included in the composition of the human organism and are very necessary for its normal functioning.

You can visit:

• The big balneology treatment center which is a symbol of the resort and has a remarkable architecture dated from 1912. The movie ´Bai Ganio´ is made there;
• The ´St. Kirik and Iulita´ church, which is in the center of the town. It was built at the location of a monastery dated from the Second Bulgarian Kingdom. The iconostasis is a monument of the culture;
• The ´St. Kiril and Metodii´ church in the Ivaniane village which is built in 1915;
• The ´St. Petka´ monastery situated about 5km from Bankia. It astounds its visitors by its unique wall-paintings. It is built in the former location of the old ´St Petka´ church which dated from later than 300 years;
• The ´Divotinskia´ monastery which is about 20km away from the town;
• The favourite place for relaxation of Ivan Vazov – ´Vazov Dab´.

History

The healing water and the favorable climate attract inhabitants since ancient times. The first inhabitants in the Bankia area are Thracian tribes 2500 years. Finds dated from the time of the Roman Empire and the Second Bulgarian Kingdom were discovered – remains of churches, ceramics, coins and sewerage. The first bath was built in the middle of XIX c. for the Turkish bey who used the miraculous power of the mineral waters. Major Kosta Panica built the first hotel near the mineral spring after the Bulgarian Liberation. This started the modern resort activity in Bankia. Many Bulgarian politics have resided in Bankia for the last 40 years. Todor Jivkov built a president residence in Bankia and lived there in the last 10 years of his government.

 

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Entertainment

The resort offers:

• A hospital base for treatment, rehabilitation and prophylaxis – Science medical researches have defined the treatment profile of the resort as follows: heart diseases, functional nervous system disorder, metabolic problems, prophylaxis;
• Healing health and prophylactic health programs for body consolidation and hardening;
• Spa and Wellness center which offers a variety of recreation programs which are focused toward spiritual, physical and psychic health;
• The numerous cultural events, including the traditional celebration ´Goreliashci´;
• The international jazz festival ´Bankia´;
• The international children´s song festival ´A million miracles´ which is held every year since 2001. It is 3 days long and usually is held in the time of 16th-18th June in the ´Voden Sviat´ complex. Children from Romania, Serbia and Montenegro, Georgia, and other countries participate in it;
• A place for business meetings, seminars and teaching;
• A tour to the capital Sofia and its sights.

You can enjoy:

• The numerous tourist paths for treatment and many sports-prophylaxis grounds;
• A mineral beach with hydrothermal pools situated in a picturesque park;
• Interesting tours in the Liulin mountain;
• The area of the town´s pool in the center of the town. Its main purpose is to offer its guests the ability for relaxation, sports and amusements in their holidays;
• ´Water world´ which is an attractive and modern entertainment complex. It has an open air swimming pool with beach area, two swimming pools for children, food and drink bars;
• A walk in the town´s park ´Kestenite´ which is fabulously beautiful in the summer as well as in the winter;
• You can get some hot mineral water with proven healing qualities from a beautiful marble fountain in the center of the town.

 

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Sports

• Tennis – the complex Bankia offers:
• Five tennis courts – 1 solid, beach volleyball grounds, sauna, kinesotheraphy, a doctor, sports shop, a place for children. The complex is a host and organizer of the ´Olympic hopes´ tournament. Competitors from Russia, Yugoslavia, Greece, Cyprus, Turkey, Israel, Romania, Macedonia, Portugal and Italy often participate in the tournament.
• A national hippodrome which is a prestigious place where international and national championships are held;
• The winter sports enthusiasts can go to the Vitosha mountain in less than an hour and use its well-run sports base.

Experienced trainers can offer a combination of training and summer holidays for you.