Velingrad

 Velingrad is situated in the western part of Chepinska valley connecting the Rila and Rhodope mountains at an altitude of 740 meters. The beautiful scenery, mild and pleasant climate, over 80 mineral springs, 46 spa hotels and sanatoriums, the close distance to the capital Sofia (130 km) and the second largest town in Bulgaria - Plovdiv (80 km), turn Velingrad into the largest and most popular spa resort not only in Bulgaria but in the Balkans. For all these advantages Velingrad was named the spa capital of the Balkans in 2009. The town has the largest resource of mineral water in the country and the Balkans with a total capacity of 143 l/sec. Here there are over 80 springs, 3 mineral water sources with different physicochemical characteristics named after the neighborhood in which they are located. Indications for treatment and prevention with mineral water, Chepino, Velingrad: 1 Respiratory Diseases: hay fever, chronic laryngitis, bronchitis, bronchial asthma 2. Diseases of the musculoskeletal system: arthrosis - exostosis in the spine, knees, hips; all types of arthritis, traumatic orthopedic diseases: broken bones, sprains and strains of joints, injuries; occupational diseases: tendovaginitis, myositis, vibration disease and others. 3. Neurological diseases: neuralgia, neuritis, radiculitis, plexitis, disc disease, herniated disc, traumatic injuries of peripheral nerves, residual effects after diseases of the brain and spinal cord. 4. Gynecological diseases, chronic inflammatory diseases of the female genital organs. 5. Metabolic diseases: diabetes, gout, obesity. 6. Skin disorders: urticaria, eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis vulgaris and the like. 7. Cardiovascular diseases: hypertension, atherosclerosis, arteriopathy of the limbs and others. 8. Diseases of the urinary system: nephrolithiasis. Gastrointestinal diseases: chronic diseases of the stomach with a reduced acidity (disabled in ulcer acid). 10. Hepatobiliary disorders: chronic cholecystitis, hepatitis, gallstone disease. The numerous mountain streams and rivers - Lepenitsa , Lukovitsa, Elenka and Vlasa come together in Chepinska river that flows about 90 km to merge into Maritsa River. Velingrad is a settlement which was assessed by the ancient civilizations ages ago, and they have left their mark on the town through the many sites of historical and cultural value we enjoy today. The Historical Museum of Velingrad is among the first sites you should visit. The museum was established back in 1951. For more than three decades, it has been listed as one of the 100 national historic sites. We would recommend you to visit the following sites: the medieval church in Gergyovitsa, the Roman settlement in Removo, the medieval church in Chorkvishteto , the Roman settlement in Bivolichno gully, the Roman settlement in Pechkovets, the medieval fortress next to Lepenitsa cave, the medieval fortress Gradot northwest of Kamenitsa, Giurgeva Church from the Middle Ages located at Ostrets peak, the Early Byzantine basilica Nikolitsa and others. You can visit the oldest church 'Holy Trinity' dating back from 1816 or the beautiful church 'St.George'. The largest karst spring in Bulgaria, the natural phenomenon called Kleptuza is located in Velingrad. Every second 570 liters of ice cold water pours out in the surface of the spring, forming two lakes flowing into the Chepinska river. In the region of Velingrad, only about 12 km from the town, is the cave Lepenitsa , one of the 17 cave sites in Bulgaria. The depth to which experts have reached is 1400 meters, but to date no one has come to its end to see all that nature has created in its millennial history. This is where you can see the scale bark and sinter hangers along the stream, sometimes filled with pearls. Cave pearls are rare treasures of the underworld. And cave craters are only found here in Bulgaria and one more cave located in France. According to Petar Beron in Lepenitsa there are four kinds of animals that are found nowhere else in the world. The Saint Spas is located near Velingrad, as it is known for its healing properties that make people seeking healing still climb the hill on the day of St. Spas, hoping to find the key to their healing.