Velingrad

Velingrad is situated in the western portion of the Rhodope range, 130 kilometers from Sofia and 80 kilometers from Plovdiv. Velingrad is one of the top balneology resorts in the Balkans due to its beautiful natural setting and mineral water resources.

Velingrad was founded in 1948 when three communities — Kamenitsa, Ladzhene, and Chepino – were merged.

Chepino was an early element of the Bulgarian polity, dating all the way back to the First Bulgarian Empire.

In 1371–1373, the Ottomans conquered the Tsepina Fortress and the surrounding countryside.

The Tsepina Fortress is a cultural landmark of national importance. It was erected on a rocky ridge at a height of 1136 meters and served as a political and administrative center throughout the Middle Ages. Recently, the castle walls’ foundations, the church’s foundation, and four water reservoirs were repaired. There is an exhibition of the archaeological findings made during the company’s archaeological investigations at the foot of Tsepina.

Following the liberation from the Ottoman Empire in 1878, workshops and companies for the processing of wood materials were founded in the territory around Velingrad.

Velingrad is also noted for having Bulgaria’s biggest karst spring, named Kleptuza. It produces between 600 and 1200 l/sec and distributes water to two ponds, each with a separate resting area equipped with water wheels on the side.

The resort’s average annual air temperature is + 9.3°C, with average temperatures of + 1.8°C in January and + 18.7°C in July.

Velingrad is Bulgaria’s leader in terms of the richness and variety of its mineral waters, which range in temperature from 28° to 91°. The variety of mineral waters has also resulted in a variety of mineral water applications — for relaxation, rehabilitation, and recuperation. Tourists may enjoy mineral baths, swimming pools, beaches, balneological sanatoriums, and SPA hotels. The warmest water occurs in the Kamentsa region, where it reaches temperatures of up to 91°.

Velingrad’s mineral water and treatments have a beneficial effect on the locomotory system, neurological disorders, hypertonia, gynecological issues, renal and urological, respiratory and stomach, and intestinal diseases.

During the region’s huge forced conversion to Mohammedanism (Islam) in the second half of the 17th century, many people fled and took refuge in the woodlands in order to maintain their Christian religion. Following that, the majority of them settled in Kamenitsa’s residential part, where they constructed the temple “St. Trinity.” A hole was secretly excavated, converted into a church, and liturgies were conducted there. In 1933, work started on the temple’s painting, which lasted nine years. The church was rebuilt in 1965. It has a built-up area of 211 square meters; the structure is enormous, with 0.80-meter-thick stone walls.

Velingrad’s History Museum is another noteworthy location. It has one of the most extensive collections of decorated Easter eggs in Bulgaria.

Numerous protected areas are found in the Velingrad region – Valyavitsite, Rogachitsa, and Chernovets (Arapchal).

The solitary deposit of the plant Spiraea salicifolia L in Bulgaria is located in the district of Tazhnika, near the Dospat river. Between June and July, the plant blooms with pink-red grape racemes; its hollow branches are on the interior. It was used to manufacture pipes. The factory is included in Bulgaria’s Red Book (a list of endangered, disappearing and extinct biological species found in the territory of Bulgaria).

Velingrad and the surrounding area are home to several natural features. A rock formation with the same name is located 35 kilometers from town, near the settlement of Pobit Kamak. The shape of coarse-grained granite is reminiscent of Russian dolls.

The resort of Yundola is located 16 kilometers from Velingrad. It is an ideal location for both winter and summer tourist. Additionally, the Lepenitsa cave is located 13 kilometers south-west of Velingrad. The 1525-meter-long cave has two-story galleries, an underground river, and lakes. It’s fascinating for tourists to witness the diversity of stalactites, stalagmites, columns, and stone curtains that reflect in the lake’s crystal-clear water. Among the cave’s riches are cave pearls, and the cave craters are a rare discovery in Bulgaria.

Numerous clay pots dating from the late iron age (6th – 1st century BC) have been discovered in the sanctuary on Mount Ostrets (1369 m above sea level).

Velingrad is served by the Septemvri – Dobrinishte narrow-gauge railway. In the past, it was also used for freight transportation, but it is currently only used for passenger transit.

Velingrad is home to around 40 hotels and vacation houses, two sanatoriums, and 140 dining and entertainment enterprises. The public mineral baths are upgraded, and 22 mineral swimming pools, both open and covered, are constructed.

Sarnitsa dam is also situated within the municipality of Velingrad, as are many other dams nearby – Belmeken, Batak, and Beglika – which are popular not only with fishers, but also with mountain tourist aficionados. Additionally, there are adjacent mountain resorts – Tsigov Chark, Sports Complex Belmeken, and others.

You may get further information on the town, its landmarks, and lodging options at the Svoboda Square Information Center for Small and Medium-Sized Businesses.