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Town of VarshetsVarshetz is situated in the northern foothills of the western part of the Balkan Range in the valley of Botunia River. It is located 92 km north of Sofia and 30 south the district centre Montana. One of the oldest and most popular resorts in Northern Bulgaria, it is famous for its curative mineral springs, mild mountain climate, beautiful scenery and a large well-kept park. The resort lies at an altitude of 304 m. The transitionally climate is largely due to the vicinity of the mountain. The average annual temperature is above 10 C. The average January temperature is -2C; and the average July temperature, 21.4C. The autumn is warm and long. Spring sets in about the middle of March. The winter is cold, and the summer pleasantly warm. The annual duration of sunshine is about 2,000 hours. The snow cover lasts 60 days. HistoryVarshets originated around mineral springs, and its history is closely tied to balneotherapy. The Thracian boy-god Telesphorus, whose unique bronze sculpture from the 2nd century BCE was discovered in the area, is today the symbol of the town. Varshets' past dates back to late antiquity, when it was known as "Medeka" (from Medicus, meaning healing), and its status evolved to that of a national resort in 1950 and a town in 1964. The earliest preserved written record of its existence dates to the 6th century in Byzantine chronicles. In the locality of Kaleto, where ruins of an ancient fortress still stand, medical and pharmaceutical tools, along with a stone for grinding medicines, were discovered. It is believed that this set of tools belonged to a military doctor, as military units stationed in these garrisons were tasked with protecting key routes to Serdica, Bononia, and other locations. The ancient name of Varshets translates to "warm, boiling water." In Turkish documents from the 16th century, Varshets appears under the name "Virishniche." The year 1850 is considered the birthdate of the resort, as it marks the recovery of Dimitar Luchkov, a local resident, through the use of mineral water, which revived the fame of the springs. In 1910, the first state mineral bath was built, managed by Damyan Ivanov, Bulgaria's first balneologist, who studied medicine in Austria. Ivanov applied his scientific knowledge of medicine and balneology, as well as his broad European cultural insights, to transform Varshets into a renowned European-level resort, a favorite destination for Bulgaria's elite society. In 1930, a new bathhouse in an ancient style was constructed, along with villas and hotels lining the romantic Alley of Plane Trees, as well as the famous Bansko Casino. This casino, the first in Bulgaria, later became known as the Royal Casino due to visits by Prince Kiril. In 1934, the Sun Garden was established in the town center. Around the same time, with the advocacy of Dr. Damyan Ivanov, Varshets gained the second-largest artificial park in Bulgaria (after Borisova Garden) — an 800-decare park with pine plantations and specially imported exotic species. An irrigation canal was also introduced to maintain consistent humidity in the otherwise pristine mountain air. In 1938, the electrified casino in Varshets hosted the first-ever Miss Varshets pageant. Due to the patriarchal customs of the time, local girls were not allowed to participate, and Miss Olga Drandarova took the title back to Ruse. In 2000, an Alpine Garden was created, and in 2002, a new mineral water fountain was built in the town's central area. Cultural and Natural LandmarksThe first bathhouse in Varshets, built in 1910, soon became insufficient for the growing number of visitors seeking treatment. In 1930, a larger bathhouse was constructed. The mineral waters flow from several springs with a temperature of 37°C. The water is clear, colorless, alkaline, slightly mineralized, with low hardness, and pleasant drinking qualities. It contains aluminum, iron, barium, lithium, phosphate, manganese, and more. It is used to treat cardiovascular diseases, central nervous system disorders, musculoskeletal conditions, and other ailments. The resort town offers excellent facilities, including two balneotherapy centers, numerous hotels, guesthouses, private accommodations, and more. The discovered remains of Roman balneological facilities and artifacts in Varshets testify to the use of its healing mineral waters since ancient times. The springs have temperatures ranging from 36.4°C to 38°C and a total flow rate of 15 liters per second. The water from all mineral springs is weakly mineralized, alkaline, hydrocarbonate, sulfate-sodium in composition, with low water hardness. It is clear, colorless, and has pleasant drinking properties. The water contains elements such as iron, lithium, barium, aluminum, strontium, phosphate, manganese, arsenic, and others. It is suitable for drinking, inhalations, and irrigation. The water is applied for the treatment of:
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