Sofia Central Mineral Baths Stock Image

The Central Mineral Baths Централна минерална баня, Tsentralna mineralna banya is a landmark in the centre of Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, a city known for the mineral springs in the area. It was built in the early 20th century near the former Turkish bath then destroyed and was used as the city`s public baths until 1986.nnPublic baths have existed in Sofia since at least the 16th century. During Hans Dernschwam visit to Sofia in 1553–1555, the Bohemian traveller noted the presence of 1 large bath and 2 smaller baths on either side of the city. Dernschwam described the baths as follows:nnThe baths are located on the square; there is a big quadrangular building in front by the entrance, with a round Greek-style dome on top, like the Pantheon in Rome. It is richly covered in white marble The big water conduits that lead the water into the baths are made of potter`s clay. Each tube is approximately one Viennese cubit long and the separate tubes go through each other. They are plastered up like I have seen in Siebenbürgen Transylvania too, in old buildings in Thorenburg Turda.n