Bulgaria is blessed with an abundance of mineral water. There are about 1600 mineral water springs. But these are not ordinary sources of mineral water. There is a great diversity in chemical composition, biologically active microelements, temperature, and healing features. This means that Bulgaria ranks amongst the leading countries in the world in terms of balneology.

The curative properties of mineral water have been known since ancient times. Around these springs Thracians and Romans have built their cities, like for instance the town of Hissar, that was founded in the 4th century BCE. The 22 mineral water springs, possessing healing properties was the reason for building the town. Thracians, Byzantines, Slavs and Bulgarians have used its mineral water for 2000 years.

The health resort of Hissar is situated in the centre of Bulgaria 160 km east of Sofia. The mineral water is light, clear, colourless, flavourless, and tasty. It is slightly mineralised, hypo- and hyper-thermal, with a predominance of hydrocarbon, sodium, sulphate and fluorine ions, as well as substantial amounts of radio radioactive gas and has a temperature of 37-52 C. The mineral water from Hissar is known for curing liver- and urological diseases. Apart from that, The Augusta hotel is the only hotel with a full medical program in Bulgaria, 3 Gurko Street, 4180 Hissar, telephone 0337 638 21

Velingrad is the most beautiful and most famous among Bulgarians balneological resorts. It's situated in the western end of Chepino Valley, one of the most attractive parts of the Rhodope Mountains. There are 70 mineral springs, which cure pulmonary emphysema, chronic bronchitis, post bronchial pneumonia and other diseases of the respiratory tract, as well as gynaecological ailments, neurological disorders, mild forms of diabetes and obesity. Hotel Velina, 14 Dr. Doskinov Street, Velingrad. Telephone 0359 61 616

The climate therapy and health resort of Sandanski, you can find at the foot of the Pirin Mountain. Apart from its beauty and wholesome climate, the average temperature is 14,7 C, the mineral water from Sandanski is known for treatment of the upper respiratory tract, bronchial asthma lung diseases, inflammation of the joints, skin diseases, gastritis and ulcers. The combination of the soothing climate and the curing mineral water makes Sandanski really unique. For more information www.interhotelsandanski. com

The spa in Pomorie is famous for its curative mud, which is finely structured, pliable, and only, with an odour of hydrogen sulphide and sea lye, which contains a host of curative ions such as magnesium, bromine, iodine, and sulphate ones, and is used for dressings and electrophoresis, is of great therapeutic value. Pomorie is therefore popular resort for treatment of arthritic and rheumatic complaints, arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gynaecological diseases sterility, neurological disorders and skin diseases like psoriasis, eczema, Buerger and Raynaud's disease. Hotel Pomorie, 3 Javorov St 8200 Pomorie, telephone: 0596 24 40

The Health Resort in Pavel Banya has a solid reputation as one of the leading facilities in the treatment and rehabilitation of patients with orthopedic-traumatological injuries, injuries of the spinal cord with heavy paralysis and disease of the peripheral and central nerve system. The basic treatment procedure with the disc disease is the underwater extension by the method of Getchev. The most serious injuries of the spinal cord with heavy paralyses also undergo a significant improvement. There are over 50 types of procedures - apparatus physiotherapy, remedial physiotherapy, reflex therapy, acupuncture, acupressure and laser therapy. For more information www.pro-pb.com.