A refurbished relaxation area is now open at ‘Chifte Banya’ in Kyustendil. The new space is mixed-gender and visitors are required to wear swimwear. It is open to everyone: local residents, families and tourists who wish to benefit from Kyustendil’s mineral water.
Mayor Ognyan Atanasov presented the refurbished facilities. According to him, the baths have retained their traditional appearance, but hygiene standards are now much higher. The aim is not luxury, but a place with reasonable prices, accessible to everyone.
What the new area offers
- over 15 showers;
- traditional stone basins;
- two pools with warm mineral water, which is changed daily;
- a spa area with massages and a relaxation centre;
- a dry sauna.
The bathhouse has one distinctive feature. The hot water is cooled using mineral water rather than ordinary water. Consequently, even the cold water in the bathhouse is mineral water. According to the mayor, this is the only place of its kind. Kyustendil’s water is renowned for its restorative, detoxifying and stress-relieving properties.
The other section of the bathhouse remains unchanged. It continues to operate as a traditional bathhouse with separate opening hours for men and women. The local council regards the new area as an addition to Kyustendil’s tourist offering and a revival of one of the oldest local traditions.
A bit of history
‘Chifte Banya’ is situated in the centre of Kyustendil, on a site with a very long history. In 1489, a Turkish hammam was built on the ruins of the ancient Pautalian Asclepieion. In 1910, the old building was partially demolished and the current public bathhouse, with its distinctive architecture, was built on its foundations. The building has two storeys, with separate sections for men and women, and is supplied with hot mineral water.
