About the bath
“Alay Banya”, which locals also call “the Soldiers' Bath”, was built over an old Turkish bath. The original Turkish bath was partly destroyed after the Liberation and was rebuilt in 1912–1914 as a small two-storey building with one section. The present building dates from a reconstruction in 1928. It keeps the classic layout of bath buildings: on the ground floor are the changing rooms and the bathing hall with showers, stone basins (kurni) and a pool… Over the years even a sauna was added, which is why Alay Banya is called “the municipal sauna”.
Right next to the building there is a mineral water fountain shaped like a lion's head. Unfortunately the fountain is in a sorry state and needs repair.
The bath belongs to Kyustendil Municipality and is leased under a concession. Some investments have been made – an outdoor pool and improvements to the surroundings.
Inside the bath there are no visible changes apart from the showers (10 of them), for which some of the stone basins were probably removed.
The basins of the kurni and the pool are of natural stone. We have found no information on whether the building has the status of an immovable cultural monument.
The bath has no separate men's and women's sections. You need to bring swimwear, flip-flops and a towel.
Today the site works as the “Relaxing House” recovery and recreation centre. The bath includes a sauna, a relaxation pool, a massage section, a doctor's office and auxiliary facilities.
Opening hours
| Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri | 07:00–20:00 |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | closed |
| Saturday and Sunday | 07:00–15:00 |
ⓘ The table was made automatically from the text of the Bulgarian Association for Thermal Heritage and may contain mistakes; opening hours and prices may also have changed. Call +359 89 591 2982 before you go.
Photos 21
Photos: Bulgarian Association for Thermal Heritage. All rights belong to their authors.
More information
The water and its healing properties
You can find all the benefits of the water on this page (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100048470155726/)
“Alay Banya” uses mineral water from the “Star Kaptazh” (Old Captage) water source of the “Kyustendil” mineral water deposit, No. 39 in Annex No. 2 to Art. 14, item 2 of the Water Act.
Balneological assessment
https://www.mh.government.bg/media/filer_public/2019/06/14/27-kyustendil-kei-star_kaptazh-05-11-2014.pdf
The water is suitable for degenerative and inflammatory joint diseases, diseases of the peripheral nervous system, orthopaedic, dermatological and gynaecological conditions, heavy-metal poisoning, and for hygiene, sport and recreation.
- Sections
- One shared section
- Built
- 1928, after the reconstruction of an existing building
- Ownership
- Kyustendil Municipality
- Operated by
- Concessionaire: “Alay Banya” has been leased under a 35-year concession, by Contract No. D-00-111/31.10.2014, to “INSIEME-KA” OOD, UIC 201115922
- Thermal Heritage register no.
- 28
- Information updated
- 15.05.2024
The bath's page at the Bulgarian Association for Thermal Heritage ↗