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The town of Velingrad is one of the most beautiful and most famous among the Bulgarian Balneological resorts. It lies at the western end of Chepino Valley, one of the most attractive part of the Rhodopean Mountains. Velingrad is a notable spa resort, offering a variety of spa procedures. Climatic treatment, as well as mud treatment is practiced too. About 80 springs gush up out of the ground and their quantity and composition combine together the healing effects of the waters in Hisarya, Banya and Narechen at the same time. The resort is specialized in healing of pulmonary diseases, joint diseases, neurological, gynaecological diseases, including sterility, renal, liver, gastric-intestinal and other diseases. There are several mineral bathrooms and numerous swimming pools with beaches. The numerous archaeological findings, such as stone and bone tools, bronze artefacts and others imply existence of life since ancient times in these places.
Winter is warm and summer is cool. Velingrad takes pride in another natural phenomenon – Kleptuza. This is the biggest Karst spring in Bulgaria with debit of 570 litres of ice cold water per second. Its water forms two lakes that flow into the river of Chepinska. The place of St. Spas is famed with the healing virtues of the patron saint of Good Health. There are many cultural objects like The Historical Museum, The Picture-Gallery, libraries and cinemas where the guests of the town will find options for entertainment and recreation. The hunting and game breed reserves offer very good conditions for development of the hunting and fishing tourism. The place of Yundola is located 16 km west of Velingrad, at an average altitude of 1400m. The place of Belmeken is situated 24 km north-west of Velingrad at 2000m above sea level and has alpine character. The Belmeken Reservoir gives a great opportunity for water sports and fishing. 3 km west of it is located an alpine sport resort, bearing the same name. The place of Kladova is to the north. South-west of the town are located the cave of Lepenitsa (1200m long) and The Manatarits Biosphere Reserve, a protected by UNESCO area. |
