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Royal Mineral Baths in Bulgaria's Bankya regain authentic spendour after decades of oblivion

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Photo: BGNES

The emblematic building of the royal mineral baths in the small town of Bankya close to Sofia may soon start to receive visitors after years of ruin. The impressive edifice has a history of over 100 years, as its construction began in 1907 under the direction of the famous German architect of the time, Prof. Karl Hoheder (1854-1917). In just four years, the architectural masterpiece was fully completed and the public baths began to receive the first visitors. 

After long years of neglect, the restoration of the building began in 2018, as its central lobby and the hall with the original mineral-water pool are now fully restored along with the authentic tiling and the dome.
Old photos of the premises were used for the restoration work, and a Bulgarian manufacturer of ceramics managed to produce the same colour of tiles as the original ones. 
The renovated healing facility features also a modern spa centre and a Viennese coffee lounge.
The baths are expected to open to the public in the autumn of 2020.


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