History of Sapareva Banya
History of Sapareva Banya has been always linked to balneology and mineral water resources on which it was founded.
Numerous archeological excavations testify that balneotherapy existed already in IV - V millenia B.C. (the hydrothermal centers nearby Hisari, Sofia, baths in Khaskovo). Balneology and climate therapy were practised here in the most civilized way. Bases of balneotherapy were put by the populace of Thrace. People of Thrace saw in mineral waters an important source of health, force and beauty. Many towns and villages were built on the places of warm sources, such as Sapareva Banya, Pautalia, Kiustendil, Serdika (Sofia) and many others. In days of Roman empire balneology and treatment by warm sources have reached the blossoming. Augusta (Hisarea), Desudava (Sandanski), Taonas (Slivenski mineral baths), Germopolis (mineral baths in Burgas) and others were developed as new balneological centers. Paytalia and Augusta (August) were considered to be the biggest centers in Roman empire. Unfortunately, now we cant see the Roman terms in there complite origipnal condition. We admire the perfect architectural designs and technics, and even use some of these ancient constructions till the present day.
In the Middle Ages the most visited balneological centers were Hisarea, Sapareva Banya, Moerichileri, Vergiets. Now, A civilization known as the "Kremenik" lived here in Neolithic times (5,500 B.C.). Tools, a grain mill and household items were found during archeological digs carried out in the late 1970's. Later excavations conducted in the 1980's centered round the Roman ruins, which can still be seen near the Sanitorium and in the park garden of the church of St. Nikola in the center of town. The town was an important stop along the Roman road connecting Rome, Greece and the Black Sea. You can see Sapareva Banya in Roman times when it was known as "Germanea" peresented in the works of local painter and historian Vassil Koritarov.