The city of Velingrad
Trip Start
Sep 22, 2008
1
54
58
Trip End
Nov 06, 2008
Velingrad, Pazardzhik, Bulgaria
Monday, October 27, 2008
There are 70 sources of mineral water with curative and preventive properties in and around the town. The mineral waters (from springs and wells) vary considerably in temperature, mineralization, radon, silicic acid and fluorine content, and are suitable for treatment of a wide range of diseases. 9000 litres of water per minute spring from the five thermal and mineral deposits in Ladzhene, Kamenitsa, Chepino, Rakitovo and Kostandovo.
We decide to make Velingrad our next stop in our tour of Bulgaria. The quaint little township has its streets lined with birch, poplar and linden trees, each adding to the colour of the streets with their gold, brown and red leaves. Old woman constantly work along the streets to try and keep the leaf litter to a minimum. Stray dogs and cats run the streets oblivious of what goes on around them.
Mercedes Benz and BMWs race down the streets, followed by a selection of local cars and russian Ladas. Numerous horse and carts can also be seen used to bring in merchandise to sell by street side vendors.
Even though this quaint town is far from the larger cities of Sofia, Plovdiv and Varna, the times of sovietism can still be seen here with the large bleak white cement housing blocks so familiar in Russian cities. A ghetto is also seen for the housing of the local gypsies.
We wander about, checking out the small one-roomed shops. No large supermarket or chain stores have yet to set foot in this township, not even any fast food outlets have made it this deep into south Bulgaria. Only the local and typical bulgarian menus are available here for eating.
We will spend the night here and then the next day go for a walk around the lake before heading off to our next destination.
