site.btaCampaign Seeks Revival of Sofia’s Historic Mineral Baths

A civic initiative dedicated to protecting and restoring Sofia’s mineral springs and bathhouses has launched local and national petition drives calling for the revival of several historic thermal bath buildings in the Bulgarian capital.

Members of the initiative For the Restoration and Protection of Mineral Baths and Springs, along with supporters of the cause, gathered Tuesday in front of Sofia’s former Central Mineral Bath building, where a concert was also held in support of the campaign.

The initiative is calling for the restoration of the Central Mineral Bath - which now houses the Sofia municipal history museum - as well as the historic bathhouses in the districts of Knyazhevo, Ovcha Kupel and Gorna Banya. Organizers plan to collect signatures for the local petition over the next two months and for the national petition over the next three months.

“The national petition will be submitted to Parliament, while the local petition will be presented to the Sofia Municipal Council,” initiative member Vanya Kashlakeva said. The event was also organized to mark International Hydration Day, observed annually on June 23.

According to Kashlakeva, the campaign’s main objective is to return the Central Mineral Bath to its original purpose and reopen the entire building as a public bathhouse. The proposal includes the creation of a municipal thermal centre accessible to all residents.

“Our first goal is for the Central Mineral Bath to function once again as a bathhouse throughout the entire building, with a thermal centre open to everyone,” she said.

The initiative has also launched a separate local petition aimed at protecting the forested area known as Kiliite near Knyazhevo. Organizers intend to submit the proposal to the Sofia Municipal Council through a local citizens’ committee.

The latest campaign builds on efforts launched earlier this month. On June 14, members of the civic organization initiated a local petition calling for the restoration of the Central Mineral Bath’s original functions. According to Kashlakeva, around 500 residents signed the petition, which was officially registered with the Sofia Municipal Council on June 16.