About Hisarya

About Hisarya

The town of Hisarya is located in the central part of Bulgaria, 40 km north of Plovdiv and about 160 km east of Sofia. Hisarya is renowned for its healing mineral waters – there are 16 natural mineral springs and six drilled ones. The town is one of the oldest and most popular balneological and SPA centers in Bulgaria. The climate is mild and favorable, with the remarkable absence of fog. For this reason, Hisarya is known as one of the sunniest places in Bulgaria. The average July temperature is 21.4°C, and the average January temperature is 1.1°C, with minimum temperatures in January reaching -10°C to -11°C.

The favorable climate and mineral waters have attracted people to this area since ancient times. A prehistoric settlement existed here as early as the 5th century BC, followed by a Thracian settlement from the 4th–3rd centuries BC. The settlement flourished during the Roman era. In 293 AD, Emperor Diocletian granted it city status, which marked the beginning of its fortification with massive walls and the construction of public buildings, baths, and streets. It became the third-largest city in the Roman province of Thrace. The defensive system of the Roman city of Diocletianopolis is among the best-preserved and most original in Europe. The fortress wall stretches 2,327 meters and reaches up to 11 meters in height in some places. The southern gate, known as "The Camels," stands 13 meters tall.

The ancient city's urban architecture is concentrated in today’s “Momina Salza” park in Hisarya. Here, you’ll find the largest representative public building (a residence), Roman baths covering about 2,000 sq. meters, and an amphitheater. About 300 meters south of the fortified city lies a Roman family tomb, preserved in its original state and open to visitors. Inside, you can see colorful floor mosaics and rose-themed frescoes.

The territory within the ancient fortress, with all its preserved cultural monuments (fortress walls, amphitheater, public buildings, Christian basilicas, barracks, villas, baths, and the Roman tomb), is designated as the National Archaeological Reserve “Diocletianopolis.”

The town is also known for its beautiful and refreshing parks, which span an area of 700 decares and include over 160 species of decorative trees.

In the town center stands the Orthodox church of St. Panteleimon, notable for its frescoes, built in 1889. Also of interest is the oldest Orthodox church in Hisarya – St. Dimitar, built in 1845, located in the Verigovo district. Hisarya is also home to another Orthodox church, two Catholic churches, and a mosque.

The mineral waters that have made Hisarya famous are used to treat kidney and urological diseases, gallbladder, gastrointestinal and liver conditions, as well as disorders of the musculoskeletal system. They are used both for drinking therapy and water procedures for the prevention and rehabilitation of various illnesses, often in combination with physiotherapy and dietary nutrition.