From Anchialo to Pomorie
The town of Pomorie is located in the southern part of the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast, 20 km away from Burgas and 400 km away from Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. Pomorie accounts for just 14 000 inhabitants. With its nice weather and its 5km long beach, it is one of the most popular destinations for Bulgarians during the summer.
The earliest evidence of human activity found in Pomorie dates back to the Neolithic Age. In the 6th century BC the settlement was named Anchialos (meaning being nearby the sea) by the Greek colonists. In the 1st century AD, the city became part of the Roman Empire. During that period, Anchialos was marked by powerful progress. In 1934, Anchialus was renamed to Pomorie.
The town of Pomorie, Bulgaria
The production of salt has always played a very important role in Pomorie, the Region has been famous for the medicinal qualities of the mud extracted from the bottom of the lake and the sea lye extracted during the production of salt in Pomorie Lake ever since ancient times. The healing powers of the mineral water in the town are also well-known.
A man collecting salt in a salt lake in Pomorie
The history of balneotherapy
The word balneotherapy comes from Greek "balneo" meaning "bath" and "therapy", meaning "treatment". Balneotherapy regroups all therapies using thermal mineral water, mud baths or pools. It typically involves bathing in natural thermal lakes or ponds, but can also involve bathing in swimming pools filled with thermal water or with a direct tap to the thermal source.
Hot spring in Rupite, Bulgaria
Balneotherapy is a traditional medicine that is present in many cultures and originated in hot springs, cold water springs, or other natural water sources, like the Dead Sea. Bathing has been used for millennia as a way of cleaning, soothing and healing the body. Archeologists have found bathing rooms in the palace of Knossos
that date back to the 18th century BC and evidence of people bathing in thermal springs and in lakes and seas even as early as the 1st century BC. Bathing was very popular amongst the Romans and some of their bath houses still exist today. If you want to read more about this topic, here is a very nice in-depth article about the history of bath and termal medicine.
An historic Roman bath house which is over 2,000 years old
In the Victorian era, spa towns regained popularity and developed around natural springs in beautiful locations. Doctors explored the beneficial use of spring water for health and developed our modern day spa and bathing therapies.
Balneotherapy and its numerous health benefits
There isn’t just one but many balneotherapy, some of the most common being: spring or salt water bathing, mud bathing, inhalations, massages and more.
A couple mud bathing in Pomorie
Balneotherapy has been proven effective to treat a wide range of illnesses such as arthritis, skin conditions and fibromyalgia.
As a result of balneo therapeutic procedures in the human body, there are changes in the body’s cardiovascular, immune, nervous, metabolic, and other systems. Some general effects of bating in minerals are: muscle relaxation, improved blood circulation in the tissues, mobilization of immune, nervous and endocrine systems, activation of metabolic processes and relaxation.
All kinds of baths help change the functional state of different body systems and can be stimulating, inhibiting, or normalizing the adaptation of the neurohumoral and/ or immune systems. The nature of changes in the body under the influence of baths of mineral water is determined by the biological activity of the used type of balneotherapy, the body’s individual reactivity, and the intensity of the pathological process. On the other hand, using methods such as inhalation of mineral water vapors suggests preventing and treating various respiratory illnesses. It also improves the skin condition, contributing to tissue detoxification, fighting against infections and acne.
Introduction of some Rehabilitation hospitals and Balneo Health Centers in Pomorie
Thanks to the medicinal qualities of its mud, Pomorie has become a popular balneology and spa resort visited during winter and summer.
The balneotherapy, spa and wellness resorts in Pomorie offer a full variety of general and specialized rehabilitation programs. In the balneological resorts you receive the magic of the therapy with the help of the influence of the mineral waters, healing mud and Black Sea lye, in the spa centers you can enjoy the influence of an anti-stress program combined with the intake of mineral water, aromatherapy and others.
Specialized hospital for rehabilitation VITA branch Pomorie
The first health center in the city of Pomorie is 'Specialized hospital for rehabilitation "VITA" Pomorie branch' , it was constructed in 1934. The center makes use of balneology - the study of medicinal springs and its therapeutic effects - to heal its residents. In 1949 the Ministry of Defense in Bulgaria established a contract which is the successor of lye and the mud hospital for military invalids.
The Grand Hotel Pomorie
The Grand Hotel Pomorie is another institution in the town. A lot of famous athletes, teams and coaches have been sponsored by these establishments. They regularly attended every year recovery camps. These athletes include Sotir Kichukov (MMA and kickboxing champion), Atanas Djambazov (multiple MMA and Sambo champion), Yanko Yanev (MMA champion), coach Teodor Karastoyanov (12 times national kickboxing champion), Bulgarian Wrestling National team, Serafim Burzakov (2 gold world champion, 1 silver Olympics, 2 silver world champion) and many more.
The Grand Hotel Pomorie and its swimming pools
Specialized Hospital for Rehabilitation – National Complex Ltd
Specialized Hospitals for Rehabilitation – National Complex is the leader in the field of physical and rehabilitation medicine applying recognized medical standards in combination with natural resources. Situated 100 m from the sea coast at the bank of a salt lake, it was constructed in 1934 and is now the biggest center for mud–therapy in the Balkan Peninsula with a capacity of 1000 mud-lye treatment procedures per day. The wonderful combination of the sea and the modern technology for medical treatment with well-trained staff makes it an attractive place for healing and respite for thousands of Bulgarian and foreign people every year.