In Roman times, it was a popular place for army officials to visit or soldiers of higher rank who had been injured, to take respite. The mineral water has excellent effects on aiding the healing process of joints, bones, skin and respiratory systems. A number of Bulgarian kings (most notably King Samouil) and royalty favoured this village due to the tranquillity and privacy it also offered. Later on, during the bloody battles between the Ottomans and Bulgarians when Bulgaria was shaking off the Turkish rule, many revolutionaries visited Pchelin to heal themselves.
If you ask a local, they will tell you how childless women who were said not to be able to have children, would visit Pchelin and after bathing in the mineral waters, were able to conceive the children they wanted..
Pchelin is located on one of the four outlets of the 'Dolna Banya basin' for mineral water. The other three outlets are Dolna Banya, Kostenets and one of Bulgaria's most famous spas, Momin Prohod. Therefore, Pchelin benefits from having fantastic quality mineral water completely free of pollutants.
The temperature of the mineral water at Pchelin is a very high 73C at source, but after being filtered through rocks and arriving at the exterior springs in the village; the temperature is reduced to more usable levels. This temperature is the highest of all four springs. Because of this unique feature, the spring at Pchelin has undergone a lot of research from the Sofia university and by other professionals.
|
