Nestled in central Bulgaria, under the southern slopes of the Sredna Gora mountain range, lies the historic city of Hisarya. Positioned at an elevation of 346 meters above sea level, it’s located 44 km north of Plovdiv, the regional center, and 24 km south of Karlovo.
Terrain and Climate: A Harmonious Blend
Hisarya’s landscape gently transitions from the slopes of Sredna Gora to the vast expanse of the Upper Thracian Plain, creating a picturesque setting. The climate is classified as transitional-continental, characterized by warm, gentle winters. Snow cover typically lasts for about 27 days per year, providing a touch of winter charm without becoming overwhelming.
Climate Details
- Average Summer Temperature: 21.4 °C
- Average Winter Temperature: 1.1 °C
- Annual Mean Temperature: 11.5 °C
- Average Annual Precipitation: 500 liters per square meter, peaking in June and November.
Spring arrives early and is relatively warm, while summer is marked by high temperatures in July and August, paired with low humidity and mild breezes. The autumns are long, sunny, and inviting. Eastern winds dominate, with an average speed of 1.1 m/s. Fierce winds are a rare occurrence, making winters particularly pleasant.
The Healing Waters of Hisarya
A city of springs, Hisarya is famed for its 22 mineral springs, each with unique physical and chemical properties and temperatures, renowned for their therapeutic effects. Sixteen of these springs are natural, while six are tapped through deep boreholes. Crystal clear, colorless, and thermal, the waters boast pleasant taste and drinking qualities.
Chemical Composition
These waters are sodium-sulfate-bicarbonate-rich with a high alkaline reaction and low hardness. Predominantly, they contain bicarbonates and sodium, with mineral content ranging from 170 to 275 mg/l, classifying them as lightly mineralized (under 2 g/l).
Therapeutic Uses
These mineral waters serve a dual purpose:
- Drinking Therapy: Beneficial for kidney, urological, gallbladder, gastrointestinal, and liver conditions.
- Bathing Therapy: Ideal for ailments of the musculoskeletal system, metabolic disorders, endocrine issues, and gynecological problems.
A Legacy of Balneotherapy
Hisarya holds a special place in Bulgaria’s balneological history. In 1882, the government of Eastern Rumelia issued the “Regulation for the Exploitation of the Hisarya Baths.” Czech chemist Sosterkonek performed the first chemical analysis of mineral water in Bulgaria at the Sanitary Council Laboratory in Plovdiv, examining five of Hisarya’s springs.
Momina Banya: A Spring of Distinction
Among these, the Momina Banya spring stands out. With a radon content of 160 emanations and a temperature of 41 °C, it is particularly suited for the treatment of kidney and musculoskeletal disorders. Its radioactivity allows for radon inhalation treatments, enhancing its therapeutic profile. The water is odorless with a delightful taste—one of the five springs analyzed by Sosterkonek in 1882.
A Glimpse into the Past: From Antiquity to the Present
Hisarya, known throughout history as Diocletianopolis, Vetus Augusta Aria, Termeitissina, and Toplitsa, has a rich, millennia-old history. Its favorable climate and healing waters have drawn settlers since ancient times. A prehistoric settlement existed here as early as the 5th-4th millennium BCE. Later, a Thracian settlement flourished around the springs, within the borders of the Odrysian kingdom. Healing and religious sanctuaries, called nymphaea, were built near the springs, while monumental Thracian cult sites emerged around Starosel.
The Roman Era: A City of Significance
When the Romans conquered the province of Thrace in 46 CE, a grand Roman city arose around the springs. In 293 CE, Emperor Diocletian granted it city status, initiating the construction of massive fortification walls and a new urban plan. The fortification system and architecture of Diocletianopolis rank among the best-preserved in Europe. Its imposing walls reach up to 11 meters in height, with the southern gate towering at 13 meters. The fortress boasted 44 towers, providing robust defense.
Architectural Marvels
The ancient city had four grand entrances, leading into a vibrant urban center. Public buildings were clustered around the central city park, near the Momina Sulza spring. The most impressive structure was a grand two-story residence, featuring vaulted rooms and adjacent to a vast bath complex spanning 2000 square meters. The Roman baths of Diocletianopolis, some of the few preserved in the Balkans, offered treatments with mineral water, showcasing their intricate design. Inside, white marble adorned the walls, while mineral water heated the rooms.
The Amphitheater: A Hub of Entertainment
Nearby, the amphitheater—modeled after Roman circuses—offered a venue for sports and animal fights. Built in the early 3rd century, it adhered to Christian principles, avoiding bloodshed. Its well-preserved arena and facilities still evoke the lively spirit of those ancient gatherings. In 306 CE, a bathhouse was built at the Momina Banya spring, featuring a 16-meter-long ceramic inscription naming the Roman co-emperors Maximian Galerius and Licinius.
Christian Heritage and Decline
With the adoption of Christianity as the Roman Empire’s official religion in the 4th century, Diocletianopolis became an important Christian center, home to a bishopric. Ten early Christian basilicas from the 4th-6th centuries, showcasing the evolution of early Christian architecture, remain in the city. Among them, the unique two-nave Basilica No. 1 stands out, built atop part of the ancient city’s barracks. Its three-sided apse reflects architectural innovation of its time. By then, the city ranked third in size among the cities of Thrace, after Philippopolis (Plovdiv) and Beroe (Stara Zagora).
Roman Tombs and Cultural Heritage
Beyond the city walls, Diocletianopolis’s necropolises spread out. About 300 meters south of the fortified city lies a well-preserved Roman tomb, accessible to visitors. Its long corridor, burial chamber, and vibrant floor mosaics tell a story of a distant past.
Today, all of Hisarya’s cultural monuments are set within beautiful park environments, inviting guests to explore the city’s rich heritage.
The Modern Era: From Ruins to Revival
In the latter half of the 17th century, a small settlement rose amid the ruins of ancient and medieval buildings, named Hisar—a term meaning “fortress” in Turkish and Arabic. The name’s roots trace back to “Caesarea,” or “royal city,” hinting at its imperial past. In 1942, the village merged with neighboring Momina Banya to become Hisar-Momina Banya, and in 1964, it was declared a city, taking the name Hisarya.
