Sofia Public Mineral Baths

Eastern Europe is famous for its hot springs and public bathhouses and Sofia is no exception. In fact, Sofia Public Mineral Baths is a bit of a landmark in the city of Sofia. Both Romans and Ottomans built baths in Sofia. The current ones are based on a Byzantine design, so there are plenty of domes, mosaics and art-Nouveau features. They were built in 1908 and opened to the public in 1913. However, they were bombed during WWII and closed in 1986. They recently opened their doors in September 2015 and the building now houses Museum of Sofia history. If you pass by Sofia Public Mineral Baths, don’t forget to take empty bottles to fill them up with mineral-rich water available at the taps in the square. It’s an experience like no other.