Bulgaria, Lake Atanasov – Enchanting Baths
Before landing at Burgas International Airport, we were able to admire from the height a segmented lake with colorful colors. The dominant colors were pink, which literally glowed. At that time, we did not yet know that it was a salt gem of Bulgaria. After visiting Sunny Beach and the historic town of Nessebar, we decided to find this sight in the guide.
After relaxing on the beach and discovering the architectural and cultural treasures of Bulgaria, we planned a trip to an unusual location on the Black Sea - Lake Atanasov. There was no problem to get here, because a new highway was recently built and there is a railway.
This water area of just over 7,000 hectares offers a great variety of flora and fauna, unique habitats and, due to the high salinity, salt extraction has been in operation here since 1906. Despite mining, most of the territory is declared a protected nature reserve.
Mining takes place mainly in the southern part of the lake, where the lake interconnects with the Black Sea through several water channels, increasing its salinity. The annual production of sea salt reaches an incredible 40 thousand tons. Around the lake you have the opportunity to visit a bird watching shelter (you will see up to 70% of all bird species living or flying here), which is part of a 285 meter long nature trail with information boards. Here you will also find a salt nature trail that takes you through stylish graphic illustrations and factual elements to the open-air museum exhibition, which represents the profession of salt workers in Lake Atanasov. However, our goal was a local spa, which is located in close proximity to salt mining facilities.
At first, the baths had quite unfriendly feeling on us. We had wooden pier covered with weeds, mining pits and pools, dilapidated brick buildings and a cityscape with a panel town in the background. But suddenly everything changed when we entered the pink, extremely salt water for a really symbolic fee. It floated us and looked beneficial. After a few minutes of soaking we painted black mud from the bottom of the pool and gradually moved to the pier. Then we went to rinse to the Black Sea coast, where we were greeted by beautiful waves and a beach with black sand and shells. We enjoyed a healing cure and collected mussels in memory.
We should repeat the healing treatment several times, but we still felt that after one session the skin was softer. This experience was also the imaginary end of our visit.
Certainly we will come back again, because this Balkan country offers really amazing places.
GPS: 42°31'52.0"N 27°29'29.8"E
Text: Oskár Mažgút
Photos: Bibiána Mažgútová
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