Dolna Banya
| Dolna Banya Долна баня | |
|---|---|
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Dolna Banya square with the clock-tower and the Library | |
  Dolna Banya Location of Dolna banya | |
| Coordinates: 42°17′N 23°46′E / 42.283°N 23.767°ECoordinates: 42°17′N 23°46′E / 42.283°N 23.767°E | |
| Country | Bulgaria |
| Provinces (Oblast) | Sofia |
| Government | |
| Elevation | 643 m (2,110 ft) |
| Population (13.09.2005) | |
| • Total | 5,667 |
| Time zone | EET (UTC+2) |
| • Summer (DST) | EEST (UTC+3) |
| Postal Code | 2040 |
| Area code(s) | 07120 |
Dolna Banya, also Dolna Banja or Dolna Bania (Bulgarian: Долна баня) is a town located in Sofia Province in southwestern Bulgaria. 75 km from Sofia and Plovdiv, Dolna Banya is located by the north-eastern slopes of the Rila Mountains, 18 and 30 km respectively from the ski resorts of Borovets and Samokov. Dolna Banya is known as a resort town, famous for its hot mineral waters, with temperatures of 56.3 C. The area surrounding the town is largely agricultural, although hiking trails and skiing in the nearby mountains are easily accessible.
Dolna Banya is a small, but lively town. The square has a vegetable market, bakery, 2 bars. From the inside of the town's Bulgarian Orthodox church is covered in beautiful murals, the churchyard located next to a stream. The local stadium is named Vasil Levski, a tribute to the leader of Bulgaria's liberation from the Ottoman Empire and the national stadium of the same name in Sofia.
Dolna Banya is easily accessible by car. There is a daily bus that runs from the Sofia bus depot through other villages in the area. However, buses run more frequently from Sofia to Kostenets (8 km from Dolna Banya. From Kostenets transportation is available every 30 minutes to Dolna Banya. Trains also run about every hour between Sofia and Kostenets.
In June 2005, Ibar Golf Club announced that a 20m Euro golf course would be constructed in Dolna Banya. Construction began in the fall of 2005 and is set for completion in 2007. The course will meet the standards of the Professional Golfers' Association of America and The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews. It is expected to be the only golf course in Eastern Europe to meet PGA standards.
Gallery
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Dolna Banya Municipality Hall
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Main square - view from the town clock-tower
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Dolna Banya Museum (view from the clock-tower)
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The antique bath, built around 1700 on top of Ancient Roman ruins
