Pancharevo

Pancharevo is one of the 24 districts of  Sofia municipality. The village /with 1961 inhabitants after the census in 2001/ is the center of the district. It is situated at the end of Pancharevo gorge between Lozenska and Plana mountains on an altitude of 600 m above sea level. Here is built also a small but beautiful dam with the same name “Pancharevo”. The lake is used for irrigation and for water sports and for that purpose are built stands for spectators. Pancharevo is 5 km in southeast direction from Sofia. There is a regular bus connection with the capital ( bus – lines NN 1 and 3) and route-micro-buses.The climate is temperate continental. The average annual rainfalls are 660 mm. The foggy days in a year are about 20-30. The place is relative windy.There are alluvial, brown and maroon soils. In the surroundings are precious cherry-gardens. The slopes of the mountains are covered predominately with lilac-shrubs. There are a lot of  nice houses, villas and chalets among a green necklace of  deciduous and coniferous trees.Pancharevo is a climate and a spa resort. Two mineral springs are coming through the clefts in million old dolomite limestone rocks. The flow is 12 l/sec and the temperature 43 – 48 degrees. The composition is nitric. Diseases of  the bone’s and joints system, nervous, gynaecological, nephritic, gastric and enteric complaints are treated and healed. Sanatoriums, a hospital and holiday houses have been built. The Bulgarian National football team uses this place for recreation and training.1900 here was built the first in Bulgaria water power station “Pancharevo” with 1,72 MW, which now is replaced by “Kokaljane” water power station. On the upper part of the lake there is a bathing and swimming area, surrounded by many small taverns. The biggest and most famous restaurant with terraces toward the lake is “Lebeda” – translated “The Swan”.