About the village
The village of Voneshta Voda takes its name from the foul-smelling mineral water. It is located about 28 km south of Veliko Tarnovo, on the road to Nova Zagora and Stara Zagora, and 20 km east of the town of Tryavna, on the northern slopes of the Central Balkan Mountains, right at the beginning of the Hainboaz Pass.
It is situated at an altitude of about 580 metres above sea level. The settlement itself lies in a horseshoe-shaped basin formed by the merging of the widened valleys of the Belitsa and Raykovska rivers, tributaries of the Yantra. The arc of the horseshoe curves to the north, while its opening faces south.
Between the two branches rises Boychovski Bair, which stretches southwards towards Belnov Peak, located directly beside the main ridge of the Balkan Mountains. Along the left, eastern slope of the basin flows the Raykovska River. The road to Nova Zagora and Stara Zagora runs along this side and, through Predela, the highest part of the pass, enters Southern Bulgaria.
Along the right, western part of the basin, the Belitsa River flows from a southwesterly direction. The road to Tryavna and Gabrovo passes along this side. All of this gives the basin a picturesque appearance when viewed from the northern elevations of Chardacheto and Garnevski Bair.
To the south, the main ridge of the Balkan Mountains can be seen, with Predela and Gramadliva. To the northwest, the small picturesque basin is enclosed by the Chukara height, and to the north by the elevations of Garnevski Bair and Chardacheto. These protect it from the strong northwesterly and northerly winds during the winter.
To the east, the basin is bordered by Ravnata, Dryanovski Rat and Doynovski Bair. Between Dryanovski Rat and Doynovski Bair flows the Osenska River, which empties into the Raykovska River. Doynovski Bair rises southeastwards towards Dryanov Peak, located near Predela.
In the centre of the described area, viewed from the north, rises Boychevski Bair, situated between the Belitsa and Raykovska rivers.
Voneshta Voda is a charming mountain settlement with hilly terrain covered with oak, beech, and hornbeam forests. There are also young coniferous forests. The soils are grey, sandy forest soils. The rock formations on the higher ground consist of sandstone, basalt, and limestone. There are many sunny meadows covered with wildflowers and lush grass.
The valleys of the Belitsa and Raykovska rivers form a beautiful horseshoe-shaped basin, enclosed by high hills that protect it from winds and storms. A southern wind often blows. The basin itself is open to the south towards Predela, through which, especially in winter, the warm southern influence can be felt.
The climate of Voneshta Voda is characterized by warm, but not hot, summers, relatively mild winters, and many sunny days without fog. The air is clean, fresh, and dry. The winds are moderate, and storms are almost nonexistent.
In winter and early spring, a southerly wind often blows. In summer, especially in the evening, so-called mountain valley winds appear along the valleys of the Belitsa and Raykovska rivers. They are light and, much like a sea breeze, bring a pleasant coolness.
Annual precipitation is moderate, amounting to about 650–750 mm per square metre. Rainfall is most common in May, June, and September. There are, on average, 200–220 sunny days per year, with total solar radiation of about 365 calories per square centimetre per day on average.
The average annual temperature is 9.5°C. The average lowest temperature in January is around -1.5°C, while the highest average temperature is about 20°C. Fog is almost absent throughout the year. Snow cover remains for about 35–40 days. Air humidity is moderate.
The beautiful nature, clear mountain rivers, and clean, fresh air create suitable conditions for rest, relaxation, and recreation, which is why the village is a popular destination for tourist visits and excursions.
The beautiful basin, the clear Raykovska and Bistritsa rivers, and the crossing of the roads from Northern and Southern Bulgaria with the roads from Elena to Tryavna and Gabrovo were the reasons why the area was settled early.
In 1840, Grandfather Tsanyo Hadzhiev from the Garnevtsi neighbourhood built a small inn here. Later, his son, Mancho Tsonev Hadzhiev, arrived. He moved there with his family and is considered the first settler of the village. He lived to the age of 100. For a long time, the local population called the village Grandfather Mancho’s Inns.
The Balkan Mountains have always been a protector of the haiduks during the period of Ottoman rule. The legendary voivode Filip Totyu came from this region; he was born in the nearby hamlet of Gartsite. The famous Captain Raycho, from the village of Raykovtsi, also came from here. As a child, he swam across the Danube near Ruse with the help of gourds in order to warn the Russian troops of an impending Turkish attack during the Crimean War in 1853.
General Gurko also passed through this area with his troops on his way to Southern Bulgaria during the Russo-Turkish War of Liberation in 1877.
During Grandfather Mancho’s time, the mineral spring was located almost in the river itself and mixed with the river water. When the river became muddy after rainfall, his horses would go to drink water at the place where the mineral spring was. From this, he realized that this water was special and could be used for drinking.
Grandfather Mancho himself began to drink the water. He recommended it to the people from the surrounding villages and hamlets, but only during the summer. This marked the beginning of the first observations of the mineral spring. Certain beneficial effects were observed in people suffering from gastrointestinal diseases.
Until 1938, the spring was a primitive well at the edge of the riverbed, enclosed by several stone slabs. After it was captured, the first chemical analysis of the water was carried out. The use of mineral water for treatment through bathing in primitive tubs at home or in areas near the spring enclosed with reed mats and rugs began as early as 1920. Good results were observed mainly in joint and skin diseases.
Mountain resorts located up to 800 metres above sea level, such as Voneshta Voda, are characterized by a temperate continental climate, with no very sharp meteorological changes, which has a beneficial effect on the body. Under the influence of climatic factors, overall toning and strengthening of the body is achieved, along with improvement and normalization of the functions and metabolic processes of all systems. Therefore, climatic factors are used not only for strengthening the body, but also for the treatment of various diseases.
The effect of the fresh mountain air on the body is achieved mainly through walks and breathing exercises. Walks are an excellent means of strengthening and healing the body. During walks, the functions of almost all systems in the body improve, which has a particularly beneficial effect on breathing, blood circulation, and the muscular and nervous systems. The patients’ appetite also improves. Walks are recommended for healthy people who have come to Voneshta Voda for recreation, as well as for patients suffering from chronic bronchitis, pulmonary emphysema, post-pneumonia conditions, hypertension, neuroses, obesity, and other conditions.
The sun is used both for general hardening of the body and for therapeutic purposes. It is prescribed for healthy people, as well as for certain diseases, mainly skin conditions, especially in cases where there is a need to improve blood circulation in the skin. It is carried out mainly between 8:00–10:00 a.m. and 3:00–5:00 p.m.
Balneotherapy in the village is an effective therapeutic method. It is carried out through baths and by drinking mineral water.
