In 1858, an earthquake shook Sofia. Dozens of homes, churches and other public buildings were destroyed, whilst in the fields to the south-west, surprisingly, a hot spring gushed forth. The locals simply named it ‘Gyolo’ or ‘The Hot Water’. Little by little, the place became an unofficial wellness centre.

Decades later, following the end of the First World War, a decision was taken to build a spa. The complicated political situation delayed the project, but in 1925 architect Georgi Ovcharov was commissioned to design a modern building that would provide the necessary facilities for contemporary hydrotherapy. The building was completed in 1928, and five years later it became part of an extensive spa complex.

During the tenure of Mayor Ivan Ivanov, the plans became even more ambitious: a new, larger bathhouse, paved streets, a tram line to ‘Bulina Livada’, more green spaces, buses… But then 9 September 1944 arrived, and these ideas remained on paper.

And yet, his legacy lives on. In January 2025, the Sofia City Council decided to name the nearby Street 672 after ‘Arch. Georgi Ovcharov’ – a belated but well-deserved tribute to the man who gave Sofia one of its most peaceful corners.