Аязма и свети извори в Карловския край
Holy Springs around Karlovo Region

Summary/Abstract: The region of Karlovo which is a cradle of the Bulgarian spirit during the Revival is full of springs. The strong belief in their healing properties is as ancient as their origin. The research of the springs had been made in 1995 and nowadays many of the informers are not alive. The present scientific report has been published in memory of them. The author emphasizes on the intermingling of paganism and Christianity. This is evidenced by the marble votive tablet with an image of three nymphs (3rd century, AD), found in the area ‘The Holy Trinity’ near Sopot in 1942, while a local resident was hoeing the vineyard there. During the time of the Thracians that place was a sanctuary of the nymphs. They were considered deities of the springs and the healing water. Centuries after that, after the acceptance of Christianity, in the area ‘The Holy Trinity’ a chapel with a holy spring was build, and it was also called ‘The Holy Trinity’. The holy springs are springs of health and hope. They are connected with Christianity, as well as with folk medicine, because if a person wants to get better with the help of their properties, first of all they must have strong and pure faith in their heart as the pure healing water from these holy springs.

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