The town of Sandanski is situated in south-western Bulgaria, at the bottom of Pirin mountain, 173 km away from Sofia, and 22 km of Kulata, the cross-border checkpoint with Greece. The town is best known as a

leading international spa and natural healing centre

because of its climate and the hot mineral springs. Over 200 Mediterranean plant species not found elsewhere in Bulgaria can be seen in the city park "Sveti  Vrach" which is of particular note. On the place of the present town there was an old Thracian settlement that had sprung up near the hot mineral springs. The town history has been also marked by the Romans and the Byzantines. According to the legend the old name of the town -Sveti Vrach, is connected with two folk healers and actually means Saint Healers. Today, Sandanski is one of the most significant centers in Europe for treatment of diseases of the upper respiratory track and the lungs.