ABOUT THE TOWN OF KYUSTENDIL
The town of Kyustendil (population 56 500 inhabitants) is situated in the most Western parts of Bulgaria, in the fertile valley of Kyustendil, on both sides of the
Banska River. It lies at the most Northern slopes of the
Ossogovo Mountain, 525 meters above the sea level. The town is located 90 km southwest of
Sofia, 70 km northwest of
Blagoevgrad, and 22 km northeast of the border point with Macedonia.
Kyustendil and its surrounding areas are well known as the orchard of Bulgaria, where mostly cherries, plums, apples and etc. are grown. It is a spa resort of national significance and a regional centre.
HISTORY
Kyustendil is one of the most ancient towns in Bulgaria. The mineral springs of the region attracted the Thracian tribes, which in 5 th-4 th century B.C. founded here a settlement. During the 1 century the Romans turned it into an important fortress, trade venue, and renowned spa resort. They called it Pautalia. In 4 th century the fortress Hissarlaka was built. In 1019 in the Charter of the Byzantine emperor Vasilii II the town was mentioned by the name Velbajd. It was integrated to the Bulgarian State during the time of king Kaloian (1197 – 1207). Later in 16 th century the town was renamed as Kyustendil, by the name of the fudal ruler Konstantin Dragash.
In the middle of the 15 th century the Turks began to colonize the town. During the Renaissance it rapidly developed and grew. Its inhabitants took active part in the ecclesiastical and national struggles.
Kyustendil was liberated on the 29 of January 1878. After the liberation some of the crafts related to the Turkish markets declined, but tobacco production developed, as well as spa resort activity.
LANDMARKS
In the town of Kyustendil the
Municipal Museum of History is situated. Each of its departments is accommodated in various cultural and historic monuments.
The
Artistic Gallery of Vladimir Dimitrov Maistora is a sight of a particular interest. The
Asclepion of Pautalia is an impressive Roman spa and shrine dedicated to the god of health Asclepius, built in 2 nd – 3 rd century.
Other remarkable sights of the town are: churches
“St. George” (12th – 13th century) in Kolusha district,
“St. Bogoroditza” (1816), and
“St. Dimitar”, the
Tower of Pirgov (16 th – 17 th c.), the
Fetih sultan Mehmed mosque (1531), the wall of the hotel Devehani (1606),
Lekarska house, the
House of Prokopiev, the old school (1849). In the town there are many monuments erected, dedicated to the Russian soldiers, who died for the liberation of the town from Ottoman domination, to Ilijo Voivoda, to P. K. Javorov.
But one of the most valuable treasures of the town are the mineral waters.
THE CLIMATE AND THE MINERAL WATERS
The climate is traditionally continental with Mediterranean influence. The mild weather is largely due to the beneficial effect of the mountains that surround the plain from the north, east and west. The average annual temperature is 11oC.
The mineral waters of the numerous fountains (natural springs and wells) have an almost uniform chemical composition, temperature(71-73C) and sulphide content. The waters are clear, colorless, with a pleasant taste and a slight smell of hydrogen sulphide. They are mildly mineralized, hyperthermal and contain sulphides, silicon, fluorine and sulphates of sodium with a strong alkaline reaction. The total flow is about 2,400 l/min. Their curative and preventive properties are mainly due to the sulphides , the high metasilicic acid content, the high temperature, the hypotonic effect, the mild mineralization and the relatively high fluorine content.
The curative properties of Kyustendil's mineral waters have been known since ancient times. Another important curative agent, used for the systematic treatment of a wide range of diseases, is the peat mined near the village of Baikal which is reach in humic acids and organic substances.
The favourable climate, the curative peat from Baikal, the mineral waters and the possibilities of specific fruit-diet therapy attract many Bulgarian and foreign visitors to Kyustendil.
TRANSPORT
Kyustendil is connected with the other parts of the country by bus and railway transport. There is regular bus line with the capital
Sofia, as well as with all neighboring towns
Pernik,
Dupnitsa,
Blagoevgrad and etc. The bus station (phone: +359 78/22626) and the railway station (phone: +359 78/26041) are next to each other in the Northern park of the town. The town is a main stop on the line Sofia – Kyustendil – Gyueshevo.
SURROUNDING AREAS
In close proximity to the Southern part of the town is situated
Hissarlaka park. Kyustendil is the outgoing point to the beautiful
Ossogovo Mountain with many sights of interests. At 13 km to the southeast of the town in
Nevestino village is located
Kadin (Nevestin) bridge over
Struma River. 10 km north of the town is situated the village of
Shishkovtzi. There is a rich collection of pictures of Vladimir Dimitrov Maistora. 39 km to the north is situated the historic
Zemen Monastery, which frescoes are the most interesting monument from XIV century.
Along 22 km distance from the town of Zemen to the village of Rajdavitza, the
Struma River has created a marvelous and picturesque gorge, called
Zemenski gorge. It is a miniature copy of the
Iskar gorge.
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