There are 40 springs in Kyustendil with a temperature of 73 degrees. The water is clear, colourless, and with a pleasant taste. It allows various forms of balneotherapy and spa procedures applied mainly through baths. The healing water, the climate and nature, the various historical and cultural landmarks create an optimal environment for fulfilling relaxation, recovery or treatment and make Kyustendil a leading Bulgarian resort.
There are two natural landmarks declared as protected for the protection of ancient forests in Radomir — "Yankovets" and "Group of Ancient Trees." Buchaloto Waterfall is interesting. It is located in the very town of Radomir... and it can be found in the travel notes of Konstantin Jireček and Ivan Vazov. Another natural landmark, Choklyovo Marsh, is a peat deposit with proven medicinal peat.
Muhalnitsa Protected Area, or the Frog Marsh, is famous for the one of a kind migration of the mountain frog Rana temporaria. The marsh is situated in an area of 1.9 ha and takes the lowest part of a marshy field, which dries up in the summer and fills with water when the snow melts. The frogs come down from the southern slopes of Stara Planina and at the first thawing and melting of snow in early February they appear in the marsh, where they begin breeding.
Aldomirovtsi Marsh Protected Area near Slivnitsa is a karst marsh, which is part of Dragoman Protected Area. It is inhabited by many rare species of plants and water birds. There are also fields of leucojum, which is known for its medicinal properties.
The Tran area is a real treasure trove of picturesque mountains — as many as 11 of the 39 mountains in Bulgaria are located fully or partially on the territory of the municipality and their varied peaks offer a combination of breathtaking views and the touch of the pristine nature of this part of Kraishte. The gorge of Erma River, the Yablanitsa Gorge, Dragovsko Vrelo, Dragovski Kamik — the "Tran Matterhorn" are just a small part of the marvellous spots of this region.
Polska Skakavitsa Waterfall is formed by one of Struma River's streams when there is a large meander of the river into the Zemen Gorge. Polska Skakavitsa is one of the highest and most beautiful waterfalls in Bulgaria. Its waters originate from karst springs and drop from 53 metres, which ranks the waterfall as third in the country.
Three unique century-old giant sequoias stand proudly in the Yuchbunar area, near the Kyustendil village of Bogoslov. They were declared a natural landmark in 1989 in order to preserve century-old trees. They are also the oldest sequoias in Bulgaria with an age of over 130 years.
The mountain extends within the borders of two countries — Bulgaria and Macedonia. It is the fifth tallest in Bulgaria with its highest peak being Ruen — 2251 metres above sea level. On the territory of Osogovo is Tsarna Reka Nature Reserve, designated to protect characteristic forest ecosystems and an ornithologically important area.
Vitosha Nature Park is the first park in Bulgaria and on the Balkan Peninsula and due to its proximity to Sofia and Pernik it is the most visited protected area in the country.
In 1884 – 1886, the building of the National Assembly was erected in Sofia, where the Bulgarian parliament sits to this day. The building was built in Neo-Renaissance style, and while it has been reconstructed internally numerous times, its general appearance has been preserved. Its entrance is decorated with the motto "Unity Makes Strength" — an obvious reference to the post-liberation aspiration for unification of the Bulgarian lands.
The restored monarchy required appropriate attributes and the first Bulgarian Knyaz Alexander I Battenberg commissioned the reconstruction of the former Turkish konak into a Royal Palace. The palace opened its doors in 1882 and the building's new look included various architectural elements, styled after the fashionable for the time blend of neo-styles and, according to descriptions of the time, acquired the charm of French palaces from the Enlightenment. Expanded by Tsar Ferdinand at the end of the 20th century, the palace continued to serve its function until 1944.
During its long history, the Medieval Pernik Fortress has been the arena of significant historical events. Its connection to the Pernik boyar Krakra is emblematic, as are the clashes with Byzantium in the early 10th century – it is the last fortress to be conquered in Samuel's Bulgaria. Today, apart from the 2 metre thick walls and preserved foundations of residential buildings, visitors can also make out the foundations of three Christian temples.
From the late Middle Ages, the end of the 14th century and the first quarter of the 15th century, the Pirgov Tower (from Greek pirgos – tower) has been preserved in Kyustendil. The tower is 15 metres tall and was intended for defence, which determined its functional distribution – the lower levels had a residential function, while the higher ones were equipped with embrasures and made circular defence possible. In this form, the Pirgov Tower is a great example of Medieval Velbazhd's fortification system.
The Church of St. George is the oldest temple in the town and depicts nearly 10 centuries of history and fine art. It dates back to the 11th – 12th century and is a striking example of medieval Bulgarian architecture. The murals were painted as soon as it was build and over the centuries, all the way to 1872 – 1882, it has been repainted 4 more times, with parts from all five artistic layers being visible even today.
Many consider the building of the Ivan Vazov National Theatre to be the most beautiful landmark in Sofia. The theatre was designed by the famous Viennese architects Ferdinand Fellner and Hermann Helmer and was opened in 1907 with a specially written prologue by Ivan Vazov – Glory to Art. The reconstruction of the theatre after a fire in 1923 continued until 1929, following the designs of Professor Martin Dulfer from Dresden who erected a completely new modern stage and designed the theatre in the Neoclassicism style.
The basilica is inextricably linked to the history of Sofia itself and it being named after it is no coincidence. Built in the 6th century, it was turned into a mosque during the Ottoman rule, but after strong earthquakes in the 19th century, it was left abandoned until 1930 when Orthodox worship was resumed there. Today, devoid of any decoration outside and mural paintings inside, the church captivates with its appearance – simultaneously majestic, simple, ascetic and cleansed of vanity — just like faith in the dawn of Christianity.
The museum complex in Pravets combines the birthplace of the dictator Todor Zhivkov, a reconstruction of a typical two-storey house from the end of the National Revival, and an exhibition hall, featuring an interesting collection — gifts received by Todor Zhivkov as a head of state. The exhibits include objects from around the world and present the cultural diversity of different countries and nations.
The Museum of Physical Culture and Sports is located in a special hall at the Vasil Levski National Stadium and offers an exposition dedicated to Bulgarian sport and the top achievements of local athletes. The museum's collection was acquired through donations and the exhibits include equipment, items and awards of famous athletes, as well as photographs and film material from the history of Bulgarian sport.
The museum is located under the dome in the north wing of St. Kliment Ohridski Sofia University and consists of two separate exhibits — palaeontology and historical geology — presenting the main fossil invertebrates and parts of plant organisms, rock samples and fossils, among others. However, the museum's pride is the imposing skeleton (7 m long and 4.20 m high) of a Deinotherium — a giant mammal related to mammoths and elephants.
The Museum of Illusions is a curious place where scientific inventions, art and illusions come together. Situated on 400 square metres, the museum uses interactive exhibits, models and equipment to combine the magical laws of physics and optics with the mysterious works of art and classic riddles. The extraordinary educational experience is enriched with fun activities — drawing with light, creating shadows and unforgettable moments in the upside-down world.
Muzeiko Children's Science Discovery Center captivates children with over 130 interactive games, science and art workshops and awakens their passion for exploration and knowledge. Everything at Muzeiko is planned down to the smallest detail — from the distinctive architecture to the energy efficiency and space for interactive exhibits, each of which directs the children's curiosity towards science, engineering, ecology, communications, the arts, and philosophy.
Accepting socialism as a part of the past has led to the creation of the Museum of Socialist Art in Sofia — the first of its kind in the country. An exhibition hall and a sculpture park present to the visitors paintings, plastic arts, and monumental sculptures that carry the signature style of that time.
We can also add the Museum of Yogurt in the village of Studen Izvor, Tran to the array of unique museums – it is the home village of Dr. Stamen Grigorov, the man who discovered the lactobacillus bulgaricus bacterium. The museum holds a collection of yogurt-making instruments and tools from centuries ago to the present day that walk you through its creation and you can taste the real native yogurt yourself.
The Museum of Busintsi Ceramics in the village of Busintsi, Tran is related to one of the traditional industries in the region and the village is one of the oldest pottery centres in Bulgaria. Stored within are hundreds of earthenware items, examples of traditional Busintsi pottery, as well as contemporary works influenced by the Busintsi teachings. A particularly interesting part of the ethnographic complex is the restored traditional house with an authentic pottery workshop.
Earth and Man National Museum – Sofia is a whole world dedicated to the natural beauty of minerals. The giant crystals, earth minerals and precious stones are of particular interest among the museum's collection, being an important part of the national natural heritage.
