The town of Pernik (86 133 inhabitants, 710 metres above sea level) is the largest town in Southwestern Bulgaria after Sofia. It is situated in the high Pernik Plain between Vitosha, Lyulin and Golo Burdo Mountains, along the Strouma River. The town is 30 km to the southwest of Sofia, 59 km to the northeast of Kyustendil and 70 km to the north of Blagoevgrad. The largest coal mining centre in Bulgaria. Regional administrative centre.
History: In the 9th century the small Slav settlement of ancient history became part of Danubian Bulgaria. It was named Pernik (Perunik, Perinik) probably at its establishment. The town was turned into a strategic medieval centre and the 4.5 m thick fortress walls kept back the Byzantine invasions towards Sredets (Sofia) and Northwestern Bulgaria. The fortress withstood seige twice – in 1004 and in 1016. The local boyar Krakra Pernishki (from Pernik) led the defence. Already under Byzantine domination the fortress survived a devastating earthquake in the middle of 11th century. It was restored and expanded and existed till 1189 when it was destroyed and set to fire by the Serbian joupan Stefan Neman. Because of the numerous raids of kurdzhalii (Turkish brigands) during the Ottoman rule Pernik was a small, scattered cattlebreeding village. It numbered barely 1000 people in 1879. After the liberation the settlement developed as a mining village. In 1891 Pernik coal mining region was declared state property (first in Bulgaria) and the village became main energy centre of developing Bulgaria . In 1929 Pernik was declared a town.
Landmarks: The Town Museum of History displays more than 40 000 exhibits. The Museum of Coal Mining is also interesting. A Thracian sanctuary was found in Daskalovo Quarter, nearby Sofia-Koulata road, at the bank of Roudaritsa River. The sanctuary is in the form of an irregular quadrangle and existed in 2nd – 4th centuary. It is not the only one in Bulgaria but is the best preserved one with most complex construction. The remains of the famous Pernik Fortress (Krakra) are nearby the town. The Art Gallery and the Theatre of Drama are open throughout the year. Every five years Pernik hosts The Kukeri and Survakari Festival.
Transport: Nevertheless its proximity to the capital city, Pernik is an important transport centre. The roads and the railway lines head in three main directions - Sofia, Bla-go-evgrad - Koulata and Kyus-tendil - Gue-she-vo. Most intensive are the transport links with Sofia where the greater part of the population of the town do their business. The buses and trains travel in short intervals. The railway station and the bus station are close to each other in the south-western part of the Pernik. There are railway stops within the town.
Surrounding Areas:
Pernik is a point of departure for tours in the surrounding mountains. Roudartsi Resort Village is 13 km to the east (in the western foothills of Vitosha Mountain) and is known for its mineral springs. 3 km above Roudartsi in the mountain is the village of Kladnitsa (both villages are connected to the town by regular bus lines) which is a departure point to Selimitsa Chalet and hiking tours round Vitosha (refer to the Vitosha Mountain related chapter herein). Nearby the village is the famous Kladnitsa Monastery. There are three chalets and Ostritsa Biosphere Reserve in the lower mountain of Golo Burdo. Pernik is a strating point to these sights. One can reach Slavei (Nightingale) Chalet for 1 hour along a 4 km road (tourist marking available). Further in the mountain one can visit Kralev Dol Chalet (1.30-2 hours), Ostritsa Reserve (45 min) and Orlite (The Eagles) Chalet (1.30 hours). 10 km northwards is located the biggest village in Pernik region – Divotino, which can be used as a point of departure to the other low mountain – Lyulin. One can visit the Divotino Monastery, climb the edge of the mountain and then downwards to Bankya Resort Town or undertake a hiling tour to the only chalet – Bonsovi Polyani. 49 km north-west from Pernik, immediately to the boarder with Serbia is the town of Trun, known for its best master builders in Bulgaria. The imposing gorge of Erma River is 5 km to the south. The river springs in Serbia, flows in Bulgaria and again in Serbia pours into Nishava River. The high vertical rocks overgrown with lilac raise up to 150 m. A phantastic place! It was namely when he saw this beauty of nature that the famous Bulgarian writer Aleko Konstantinov exclaimed, “What so about Switzerland!” The Rui Hotel-Restaurant is nestled in the gorge. 4 km in the direction of the town (1 km from Trun) is Erma Chalet. The well-known St. Archangel Mihail Monastery is 30 min away from the chalet.
