Kyustendil
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kyustendil (Bulgarian: Кюстендил, historically Велбъжд, Velbazhd) is a town in the very west of Bulgaria, the capital of Kyustendil Province, with a population of 47,196 (2005 calculation). Kyustendil is situated in the southern part of the Kyustendil Valley, 90 km south-west of Sofia. In recent years a large portion of the population have moved to the capital Sofia or abroad in search for better life. Lack of employment and low salaries have been driving people out of town. The Roma population is increasing steadily living from hand to mouth and relying mainly on welfare benefits. Local authorities are struggling to get some people back but so far to no avail.
Kyustendil is a national balneological resort at an altitude of 500 m. The ancient name of the town Pautalia (a town of springs) is Thracian.
There are more than 40 mineral springs in the town. The waters are of considerable content of sulphite compounds. These are used for treatment of the locomotory system, gynaecological and other kinds of diseases. The resort region includes several baths, balneological complexes and others.
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[edit] Geography
Kyustendil is located at the foot of the Osogovo mountain, on both banks of the Banska River, and is a well-known centre of balneology and fruit growing. The town is 80 km southwest of Sofia, 69 km northwest of Blagoevgrad and 22 km from the border with the Republic of Macedonia.The fortress was built by the Romans. Therms, basilicas, floor mosaics have been uncovered.
[edit] History
A Thracian settlement emerged at the place of the modern town in the 5th-4th century BC, which was turned into an important stronghold, balneological resort and trade junction called Pautalia by the Romans in the 1st century AD, from a Thracian word meaning "source", "spring".[1]
The Hisarlaka fortress was built in the 4th century and the town was mentioned under the Slavic name of Velbazhd (Велбъжд, meaning "camel")[1] in a 1019 charter by Byzantine emperor Basil II. During the reign of Kaloyan, the town became part of the Second Bulgarian Empire, acquiring its modern name after the local feudal lord Konstantin Dragash in the 16th century.[1]
The residents of Kyustendil took an active part in the Bulgarian National Revival. The town was liberated from Ottoman rule on 29 January 1878.
In the 11th C. the town, known as Velbuzhd, after the name of its heir, Konstantin Velbuzhd, became a major religious and administrative centre. About 1355 Velbuzhd and its region were included in the semi-independent feudal Velbuzhd principality of Despot Deyan. In the 15th C. the town was called Kyustendil, which means a land of Konstantin. In 1372 the Turks conquered the town. During the Bulgarian National Revival crafts and trade flourished.
[edit] Sister Cities
[edit] References
- ^ a b c Adrian Room, "Placenames of the World" ISBN 0786422483 McFarland & Company (2005)
[edit] External links
- KnCity.info, a website about Kyustendil
- Kyustendil at Journey.bg
- Kyustendil at BGGlobe
- Regional History Museum
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