Kyustendil:hier bin ich geboren

Kyustendil is one of the most ancient towns in Bulgaria. Fertility and the warm mineral springs attracted the Thracian tribes of danteleti and peontsi, which founded here a settlement far back in 5th-4th century BC. During the 1st century the Romans turned it into an important fortress, trade venue and renowned spa resort, calling it Pautalia. In 4th century the fortress Hissarlaka was built later reconstructed by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I (572-565). After 553 the name Pautalia is not accounted any more. In 1019, in the Charter of the Byzantine Emperor Vassilii II, the town was mentioned by the name Velbuzhd, probably after the name of a leader. It was integrated to the Bulgarian State during the reign of King Kaloyan (1197-1207). From 1379 to 1395 feudal ruler had been Konstantin Dragash and by his name, later in the 16th century, the town was renamed Kyustendil (the land of Konstantin).

Kyustendil in the 1930s (City Gardens) die stadt heute das historische museum die Brücke mit den nackten Frauen The famous Kyustendil artist:Vladimir Dimitrov-"the Master" Bilder von Maistora The Valley of Zemen is spectacular with its rare natural beauties... "Kadin most" (Kadin bridge) Village of Nevestino A legend has it, that, in order to insure the stability of the bridge, the ancient craftsman incorporated into the masonry works the body of the most beautiful of the village girls... Eversince ancient times, Kyustendil has been well-known for its miraculous mineral-water springs. Roman Emperors, Byzantine Basileusi, and Turkish Sultants have treated their illnesses here... Kyustendil Region is one of the last fiefdoms of the Medieval Bulgarian Kingdom to fall under the Turkish conquest. In fact, Kyustendil's present name comes from the name of its last feodal ruler, Konstantine. Evidence that Kyustendil has been populated since the Ancient Epoch persists even today. (fragment of Roman Thermii bath complex) "I think that Kyustendil cherries are the best in the world, and - believe me - I have tasted many..." --James E. Day, Former Senior Vice-President "Riggs National Bank", Washington, D.C., USA