Pesztera is a town situated at the foot of the Rhodope Mountains, in the vicinity of popular hiking trails. It also has a lot of preserved buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries, and the main monument is a medieval fortress standing on the hill above the city.
The history of Pesztera dates back to Thracian times, when the first fortifications were built here. They were expanded in later centuries by the Romans, Byzantines, Bulgarians, and finally the Turks. Today the Perister Fortress standing on the hill is the biggest attraction of Pesztera. In addition to its interesting history and old walls, it also offers a beautiful view of the city and the surrounding area.
Many buildings from the late Turkish rule and the Bulgarian National Revival have been preserved in the center of Pesztera. These include traditional Bulgarian houses and the Church of St. Paraskeva. Among the local museums, the Museum of Socialism Cars enjoys the greatest interest.
The vicinity of Pesztera is rich in places ideal for mountain hiking. In addition to beautiful views, rock outcrops and picturesque valleys and grazing areas, there are also caves. Among the biggest attractions of Pesztera and the whole region is the Snejanka Cave with a rich dripstone form and illuminated by an underground tourist route.
