Kiustendił is a town and thermal spa which dates back to ancient times. Many interesting monuments have been preserved here, including the Byzantine fortress.
The beginnings of the city date back to the 5th-4th century BC and are associated with the reign of Thracians. The center grew rapidly during the Roman era, when hot springs were discovered in the area. They were used in thermal baths, the remains of which have survived to this day.
The most important attraction of Kustendił are thermal baths using springs with a temperature of almost 80 degrees Celsius. These are both historic buildings from the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, as well as modern sanatorium and recreation complexes with their own pools and spa and wellness facilities.
In addition, a lot of interesting monuments have been preserved in the city. The most famous of them is the Byzantine Hisarlaka Fortress, which was demolished in the 15th century by the Turks and has been in ruins since then. There are also numerous churches here, including the 10th-century Orthodox Church of St. George and the church of St. Miny and the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The stone Pirgov Tower is also a remnant of the old fortifications.
The natural attractions of the area include the picturesque Lake Ezerata and the hundred-year-old redwoods, which are very rare in these areas.
