Kyustendil Things to Do

exhibitions of works of the great Bulgaria artist Vladimir Dimitrov-Maystora.

Vladimir Dimitrov was born on 1.02.1882 in the village of Frolosh in the family of refugies from Macedonia. He was forced to leave the shool before completion of his education since the family was very poor. He had changed several professions before starting a job as a scrivener at the court. There his tallent was noticed in a funny way - he was caught by the secretary of the court painting in the court books. The secretary reported this to chairman of the court but the latter together with the lawers found the paintings funny and good and even organized an exhibition. The exhibition had success and some people decided to send him to the Art School in Sofia on their expenses. So, Vladimir Dimitrov graduated higher education without having a secondary one.
He worked as a teacher in Svisthov, participated in the First World War as military painter. On an exhibition in Rome he was noticed by the American millionaire John Crane who bought more than 120 and signed a contract for all paintings by Vladimir Dimitrov in the next 4 years. The painter moved to New York but there he lost his willings to paint. So, after travelling around Europe he came home, gave out the money he had earnt.

Currently there is an exhibition 'Rome and Vatican in Black and White' - pictures from Dimitar Karadimchev - the most of the pictures in Bulgarian textbooks were done by him at the time I when was a student.

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Dates back to antient (Pautalia) and mediaeval (Velbuzhd) times. Built in the end of 4th and the beginning of 5th century, reconstructured in 6th, used at the time of the First and Second Bulgarian state, demolished in 15th century by Ottoman Turks.
territory: 2.12 hectars; there were 14 towers, public and residantial buildings

This is where the movie 'Cavalier of the White Lady' (Bulgarian series for children) was filmed.

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A museum that represents the struggle of Bulgarians from the area for national liberation. This is the restored house of Ilyo Markov known as Ilyo Vojvoda, a renowned figures of the National liberation movement.
Near the house there is a monument of Ilyo Voyvoda

working hours: 8-17, closed on Saturdays and Sundays.

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a mediaeval defense tower from the end of the 4th and the beginning of 5th century from the time of the mediaeval town Velbudzh. the base floor was used for storage, a stone fireplace and two loopholes on the second, the second floor was used for living and the last third floor for circular defense.

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Built following the original plans of the native house of Dimitar Peshev this museum houses an exhibition Saving of Bulgarian Jews. The project was of Minicipalty of Kyustendil and Union of Bulgarian Jews in Israel.
Dimiter Peshev born 1894 in Kyustendil, miniter of justice in the first council of ministers of Georgi Kyouseivanov, a member and vice-president of parliament. Dimitar Peshev, Assen Suychmezov, Vladimir Kurtev, Ivan Momchilov, Peter Michalev and others undertook different meetings, conversations, etc. in order to stop deportation of Bulgarian Jews from the train station in Kyustendil planned for March 1943. Dimitar Peshev lead the delegation from Kyustendil to minister of internal affairs. He also organised a letter to the prime minister Bogdan Filov signed by 43 members of parliament.

working hours: 8-17 every day

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The historical museum was closed when we arrived (on Sunday). The guard let us enter the yard and see the archeological finds exhibited there. Among the findings from Roman time there are monuments from the socialist era. All monuments from the city are collected there. An interesting mixture of Roman and socialist era...
A new archeological exhibition will open in November 2006.

Working hours: Mo-Fr 8-17h

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A monument of the Roman town Pautalia. These are the second largest terms in Bulgaria after these in Odessos (nowadays Varna). Built in 2nd century. About 1000 sq. m. have been examined. The desing of the heating system is unique in Bulgaria.

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Built in 1816 on the bases of two older churches - St. Nikola and St. Haralampi. It was declared an architectural and art monument because of icons from the beginning of 19th century, the holy gates of the women's section from 16-17 centuries and frescoes by Ivan Dospesky. The chuch (St. Nikola) was built digging the ground because at the time of Ottoman Yoke the churches weren't allowed to build higher than the konaks.
The garden is full with beautiful flowers and trees. The first common school in Kyustendil was located in a building in the church's yard.