Pernik Province: Culture, Landscape and History

The Surova folk festival takes place in the Pernik region every year on January 13 and 14. Zemen is home to a monastery that has been converted into a museum. Pernik is home to the medieval Krakra Fortress and an underground mining museum. Natural features in the travel area include Duhlata Cave, Skakavitsa Waterfall and the Ostritsa Reserve in the wider travel area.

The Surova folk festival celebrates the New Year according to the old calendar. Its fixed dates of January 13 and 14 give the festival a specific place in your travel plans. In 2015, it was added to UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Zemen Monastery is not inhabited by monks but has been converted into a museum. The monastery church has medieval frescoes and, according to research, was built in the 11th century. Zemen Monastery is considered one of the most valuable medieval monuments.

Krakra Fortress is located on a relatively small rocky plateau in the southwestern part of the city of Pernik. Its location combines a striking landform with a specific position within the city. The fortress can be reached either via a paved access road open to vehicles or by a staircase.

The underground mining museum in Pernik reveals another chapter in the region’s history. Set in 630 meters of old mine tunnels, it presents around 30 exhibits on the development of mining in Bulgaria. Its location in the tunnels clearly sets this museum apart from an exhibition in ordinary rooms; the subject matter and scope of the displays also provide a thematic focus for a cultural stay.

Duhlata Cave near Bosnek in Pernik Municipality is 17,600 meters long and 53 meters deep. Both measurements describe the cave itself and give a concrete idea of its dimensions. However, these figures alone do not indicate how long a visit might take or how the cave can be accessed. Skakavitsa Waterfall in the Zemen Gorge is 100 meters high: a different natural feature, characterized by the waterfall’s height and its location in the gorge.

The wider travel area is also home to Ostritsa Reserve, on the slopes of Mount Ostritsa in Golo Bardo. It was established in 1943 to protect the distinctive terrain and rare herbaceous and shrub species. More than 300 rare plant species have been recorded in the reserve.

When looking for hotels in Pernik Province, first decide which themes are most important for your trip: the Surova folk festival, cultural sites and museums, or natural features such as a cave, waterfall and reserve. The following pages lead to the region’s subregions: Dimitrovo, Tran, Leva Reka, Breznik, Radomir, Kovachevtsi, Zemen, Zelenigrad and Pernik.

When does the Surova folk festival take place?

It takes place every year on January 13 and 14 to celebrate the New Year according to the old calendar.

What does the underground mining museum in Pernik display?

Set in 630 meters of old mine tunnels, it presents around 30 exhibits on the development of mining in Bulgaria.

What are the dimensions of Duhlata Cave?

The cave near Bosnek in Pernik Municipality is 17,600 meters long and 53 meters deep.

To the wider travel overview: Bulgaria.