You are in the western mountains where the water is hot and the peaks are high. The Kyustendil province is the best starting point for a trip to the **Seven Rila Lakes**. You can drive your car to the chairlift station and ride up to the high alpine meadows. From there a trail leads you past glacial lakes with names like The Eye and The Kidney. The water is so clear you can see the bottom even at the deepest points. It is the most famous mountain destination in the country for a reason. Head back down to the town of **Sapareva Banya** to see the only active geyser in continental Europe. You can see the hot water shooting high into the air right in the center of the town park. The water is over one hundred degrees Celsius and carries a strong smell of minerals. This area is a major spa center where you can park and relax in one of the many thermal pools. The heat from the earth has been used for healing here since the time of the Roman Empire. Finish your trip by visiting the city of **Kyustendil** at the foot of the **Osogovo** mountains. The city is famous for its thermal baths and the ancient Hisarlaka fortress that overlooks the valley. You can walk through the fortress park and see the old stone walls that protected the city for centuries. The region is also known as the fruit garden of the country especially for its sweet cherries in early summer. It is a land of healing water and mountain fresh air that is easy to reach by car.

Kyustendil (province) highlights

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The Scenic Route

The Heritage Drive

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History of Kyustendil (province)

Kyustendil is the **City of Emperors**. Known to the Romans as **Pautalia**, its 80 degree mineral springs made it one of the empire premier spa destinations. The **Asclepion of Pautalia**, one of the largest ancient healing temples in the Balkans, drew wounded soldiers and noblemen for centuries. The province remained a strategic center through the Middle Ages, as seen in the **Hisarlaka Fortress**, which guards the town from the hills above. The province spiritual history is anchored by the **Seven Rila Lakes** and the high altitude landscapes of the Rila Mountains. This was the home of **St. John of Rila**, the nation patron saint. The region is also the **Orchard of Bulgaria**, famous for its cherry festivals; the history of the land is tied to the fertile soil that has fed the region since the Thracians first began cultivating the valley 3,000 years ago. For travelers, the **Sapareva Banya Geyser** the hottest in Europe is a must see, shooting boiling water 18 meters into the air. A road trip through the **Osogovo Mountains** leads to remote monasteries and silver mines that have been worked since the Middle Ages. From the Roman mosaics in the city center to the alpine silence of the high peaks, Kyustendil is a province defined by the twin powers of earth and water.

Kyustendil (province)