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Pernik - History |
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Pernik is a successor of the medieval town of Krakra. In the IV century the Thracians built a fortress there. There is a rich collection of archaeological findings that evidence the existence of a Thracian settlement in the late neolith. The richest collection of pottery in the Central Balkans dates from that time. It is kept in the Historical Museum. A
wonderful
Bulgarians took advantage of the fortified spot and built one of the mightiest Bulgarian strongholds – Pernik. This name was first mentioned in the IX century. It is associated with the Slavic god Perun. At the beginning of the XI century the settlement was a fortress, impenetrable to the Byzantians. It was the seat of the legendary chieftain Krakra of Pernik, who played an important role in the time of the First Bulgarian Kingdom. Today the fortress is one of the greatest historical sites of the city. In the time of the Ottoman occupation Pernik lost its significance as a fortress because it was located deep in the interior of the Empire. During the Liberation Pernik was a small stockbreeding village, consisting of several scattered hamlets.
As the first miners' quarters were built on the terraces of the Struma River, the beginning of the miners' settlement of Pernik was set, one kilometer to the east of the village of the same name. It is a town since 1929, and since 1958 – a regional center. The coal output reached its apogee at that time. Pernik's been the energy center of Bulgaria for a few decades. |
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The
town of Pernik is situated along both banks of the Struma River in the
hollow of the same name, between the mountains of Vitosha, and Ljulin and
the Golo bardo Ridge.
exhibition
of relieves and sculptures is kept there, dedicated to the health-giving
gods Asklepius and Hygia, held in reverence in this region because of the
presence of mineral springs.
The
beginning of Pernik's most modern history is set in the last century with
the development of the rich coal-beds of the region. According to some
scientists, the existence of coal was already known in the X and XI
centuries. Before their industrial exploitation started, the local people
dug them up with picks and shovels and transported “chernijo kamak”
(the black stone) with carts and wheelbarrows. Pernik's fast development
is associated with the large shipments of coal to the capital city,
intended for household needs and for the railroad transport. Until then,
coal for the railroads and the river and sea steamboats was delivered from
as far as Cardiff, Great Britain.