cathedral
Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
A neo-Byzantine cathedral in Sofia and one of the largest Eastern Orthodox cathedrals in the world.
27 km · about 30 min drive
Pernik, Bulgaria · Europe
Pernik is worth a stop: 10 minutes from Batanovtsi, 50km from Seven Rila Lakes.
Pernik is a town located in Pernik, Bulgaria. With a population of 82,467, it is an important destination in Europe.
On a road trip, Pernik sits in Bulgaria, where you drive on the right. It's in the Europe/Sofia time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Pernik to your route.
Pernik (Bulgarian: Перник [ˈpɛrnik]) is a town in western Bulgaria (about 20 kilometres (12 miles) south-west of Sofia) with a population of 70,285 as of 2021. Pernik is the most populated town in western Bulgaria after Sofia. It is the main town of Pernik Province and lies on both banks of the Struma River in theRead more
Pernik Valley between the Golo Bardo Mountain, Vitosha Mountain, Lyulin and Viskyar mountains.
Pernik is the principal town of Pernik Province – a province in western Bulgaria, which is next to the Serbian border.
Originally the site of a Thracian fortress founded in the 4th century BC, and later a Roman settlement, Pernik became part of the Bulgarian Empire in the early 9th century as an important fortress. The medieval town was a key Bulgarian stronghold during Bulgarian tsar Samuil's wars against the Byzantine Empire in the 11th century, when it was governed by the local noble Krakra of Pernik, withstanding Byzantine sieges a number of times.
From 1396 until 1878 the town was under Ottoman rule. In the 20th century Pernik developed rapidly as a centre for coal mining and heavy industry. During the Communist rule of Bulgaria it was called Dimitrovo between 1949 and 1962 after Bulgarian Communist leader Georgi Dimitrov.
The Surva International Festival of the Masquerade Games (simply called Surva) is held in the town every January. Surva is an International Kukeri Festival in Pernik, Bulgaria and is one of the biggest masquerade festival on the Balkans and Eastern Europe. It is held in the last three days of January each year.
Economically Pernik is an industrial town. Industry is of vital importance for the economy of the province. Pernik is the major manufacturing centre, one of the largest in the country with the Stomana steel complex; heavy machinery (mining and industrial equipment); brown coals, building materials and textiles being the most important. Near Pernik there is an enormous plant for heavy machinery in smaller town Radomir which produces excavators and industrial equipment, but is currently not working at full capacity.
Pernik has two football teams, PFC Minyor Pernik and FC Metalurg Pernik.
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Pernik offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.
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Pernik is located in Pernik, Bulgaria, Europe. The coordinates are 42.5967 latitude, 23.0332 longitude.
Pernik has a population of approximately 82,467 people, making it a town in Bulgaria.
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Essential numbers in Bulgaria
Vignette required for all roads outside towns.
Full driving guide for Bulgaria3 notable places within an hour's drive.
cathedral
A neo-Byzantine cathedral in Sofia and one of the largest Eastern Orthodox cathedrals in the world.
27 km · about 30 min drive
natural wonder
A chain of seven stunning glacial lakes stacked at different elevations in the Rila Mountains, each named for its distinctive shape.
50 km · about 55 min drive
landmark
Bulgaria's most important UNESCO-listed monastery, a stunning 10th-century complex adorned with vivid frescoes nestled in the Rila Mountains.
57 km · about 65 min drive
Other places to explore near Pernik.
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