The town of Kyustendil is situated in the most Western part of Bulgaria, in the fertile valley of Kyustendil, on both sides of the Banska River. It lies at the most Northern slopes of the Ossogovo Mountain, 525 meters above the sea level. The town is located 90 km southwest of Sofia.
Kyustendil and its surrounding areas are well known as the orchard of Bulgaria, where mostly cherries, plums, apples and etc. are grown. It is a spa resort of national significance.
Kyustendil is one of the most ancient towns in Bulgaria. The mineral springs of the region attracted the Thracian tribes, which in 5-4th century B.C. founded here a settlement. During the 1st century the Romans turned it into an important fortress, trade venue, and renowned spa resort. They called it Pautalia. In 4th century the fortress Hissarlaka was built.

Landmarks
In the town of Kyustendil the Municipal Museum of History is situated. Each of its departments is accommodated in various cultural and historic monuments.
The Artistic Gallery of Vladimir Dimitrov-Maistora (The Master) is a sight of a particular interest. The Asclepion of Pautalia is an impressive Roman spa and shrine dedicated to the god of health Asclepius, built in 2–3rd century.
Other remarkable sights of the town are: churches “St. George” (12–13th century) in Kolusha district, “St. Bogoroditza” (1816), and “St. Dimitar”, the Tower of Pirgov (16–17th century), the Fetih sultan Mehmed mosque (1531), the wall of the hotel Devehani (1606), Lekarska house, the House of Prokopiev, the old school (1849). In the town there are many monuments erected, dedicated to the Russian soldiers, who died for the liberation of the town from Ottoman domination.
But one of the most valuable treasures of the town are the mineral waters.

Climate and mineral springs
The climate is traditionally continental with Mediterranean influence. The mild weather is largely due to the beneficial effect of the mountains that surround the plain from the north, east and west. The average annual temperature is 11oC.
The mineral waters of the numerous fountains (natural springs and wells) have an almost uniform chemical composition, temperature(71-73C) and sulphide content. The waters are clear, colorless, with a pleasant taste and a slight smell of hydrogen sulphide. They are mildly mineralized, hyperthermal and contain sulphides, silicon, fluorine and sulphates of sodium with a strong alkaline reaction. The total flow is about 2,400 l/min. Their curative and preventive properties are mainly due to the sulphides, the high metasilicic acid content, the high temperature, the hypotonic effect, the mild mineralization and the relatively high fluorine content. The curative properties of Kyustendil's mineral waters have been known since ancient times. Another important curative agent, used for the systematic treatment of a wide range of diseases, is the peat mined near the village of Baikal which is reach in humic acids and organic substances.
The favourable climate, the curative peat from Baikal, the mineral waters and the possibilities of specific fruit-diet therapy attract many Bulgarian and foreign visitors to Kyustendil.

Surrounding areas
In close proximity to the Southern part of the town is situated Hissarlaka park. Kyustendil is the starting point to the beautiful Ossogovo Mountain with many sights of interests. 13 km to the southeast of the town in Nevestino village the Kadin (Nevestin) bridge over Struma River is located. 10 km north of the town is situated the village of Shishkovtzi. There is a rich collection of pictures of Vladimir Dimitrov-Maistora. 39 km to the north the historic Zemen Monastery is situated, which frescoes are the most interesting monument from 14th century.
Along 22 km distance from the town of Zemen to the village of Rajdavitza, the Struma River has created a marvelous and picturesque gorge, called Zemenski gorge. It is a miniature copy of the Iskar gorge.