Pernik, Edge of Sofia, Bulgaria
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 name Pernik is thought to have originated from that of Slavic god Perun with the Slavic placename suffix –nik (or –ik) added, and was first mentioned in the 9th century. 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. The city was occupied by Stefan Nemanja, who was Grand Prince of Raska 1190-1191.
From 1396 until 1878 the city was under Ottoman rule. In the 20th century Pernik developed rapidly as a centre for coal mining and heavy industry.
Is an administrative territorial unit comprises 24 settlements – 2 town and 22 villages, its area being 461.1 sq km, which is more than the average area of a Bulgarian municipality, i.e. 427 sq km. In Bulgaria 4.8 settlements average are located on a territory of 100 sq km. This figure is 4.98 for the municipality of Pernik.
The municipality has a population of 106,396 (as of August 15, 2009 ), 96 012 of whom live in the town of Pernik.
Pernik at a Glance
- Pernik Municipality, Sofia Region, is only 30 km southeast of Sofia.
Pernik is close to:
- Transport corridors 8 and 4
- Main road Sofia – Pernik – Tran – Serbia
- Main road Sofia – Pernik – Kyustendil – Serbia
- Main road Sofia – Pernik – Blagoevgrad – Greece
- Sofia – Blagoevgrad – Greece Railway
- 40 km from Sofia International Airport
- Motorway “Lyulin” is under construction
- The biggest Main junction on Balkans is constructed
Population
- Inhabitants: 106,396
Click on a section below for more information:
Business
Pernik municipality was one of the largest industrial centers in Bulgaria during the 80`s of the last century with fast development of:
- Metallurgy;
- Machinery construction;
- Electric industry;
- Coal production.
The economy of Pernik started to transform after 1989. The huge industrial factories lost their economic importance and some of them completely stopped their activities. A change of the property ownership in the economic sector was made during the last 17-18 years. Most of the industrial factories were privatized and thus, being private property, a process of modernization and renovation occurred.
Globalisation and the competiveness’ pressure on the economy were created:
- New productions;
- New technologies;
- New knowledge;
- New workforce qualification.
- Conditions have been created and the existing industrial zone is developing successfully
New infrastructure is built in 2010;
- EU project “ReTInA”
- Close cooperation with companies is started to create new PPP
- The biggest metallurgy factory on Balkans – Stomana Industry S.A. is situated in existing industrial zone
- Conditions were made for development of New industrial zone with new high technological productions and logistics centre
- Area 35ha and possibility for increasing
- Road was created with PHARE project
- Terrain ready for industrial constructing and building of road and engineer infrastructure.
Advantages of New Industrial Zone
- Presence of resources nearby the area – water, electro energy, gas, telecommunications, transports connections.
- Proximity to river and see ports – Vidin, Bourgas and Thessalonica.
- Lower costs for rent, land purchase and building of industrial and other buildings or equipment, in comparison with the Capital Sofia.
- High educated stuff from the institutions of higher education in the region.
Educational institutions
- The Place of culture is created in 1957;
- European Polytechnic University – the only one European University on the Balkans
- 15 eight-grade schools;
- 6 secondary schools;
- 6 vocational schools;
- 18 all-day kindergartens
Strategies, Visions and Challenges
The mayor, his staff and City Council have the political will and ambition to make Pernik a modern European city.
Pernik Municipality is developed a “Plan for development of Pernik Municipality 2007-2013” according to Law Regional development. The main priorities are:
- Reconstruction and modernization of existing infrastructure in line with European standards.
- Improvement and construction of new objects of urban environment.
- Improvement of the conditions in educational, cultural and social basis through measures for energy saving
- Creation of terms and conditions for business development in Pernik.
- Attract investors of high-tech industries and logistics center in new industrial zone Pernik.
- Pernik Municipality has won “Town of 2009 year” award
- The Mayor Yanakieva has won “Mayor of 2009 year” award
- The Mayor Yanakieva is Chairman of Bulgarian delegation in Congress of Europe Consul
- Pernik Municipality is nominate for The most transparent Municipality in 2010
- Pernik Municipality has won: “Bulgarian Municipality accumulated the most money from EC in 2010” award
International Relations
Member of the Edge Cities Network since 2009. Pernik is twinned with
- Balashiha – Russia
- Elektrostal – Russia
- Orsha – Belarus
- Lugansk – Ukraina
- Lublin – Poland
- Rojae – Montenegro
- Kavadarci – R. Macedonia
- Nis – Serbia
- Pardubice – Czech Republic
- Orosey – Italy
- Ovar – Portugal
For more info about Local Government in Pernik
For further information
Contact Mila Krasteva
Tel: +359 886 009 165
E-mail: mila_mila@abv.bg
www.pernik.bg