Pirdop

Pirdop ( Bulgarian Пирдоп ) is a small town in western Bulgaria and government seat of the Municipality Pirdop.

Location

Pirdop is 90 km east of the capital Sofia, 1-2 km from the sister - city Zlatitsa. The city is the administrative center of the homonymous municipality. Until the early 1990s, the Städt Pirdop and Zlatitsa were a common town called Srednogorie.

The city is located in the eponymous Zlatitsa level ( Златишко поле ), which protects against strong winds and provides a relatively mild climate. In the summer 40 ° C in the shade can ever be easy reached.

The municipality consists of two villages Pirdop: Pirdop and Duschanzi

Cityscape

The first impression of the city is rather sad and run down. At second glance you can see, however, that working on the state of the houses and the streets. Thus, for example, get more and more houses a colorful new coat of paint and the access road 6 from the east has been renewed before short. It leads south past the town center. This is in contrast to the rest of the city very well presented with a fountain, a park and several flags in front of the government building.

History

The origin of the name Pirdop is unclear. There are numerous legends that try to explain the origin. However, it is not entirely convincing. Many grave mound and the remains of a medieval fortress suggest that have lived here for several tribes. The first time was Pirdop mentioned in writing in the 12th century. Near the city of the Battle of Zlatitsa between the troops of the Hungarian king Vladislav III. , The voivode of Transylvania, John Hunyadi and the Serbian despot Đurađ Brankovic took place against the Turks.

Economy

The largest employer in the city and the region is Aurubis Bulgaria AD (formerly Cumerio Med, Umicore Med and MDK Pirdop ), which since 1997 belongs Belgian-owned since 2008 Aurubis only major copper producer in Bulgaria. Since privatization in 1997, 350 million euros were invested in the development of the work, of which around 80 million euros in environmental protection measures to meet the EU's strict environmental standards. This allowed the specific dust emissions by 90 % and the specific CO2 emissions by 54%. In October 2008, a new, ultra-modern copper electrolysis with a capacity of 180,000 tonnes of copper cathode per year was put into operation.

Aurubis Bulgaria also produces about 1 million tons of sulfuric acid per year and employs nearly 800 people. The large fireplace of the copper smelter is 325 meters high and together with the chimneys of the brown coal power stations of Maritza East the tallest structure in Bulgaria.