Petar Paunov, Mayor of district centre Kyustendil commented, speaking for FOCUS News Agency on the restoration of the Roman fortress in the town and other topical matters.
”BGN 4.5 million was invested in the restoration of the Roman fortress in Kyustendil,” Mr Paunov said.
”In case there was a ready technical project, we managed it in only 6 and a half months owing to builders and their so far perfect work. Final work on infrastructure is to be done, namely fence elements and parking spaces along with the working tourist centre,” Mr Paunov remarked.
The local administration is discussing proposals yet in order for things to happen, a final agreement has to be signed with the Ministry of Culture.
”A new cadastral map to include the fortress is currently being worked out,” Petar Paunov remarked.
In his words, the municipality informed the Ministry of Culture it wanted a 10-year gratuitous use of the site.
”We are getting ready to apply under trans-border cooperation programmes with Serbia and Macedonia,” Petar Paunov went on to say.
”The idea of artistic lighting is being discussed as well as of organising shows with modern media technologies. Until this is a fact, it should not be publicly discussed,” the official commented.
According to him, there is serious interest on the part of tourists in the site.
”On Kyustendil Spring day, when their number peaked, the fortress was visited by over 1,000 people. Only on this day,” the Mayor of Kyustendil stressed.
Kyustendil Spring is a festival annually held in Kyustendil.
Paunov explained when the entire infrastructure was completed, an official invitation would be extended to all guests.
”At present the fascination exerted by what the fortress offers is only [spread] online or by word of mouth. When the project has its infrastructure ready, we expect a very keen interest. Tour operators are already making inquiries. I am convinced this will be something extremely attractive,” Mr Paunov stated.
The Mayor also referred to the topic of investments.
”We see a significant improvement in the investment climate in Kyustendil Municipality, to my pleasant surprise,” he pointed out.
”In the past 8 years we have had almost no serious inquiries as regards investments. We made serious municipal investments in tourist, educational, social, and cultural infrastructure so that we can establish this ”hygienic” environment I have so often spoken about and give a chance for investments,” the municipal head stated.
He remarked tenders would be held for the Chifte Banya public baths, while a tender had been won for one of the former residences, which was in a very bad state.
”There are more and more inquiries in the field of tourism relating to concrete terrains and I hope they will be a fact as realise intentions for investments,” the Mayor noted.
Petar Paunov added investments in agriculture in the municipality had increased in the past 4 years as well.