Pirkova Tower, in the city of Kyustendil, Bulgaria, is a medieval defensive tower dating from the late 14th or early 15th century. It was built by Ottoman forces shortly after their conquest of the city, and is one of the earliest examples of Ottoman defensive construction in the region. It formed part of the defensive perimeter of the medieval town Velbuzhd.
The tower has 4 floors. The ground floor was used for storage. The first floor has a stone fireplace used for heating and two loopholes. The second floor was used for living quarters, and the top floor was used for circular defense.
The design and placement of the tower illustrate a central concern for defense of the nearby hot springs, which had been exploited for their medicinal properties since at least Roman times.
The Pirkova Tower preserves important evidence for how defensive systems functioned in the medieval town. It has been designated a cultural monument of national significance.
