Kurdzhali - Bulgaria, information about the area of Kurdzhali

Kurdzhali has 45 729 inhabitants and is 240 meters above sea level. It is located in the very heart of the Eastern Rhodopes, along the two banks of the Arda River, on both sides of which are the two big dams - Studen Kladenez Dam to the east and Kurdzhali Dam to the south.

The town on the Arda River is situated at the distance of 250 km, 100 km and 81 km south-east of Sofia, Plovdiv and Assenovgrad, respectively, 66 um and 50 km south-west of Dimitrovgrad and Haskovo, respectively, and only 15 km north of Momchilgrad. Kurdzhali is a regional administrative centre.

History: This place had been a settlement as early as 6 000 years ago. Prehistoric remains of human life as well as ample examples of the presence of Thracian, Roman and Byzantine culture have been found plus medieval Bulgarian and late-Ottoman remains. The first historical finds are associated with the Thracian tribe koelaleti, subdued by the Romans during 1st century. Then came the Slavic tribe of Smoleni. During the Middle Ages the settlement frequently shifted under Bulgarian or Byzanitine rule.

Bulgarian presence is proved by the unique 3-navel Bulgarian basilica found in Vesselchane Quarter of the town dated to the 11th - 12th century. This town quarter is heir of medieval Bulgarian town Munyak demonstrating an architectural style, similar to that of Preslav, Messemvria and Turnovo. In the 14th century the settlement was conquered by the Turks, and in 1379 it was populated by colonists from Asia Minor. In the middle of the 17th century the town was ruled by Kurdzhi Ali - a noted army leader. It is supposed that accepted the town was named after him. During the 18th century bloodthirsty kurdzhalii gangs (Turkish brigands), which ruined not one and two prospering Bulgarian villages, used to gather in the town. In January 1878 the Don Cossacks of General Chernobouzov liberated the town, which was to remain within the Eastern Rumelia part of the country, as agreed under the Berlin Treaty. In 1886 it is given to Turkey again as a compensation for the Union (1885). On 8th October 1912 the soldiers of colonel Delov’s regiment liberated the town for the second and last time. Gradually, Kurdzhali became the “tobacco warehouse of the Eastern Rhodopes” and later a centre for the development of Bulgarian non-ferrous metallurgy.

Landmarks: The Bulgarian Basilica “St. Joan the Precursor” (11th - 12th century) is located in the Vesselchane Quarter of the town. At the end of 1998 during continuing excavations a unique find was brought to the surface in it - the burial tomb of a senior Christian bishop (dated back to end of the 12th or the beginning of the 13th century) wearing his gold-knitted clerical attire. There are only three more dresses of this kind in the world but this has proved to be the first find of its kind in a burial tomb. A fantastic archaeological find!

In the former konak (the Turkish town-hall built around 1870) with its interesting exterior architecture one can visit the Historical Museum. The Picture Gallery hosts the works of such painters as Vladimir Dimitrov - the Master, Kiril Tsonev, Dechko Uzunov, Svetlin Roussev, V. Decheva, D. Kirov and others, as well as icons, prints and church plates.

Kurdzhali has two theatres - the Dimitur Dimov Theatre of Drama and the Puppet Theatre. There are several senior schools in the town for teachers, nurses and midwives.

Accommodation: Arpezos Hotel Complex (on the left bank of the river). Oustra Hotel

Transport: Bus and railway lines connect Kurdzhali to closer and far-off towns, cities and villages in Bulgaria. There are regular bus lines to Plovdiv, Haskovo, Smolyan, Ardino, Momchilgrad, Kroumov-grad, Ivailovgrad and other smaller towns in the region. Through the Makaza Pass the town is connected Greek Mediterranean. The bus station and the railway station are close by in the south-eastern part of the town. Kurdzhali is a stop along the Rousse – Tulovo - Podkova railway line.

Surrounding areas: The two big dams on both sides of the town are excellent places for recreation, sports, tourism and entertainment. Numerous rest homes, country houses, catering establishments, roads, and a tourist chalet (Borovitsa Chalet on the Kurdzhali Dam, 18 km out of town. Several tourist entertainment ships cross both dams.

After the wall of the Studen Kladenets Dam (Cold Well) one can see the incredibly narrow canyon of the Arda River, called Devil’s Bridge (one can get there by bus or enjoy the sight from a ship).

Close to the village of Zimzelen, 5 km north-east of the town, visitors can see another of natures wildest whims - the natural earthen Kurdzhali Pyramids. They are scattered on a steep slope over a wide area and are of most different size and shape (Gabite - The mushrooms, Vkamenenata Svatba - The stoned wedding), etc.), coloured in white, pink and green. Tuff based they have acquired these shapes due to weather conditions in the course of millions of years. The village can be reached by regular bus lines.

The medieval fortress of Perperek is located in the valley of a small river, only 7 kilometres to the south-east of town (in the direction of Haskovo). This was the most powerful fortress in the Ahridos region, and during 13th - 14th century was an bishop’s and fortified Bulgarian town. The Turks met fierce resistance during their invasion of the country in the 14th century and this is why after conquering it, they slaughtered the greater part of the population, others took in slavery and the destroyed the fortress. It now stands in ruins. Only the hexagonal tower of carved stone is partially preserved. Remnans of the settlement are also preserved - they were owned by the bolyar Momchil.

The picturesque valley of the Borovitsa River (together with Arda, one of the two main rivers flowing into the Kurdzhali Dam) can be seen to the north-west of the town and while being there, one has the feeling of being somewhere in the American wild West. The feeling one experiences while crossing the canyon cannot be explained. It is accessible by the regular bus line to the nearby villages in the direction of the Bezvodno village.