About Kardjali, Bulgaria
Kardjali is located in the very heart of the eastern Rhodope mountain, along the two banks
of the Arda river, 100 km southeast of Plovdiv. 6000 years-old remains of human life as well
as ample examples of the presence of Thracian, Roman, Byzantine, late-Ottoman and Bulgarian
culture have been found on the territory of the town. After the town's liberation from the
Ottoman rule in 1912, Kardjali became the "tobacco warehouse of the eastern Rhodopes", as
some of the best quality tobaccos are grown on the special soils in the region. Landmarks of
interest are the 11th-12th century Bulgarian basilica "St. John the Precursor", the Historical
Museum, housed in a vast mosque-like building and containing superb collections from prehistoric
ritual objects to ethnographic costumes and crafts. The two big dams on both sides of the town
are excellent places for tourism, water sports and entertainment. Kardjali is the starting point
for visits to the numerous rock formations in the region-the Stone Wedding and mushrooms, the
Stone Forest, the Rock Widow, the Rocks at Ustra, and the medieval fortress of Perperek.
:: How has the town of Kardzhali received its name?
There are numerous myths and stories about Kirdzha Ali – an ordinary person, a commander and a saint,
whose name the town of Kardzhali has received. Old people state that Kirdzha Ali`s native town is
Buhara or Alanya which is a port in the area of Konya. In the Almanac of the Odrin Vilayet that dates
back to year 1310 according to Hidjr (year 1892) a legend was translated and according to this legend
when The Turks ?ttacked the Rhodope Mountains during the reign of Sultan Murad I ( 1360-1389 ) the commander
of the army was Kirdzha Ali. He was killed during one of the battles and the new town received his name.
It is not easy to give a name to a new town, nor is it give n whatever name.
It is certain that Kardzha Ali must have been a great person who was far above the people who lived around
him, a person who was authoritative, ostensible, loved, esteemed. That was the reason why after his death
people decided to call the town by his name. And this immortalized Kirdzha Ali, no matter what person
he was. There still lies the question whether the town starts existing after Kirdzha Ali`s death or it
existed even before that event and he just left his name to the town. However, we observe that it is more
important to know how the town came into being.
More info and legend about Kirdzha Ali gazi