Kardzhali is one of Bulgaria's 28 provinces, located in the southern part of the country. The province contributes to Bulgaria's state borders with Greece to the south while neighboring the province of Smolyan to the west, Plovdiv to the northwest, and Haskovo to the northeast. Geographically, Kardzhali is shaped by its coverage of the Rhodope Mountains. Thus, the local landscapes are characterized by rolling hills, mountainous terrain, and incised river valleys. These topographical features account for the forested areas covering a significant portion of the region's territory.[4] Kardzhali is also the name of the province's capital city, which can be found in the central region of the province, situated within a valley along the Arda River. The city is historically known as a tobacco cultivation center.[2] One of the considerable natural attractions in close proximity to the city is the Stone Mushrooms.[8] People interested in historical heritage can find ancient Roman and Thracian landmarks scattered across the Kardzhali territory.[7] One such example is the Utroba Cave, featuring an ancient Thracian altar.[9] In Kardzhali Province, the months that have the highest probability of experiencing moderate temperatures are May and September, with averages ranging between 20°C and 25°C. People who prefer warmer weather can visit during July and August, which are supposedly "the warmest months" in Kardzhali.[6]
The Kardzhali region is known for its ancient heritage, including prehistoric artifacts, Thracian tombs, and Roman bridges. For instance, the Borovitsa Episcopal Church is among Southeastern Europe's earliest Christian sites, dating back to the 9th century.
The St. Joan Prodromus Monastery in Kardzhali, showcasing frescoes and a high-ranking bishop's remains, sheds light on medieval architecture and early Christianity.
Perperikon, a city predating Troy, holds historical significance as well due to the local discovery of the temple of Dionysus and Holy Cross relics.
The Kardzhali region also showcases Thracian rock niches, temples, and medieval fortresses, forming a considerable cultural and historical heritage. Furthermore, Kardzhali's Regional Historical Museum houses over 45,000 exhibits, offering insights into local folklore, daily life, and crafts from the late 19th to early 20th centuries, contributing to the region's modern development.[7]
One of the ancient historical landmarks in the Kardzhali Province is the Utroba Cave, discovered in April 2001 and dating back to Thracian times. The cave lies in an abandoned area about 17 kilometers from Kardzhali in the Eastern Rhodopes. It obtained its name due to its shape, reportedly resembling a woman's womb, and featuring constant water flow on its walls. Inside, there's an altar carved into the southern end. Notably, the cave's entrance allows sunlight to shine through on some occasions, creating a play of light that synchronizes with the sun's movement, reaching its peak at noon and extending along the central axis to a man-made altar inside. Adjacent to the cave, a complete ritual complex of sharapanas (rock niches for wine) suggests the use of wine in ceremonies held in the Utroba Cave.[9]
People more interested in natural attractions can visit the Stone Mushrooms, situated east of Beli Plast village along the Kardzhali-Haskovo road. These rock formations resemble natural mushrooms, with pink stems and green caps, reaching heights and widths up to 2.5 meters. Composed of rhyolite volcanic tuffs formed during Paleocene underwater volcanic activity, they bear the marks of millennia of erosion. The softer pink lower layer succumbed to the elements more efficiently, while the upper green layer, primarily composed of volcanic glass, proved more resilient, resulting in the combination of colors and shapes. Beyond their natural heritage, the stone mushrooms are connected to a local legend as well.[8]
The physical geography of the Kardzhali region is influenced by its considerable coverage of the Rhodope Mountains, resulting in a terrain characterized by undulating, mountainous landscapes carved by river valleys. Forests cover part of the region due to these geographical features. The province's major rivers include the Arda River and its tributaries: Varbitsa, Krumovitsa, Borovitsa, and Perperek. Additionally, two of the three dams on the Arda River, namely Studen Kladenets and Kardzhali, are located in this region. Kardzhali has various soil types, such as forest soils and alluvial-meadow soils along the river valleys. Economically important mineral resources in the area consist of lead-zinc ore and chromium ore, along with deposits of mica, trass, feldspar, perlite, and zeolite. Kardzhali province is divided into seven municipalities, encompassing five cities, including Kardzhali, Momchilgrad, and Krumovgrad. As of 2002, the province had a population of 162,332 residents, constituting 2.1% of the national total, with approximately one-third of the population residing in urban areas.[4]
In the Kardzhali Province, the "Circle of Life" initiative is active, reintroducing large herbivores into the wild and facilitating natural ecological processes. Consequently, wild horses, bison, and deer have reclaimed their ecological roles in the Kardzhali region's nature.
A symbol of the city of Kardzhali is the reservoir constructed on the Arda River. This reservoir is the first in the cascade of three artificial lakes along the "Arda." The reservoir is known for its arc shape and extensive height, standing at 109 meters.
Additionally, part of the Studen Kladenets dam lake stretches into the municipality's territory. Two protected areas, "Sredna Arda" and "Yumruk Skala," serve as havens for diverse wildlife, including Black Storks, Wild Cats, protected butterfly species, and avian species such as the Rock Thrush. These areas are also home to the endemic plant species, more specifically the Mullein Verbascum Rupestre.[5]
The climate in the Kardzhali area is described as transient continental, with some Mediterranean influences along the Arda River valley. Summers are often hot, while winters are comparatively mild.[4] In May and September, Kardzhali reportedly has moderate weather conditions, with average temperatures ranging from 20°C to 25°C. Typically, the hottest months are July and August, while January stands as the coldest month, boasting an average maximum temperature of 6°C.[6]
Kardzhali's history dates back to the Neolithic era, evidenced by archaeological discoveries such as ceramics and tools, now exhibited in the local historical museum. Thracian tribes settled in the region and constructed stone castles and palaces throughout, with Perperikon distinguished as a site where a Thracian king resided. The Byzantine era saw Kardzhali as the center of a Christian eparchy, Achridos, and during the Bulgarian Empire, it was called Zherkovo. The Monastery of John the Precursor, built between the 6th and 8th centuries, stands as a medieval architectural landmark.
Throughout history, Kardzhali's location on trade routes played a role in its development during Ottoman rule.[1]
In terms of recent history, Kardzhali town's incorporation into Bulgaria occurred following the Balkan Wars of 1912 and 1913.
While Kardzhali has Oriental aspects of its character, it has recently also undergone modern industrial development. Historically known as a tobacco-growing hub, the town's economic activities have diversified, encompassing lead and zinc refining, as well as asbestos production.[2]
Concerning the history of the Kardzhali province as a whole, the area that now constitutes the province came under Bulgarian control during the First Balkan War in 1912. In 1913, it was established as the district of Mestanli. From 1934 until 1949, it was part of Stara Zagora province, after which it was transferred to the newly created Haskovo district. In 1959, Kardzhali became the administrative center of a new district, which had similar borders to the present-day province. From 1987 to 1999, the region was once again part of Haskovo Province. However, it was eventually reinstated as a province with slightly adjusted boundaries.[3]
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