Kardzhali
Kurdzhali (Bulgarian: Кърджалийска област Kŭrdzhaliyska oblast) is a province of southern Bulgaria, neighbouring Greece with the Greek prefectures of Xanthi and Rodhopi to the south and east. Its main city is Kardzhali, while other towns include: Ardino, Krumovgrad, Momchilgrad and Dzhebel.
Kardzhali
Kardzhali (Bulgarian: Кърджали, Turkish: Kırcaali) is a town in Bulgaria, capital of Kardzhali Province in the Eastern Rhodopes. Near the town is the noted Kardzhali Dam.
Geography
Location
Kardzhali is located in the low eastern part of Rhodope Mountains, on both banks of the Arda river between the Kardzhali Dam to the west and the Studen Kladenets dam to the east. The town is 260 km southeast of Sofia. It has a crossroad position from Thrace to the Aegean Sea — part of European transportation route 9. The town is honourably called "the capital of the Eastern Rhodopes". The municipality has a territory of 642 sq. km, which is 20% of the territory of Kardzhali District and is also 0.51% of the whole country’s territory. It covers 117 populated areas that are included in 4 5 town councils. It flanks the municipalities of – Haskovo, Stambolovo, Momchilgrad, Ardino and Chernoochene. The permanently residing population in the municipality is 70 196 people to 1st March, year 2001. The region is visited by many tourists who use the services of the vacation rentals Bulgaria.
The town of Kardzhali has differentiated in a real administrative, trade, cultural and industrial center that belongs not only to the municipality of Kardzhali, but also to the whole Eastern Rhodopes . The town is 259 km away from Sofia and 90 km away from the town of Plovdiv that is the second largest town in Bulgaria. For the time being the nearest checkpoint “Captain Andreevo” is 132 km away from the town and it connects Bulgaria to the Republic of Turkey and the Republic of Greece .
Considerable amount of investments has been attracted to this town in order to build many industrial, building and trade companies. Thus it has turned into an economic center of Kardzhali District.
Ores and minerals
In the Municipality of Kardzhali there are considerable amounts of non-metallic mineral deposits: bentonite, zeolite, trass, feldspar, mica, limestone, sand, gravel etc.
The only bentonite, perlite and zeolite processing works in the country is built in the Municipality of Kardzhali and it is “Bentonit” AD.
It completely satisfies the needs of the whole country and a great part of the production is being exported to Central European countries and CIS. The correlation between bentonite and perlite processing is equal to 8:2 and here the zeolite processing is insignificant.
As the shipping on Danube has been stopped, the result was – decrease in export, because the transport expenditures concerning the other kinds of transport are significant. Decrease of bentonite and perlite usage can be noticed on the national market, which is a result of the decrease in the production of the main users: geological studies, glass processing and medicines.
The mineral resources can be used as they are not at a great depth and also there are techniques and technologies that can help in the process of extraction. The only weakness is the absence of a market for these mineral resources.
The Arda River feeds into the Kardzhali Dam.
Climate
The Municipality belongs to the South-Bulgarian climate Municipality and more precisely to the Eastern Rhodope climate region that is influenced by the warm Mediterranean.
Winter is comparatively mild. During the winter period the minimum temperatures are comparatively high. Summer is hot and sunny and the maximum temperatures reach 40 ° C. The average winter temperature is about 0 ° C, and in summer – 24 ° C. The average annual temperature is about 11-13 ° C. The annual temperature sum is about 4 000 ° C.
During the autumn-winter period there appear to fall some of the heaviest rains that are a result of the Mediterranean cyclones. There can be seen two maximums: winter – November, December, January; spring – May, June, July and one minimum – August, September.
Because of the southern location of the Municipality the greater amounts of the winter rains fall in the form of rain and snow. In spring the quantity of rainfalls is sufficient and this provides a sufficient soil moisturizing. A comparatively obvious rainless period starts from June on and this becomes completely obvious toward the end of summer and the beginning of autumn. All this continues until the month of October. The annual rainfall sum is about 600 liters per sq. m. which makes the region suitable for vacations and trips and the vacation rentals Bulgaria makes a good business.
Water resources
River Arda together with its affluents can be characterized with a high-water level in spring as a result of the melting of the snow and the summer-spring rainfalls. Three dams and 28 smaller dam lakes and barrages have been built in order to accumulate the waters of River Arda and its affluents. These waters are being used for irrigation water supply, hydro-amelioration and irrigation of the different kinds of crops, but most essentially for the irrigation of tobacco. A serious water shortage can be felt in the municipality during the summer period (July-September). Also water is not sufficient for the irrigation of the agricultural crops and most predominantly for the irrigation of tobacco and vegetable crops.
Three big dam lakes have been built along the valley of River Arda and two of these dam lakes are within the territory of the municipality: “Cold well”, “Kardzhali”. “Kardzhali” Dam Lake has a volume of 532 mln. m3, and “Cold well” dam lake has a volume of 489 mln. m3. These dams are also tourists’ objects and the vacation rentals Bulgaria offer cottages for vacation by them. Their most essential function is to regulate the big and extremely changing flow of River Arda in seasons. The water resources, as they are accumulated in this way, are intended to be used for high-electric energy processing and for irrigation.
Land
Cultivated land is 52% of the total land and is being increased rating 1.0 % per year. It is presumed that this happens as a result of the orientation of the population to agriculture and ploughing new land up. In the year 1991 cultivated land was 108 thousand decares, and the population - 114413 people. In that case it becomes clear that there was 0.94 decares land per capita. In the year 1998 cultivated land was 115 thousand decares and the population was 76509 people or 1.50 decares per capita. The average cultivated land per capita has been increased: 1.5: 0.94 = 1.6 times.
Field areas increased 20 %. In the year 1991 there was : 83000 : 114413 = 0.73 decares per capita , and in the year 1998 there are 1.31 decares per capita or the increase is: 13.31 : 0.73 - 1.79 times. These two correlations give us a reason to state that population orientates toward s farming, but on the other hand it has to be noted that population has decreased with 33.13 % for the same period of time, in other words the main increase of the cultivated land and field indicators that each inhabitant got is mainly defined by decrease of the population in the municipality. Part of the employees turn to the branch of vacation rentals Bulgaria because of the tourists’ interest in the region.
Field shares increased from 39.4 % to 51.3 % of the whole cultivated land. The increase in the shares of the fields is associated with the development of private farming and above all thing it is associated with the personal satisfaction because of the increased unemployment in the municipality. Land that is occupied by perennial plats decreased from 11 to 7 thousand decares and in this case the decrease is 36.4 %. The decrease of land occupied by natural meadows is 50 %, in other words from 14 to 7 thousand decares. The other categories of land decreased from 154 to 107 thousand decares, namely the decrease is with 30-5 %.
Municipality of Kardzhali`s land fund is on the land of 13 populated areas and its size is 2086 decares. There exists a tendency towards increase in fields share in the structure of the land. Together with this decreases the land of stock-breeding and perrenial plants. This gives us a reason to state that land use is orientated towards cultural agriculture, as a result of which population becomes extremely dependent on market and meteorological conditions.
History
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 аttacked 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 given 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. Let us see how legends present Kardzha Ali:
Тhe legend about Kirdzha Ali gazi
In one of Bukhara’s clerical schools, an old scientific and arts center in Middle Asia, the former Uzbek USSR, there studied а certain Ali. He was remarkable for his great memory and was also loved by his classmates as well as by the imam who taught him. When Ali went up a few forms he became naughtier and became so fond of hunting that he did not come home all day long. Many times the imam advised him not tramp around the woods and instead of this he advised him to study his clerical duties. Ali promised to do so, but as soon as the lessons were over he took his gun and went straight hunting.
The innumerable pieces of advice that the imam gave him did not work and so he decided to exercise influence on him through another way. The imam was a great wizard. He traced Ali as he once went hunting. While Ali was trying to aim carefully at a rabbit, the imam kept a close watch on him while hiding behind the tree. Ali killed the rabbit, but he was very surprised to see his imam lying killed instead of the rabbit. Terrified, Ali ran straight to school. However, the moment he entered the yard he saw his teacher washing quite calmly at the fountain. Ali took a deep breath and thought that this vision was generated from fear because of the frequent reproaches of the imam. On the next day when lessons started the imam fixed his eyes upon Ali and told him:
"Stand up! Tell us where you were yesterday."
"I studied with my classmates ", answered Ali timidly.
"And who aimed at his imam in the woods and killed him instead of a rabbit?"
Ali started shaking with fear and the imam went on:
"Even don’t think to tell me a lie. The one that you killed was I, but here I am alive in front of you. And remember, next time do not try to tell a lie. Sit down at your place. You are not a student any more, you are kirdzhi. "
Students started laughing and Ali was all broken-hearted. He could answer nothing, but as it got dark he went to his Imam, knelt and begged his pardon:
„I`ll never go hunting any more. Forgive me and do not exclude me from school, because my parents will go mad at this. I'm their only son. Take mercy on me."
Ali became a model pupil, but he had already lost his good name and everyone continued calling him “Kirdzhi, Kirdzhi Ali „There was nothing that could help Ali regain his former reputability. And once again he started raving and did not listen to anyone. The moment he felt that he was free; he took the gun and ran straight hunting. Ali was well-built, slender and very handsome. His inquisitiveness was also added to his attractive appearance. He studied hard and received excellent marks in all subjects. And because of that even the imam himself did not reprove him, but just acted as if he did not notice Ali when he went hunting.
It was already a time when Turkey had conquered Odrin (1363) and preceded its campaigns over the Balkan Peninsula. Volunteers for the faith battles had to be gathered. And as there came the time for the school in Buhara as well, the imam addressed Ali and told him:
"Kirdzhi Ali, now let me see how brave you are. You made me angry and did not receive my advice not to go to the woods. I cannot hide it. I counted the times you went out in order to wander and that was why I called you Kirdzhi. It is not a big deal to kill rabbits or to hit the target; this is not a deed of heroism. Now let me see - tell me, are you going to be a volunteer?"
„Yes, I'm ready ", answered Ali.
„Well, then, go ahead and I hope that you become famous in the war. I would like to give you a hearty welcome when you become a hero, and not only I, but all your classmates as well would like this ", said the imam.
There were many volunteers from Buhara, but еven at the very first days Ali attracted the attention of his commanders through his courage and his wild nature. They started assigning him responsible missions that Kirdzhi Ali executed perfectly. Here also they went on calling him Kirdzhi Ali and hi s name drifted from mouth to mouth. He differed from the others in the battle as well and was always on the front line. Thus he succeeded in becoming a commander.
Kirdzhi Ali excited respect and worship everywhere. He spoke sensibly and inspiringly which, on the other hand, fired with passion his soldiers. To some extent he knew history as well and this was the reason why his speeches were very fascinating. He became famous for the f аct that he was an orator. In a few years he became famous and reached the rank of a colonel. It was his soldiers that drifted like a gale and won one battle after another. Kirdzhi Ali was always first in the battle. It was a complete miracle that he was never wounded. To his soldiers he was like a brother and they loved him like a brother. Never did Ali sit to eat if he was not sure of whether his soldiers were fed and sheltered.
His regiment was already famous when they reached the Rhodopes. The wonderful Rhodope forests conquered Ali`s heart. After the campaign was over he decided to stay there and preach the new comers who came immediately after the army and who settled in the nicest deserted villages whose inhabitants had been slaughtered or chased away.
Preaching in different villages Kirdzhi Ali awaited his own old ages as well. Many of his soldiers also stayed in the places where Kirdzhi Ali went through. Wherever he went, he ensconces the newly-came colonizers, but in the meantime he did not forget to go hunting. Sometimes he would gather whole shooting parties and the hunting would turn into a great festivity. They wandered in the Rhodope forests for many days, amused themselves, ate and drank sherbet, thumped drums and timbals till surfeit. The Turkish colonists worshipped Kirdzhi Ali. Anything was impossible without him – even in the civil life he was first again. He rode a nice and wild horse and he was always armed, even at the times when preaching. Whenever he mounted on his wild horse, everyone exclaimed with surprise, because Kirdzhi Ali was a good-looking man and on the horse he looked even more handsome.
Kirdzhi Ali got really old. One morning people found him dead. Thousands of Turks from the newly conquered villages gathered because of this event. They buried him in the meadow where he was found dead.
Some of his former soldiers loved him to such an extent that they decided to build their houses near his grave and so stay around their unforgettable leader and preacher. Inconspicuously, around these houses, other small houses started appearing. When they reached the number of 25-30, the oldest of these Turks asked the rest of the people what name should they give to their village? They did not think too long and all at once they cried out loud that this village should receive the name of their courageous leader Kirdzhi Ali. " Let its name be Kirdzhi Ali from now on and let it be mentioned by people from all ages, for the glory and heroism of the bold commander from Buhara, let this village become famous and let it grow into a town one day. " This information was given by Halim Effendi, one of Sultan Abdul Hasid’s teachers. While rummaging in the library in Istanbul, he stumbled across this story about Ali from Buhara and as he was also native of Kardzhali, he reported what he had read in the Turkish chronicles and in this way the story was brought to our native region from doctor Sadik – the first doctor to live here.
To this legend or real event we shall mention the note about Kirdzhi Ali which was written in the Almanac of the Odrin Valiyet dating back to year 1892, where on page 316 we read: " Although there does not exist another information about the conquering of the town of Kardzhali, according to Turkish chronicles this is thought to have happened during the reign of Murad I. After Gyumyurdzhina`s fall, next is Rhodopes villages` turn. Another fact states that one of Murad`s commander s by the name of Kirdzhi Ali had fought on these territories. Here most of the villages had been destroyed by fire, Kirdzhi Ali rebuilt them and named one of these villages by his name. That is how the small town of Kirdzhi Ali has been founded in the Eastern Rhodopes ".
The Regional Museum of History
The regional museum of history – the town of Kardzhali realizes its activity on the territory of Eastern Rhodopes, Southern Bulgaria. It was established in the year of 1965 so that it would be possible to study, preserve and distribute the cultural values that were the bearers of the historic al memory of the region. The main fund contains about 37 000 exponents. It has registered 179 archaeological sites and 19 of them are pre-historic, 122 are ancient and medieval are 37 of them. 30 of the registered cultural monuments are of national significance.
From the ones that have been studied these are: the Pre-historic mound near the village of Sadlere , the municipality of Momchilgrad. A Roman villa “Armira” near the town of Ivaylovgrad, a medieval monastery complex “St. Joan the Precursor” in “Veselchani” neighbourhood in the town of Kardzhali. This year ends the whole restoration and it will be possible for tourists and worshippers to visit it. 119 sites have been registered from our architectural heritage. The museum is accommodated in an impressive building of a cult since the year 1920, an architectural monument of culture. Visitors turn to the services of the vacation rentals Bulgaria companies to organize trips to the historic sites.
The exposition was open to visitors in the year of 1987 and occupied 1800 sq. m; it was a-three-storey building. Another part of the museum is a park yard with water pools that occupy an area of 15 decares. 22 kinds of plants are planted in the yard and these plants are unique within the area of South Bulgaria. On the first floor, nine halls that are in chronological sequence give an opportunity to visitors to track way of life between 4th century B.C. and Medieval times, all this being possible through evidences, photos, copies and reconstructions. Of great importance seem to be the earliest monuments from the Neolithic period: reconstruction of a Village mound from the Neolithic Period – a centre for making stone tools, a rich collection of idol plastic arts. The unique megaliths of the Thracian culture and its centers of cult are presented through photos (rock tombs, sanctuaries, niches and votive tablets). The museum can also organize visits to the very places.
The Roman civilization has left traces by its luxurious ceramics, the bronze and gold plastic arts, as well as by the stylish marble wall decoration of the “Armira” villa near the town of Ivaylovgrad. In the halls of the museum the medieval civilization is also present though the subjects of “Fortress evidence”, “Church architecture and arts”. For the population density of the village system in the region we judge also by over 150 well-known Christian necropolises, bring to light silver, bronze, copper and glass ornaments.
The most significant medieval architectural monument is the monastery “St. Joan the Precursor” which is presented with many valuable exponents in the exhibition.
On the second floor that exists since 1993, in four halls there is an exhibition that presents the nature of the Eastern Rhodopes and gives birth to the feeling of infinite harmony between the mountain and the things created by human beings. Approximately 30 million years ago this land was under the waters of the Palaeogenic Sea. What were left by the once intensive life are only the fossils- fossils of clams, snails, sea hedgehogs and sea stars, corals and trees, and even fossils of fish. Impressive are the collections of the herbariumized floristic variety, also impressive is the abundance of herbs, as well as ore minerals, the procession of which is an occupation typical to local people ever since Ancient times, important to mention is also the abundance of the beautiful agates and jaspers, as well as the brilliance of the various colourful valuable minerals, quartz and calcite crystals, the amethystine cores of the rock geods. The active geological processes have “provided” the greatest amount of mineral stuffs for Bulgaria – graphite, asbestos, mica, perlite etc. Through photos it becomes possible for us to touch the inexplicable phenomena of the unique and provoking our imagination rock forms. Sculpted by the sun, wind and water, they bear the labels of myths and stories – The Stone Wedding, The Stone Mushrooms, The Elephant, The Stone Forest, and The Broken Mountain etc.
The fact that the region is not so far away from Istanbul has affected positively the establishment of the Bulgarian national revival art in the region. The vacation rentals Bulgaria work in close touch with the travel agencies. The monuments included in the exposition reveal their genesis and connection with the Late Medieval Art in these lands, they also reveal the lack of hiatus in the development of this art in the region despite the migration processes and pogroms. A series of icons, dating back to the end of the 17th and 18th century, not only reveal their brilliant quality, but also provoke evaluation of their historical context. It is obvious that they have been taken with a great respect to the late Christian churches in order to be preserved because their real value and importance has been taken into consideration. We can be sure that the “St. Joan the Precursor” icon belongs to the Bulgarian iconography, as a result of the fact that the icon’s inscription with the names of the founder and the stated year of painting – which is the year of 1592- as well as the style and the peculiarities of the curly-rope-type carved frame proves this. In the hall there are not only icons exhibited, but exponents dating back to the 19th century as well – woodcarving, stone and wood plastic art, metal-plastic art, church plate etc.
The exhibition of the “Ethnology” department is on the third floor. It is a preferred site for a visit by the clients of the vacation rentals Bulgaria. The best models of the national culture in the Eastern Rhodopes for the period of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century are all exhibited in 10 halls. There are exhibited through authentic materials and restorations th e farming, stock-breeding, as well as the most typical occupations – the charcoal-burning, the metalworking, shoemaking, tailoring and weaving. Home occupations like spinning, knitting and weaving stripped materials are presented. The national dresses of all the ethnics living on the territory of the region are exhibited. The peculiarities of the Eastern Rhodope house are presented in details. The traditional national holidays and customs are presented by the ritual pieces of bread that reveal the spirit of the people living in this region.
The “Stanka Dimitrova” Art Gallery that occupies an area of 800 sc.m. exhibits works of painting, woodcut, sculpture and Christian art starting from the classics of the Bulgarian Arts School and going to the leading modern authors. General and specialized talks оn high professional level are given in the museum and in the gallery. The companies dealing with vacation rentals Bulgaria recommend the Art Gallery to their tenants.
The Cultural Heritage of the Town of Kardzhali
1. Medieval complex "Perperikon"
The greatest Megalith ensemble on the Balkan Peninsula is situated on a hill, called Perperikon. Started first during the Bronze Age, the activity of hewing forms into the rocks was continued with a great will during the early Iron Age, 11 th – 6 th century B.C. From the same period is also the rich ceramics complex that was found during the ordinary archaeological excavations. During these excavations, what was most striking of all was finding a an impressive, carved in the rocks circular stone altar that had a diameter about 2 m.
The epoch of the Roman Empire had a great influence over the complex. The archaeological studies and excavations show that there was erected an impressive palace. This palace was some storeys high and was erected on the rock carvings. Around the hill there was built an fortress of impressive size and dimensions, the walls being 2,8m thick Complete quarters with houses and churches were built in the fortress. Nowadays most of these buildings are still under the ground, but some hewed in the rock streets were found and this reveals the fact that there had been a well-developed infrastructure. This impressive Megalithic monument has fallen victim to several attacks during the centuries, being razed to the ground and afterwards restored. The trips to Pericon are permanently present in the activities of the vacation rentals Bulgaria companies in the region.
2. Monastery complex “St. Joan the Precursor"
One of the most significant medieval monuments was found in the town of Kardzhali – the “St. Joan the Precursor” church in the quarter of “Veselchane”, it was restored to its present form in the year 2000. It was a part of a medieval monastery complex since 11 th – 14 th century, when the monastery fortress becomes an episcopate residency as well.
Facts that prove this are the newly found tomb of a bishop, as well as the unique bishop vestments that are already restored and preserved . The hypothesis that near the town of Kardzhali there might be a second episcopate centre was supported by the latest archaeological studies during the year 2001.
3. The Stone Mushrooms.
Near the village of Beli Plast are discovered 35 votive tablets, which were dedicated to the Hero God – the Thracian horseman. At this place there existed a Thracian sanctuary. Above the village, next to the road on the hill, under the peak of Karatebe there are the Stone Mushrooms that are 3m high and have the harmonious forms of natural mushrooms. They all have pink spots, pure blocks and greenish cowls, all being inexplicably beautiful. They are chiseled in riolythic volcano tuffs.
Demography
Kardzhali has population of about 51,000. After 1990 some people migrated to larger cities in Bulgaria due to economic reasons or moved to Turkey because of political measures of the local government. Kardzhali is the region in Bulgaria with the highest proportion of ethnic Turks. The entire population of Kardzhali was made up almost by Turks until 1950. Later, Bulgarians and Roma people settled, as some Turks moved away. Currently, the population of Kardzhali municipality consists of 62% Turks, 31% Bulgarians and 3% Roma, among others. The regional government today is to a great extent in the hands of Turkish ethnicity. The province is represented in the National Assembly of Bulgaria by five deputies, all of Turkish origin. The vacation rentals Bulgaria recommends the region to the tourists and provides them comfort and services.
Structure of the Economics
In the Municipality of Kardzhali there are built considerable numbers of companies, partnerships and firms in the sphere of the non-ferrous metallurgy, mechanical engineering, textile and knitting industry, woodworking and furniture industry, electronics and food, wine and tobacco industries. 80% of all the companies in the Municipality of Kardzhali are private property and only 14% are state and municipal property. In the structure of the registered companies, trade has the greatest number and only 10.5% belongs to industry. Companies have relatively contemporary equipment and there work highly qualified experts. In the whole industrial product the mining industry has a share of about 7.6%, which during year 1992 was 2.9%.
The great deposits of perlite, bentonite and natural zeolite are a great resource, 90 % of their processing is used in construction, cement industry and agriculture. The bentonite deposit is near the town of Kardzhali and it is practically inexhaustible. It can be characterized with optimum mining and technical conditions that is a prerequisite to the implementation of open extraction. The bentonite is of sodium-calcium type as it is the same with almost all deposites in Europe. The second non-metallic mineral deposit is the one of zeolite and it is also near the town of Kardzhali . It is practically inexhaustible and similarly to bentonite its extraction is open. It consists mainly of 70-90% clynoptitolith. Near the town of Kardzhali is also one of the greatest deposits of trass in Bulgaria. It is the main material used in cement production.
Still not exploited are the great fields of qualitative marble and facing materials, like gneiss, tuffs and limestones. Developing these processions may be counted as priority in the extractive sphere of the economics in the Municipality. The Municipality of Kardzhali is the centre of non-metallic mineral processing: lead, zinc, cadmium and others. The engineering industry ensures the production of machines, equipments and instruments that are necessary for the underground ore output and the development; hydraulic and pneumatic products; high purifying technique; gamma of monometers for low, average and high pressure and others.
The companies of the textile and knitting industry are specialized in the production of all kinds of overcoats and underwear.
The furniture companies produce furniture of good quality although they work with a decreased capacity. The companies dealing with vacation rentals Bulgaria are among their permanent clients. The existing construction companies are supplied with a contemporary soft and heavy mechanization as well as with modern equipment for the extraction of inert materials, lime and cement solutions, and industrial stone. The natural resources are a good prerequisite to the development of tourism, resorting activity and sport. Good equipment for the development of food, wine and tobacco industry was created. The companies in the municipality can manufacture 20 thousand tones of tobacco, 10 thousand tones of meat, 45 thousand litres of milk, over 4 thousand tones of fruit and vegetable canned food and others.
The municipal land fund comprises 111448 decares of fields, 102496 decares of pastures, 2880 decares of natural meadows. The perennial plants and the cultivated land are 8285 decares.
The optimum geographical and climate conditions as well as the available material equipment are a prerequisite to the development of tobacco and vegetable crops production. Тhe main occupation of the population is tobacco growing and the kind that is most widespread is the tobacco kind from Krumovgrad . Stock-breeding is defined as the second main occupation. Predominate the small private farms for breeding domestic animals.
The forest fund is divided into forests and forest shelter belts, covering 207 748 decares (barrens, coppices, areas devastated by fire – 6 016 decares , forest paths and glades – 1 545 decares).
Industry
1. Mining industry
In the whole industrial product, mining industry has a share of about 7,6%, that during the year 1992 was 2,9%. The municipality of Kardzhali is rich in ores and non-metallic minerals. Several problems lie before the mining industry, and some of them are:
• extraction of lead and zinc ores that have a decreasing metallic content, and this affects negatively the financial state of the whole range of the closed cycle and also leads to stopping the mining process in same of the mines;
• creating ecological problems when polluting the atmosphere by harmful emissions – sulphuric and nitric oxides, carbon dioxide and non-toxic dust. This is a significant problem for the Municipality of Kardzhali;
• great financial problems mainly in non-ferrous ore extraction. The problems that the newly created structures cannot be solved by themselves.
Except for the ores, there also are many non-metallic mineral deposits in the Municipality.The great deposits of perlite, bentonite and natural zeolite are a great resource. The bentonite deposit is near the town of Kardzhali and it is practically inexhaustible. It can be characterized with optimum mining and technical conditions that is a prerequisite to the implementation of open extraction. The bentonite is of sodium-calcium type as it is the same with almost all deposites in Europe.
The second non-metallic mineral deposit is the one of zeolite and it is also near the town of Kardzhali. It is practically inexhaustible and similarly to bentonite its extraction is open. It consists mainly of 70-90% clynoptitolith. Near the town of Kardzhali is also one of the greatest deposits of trass in Bulgaria. It is the main material used in cement production. Still not exploited are the great fields of qualitative marble and facing materials, like gneiss, tuffs and limestones. The exploitation of the great deposits of non-metallic minerals on the territory of the Municipality will provide opportunity for the opening of new work places and the alternative employment establishment. The exploitation of these products might be seen as a priority of the mining branch in the economy of the Municipality.
2. Manufacturing Branch of Industry
The share of the manufacturing branch in the industry is 97.1% for the year 1 992, and for the year 1998 it has decreased with 5% in the Municipality of Kardzhali. The amount of sweat tobacco for the two years is 1992 year – 10 564 tones and 1998 year – 9 819 tones show decrease with 745 tones, which is 7%. The lowest production was in year 1996 – 3 159 tones.
The tendency in the other production branch of the light industry – woolen stuff production decreased with 32% - for the period between the years 1992 - 1998, as critical decrease was noticed in year 1995. Since year 1996 cotton material production has been stopped.
Food, wine and tobacco industry
The capacities of the existing on the territory of the Municipality companies in the food, wine and tobacco industry are suitable for tobacco, meat, milk and fruit and vegetable canned food production. They are promoted by the vacation rentals Bulgaria companies. In the second important agricultural branch – stock-breeding – the decrease in the wholesome slaughter is obvious, and consequently the production of main food products of animal origin has a clear tendency toward decrease, as a result of the unfavorable investment environment. In order to preserve tobacco production and tobacco consumption as a structure-defining branch for the region, it is necessary to change the equipment, techniques, technological scheme, and organization. Consequently, the productivity of the work will increase, the production expenses will decrease, the production rentability and production competitiveness will increase, and also market positions of the Bulgarian Oriental tobacco will become stronger.
Textile, tailoring and shoemaking industry
There are few tailoring companies on the territory of the Municipality of Kardzhali. In the Municipality there exists a qualified human resource that works in the companies of the branch, wholly orientated towards private sector. The vacation rentals Bulgaria are their best clients.
Wood -processing
Wood industry is a sub-branch of forestry and is very well developed in the municipality. The wood material is exported towards the inner parts of the country and abroad while the wood is not processed thoroughly in the region. On the territory of the municipality there are few wood-processing companies that have the physical ability to extend production if there is a greater initiative and favorable business environment, as there is a sufficient row-material base. After analyzing the present capacities in the row-material and processing branches of the light industry, the expansion and development of the existing and creating new small and middle enterprises, are a basis for the economic development in the Municipality. The wood industry supplies the vacation rentals Bulgaria with furniture.
Current industry
The available content of the non-ferrous metal deposits is not sufficient for production and capacity supply of the biggest existing industrial company for lead, zinc and white metals production and processing. A great potential for the development of processing industry is the existence of inexhaustible deposits of non-metallic minerals – bentonite, zeolite, perlite, trass, mable, rocky facing materials and others.
The growth in bentonite, perlite and zeolite products manufacturing in comparison to the year 1998 is 40.49%. This growth is a result mainly of two products – granulized bentonite and fractioned bentonite, both being intended for export. The main share of the whole production – 70.59 % belongs to the bentonite products, 22.87% to the perlite products and 1.54% - to the zeolite products. The main difficulty in this production is the less interest in it on the national market.
Тourism
The Municipality of Kardzhali is situated in the south-eastern part of the Republic of Bulgaria, in the Eastern Rhodope mountain massif. The mild climate, the favorable geographic location, the rich cultural and historical heritage, the two “lakes” - the dams, provide an opportunity for a whole-year development of all kinds of tourism. The great bio-diversity, the unique natural sights and the preserved nature, unaffected by the negative influence of the industrialization and urbanization, they all turn the eco-tourism into one of development priorities of the municipality. There are few protected areas on its territory – the natural sights of “Stone Wedding”, “Stone Mushrooms” near the village of Beli plast; “Rock window” near the village of Kostino, as well as few protected areas with habitats of universally endangered representatives of flora and fauna - “Maiden-hair fern”, “Fist rock” and “Middle Arda”.
On the valley of River Arda and the dam lakes “Kardzhali” and “Cold well” is set the beginning of constructing short-term resting places and the development of all kinds of water sports. The vacation rentals Bulgaria recommend them to their clients. There also exist perfect conditions for hunting, fishing and rowing tourism.
Numerous unique Neolithic monuments, fortresses and other archaeological finds make us remember the rich cultural and historical past of this region. In the museum of history in the town of Kardzhali is exhibited a rich collection consisting of over 30 000 exponents some of them being of universal importance. The exhibition of the three departments “Archaeology”, “Nature” and “Ethnography” trace the historical development of the Eastern Rhodopes dating back from VІ thousand years B.C up to now. The most ancient historical layers date back to the New Stone Age, passing through the Bronze Age and the Iron Age. The fortresses, the rock niches and the sanctuaries have the features of the Thracian, Greek and Roman civilization. The Medieval monastery complexes, fortresses and necropolises reveal Bysantine might and the power of the First and the Second Bulgarian kingdom.
The present archaeological expeditions on the territory of the Municipality reveal new pages of the history of this cross-road of nations and cultures. In August, year 2000, near the town of Kardzhali, near the Medieval fortress of “Perperikon” , archaeologists under the guidance of s.s.c. Nikolay Ovcharov found a Thracian king`s palace with sanctuaries dating back to V-ІV century B.C. and this palace was found under the old fortress. This is the only existing up to now Thracian king`s palace from this epoch. Few are the towns in Bulgaria that have restored monastery complexes dating back to ІХ- Х century. The monastery complex “St. Joan the Precursor” is present today.
Transport
The density of the road network is about 31 km /100 sq. km. The municipality is being served by Ist class road Haskovo – Кardzhali. There exists a well-developed 4 th class road network. Pan-European Transport Corridor №9 Helsinki – Alexandropolis is going to pass through the Municipality. Foreseen is also the opening of a new border checkpoint “Makaza” on the frontier with the Republic of Greece, this checkpoint will be 55 km south from the town of Kardzhali. The vacation rentals Bulgaria companies also offer transport services.
The development of the road network in the municipality is below the average level for the country. This is a result of the mountainous character of the area and the fast settling of the population in different places that are densely populated. Predominates the 4 th -class road network. The condition of the roads in the municipality is bad, and especially the condition of the roads to the hamlets.
The transport connections with Sofia and the other parts of the country are being realized through railroad transport and motorways. Тhere is also an equipped landing place that is not used. ”Tempotransport” OOD was founded in the year 1989. Its main activity includes: heavy-freight motor transports, trade with petrol products and motor parts, lorry repairs.
The company has its own garage areas, and the lorries have a transporting capacity of 10 to 25 t. ”Tempotransport” OOD carries out transport services to Turkey, Greece, Macedonia, Russia, Ukraina. The investment programme of the company includes renovation of the auto-parking, terminal organization and speditory activity.
“Arpezos bus” EOOD was founded in the year 1960 and since then is the main bus transport in the region. Main activities: bus transports, motor transports in the country and abroad, maintenance and repairing transport vehicles, trade activities in the country and abroad as well as transport personnel training. The future strategy of the company foresees gradual renovation of the bus parking and improving the range of the offered services. “ARZ Cap. Petko Voivoda” OOD is specialized in carrying out repair works of the lorries of KrAZ, MAZ, KAMAZ types. It has its own motor parking / dumpers, cisterns and others / with the help of which it carries out transport activity as well.
Telecommunication Services
TR “Communications“ – Kardzhali is a section of RU " Communications "- Haskovo and organizes the exploitation and development of the communicational network of the Municipality. There still exist 22 populated areas with population under 500 inhabitants that do not have telephones. The problem concerning the number of telephones for all the villages in the Municipality and improving the quality of the telephone services was solved in the year 2002 through establishing the digital automatic station in the town of Kardzhali. It should be noted that the crisis in the country does not influence considerably the consumer needs of communicational services. The incomes from the communicational activities increase constantly, and the average use suggested in tax units has an insignificant deviation.
As a result of the dynamic development of the telecommunication during the last few years, we become witnesses to the gradual connection and combination of the communicational services with the informational technologies. There is already an opportunity for establishing informational networks that integrate different ways of communication.
Education
The Municipality of Kardzhali has a sufficient network of educational institutions – with an optimal structure for common education, professional training and receiving a high educational degree – all satisfying the present-day needs. During the 1999/2000 school year in the Municipality of Kardzhali function the following nursery schools and educational institutions: - nursery schools – 24; - all-day nursery schools – 30;- educational institutions – 36; - elementary schools – 3; - primary schools – 26; - Secondary schools – 6; - higher educational institutions – 1; - centre for bringing up and educating children that lack parental care – 1; - service groups / ODK, CRD / - 6. 907 teachers work in the schools on the territory of the Municipality of Kardzhali.
In the Municipality of Kardzhali there are a number of problems existing in the educational sphere, and they are:
- During the last five years has been noticed a process of decrease in the number of the nursery schools, their pedagogical staff, the children between the age of 3 and 6, the educational institutions, the students and the teachers.
- Dropping out of students who have finished primary school, but who are still liable to CSE and are living in economically undeveloped regions. The education of these students in the municipal centers creates financial difficulties to their parents and that is why they prefer to keep their children off school. In order to continue the education of these students, Тhe Educational Inspectorate of the Ministry of Science and Education in Kardzhali should, together with the municipalities, develop the existing programs and create new ones;
- There are some professions in the specialized secondary schools that do provide opportunity for a further realization of the students;
- Too many specialist s in particular professional trends and a greater part of these trends exist in other municipalities as well;
- The more expensive professional education makes it difficult to maintain and renew the schools` material and technical base;
- The existence of joint classes and also classes with small number of students makes teachers teach subjects that they are not expert in (subjects that they do not have the sufficient qualification in). This necessitates a better personnel security of these schools and also necessitates the organization of different qualification and re-qualification courses for the teachers;
- The state of the material and technical base in education is not good. Also insufficient are the financial resources for a sufficient maintenance. Despite the fact that during 1999/2000 school year in all the schools of the municipality of Kardzhali the computer rooms were equipped, and also the same rooms in the bigger secondary schools in the other municipalities were equipped, again the material and technical base is not up to the standard.
Tourist attractions
The Thracian town of Perperikon is located near the city on a rock high above the valley. It is interesting for the fact that it is cut in the rock. The monastery of John the Precursor from 6th century was renovated in 2000 and a new bell tower was built. The town clock is unique in Bulgaria because it sings Bulgarian revolutionary songs every hour. The Kardzhali Museum of History has one of the most extensive exhibitions in Southern Bulgaria. This includes more than articles — pre-historic tools and ceramics from the Thracian cities of Perperikon and Tatul, Christian icons and ethnographic exhibits. There are many open-air restaurants, offering a variety of drinks and cocktails in summer time on the dam. It is a popular place among fans of water sports and fishing.
Dam
The reservoir of the Kardzhali Dam was recently seeded artificially with European perch. The fish was taken from the Ovcharitsa dam. The first historical moment of the dam was in the 1970s, when it was artificially seeded with sheatfish. Nowadays there are 100 kg representatives. Later, 45,000 carp were introduced into the dam as well.
Ardino
Province (oblast): Kurdzhali
Population: 4385 (15.12.2004)
Altitude: 684 m
Geographic coordinates: 41° 35' north, 25° 8' east
Time zone: EET (UTC+2; UTC+3 in summer)
Mayor: Resul Hasanov
Ardino (Bulgarian Ардино, (Turkish Eğridere) is a town in Southern Bulgaria, in the Rhodope Mountains. It is located in Kurdzhali oblast and is close to the town of Madan.
The Dyavolski most bridge, a tourist attraction, is located 10 km from the town.
Momchilgrad
Province (oblast): Kardzhali
Population: 16,901 (13.09.2005)
Altitude: 452 m
Geographic coordinates: 41° 32' north, 25° 25' east
Time zone: EET (UTC+2; UTC+3 in summer)
Mayor: Erdinch Haryrula
Momchilgrad (Момчилград, "the town of Momchil") is a town in the very south of Bulgaria, part of Kardzhali Province in the southeastern part of the Eastern Rhodopes. It is largely settled by ethnic Turks.
Dzhebel (Bulgarian: Джебел, Turkish: Cebel) is a town in Kardzhali Province, southern Bulgaria. It has 7,144 inhabitants and is mainly populated by ethnic Turks.
Kardzhali
Kardzhali (Bulgarian: Кърджали, Turkish: Kırcaali) is a town in Bulgaria, capital of Kardzhali Province in the Eastern Rhodopes. Near the town is the noted Kardzhali Dam.
Geography
Location
Kardzhali is located in the low eastern part of Rhodope Mountains, on both banks of the Arda river between the Kardzhali Dam to the west and the Studen Kladenets dam to the east. The town is 260 km southeast of Sofia. It has a crossroad position from Thrace to the Aegean Sea — part of European transportation route 9. The town is honourably called "the capital of the Eastern Rhodopes". The municipality has a territory of 642 sq. km, which is 20% of the territory of Kardzhali District and is also 0.51% of the whole country’s territory. It covers 117 populated areas that are included in 4 5 town councils. It flanks the municipalities of – Haskovo, Stambolovo, Momchilgrad, Ardino and Chernoochene. The permanently residing population in the municipality is 70 196 people to 1st March, year 2001. The region is visited by many tourists who use the services of the vacation rentals Bulgaria.
The town of Kardzhali has differentiated in a real administrative, trade, cultural and industrial center that belongs not only to the municipality of Kardzhali, but also to the whole Eastern Rhodopes . The town is 259 km away from Sofia and 90 km away from the town of Plovdiv that is the second largest town in Bulgaria. For the time being the nearest checkpoint “Captain Andreevo” is 132 km away from the town and it connects Bulgaria to the Republic of Turkey and the Republic of Greece .
Considerable amount of investments has been attracted to this town in order to build many industrial, building and trade companies. Thus it has turned into an economic center of Kardzhali District.
Ores and minerals
In the Municipality of Kardzhali there are considerable amounts of non-metallic mineral deposits: bentonite, zeolite, trass, feldspar, mica, limestone, sand, gravel etc.
The only bentonite, perlite and zeolite processing works in the country is built in the Municipality of Kardzhali and it is “Bentonit” AD.
It completely satisfies the needs of the whole country and a great part of the production is being exported to Central European countries and CIS. The correlation between bentonite and perlite processing is equal to 8:2 and here the zeolite processing is insignificant.
As the shipping on Danube has been stopped, the result was – decrease in export, because the transport expenditures concerning the other kinds of transport are significant. Decrease of bentonite and perlite usage can be noticed on the national market, which is a result of the decrease in the production of the main users: geological studies, glass processing and medicines.
The mineral resources can be used as they are not at a great depth and also there are techniques and technologies that can help in the process of extraction. The only weakness is the absence of a market for these mineral resources.
The Arda River feeds into the Kardzhali Dam.
Climate
The Municipality belongs to the South-Bulgarian climate Municipality and more precisely to the Eastern Rhodope climate region that is influenced by the warm Mediterranean.
Winter is comparatively mild. During the winter period the minimum temperatures are comparatively high. Summer is hot and sunny and the maximum temperatures reach 40 ° C. The average winter temperature is about 0 ° C, and in summer – 24 ° C. The average annual temperature is about 11-13 ° C. The annual temperature sum is about 4 000 ° C.
During the autumn-winter period there appear to fall some of the heaviest rains that are a result of the Mediterranean cyclones. There can be seen two maximums: winter – November, December, January; spring – May, June, July and one minimum – August, September.
Because of the southern location of the Municipality the greater amounts of the winter rains fall in the form of rain and snow. In spring the quantity of rainfalls is sufficient and this provides a sufficient soil moisturizing. A comparatively obvious rainless period starts from June on and this becomes completely obvious toward the end of summer and the beginning of autumn. All this continues until the month of October. The annual rainfall sum is about 600 liters per sq. m. which makes the region suitable for vacations and trips and the vacation rentals Bulgaria makes a good business.
Water resources
River Arda together with its affluents can be characterized with a high-water level in spring as a result of the melting of the snow and the summer-spring rainfalls. Three dams and 28 smaller dam lakes and barrages have been built in order to accumulate the waters of River Arda and its affluents. These waters are being used for irrigation water supply, hydro-amelioration and irrigation of the different kinds of crops, but most essentially for the irrigation of tobacco. A serious water shortage can be felt in the municipality during the summer period (July-September). Also water is not sufficient for the irrigation of the agricultural crops and most predominantly for the irrigation of tobacco and vegetable crops.
Three big dam lakes have been built along the valley of River Arda and two of these dam lakes are within the territory of the municipality: “Cold well”, “Kardzhali”. “Kardzhali” Dam Lake has a volume of 532 mln. m3, and “Cold well” dam lake has a volume of 489 mln. m3. These dams are also tourists’ objects and the vacation rentals Bulgaria offer cottages for vacation by them. Their most essential function is to regulate the big and extremely changing flow of River Arda in seasons. The water resources, as they are accumulated in this way, are intended to be used for high-electric energy processing and for irrigation.
Land
Cultivated land is 52% of the total land and is being increased rating 1.0 % per year. It is presumed that this happens as a result of the orientation of the population to agriculture and ploughing new land up. In the year 1991 cultivated land was 108 thousand decares, and the population - 114413 people. In that case it becomes clear that there was 0.94 decares land per capita. In the year 1998 cultivated land was 115 thousand decares and the population was 76509 people or 1.50 decares per capita. The average cultivated land per capita has been increased: 1.5: 0.94 = 1.6 times.
Field areas increased 20 %. In the year 1991 there was : 83000 : 114413 = 0.73 decares per capita , and in the year 1998 there are 1.31 decares per capita or the increase is: 13.31 : 0.73 - 1.79 times. These two correlations give us a reason to state that population orientates toward s farming, but on the other hand it has to be noted that population has decreased with 33.13 % for the same period of time, in other words the main increase of the cultivated land and field indicators that each inhabitant got is mainly defined by decrease of the population in the municipality. Part of the employees turn to the branch of vacation rentals Bulgaria because of the tourists’ interest in the region.
Field shares increased from 39.4 % to 51.3 % of the whole cultivated land. The increase in the shares of the fields is associated with the development of private farming and above all thing it is associated with the personal satisfaction because of the increased unemployment in the municipality. Land that is occupied by perennial plats decreased from 11 to 7 thousand decares and in this case the decrease is 36.4 %. The decrease of land occupied by natural meadows is 50 %, in other words from 14 to 7 thousand decares. The other categories of land decreased from 154 to 107 thousand decares, namely the decrease is with 30-5 %.
Municipality of Kardzhali`s land fund is on the land of 13 populated areas and its size is 2086 decares. There exists a tendency towards increase in fields share in the structure of the land. Together with this decreases the land of stock-breeding and perrenial plants. This gives us a reason to state that land use is orientated towards cultural agriculture, as a result of which population becomes extremely dependent on market and meteorological conditions.
History
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 аttacked 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 given 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. Let us see how legends present Kardzha Ali:
Тhe legend about Kirdzha Ali gazi
In one of Bukhara’s clerical schools, an old scientific and arts center in Middle Asia, the former Uzbek USSR, there studied а certain Ali. He was remarkable for his great memory and was also loved by his classmates as well as by the imam who taught him. When Ali went up a few forms he became naughtier and became so fond of hunting that he did not come home all day long. Many times the imam advised him not tramp around the woods and instead of this he advised him to study his clerical duties. Ali promised to do so, but as soon as the lessons were over he took his gun and went straight hunting.
The innumerable pieces of advice that the imam gave him did not work and so he decided to exercise influence on him through another way. The imam was a great wizard. He traced Ali as he once went hunting. While Ali was trying to aim carefully at a rabbit, the imam kept a close watch on him while hiding behind the tree. Ali killed the rabbit, but he was very surprised to see his imam lying killed instead of the rabbit. Terrified, Ali ran straight to school. However, the moment he entered the yard he saw his teacher washing quite calmly at the fountain. Ali took a deep breath and thought that this vision was generated from fear because of the frequent reproaches of the imam. On the next day when lessons started the imam fixed his eyes upon Ali and told him:
"Stand up! Tell us where you were yesterday."
"I studied with my classmates ", answered Ali timidly.
"And who aimed at his imam in the woods and killed him instead of a rabbit?"
Ali started shaking with fear and the imam went on:
"Even don’t think to tell me a lie. The one that you killed was I, but here I am alive in front of you. And remember, next time do not try to tell a lie. Sit down at your place. You are not a student any more, you are kirdzhi. "
Students started laughing and Ali was all broken-hearted. He could answer nothing, but as it got dark he went to his Imam, knelt and begged his pardon:
„I`ll never go hunting any more. Forgive me and do not exclude me from school, because my parents will go mad at this. I'm their only son. Take mercy on me."
Ali became a model pupil, but he had already lost his good name and everyone continued calling him “Kirdzhi, Kirdzhi Ali „There was nothing that could help Ali regain his former reputability. And once again he started raving and did not listen to anyone. The moment he felt that he was free; he took the gun and ran straight hunting. Ali was well-built, slender and very handsome. His inquisitiveness was also added to his attractive appearance. He studied hard and received excellent marks in all subjects. And because of that even the imam himself did not reprove him, but just acted as if he did not notice Ali when he went hunting.
It was already a time when Turkey had conquered Odrin (1363) and preceded its campaigns over the Balkan Peninsula. Volunteers for the faith battles had to be gathered. And as there came the time for the school in Buhara as well, the imam addressed Ali and told him:
"Kirdzhi Ali, now let me see how brave you are. You made me angry and did not receive my advice not to go to the woods. I cannot hide it. I counted the times you went out in order to wander and that was why I called you Kirdzhi. It is not a big deal to kill rabbits or to hit the target; this is not a deed of heroism. Now let me see - tell me, are you going to be a volunteer?"
„Yes, I'm ready ", answered Ali.
„Well, then, go ahead and I hope that you become famous in the war. I would like to give you a hearty welcome when you become a hero, and not only I, but all your classmates as well would like this ", said the imam.
There were many volunteers from Buhara, but еven at the very first days Ali attracted the attention of his commanders through his courage and his wild nature. They started assigning him responsible missions that Kirdzhi Ali executed perfectly. Here also they went on calling him Kirdzhi Ali and hi s name drifted from mouth to mouth. He differed from the others in the battle as well and was always on the front line. Thus he succeeded in becoming a commander.
Kirdzhi Ali excited respect and worship everywhere. He spoke sensibly and inspiringly which, on the other hand, fired with passion his soldiers. To some extent he knew history as well and this was the reason why his speeches were very fascinating. He became famous for the f аct that he was an orator. In a few years he became famous and reached the rank of a colonel. It was his soldiers that drifted like a gale and won one battle after another. Kirdzhi Ali was always first in the battle. It was a complete miracle that he was never wounded. To his soldiers he was like a brother and they loved him like a brother. Never did Ali sit to eat if he was not sure of whether his soldiers were fed and sheltered.
His regiment was already famous when they reached the Rhodopes. The wonderful Rhodope forests conquered Ali`s heart. After the campaign was over he decided to stay there and preach the new comers who came immediately after the army and who settled in the nicest deserted villages whose inhabitants had been slaughtered or chased away.
Preaching in different villages Kirdzhi Ali awaited his own old ages as well. Many of his soldiers also stayed in the places where Kirdzhi Ali went through. Wherever he went, he ensconces the newly-came colonizers, but in the meantime he did not forget to go hunting. Sometimes he would gather whole shooting parties and the hunting would turn into a great festivity. They wandered in the Rhodope forests for many days, amused themselves, ate and drank sherbet, thumped drums and timbals till surfeit. The Turkish colonists worshipped Kirdzhi Ali. Anything was impossible without him – even in the civil life he was first again. He rode a nice and wild horse and he was always armed, even at the times when preaching. Whenever he mounted on his wild horse, everyone exclaimed with surprise, because Kirdzhi Ali was a good-looking man and on the horse he looked even more handsome.
Kirdzhi Ali got really old. One morning people found him dead. Thousands of Turks from the newly conquered villages gathered because of this event. They buried him in the meadow where he was found dead.
Some of his former soldiers loved him to such an extent that they decided to build their houses near his grave and so stay around their unforgettable leader and preacher. Inconspicuously, around these houses, other small houses started appearing. When they reached the number of 25-30, the oldest of these Turks asked the rest of the people what name should they give to their village? They did not think too long and all at once they cried out loud that this village should receive the name of their courageous leader Kirdzhi Ali. " Let its name be Kirdzhi Ali from now on and let it be mentioned by people from all ages, for the glory and heroism of the bold commander from Buhara, let this village become famous and let it grow into a town one day. " This information was given by Halim Effendi, one of Sultan Abdul Hasid’s teachers. While rummaging in the library in Istanbul, he stumbled across this story about Ali from Buhara and as he was also native of Kardzhali, he reported what he had read in the Turkish chronicles and in this way the story was brought to our native region from doctor Sadik – the first doctor to live here.
To this legend or real event we shall mention the note about Kirdzhi Ali which was written in the Almanac of the Odrin Valiyet dating back to year 1892, where on page 316 we read: " Although there does not exist another information about the conquering of the town of Kardzhali, according to Turkish chronicles this is thought to have happened during the reign of Murad I. After Gyumyurdzhina`s fall, next is Rhodopes villages` turn. Another fact states that one of Murad`s commander s by the name of Kirdzhi Ali had fought on these territories. Here most of the villages had been destroyed by fire, Kirdzhi Ali rebuilt them and named one of these villages by his name. That is how the small town of Kirdzhi Ali has been founded in the Eastern Rhodopes ".
The Regional Museum of History
The regional museum of history – the town of Kardzhali realizes its activity on the territory of Eastern Rhodopes, Southern Bulgaria. It was established in the year of 1965 so that it would be possible to study, preserve and distribute the cultural values that were the bearers of the historic al memory of the region. The main fund contains about 37 000 exponents. It has registered 179 archaeological sites and 19 of them are pre-historic, 122 are ancient and medieval are 37 of them. 30 of the registered cultural monuments are of national significance.
From the ones that have been studied these are: the Pre-historic mound near the village of Sadlere , the municipality of Momchilgrad. A Roman villa “Armira” near the town of Ivaylovgrad, a medieval monastery complex “St. Joan the Precursor” in “Veselchani” neighbourhood in the town of Kardzhali. This year ends the whole restoration and it will be possible for tourists and worshippers to visit it. 119 sites have been registered from our architectural heritage. The museum is accommodated in an impressive building of a cult since the year 1920, an architectural monument of culture. Visitors turn to the services of the vacation rentals Bulgaria companies to organize trips to the historic sites.
The exposition was open to visitors in the year of 1987 and occupied 1800 sq. m; it was a-three-storey building. Another part of the museum is a park yard with water pools that occupy an area of 15 decares. 22 kinds of plants are planted in the yard and these plants are unique within the area of South Bulgaria. On the first floor, nine halls that are in chronological sequence give an opportunity to visitors to track way of life between 4th century B.C. and Medieval times, all this being possible through evidences, photos, copies and reconstructions. Of great importance seem to be the earliest monuments from the Neolithic period: reconstruction of a Village mound from the Neolithic Period – a centre for making stone tools, a rich collection of idol plastic arts. The unique megaliths of the Thracian culture and its centers of cult are presented through photos (rock tombs, sanctuaries, niches and votive tablets). The museum can also organize visits to the very places.
The Roman civilization has left traces by its luxurious ceramics, the bronze and gold plastic arts, as well as by the stylish marble wall decoration of the “Armira” villa near the town of Ivaylovgrad. In the halls of the museum the medieval civilization is also present though the subjects of “Fortress evidence”, “Church architecture and arts”. For the population density of the village system in the region we judge also by over 150 well-known Christian necropolises, bring to light silver, bronze, copper and glass ornaments.
The most significant medieval architectural monument is the monastery “St. Joan the Precursor” which is presented with many valuable exponents in the exhibition.
On the second floor that exists since 1993, in four halls there is an exhibition that presents the nature of the Eastern Rhodopes and gives birth to the feeling of infinite harmony between the mountain and the things created by human beings. Approximately 30 million years ago this land was under the waters of the Palaeogenic Sea. What were left by the once intensive life are only the fossils- fossils of clams, snails, sea hedgehogs and sea stars, corals and trees, and even fossils of fish. Impressive are the collections of the herbariumized floristic variety, also impressive is the abundance of herbs, as well as ore minerals, the procession of which is an occupation typical to local people ever since Ancient times, important to mention is also the abundance of the beautiful agates and jaspers, as well as the brilliance of the various colourful valuable minerals, quartz and calcite crystals, the amethystine cores of the rock geods. The active geological processes have “provided” the greatest amount of mineral stuffs for Bulgaria – graphite, asbestos, mica, perlite etc. Through photos it becomes possible for us to touch the inexplicable phenomena of the unique and provoking our imagination rock forms. Sculpted by the sun, wind and water, they bear the labels of myths and stories – The Stone Wedding, The Stone Mushrooms, The Elephant, The Stone Forest, and The Broken Mountain etc.
The fact that the region is not so far away from Istanbul has affected positively the establishment of the Bulgarian national revival art in the region. The vacation rentals Bulgaria work in close touch with the travel agencies. The monuments included in the exposition reveal their genesis and connection with the Late Medieval Art in these lands, they also reveal the lack of hiatus in the development of this art in the region despite the migration processes and pogroms. A series of icons, dating back to the end of the 17th and 18th century, not only reveal their brilliant quality, but also provoke evaluation of their historical context. It is obvious that they have been taken with a great respect to the late Christian churches in order to be preserved because their real value and importance has been taken into consideration. We can be sure that the “St. Joan the Precursor” icon belongs to the Bulgarian iconography, as a result of the fact that the icon’s inscription with the names of the founder and the stated year of painting – which is the year of 1592- as well as the style and the peculiarities of the curly-rope-type carved frame proves this. In the hall there are not only icons exhibited, but exponents dating back to the 19th century as well – woodcarving, stone and wood plastic art, metal-plastic art, church plate etc.
The exhibition of the “Ethnology” department is on the third floor. It is a preferred site for a visit by the clients of the vacation rentals Bulgaria. The best models of the national culture in the Eastern Rhodopes for the period of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century are all exhibited in 10 halls. There are exhibited through authentic materials and restorations th e farming, stock-breeding, as well as the most typical occupations – the charcoal-burning, the metalworking, shoemaking, tailoring and weaving. Home occupations like spinning, knitting and weaving stripped materials are presented. The national dresses of all the ethnics living on the territory of the region are exhibited. The peculiarities of the Eastern Rhodope house are presented in details. The traditional national holidays and customs are presented by the ritual pieces of bread that reveal the spirit of the people living in this region.
The “Stanka Dimitrova” Art Gallery that occupies an area of 800 sc.m. exhibits works of painting, woodcut, sculpture and Christian art starting from the classics of the Bulgarian Arts School and going to the leading modern authors. General and specialized talks оn high professional level are given in the museum and in the gallery. The companies dealing with vacation rentals Bulgaria recommend the Art Gallery to their tenants.
The Cultural Heritage of the Town of Kardzhali
1. Medieval complex "Perperikon"
The greatest Megalith ensemble on the Balkan Peninsula is situated on a hill, called Perperikon. Started first during the Bronze Age, the activity of hewing forms into the rocks was continued with a great will during the early Iron Age, 11 th – 6 th century B.C. From the same period is also the rich ceramics complex that was found during the ordinary archaeological excavations. During these excavations, what was most striking of all was finding a an impressive, carved in the rocks circular stone altar that had a diameter about 2 m.
The epoch of the Roman Empire had a great influence over the complex. The archaeological studies and excavations show that there was erected an impressive palace. This palace was some storeys high and was erected on the rock carvings. Around the hill there was built an fortress of impressive size and dimensions, the walls being 2,8m thick Complete quarters with houses and churches were built in the fortress. Nowadays most of these buildings are still under the ground, but some hewed in the rock streets were found and this reveals the fact that there had been a well-developed infrastructure. This impressive Megalithic monument has fallen victim to several attacks during the centuries, being razed to the ground and afterwards restored. The trips to Pericon are permanently present in the activities of the vacation rentals Bulgaria companies in the region.
2. Monastery complex “St. Joan the Precursor"
One of the most significant medieval monuments was found in the town of Kardzhali – the “St. Joan the Precursor” church in the quarter of “Veselchane”, it was restored to its present form in the year 2000. It was a part of a medieval monastery complex since 11 th – 14 th century, when the monastery fortress becomes an episcopate residency as well.
Facts that prove this are the newly found tomb of a bishop, as well as the unique bishop vestments that are already restored and preserved . The hypothesis that near the town of Kardzhali there might be a second episcopate centre was supported by the latest archaeological studies during the year 2001.
3. The Stone Mushrooms.
Near the village of Beli Plast are discovered 35 votive tablets, which were dedicated to the Hero God – the Thracian horseman. At this place there existed a Thracian sanctuary. Above the village, next to the road on the hill, under the peak of Karatebe there are the Stone Mushrooms that are 3m high and have the harmonious forms of natural mushrooms. They all have pink spots, pure blocks and greenish cowls, all being inexplicably beautiful. They are chiseled in riolythic volcano tuffs.
Demography
Kardzhali has population of about 51,000. After 1990 some people migrated to larger cities in Bulgaria due to economic reasons or moved to Turkey because of political measures of the local government. Kardzhali is the region in Bulgaria with the highest proportion of ethnic Turks. The entire population of Kardzhali was made up almost by Turks until 1950. Later, Bulgarians and Roma people settled, as some Turks moved away. Currently, the population of Kardzhali municipality consists of 62% Turks, 31% Bulgarians and 3% Roma, among others. The regional government today is to a great extent in the hands of Turkish ethnicity. The province is represented in the National Assembly of Bulgaria by five deputies, all of Turkish origin. The vacation rentals Bulgaria recommends the region to the tourists and provides them comfort and services.
Structure of the Economics
In the Municipality of Kardzhali there are built considerable numbers of companies, partnerships and firms in the sphere of the non-ferrous metallurgy, mechanical engineering, textile and knitting industry, woodworking and furniture industry, electronics and food, wine and tobacco industries. 80% of all the companies in the Municipality of Kardzhali are private property and only 14% are state and municipal property. In the structure of the registered companies, trade has the greatest number and only 10.5% belongs to industry. Companies have relatively contemporary equipment and there work highly qualified experts. In the whole industrial product the mining industry has a share of about 7.6%, which during year 1992 was 2.9%.
The great deposits of perlite, bentonite and natural zeolite are a great resource, 90 % of their processing is used in construction, cement industry and agriculture. The bentonite deposit is near the town of Kardzhali and it is practically inexhaustible. It can be characterized with optimum mining and technical conditions that is a prerequisite to the implementation of open extraction. The bentonite is of sodium-calcium type as it is the same with almost all deposites in Europe. The second non-metallic mineral deposit is the one of zeolite and it is also near the town of Kardzhali . It is practically inexhaustible and similarly to bentonite its extraction is open. It consists mainly of 70-90% clynoptitolith. Near the town of Kardzhali is also one of the greatest deposits of trass in Bulgaria. It is the main material used in cement production.
Still not exploited are the great fields of qualitative marble and facing materials, like gneiss, tuffs and limestones. Developing these processions may be counted as priority in the extractive sphere of the economics in the Municipality. The Municipality of Kardzhali is the centre of non-metallic mineral processing: lead, zinc, cadmium and others. The engineering industry ensures the production of machines, equipments and instruments that are necessary for the underground ore output and the development; hydraulic and pneumatic products; high purifying technique; gamma of monometers for low, average and high pressure and others.
The companies of the textile and knitting industry are specialized in the production of all kinds of overcoats and underwear.
The furniture companies produce furniture of good quality although they work with a decreased capacity. The companies dealing with vacation rentals Bulgaria are among their permanent clients. The existing construction companies are supplied with a contemporary soft and heavy mechanization as well as with modern equipment for the extraction of inert materials, lime and cement solutions, and industrial stone. The natural resources are a good prerequisite to the development of tourism, resorting activity and sport. Good equipment for the development of food, wine and tobacco industry was created. The companies in the municipality can manufacture 20 thousand tones of tobacco, 10 thousand tones of meat, 45 thousand litres of milk, over 4 thousand tones of fruit and vegetable canned food and others.
The municipal land fund comprises 111448 decares of fields, 102496 decares of pastures, 2880 decares of natural meadows. The perennial plants and the cultivated land are 8285 decares.
The optimum geographical and climate conditions as well as the available material equipment are a prerequisite to the development of tobacco and vegetable crops production. Тhe main occupation of the population is tobacco growing and the kind that is most widespread is the tobacco kind from Krumovgrad . Stock-breeding is defined as the second main occupation. Predominate the small private farms for breeding domestic animals.
The forest fund is divided into forests and forest shelter belts, covering 207 748 decares (barrens, coppices, areas devastated by fire – 6 016 decares , forest paths and glades – 1 545 decares).
Industry
1. Mining industry
In the whole industrial product, mining industry has a share of about 7,6%, that during the year 1992 was 2,9%. The municipality of Kardzhali is rich in ores and non-metallic minerals. Several problems lie before the mining industry, and some of them are:
• extraction of lead and zinc ores that have a decreasing metallic content, and this affects negatively the financial state of the whole range of the closed cycle and also leads to stopping the mining process in same of the mines;
• creating ecological problems when polluting the atmosphere by harmful emissions – sulphuric and nitric oxides, carbon dioxide and non-toxic dust. This is a significant problem for the Municipality of Kardzhali;
• great financial problems mainly in non-ferrous ore extraction. The problems that the newly created structures cannot be solved by themselves.
Except for the ores, there also are many non-metallic mineral deposits in the Municipality.The great deposits of perlite, bentonite and natural zeolite are a great resource. The bentonite deposit is near the town of Kardzhali and it is practically inexhaustible. It can be characterized with optimum mining and technical conditions that is a prerequisite to the implementation of open extraction. The bentonite is of sodium-calcium type as it is the same with almost all deposites in Europe.
The second non-metallic mineral deposit is the one of zeolite and it is also near the town of Kardzhali. It is practically inexhaustible and similarly to bentonite its extraction is open. It consists mainly of 70-90% clynoptitolith. Near the town of Kardzhali is also one of the greatest deposits of trass in Bulgaria. It is the main material used in cement production. Still not exploited are the great fields of qualitative marble and facing materials, like gneiss, tuffs and limestones. The exploitation of the great deposits of non-metallic minerals on the territory of the Municipality will provide opportunity for the opening of new work places and the alternative employment establishment. The exploitation of these products might be seen as a priority of the mining branch in the economy of the Municipality.
2. Manufacturing Branch of Industry
The share of the manufacturing branch in the industry is 97.1% for the year 1 992, and for the year 1998 it has decreased with 5% in the Municipality of Kardzhali. The amount of sweat tobacco for the two years is 1992 year – 10 564 tones and 1998 year – 9 819 tones show decrease with 745 tones, which is 7%. The lowest production was in year 1996 – 3 159 tones.
The tendency in the other production branch of the light industry – woolen stuff production decreased with 32% - for the period between the years 1992 - 1998, as critical decrease was noticed in year 1995. Since year 1996 cotton material production has been stopped.
Food, wine and tobacco industry
The capacities of the existing on the territory of the Municipality companies in the food, wine and tobacco industry are suitable for tobacco, meat, milk and fruit and vegetable canned food production. They are promoted by the vacation rentals Bulgaria companies. In the second important agricultural branch – stock-breeding – the decrease in the wholesome slaughter is obvious, and consequently the production of main food products of animal origin has a clear tendency toward decrease, as a result of the unfavorable investment environment. In order to preserve tobacco production and tobacco consumption as a structure-defining branch for the region, it is necessary to change the equipment, techniques, technological scheme, and organization. Consequently, the productivity of the work will increase, the production expenses will decrease, the production rentability and production competitiveness will increase, and also market positions of the Bulgarian Oriental tobacco will become stronger.
Textile, tailoring and shoemaking industry
There are few tailoring companies on the territory of the Municipality of Kardzhali. In the Municipality there exists a qualified human resource that works in the companies of the branch, wholly orientated towards private sector. The vacation rentals Bulgaria are their best clients.
Wood -processing
Wood industry is a sub-branch of forestry and is very well developed in the municipality. The wood material is exported towards the inner parts of the country and abroad while the wood is not processed thoroughly in the region. On the territory of the municipality there are few wood-processing companies that have the physical ability to extend production if there is a greater initiative and favorable business environment, as there is a sufficient row-material base. After analyzing the present capacities in the row-material and processing branches of the light industry, the expansion and development of the existing and creating new small and middle enterprises, are a basis for the economic development in the Municipality. The wood industry supplies the vacation rentals Bulgaria with furniture.
Current industry
The available content of the non-ferrous metal deposits is not sufficient for production and capacity supply of the biggest existing industrial company for lead, zinc and white metals production and processing. A great potential for the development of processing industry is the existence of inexhaustible deposits of non-metallic minerals – bentonite, zeolite, perlite, trass, mable, rocky facing materials and others.
The growth in bentonite, perlite and zeolite products manufacturing in comparison to the year 1998 is 40.49%. This growth is a result mainly of two products – granulized bentonite and fractioned bentonite, both being intended for export. The main share of the whole production – 70.59 % belongs to the bentonite products, 22.87% to the perlite products and 1.54% - to the zeolite products. The main difficulty in this production is the less interest in it on the national market.
Тourism
The Municipality of Kardzhali is situated in the south-eastern part of the Republic of Bulgaria, in the Eastern Rhodope mountain massif. The mild climate, the favorable geographic location, the rich cultural and historical heritage, the two “lakes” - the dams, provide an opportunity for a whole-year development of all kinds of tourism. The great bio-diversity, the unique natural sights and the preserved nature, unaffected by the negative influence of the industrialization and urbanization, they all turn the eco-tourism into one of development priorities of the municipality. There are few protected areas on its territory – the natural sights of “Stone Wedding”, “Stone Mushrooms” near the village of Beli plast; “Rock window” near the village of Kostino, as well as few protected areas with habitats of universally endangered representatives of flora and fauna - “Maiden-hair fern”, “Fist rock” and “Middle Arda”.
On the valley of River Arda and the dam lakes “Kardzhali” and “Cold well” is set the beginning of constructing short-term resting places and the development of all kinds of water sports. The vacation rentals Bulgaria recommend them to their clients. There also exist perfect conditions for hunting, fishing and rowing tourism.
Numerous unique Neolithic monuments, fortresses and other archaeological finds make us remember the rich cultural and historical past of this region. In the museum of history in the town of Kardzhali is exhibited a rich collection consisting of over 30 000 exponents some of them being of universal importance. The exhibition of the three departments “Archaeology”, “Nature” and “Ethnography” trace the historical development of the Eastern Rhodopes dating back from VІ thousand years B.C up to now. The most ancient historical layers date back to the New Stone Age, passing through the Bronze Age and the Iron Age. The fortresses, the rock niches and the sanctuaries have the features of the Thracian, Greek and Roman civilization. The Medieval monastery complexes, fortresses and necropolises reveal Bysantine might and the power of the First and the Second Bulgarian kingdom.
The present archaeological expeditions on the territory of the Municipality reveal new pages of the history of this cross-road of nations and cultures. In August, year 2000, near the town of Kardzhali, near the Medieval fortress of “Perperikon” , archaeologists under the guidance of s.s.c. Nikolay Ovcharov found a Thracian king`s palace with sanctuaries dating back to V-ІV century B.C. and this palace was found under the old fortress. This is the only existing up to now Thracian king`s palace from this epoch. Few are the towns in Bulgaria that have restored monastery complexes dating back to ІХ- Х century. The monastery complex “St. Joan the Precursor” is present today.
Transport
The density of the road network is about 31 km /100 sq. km. The municipality is being served by Ist class road Haskovo – Кardzhali. There exists a well-developed 4 th class road network. Pan-European Transport Corridor №9 Helsinki – Alexandropolis is going to pass through the Municipality. Foreseen is also the opening of a new border checkpoint “Makaza” on the frontier with the Republic of Greece, this checkpoint will be 55 km south from the town of Kardzhali. The vacation rentals Bulgaria companies also offer transport services.
The development of the road network in the municipality is below the average level for the country. This is a result of the mountainous character of the area and the fast settling of the population in different places that are densely populated. Predominates the 4 th -class road network. The condition of the roads in the municipality is bad, and especially the condition of the roads to the hamlets.
The transport connections with Sofia and the other parts of the country are being realized through railroad transport and motorways. Тhere is also an equipped landing place that is not used. ”Tempotransport” OOD was founded in the year 1989. Its main activity includes: heavy-freight motor transports, trade with petrol products and motor parts, lorry repairs.
The company has its own garage areas, and the lorries have a transporting capacity of 10 to 25 t. ”Tempotransport” OOD carries out transport services to Turkey, Greece, Macedonia, Russia, Ukraina. The investment programme of the company includes renovation of the auto-parking, terminal organization and speditory activity.
“Arpezos bus” EOOD was founded in the year 1960 and since then is the main bus transport in the region. Main activities: bus transports, motor transports in the country and abroad, maintenance and repairing transport vehicles, trade activities in the country and abroad as well as transport personnel training. The future strategy of the company foresees gradual renovation of the bus parking and improving the range of the offered services. “ARZ Cap. Petko Voivoda” OOD is specialized in carrying out repair works of the lorries of KrAZ, MAZ, KAMAZ types. It has its own motor parking / dumpers, cisterns and others / with the help of which it carries out transport activity as well.
Telecommunication Services
TR “Communications“ – Kardzhali is a section of RU " Communications "- Haskovo and organizes the exploitation and development of the communicational network of the Municipality. There still exist 22 populated areas with population under 500 inhabitants that do not have telephones. The problem concerning the number of telephones for all the villages in the Municipality and improving the quality of the telephone services was solved in the year 2002 through establishing the digital automatic station in the town of Kardzhali. It should be noted that the crisis in the country does not influence considerably the consumer needs of communicational services. The incomes from the communicational activities increase constantly, and the average use suggested in tax units has an insignificant deviation.
As a result of the dynamic development of the telecommunication during the last few years, we become witnesses to the gradual connection and combination of the communicational services with the informational technologies. There is already an opportunity for establishing informational networks that integrate different ways of communication.
Education
The Municipality of Kardzhali has a sufficient network of educational institutions – with an optimal structure for common education, professional training and receiving a high educational degree – all satisfying the present-day needs. During the 1999/2000 school year in the Municipality of Kardzhali function the following nursery schools and educational institutions: - nursery schools – 24; - all-day nursery schools – 30;- educational institutions – 36; - elementary schools – 3; - primary schools – 26; - Secondary schools – 6; - higher educational institutions – 1; - centre for bringing up and educating children that lack parental care – 1; - service groups / ODK, CRD / - 6. 907 teachers work in the schools on the territory of the Municipality of Kardzhali.
In the Municipality of Kardzhali there are a number of problems existing in the educational sphere, and they are:
- During the last five years has been noticed a process of decrease in the number of the nursery schools, their pedagogical staff, the children between the age of 3 and 6, the educational institutions, the students and the teachers.
- Dropping out of students who have finished primary school, but who are still liable to CSE and are living in economically undeveloped regions. The education of these students in the municipal centers creates financial difficulties to their parents and that is why they prefer to keep their children off school. In order to continue the education of these students, Тhe Educational Inspectorate of the Ministry of Science and Education in Kardzhali should, together with the municipalities, develop the existing programs and create new ones;
- There are some professions in the specialized secondary schools that do provide opportunity for a further realization of the students;
- Too many specialist s in particular professional trends and a greater part of these trends exist in other municipalities as well;
- The more expensive professional education makes it difficult to maintain and renew the schools` material and technical base;
- The existence of joint classes and also classes with small number of students makes teachers teach subjects that they are not expert in (subjects that they do not have the sufficient qualification in). This necessitates a better personnel security of these schools and also necessitates the organization of different qualification and re-qualification courses for the teachers;
- The state of the material and technical base in education is not good. Also insufficient are the financial resources for a sufficient maintenance. Despite the fact that during 1999/2000 school year in all the schools of the municipality of Kardzhali the computer rooms were equipped, and also the same rooms in the bigger secondary schools in the other municipalities were equipped, again the material and technical base is not up to the standard.
Tourist attractions
The Thracian town of Perperikon is located near the city on a rock high above the valley. It is interesting for the fact that it is cut in the rock. The monastery of John the Precursor from 6th century was renovated in 2000 and a new bell tower was built. The town clock is unique in Bulgaria because it sings Bulgarian revolutionary songs every hour. The Kardzhali Museum of History has one of the most extensive exhibitions in Southern Bulgaria. This includes more than articles — pre-historic tools and ceramics from the Thracian cities of Perperikon and Tatul, Christian icons and ethnographic exhibits. There are many open-air restaurants, offering a variety of drinks and cocktails in summer time on the dam. It is a popular place among fans of water sports and fishing.
Dam
The reservoir of the Kardzhali Dam was recently seeded artificially with European perch. The fish was taken from the Ovcharitsa dam. The first historical moment of the dam was in the 1970s, when it was artificially seeded with sheatfish. Nowadays there are 100 kg representatives. Later, 45,000 carp were introduced into the dam as well.
Ardino
Province (oblast): Kurdzhali
Population: 4385 (15.12.2004)
Altitude: 684 m
Geographic coordinates: 41° 35' north, 25° 8' east
Time zone: EET (UTC+2; UTC+3 in summer)
Mayor: Resul Hasanov
Ardino (Bulgarian Ардино, (Turkish Eğridere) is a town in Southern Bulgaria, in the Rhodope Mountains. It is located in Kurdzhali oblast and is close to the town of Madan.
The Dyavolski most bridge, a tourist attraction, is located 10 km from the town.
Momchilgrad
Province (oblast): Kardzhali
Population: 16,901 (13.09.2005)
Altitude: 452 m
Geographic coordinates: 41° 32' north, 25° 25' east
Time zone: EET (UTC+2; UTC+3 in summer)
Mayor: Erdinch Haryrula
Momchilgrad (Момчилград, "the town of Momchil") is a town in the very south of Bulgaria, part of Kardzhali Province in the southeastern part of the Eastern Rhodopes. It is largely settled by ethnic Turks.
Dzhebel (Bulgarian: Джебел, Turkish: Cebel) is a town in Kardzhali Province, southern Bulgaria. It has 7,144 inhabitants and is mainly populated by ethnic Turks.
