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Kardjali is located in the very heart of the eastern Rhodope mountain, along
the two banks of the Arda river, 100 km southeast of Plovdiv. 6000 years-old
remains of human life as well as ample examples of the presence of Thracian,
Roman, Byzantine, late-Ottoman and Bulgarian culture have been found on the
territory of the town. After the town's liberation from the Ottoman rule in
1912, Kardjali became the "tobacco warehouse of the eastern Rhodopes", as
some of the best quality tobaccos are grown on the special soils in the
region. Landmarks of interest are the 11th-12th century Bulgarian basilica
"St. John the Precursor", the Historical Museum, housed in a vast
mosque-like building and containing superb collections from prehistoric
ritual objects to ethnographic costumes and crafts. The two big dams on both
sides of the town are excellent places for tourism, water sports and
entertainment. Kardzhali is the starting point for visits to the numerous
rock formations in the region-the Stone Wedding and mushrooms, the Stone
Forest, the Rock Widow, the Rocks at Ustra, and the medieval fortress of
Perperek. |
