Kardzhali, Administrative center in Eastern Rhodopes, Bulgaria
Kardzhali is a city in the Eastern Rhodopes that spreads across both banks of the Arda River. It sits between the Kardzhali Reservoir and the Studen Kladenets Reservoir at an elevation of around 275 meters.
The region was originally a Byzantine Christian diocese called Achridos before taking its present form after the First Balkan War in 1912. This marked a major turning point in the area's development.
The Regional History Museum houses collections spanning prehistoric times, Thracian artifacts, and medieval items displayed in an early 1900s building. The exhibits reflect the different periods that shaped this region's story.
The city sits about 260 kilometers southeast of Sofia and forms part of European route 9. This connection provides good access for travelers heading toward Thrace and the Aegean region.
The surrounding area contains natural formations called the Kardzhali Pyramids, created by erosion of volcanic rocks near the village of Zimzelen. These colorful rock formations resulted from weathering processes over thousands of years.
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