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The town of Kardjali is situated 240 metres above sea level in the heart of the Eastern Rhodopes Region which is located in the central southern part of Bulgaria. The Plovdiv and Smolian Regions are to the west; the Haskovo and St.Zagora Regions to the north and Turkey and Greece to the south. This area is divided into eight territories with seven towns and five hundred and twenty two villages - the largest of which is Kardjali with over 577,000 inhabitants.
There are two large dams on either side of the town which are excellent areas for recreation and sport activities. Numerous country houses have been built here and you will find a good selection of bars and restaurants to choose from.
Kardjali was a settlement over 6,000 years ago with examples of Prehistoric remains of human life as well as examples of Thracian, Roman and Byzantine culture being found here plus medieval Bulgarian and late Ottoman remains.
The eleventh century basilica of St. John the Precursor is located in the Vselchane quarter of the town. During excavation works in 1998 a burial tomb of a senior Christian bishop wearing his gold-knitted clerical attire was found. Only three more outfits of this kind exist in the world, but the one in Kardjali is unique because it is the first to be found in a burial tomb.
The Picture Gallery in Republikanska str. displays the works of famous painters including Vladimir Dimitrov, Kiril Tsonev and Dechko Uzunov.
Kardjali has two theatres: the Dimitar Dimov in Bulair str. and puppet theatre located at 17 Trakia blv.
The transport communications links are excellent here with the E-85 international motorway running through Kardjali and connecting to the European Transport Highway number 9 which runs from Rousse to Komotiny in Greece. There is easy access to Sofia in the west (288 km); Bourgas and Varna in the east (Black sea); to Rouse at the Romanian Border in the north by railway; and the Greek Port, Alexandrupolis, in the south (120 km).
There is a regular bus service to Plovdiv, Haskovo, Smolyan and Ardino. The bus station is located in Bulgaria blvd. next to the railway station which operates the Russe Tulovo Podkova line.
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