town, south-central Bulgaria, in a broad valley on the Arda River between the Kŭrdzhali and Studen Kladenets dams, both important hydroelectric power and irrigation stations. The town became part of Bulgaria after the 1912–13 Balkan Wars.

Its strong traditional Oriental character has been balanced by development as a modern industrial town. Formerly known chiefly as a tobacco-growing centre, it is now more diversified, with lead and zinc refining and asbestos production. Noteworthy are the “mushrooms” of Kŭrdzhali, pyramidal rock formations tinted green, rose-white, or yellow by minerals near the villages of Dobrovolets, Povet, and Zimzelen. Pop. (2004 est.) 45,432.