Kurdjali is located in the very heart of the Eastern Rhodopes, along the two banks of the Arda River, on both sides of which are the two big dams - Studen Kladenets Dam to the east and Kurdzhali Dam to the south. It is situated at the distance of 250 km, 100 km and 81 km south-east of Sofia, Plovdiv and Assenovgrad and is a regional administrative centre.

This place had been a settlement as early as 6 000 years ago. Prehistoric remains of human life as well as ample examples of the presence of Thracian, Roman and Byzantine culture have been found plus medieval Bulgarian and late-Ottoman remains. The first historical finds are associated with the Thracian tribe koelaleti, subdued by the Romans during 1st century. Then came the Slavic tribe of Smoleni. During the Middle Ages the settlement frequently shifted under Bulgarian or Byzanitine rule.
Bulgarian presence is proved by the unique 3-navel Bulgarian basilica found in Vesselchane Quarter of the town dated to the 11th - 12th century. This town quarter is heir of medieval Bulgarian town Munyak demonstrating an architectural style, similar to that of Preslav, Messemvria and Turnovo. In the 14th century the settlement was conquered by the Turks, and in 1379 it was populated by colonists from Asia Minor. In the middle of the 17th century the town was ruled by Kurdzhi Ali - a noted army leader. It is supposed that accepted the town was named after him. During the 18th century bloodthirsty kurdzhalii gangs (Turkish brigands), which ruined not one and two prospering Bulgarian villages, used to gather in the town. In January 1878 the Don Cossacks of General Chernobouzov liberated the town, which was to remain within the Eastern Rumelia part of the country, as agreed under the Berlin Treaty. In 1886 it is given to Turkey again as a compensation for the Union (1885). On 8th October 1912 the soldiers of colonel Delov’s regiment liberated the town for the second and last time.

The medieval fortress of Perperek is located in the valley of a small river, only 7 kilometres to the south-east of town (in the direction of Haskovo). This was the most powerful fortress in the Ahridos region, and during 13th - 14th century was an bishop’s and fortified Bulgarian town. The Turks met fierce resistance during their invasion of the country in the 14th century and this is why after conquering it, they slaughtered the greater part of the population, others took in slavery and the destroyed the fortress. It now stands in ruins. Only the hexagonal tower of carved stone is partially preserved. Remnans of the settlement are also preserved - they were owned by the bolyar Momchil.