Razhena (Bulgarian: Ръжена) is a village in central Bulgaria, located in Kazanlak Municipality, Stara Zagora Province. The village functions as an independent kmetstvo (mayoralty) within the municipality and does not include any other settlements in its territory.[1] The settlement was officially renamed from Razhina to Razhena by Decree No. 960, promulgated on 4 January 1966.[2]
Razhena
Ръжена | |
|---|---|
  Razhena Location of Razhena in Bulgaria | |
| Coordinates: 42°32′05″N 25°29′46″E / 42.53472°N 25.49611°E | |
| Country | Bulgaria |
| Province | Stara Zagora |
| Municipality | Kazanlak |
| Elevation | 433 m (1,421 ft) |
| Population (2021) | |
• Total | 963 |
| Time zone | UTC+2 (EET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+3 (EEST) |
| Postal code | 6171 |
| Dialing code | +359 431 |
Geography
edit
The village lies in the foothills of the Sredna Gora mountain range, situated at an elevation of 433 metres above sea level. The village is located in a mountainous area at the foothills of Sredna Gora, near the Tundzha River, west of the village of Yagoda and east of the village of Kanchevo. The climate is moderate-continental with moderately warm summers and high precipitation.[3]
Razhena is located 15 km from the municipal center Kazanlak and 26 km from the regional center Stara Zagora. The distance between Razhena and the capital Sofia is 179 km.[3] The village sits within the Kazanlak Valley, one of the Sub-Balkan valleys, and stands close to the lowest point of Kazanlak Municipality (307 m), which is found in the Tundzha riverbed east of the village on the border with Maglizh Municipality.[4]
The village is located very close to the Rose Valley of Bulgaria, a popular tourist destination. The oil rose of Kazanlak, widespread in the region, is well known for its qualities.[3]
History
editThe historical (Ottoman-era) name of the village was Hamarsaz.[5] Following the Liberation of Bulgaria, the population grew steadily, with figures recorded as 830 inhabitants in 1884, 1,022 in 1892, 1,161 in 1900, 1,308 in 1905, 1,337 in 1910, 1,536 in 1926, and 1,583 in 1934.[6] According to local historical records, silver and copper ore is sought after in the lands of Razhena, having been exploited there in Roman times.
A presumed medieval fortress is located in the area called "Konarsko", approximately 3.99 km southeast in a straight line from the center of the village.[7]
Demographics
editPopulation
editThe population of the village according to the censuses through the years:[8]
| Year | 1934 | 1946 | 1956 | 1965 | 1975 | 1985 | 1992 | 2001 | 2011 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,583 | 1,538 | 1,390 | 1,335 | 1,437 | 1,255 | 1,138 | 1,116 | 1,028 | 963 |
2011 census
editNumber and share of the ethnic groups according to the 2011 census:[9]
| Population | Share (%) | |
|---|---|---|
| Total | 1,028 | 100.00 |
| Bulgarians | 483 | 46.98 |
| Turks | 340 | 33.07 |
| Roma | 129 | 12.54 |
| Others | 51 | 4.96 |
| Undeclared | 9 | 0.87 |
| Did not answer | 16 | 1.55 |
Culture and infrastructure
editThe village hosts a community cultural center (narodno chitalishte) named "Svetlina-1928", which was founded in 1928. Construction of the building that houses the chitalishte and library began in 1932. The institution has received numerous awards and is a holder of the Order of Saints Cyril and Methodius, second degree. Until 2010 it bore the name "Svetlina", and was renamed "Svetlina-1928" thereafter.[10]
Razhena is also home to the "Sts. Cyril and Methodius" United School (Obedineno uchilishte), an educational institution serving the local community.[11] The village has a full-day kindergarten, a primary school and a community center. There is one general practitioner, while the nearest health establishment is in the municipal center.
Annual events
editThe local feast day of the village is celebrated on Ivanovden (Saint John's Day), which falls on 7 January each year. The chitalishte organizes a rose-picking event with a program in the rose gardens of Razhena together with Kazanlak Municipality and participates in the Rose Festival in the town of Kazanlak. Together with the mayoralty of Razhena, it organizes a celebration on the occasion of the village's holiday.[12]
The village is one of the locations where the traditional rose-picking rituals of the Kazanlak Rose Festival take place every spring.[13]
References
edit- ↑ "с. Ръжена - област Стара Загора, община Казанлък, ЕКАТТЕ 63570". ekatte.com (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 25 April 2026.
- ↑ "Кметство Ръжена - Административен регистър". iisda.government.bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 25 April 2026.
- 1 2 3 "The village of Razhena". mirela.bg. Retrieved 25 April 2026.
- ↑ "Карта на Ръжена". bulmaps.bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 25 April 2026.
- ↑ "село Ръжена". mirela.bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 25 April 2026.
- ↑ "Кулата в село Ръжена". Sevtopolis (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 25 April 2026.
- ↑ "С. Ръжена - крепост". Bulgarian Castles (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 25 April 2026.
- ↑ "Information on the population of village of Razhena, Kazanlak municipality, Stara Zagora district". National Statistical Institute. Retrieved 25 April 2026.
- ↑ "Ethnic composition, all places: 2011 census". pop-stat.mashke.org. Retrieved 25 April 2026.
- ↑ "НЧ „Светлина-1928" с.Ръжена". Municipality of Kazanlak (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 25 April 2026.
- ↑ "Обединено училище Свети Свети Кирил и Методий, Село Ръжена". registarnauchilishtata.com (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 25 April 2026.
- ↑ "Ръжена ни кани на своя празник в събота". PressTV Kazanlak (in Bulgarian). 9 January 2026. Retrieved 25 April 2026.
- ↑ "Guide to the Rose festival, Kazanlak Rose Festival Tours and Info". bulgariarosefestival.com. Retrieved 25 April 2026.
External links
edit- Рыжена на карте, Болгария (in Russian)