Kuklen Municipality is located in Plovdiv Province, with its administrative center in the eponymous city of Kuklen. The earliest written mention of the town appears in the 1488 Ottoman register of Plovdiv under the name Kyukline (BG: Кюклине).
Kuklen is known for peaceful coexistence among three significant religious communities, Bulgarian Orthodox, Eastern Rite Catholic, and Muslim, all of which maintain places of worship in the town.
The springs of Kuklen municipality were a water source for the city of Philipoppolis in ancient times. Traces of the massive Roman aqueduct can still be found.
The earliest written record of Kuklen is found in the 1488 Turkish timar register for the Plovdiv region under the name Kyukline. In the Djelepkeshan register from 1576 it is mentioned as the village of Kuklena, together with the Banishte neighborhood.
Up until the early 20th century a large Greek community inhabited Kuklen. In the 1920’s, during the great resettlement of peoples following the Balkan and First World Wars, the Greek community moved to Greece and settled in Yavornitsa, Central Macedonia, renaming it New Kuklena (GR: Νέα Κούκλενα). Today it is called Trilofo (GR: Τρίλοφος).
Service records indicate that two citizens of the town participated in the Macedonian-Adrianopolitan Volunteer Corps during the Balkan Wars.
Kuklen Municipality was established on 3 July 2001, with its administrative center in Kuklen town. Kuklen town was declared a city on 13 May 2006.
Kuklen Municipality is one of eighteen constituent municipalities of Plovdiv Province. It is seven kilometers south of Plovdiv city. It is bordered on the north and west by Rodopi Municipality, and on the south and east by Asenovgrad Municipality.
Land and Topography
The municipality lies predominantly in the foothills of the Rodopi Mountains. The lowest point, elevation 167 meters (548 feet) is on the border with Rodopi Municipality. The highest point is Byala Cherkva Peak 1646 meters (5400 feet), located south of Byala Cherkva Resort. Most of the land mass is taken up by Belocherkovsky hill, which is a northeastern branch of Mount Chernatitsa.
Demographics of Kuklen Municipality
Kuklen Municipality has a population of about 6000 people living in six localities: Dobralak, Galabovo, Kuklen, Ruen, Tsar Kaloyan, and Yavrovo. Over 95% of the population resides in Kuklen (pop. 5800). None of the other locations has more than 200 residents.
The ethnic make up of the population is about 60% Bulgarian, 30% Turkish, and 10% Roma.
In 2011, the German company Mecalit Group opened their subsidiary Mecalit Bulgaria in Kuklen. The factory manufactures components for the home appliance, automotive and electronics industries. By 2019 the facility had grown to encompass 8800 square meters of production, storage, and administrative space.
Monasteries in Kuklen Municipality
The most important tourist site in the municipality is Kuklen Monastery “Saints Cosmas and Damian”, located in the Rodopi foothills four kilometers southwest of Kuklen town. Established over 1000 years ago, the church sanctuary is one of the oldest in Bulgaria. There are many precious icons and frescoes from different historical periods. The monastery celebrates two feast days for its patron saints, on 1 July and 1 November each year. The monastery is recognized as a Cultural Monument of National Importance.
A cold, clear spring flows outside the gates of the monastery. Shackles displayed in the courtyard were used to subdue the mentally ill who were led to these waters for a miraculous cure.
The Saints Peter and Paul Monastery is located at the southern end of the municipality, at an elevation of 1600 meters below Byala Cherkva Peak. The late 19th century church was built on the remains of a much older 10th century sanctuary. The monastery is currently being rebuilt following a devastating fire that burnt it to the ground.
Outdoor Leisure
The mountainous regions of Kuklen Municipality are criss-crossed by over 150 kilometers of walking trails. Hikers are served by the Bulgarian Tourist Union facilities Chernatitsa Hut and Zdravets Hut.
The Byala Cherkva Ski Resort opened in 1963, with one long run and a single lift. In recent years the area has fallen on hard times. The local government has announced plans to modernize and expand the resort.
Koprivki Ski zone in Yavrovo offers a small slope for beginner skiers. It is a quiet and peaceful place for families.
Noteworthy People from Kuklen Municipality
Father Arseniy Antonov. Parish Priest from 1941-1964. Through his efforts the Eastern Rite Catholic community built Holy Trinity Church in Kuklen.
Later Priests include:Father Kupen Mihailov, 1964- 1983, Father Evtimiy Manolov, Father Kiril Doychev and Father Daniel Gilie.
Nikolay Haytov, Writer (1919-2002). Born in Yavrovo. Author and screenwriter of The Goat Horn (BG: Козят Рог), a deeply tragic tale and one of the most famous Bulgarian films of all time.
Redzheb Kyupchyu, Poet (1934-1976). Born in Kuklen. Poet of Turkish ethnic background famous for declaring his loyalty to Bulgaria in verse: “Българийо! Аз съм твой син и мои са твоите пътища.” (Bulgaria! I am your son, and your ways are mine.”)
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