Chernichevo, Kardzhali Province

Chernichevo (Bulgarian: Черничево) is a village in southern Bulgaria, located in the municipality of Krumovgrad in the Kardzhali Province. It is situated in the Eastern part of Rhodope Mountains, near the border with Greece. Its original Bulgarian name is "Dunyata" (Bulgarian: Дунята). The correct geographical location of Chernichevo is 41° 21' N, 25° 47' E.

Chernichevo is located in a region with an ancient history and rich past. Near the settlement there are seven Thraciandolmens. The Bulgarian archeologist Georgi Nekhrizov identifies Eastern Rhodopi region (citing Chernichevo) as an area with a distinct dolmen building style, which is distinguished from the typical Thracian tradition.

During the Middle Ages the Rhodopes were a battlefield of many wars between the Eastern Roman Empire and the Bulgarian Empire for influence in the Balkans. In these wars the local Bulgarian population supported the army of Bulgaria. In the Latin-Bulgarian conflict the local population supported the Bulgarian forces too. Geoffrey de Villehardouin claims that the local Bulgarians in the Southern Rhodopi killed in a battle Marquis Boniface of Montferrat who was the king of Thessaloniki.

Later, in mid 14th century, the region was attacked by Turkish troops, which made their first significant appearance in Europe in these years. Near Chernichevo there are ruins of an old village, a medieval fortress and a monastery, destroyed probably during the Ottoman invasion.

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