Knezha

Knezha (Bulgarian: Кнежа, pronounced [knɛˈʒa]) is a town in Pleven Province, Northern Bulgaria. It is the administrative center of the homonymous Knezha Municipality. As of December 2009, the town has a population of 11,191 inhabitants. The town's name is most probably derived from the Slavic word knyaz ("prince, duke"), most likely after a local ruler that defended the population in the area during the Ottoman rule of Bulgaria. Knezha is the third-largest town in the province, after Pleven and Cherven Bryag, and is the administrative centre of a municipality. A local landmark is the 17-metre (56 ft) steel Christian cross constructed on a hill overlooking the town. The cross' construction was financed entirely by donations. It has...