Hrastovo is a village in Southern Bulgaria. It is part of the municipality of Krumovgrad, Kardzhali region.

It is located 15 km south-west of Krumovgrad, 52 km south-eats of Kardzhali and approximately 292 km in the same direction of the capital Sofia city. The village of Tokachka is situated 11 km in the south-west.

The village is situated in an area with semi-mountainous relief at an altitude about 440 m. The climat is transitive-Medditerranean which determines the mild winter and the long, hot summer.

Here live about 60 people.

The village is situated near the Makaza Pass, through which an international road part of transport corridor № 9 Kardjali - Makaza – Alexandroupolis passes. This major thoroughfare has contributed a lot to the economic development of the region.

Hrastovo has a relatively good infrastructure - most of the streets are paved, there are electricity and water supply systems, the mobile operators have coverage. Bus transport connects it with Krumovgrad.

The nearest elementary school is located in the village of Tokachka. Medical help can be obtained again there since there is one GP working in the village. The nearest general hospital is situated in the municipal town where the nearest secondary school and kindergarten are located as well.

LANDMARKS AND TOURISM

In the village of Kandilka /5 km in the north-west/ you can see the evergreen Thracian oak, which is 120 years old and is the only one in the Balkan countries.

About 12 km east of Hrastovoa, in the area of the village of Ribino you can see the Area Ribino, declared protected in order to preserve populations of  endangered plant and animal spieces, as well as for the conservation of karst landscape including rocks, springs and caves.

At 7 km in the south-east, in the area Tsarkvishteto near the village of Limets, is located the sanctuary of Sabaziy - the God of the Sun. The sanctuary has a round shape and was built of stones without mortar.

One of the most interesting sites which can be visited near the village of Rogach /19 km in the north-east/ is the Rock Tomb - sanctuary, known among locals as Guyu or Kuyu. The sanctuary is located on the right bank of the River Krumovitsa. The site is revered as sacred as two small holes resembling human steps were found on the rocks. These tracks are called "The steps of Ali" (Muslim saint).

The architectural landmarks in the town of Krumovgrad are also of interest to tourists. In Krumovgrad you can see:

• the remains of a fortifying wall, part of the foundations of a fortified village;

• the mosque "Seytlyar dzhamisi", considered to be one of the main reasons for the existence of the town and the villages that surround it;

• a museum collection of over 2000 exhibits, located in a house declared a cultural monument.

Source:  www.krumovgrad.bg, http://bg.wikipedia.org
Photos:  www.panoramio.com, http://imagesfrombulgaria.com