Polkovnik-zhelyazovo is a village in Southern Bulgaria. It is part of the municipality of Krumovgrad, Kardzhali Region.

It is located 1 km south-east of the town of Krumovgrad, 49 km in the same direction of the regional center Kardzhali and about 290 km of the capital - Sofia city.

The village is located in a mountainous region at an altitude about 250 m. The climate is transitional Mediterranean, the winter is mild and the summer - long and hot.

The population is about 547 people.

The village of Polkovnik-zhelyazovo has a relatively good infrastructure - the streets are paved, the village has electricity and water supply systems, all mobile operators have coverage, regular bus transport connects the village with the municipality central town.

Polkovnik-zhelyazovo is located on one of the main thoroughfares in Southern Bulgaria - II 59 Momchilgrad - Krumovgrad - Ivaylovgrad which connects the municipality of Krumovgrad with the neighboring municipalities, the regional center Kardzhali and the national transport network.

There are a kindergarten and a town hall here. The nearest school is located in Krumovgrad. Medical assistance can be obtained again there. There are two medical fascilites in the town - general hospital and a helath center.

The main crop providing livelihood of the population is tobacco. Stockbreeding is well developed too.

LANDMARKS AND TOURISM

There is a prehistoric village found in the settlement of the near village of Vransko /3 km in the north-west/. The area where it was found is called Keremid cheli. The name is connected with the large amount of broken pottery located on the surface of the fields. Stone mortars, two stone hammers and flint blades were found as well. The finding is connected with the Karanovo II culture /middle Neolithic - 5 thousand BC/.

In the near town of Krumovgrad one can visit a number of sites with cultural and historical significance. The town was built on the foundations af a fortified settlement. One part of the fortification has been saved and is located in the center of the town.

The medieval nave church in the central part of Krumovgrad is also an interesting site. It was built of hewn stones soldered with white plaster.

The mosque "Seytlyar dzhamisi" is also a site with importance for the cultural heritage of the town. It was built on the foundations of an old wooden mosque from XVI - XVIII century and is believed to be the main reason for the existance of Krumovgrad and the villages that surround it. The friday meetings of people there were the reason for trade relations to arise, for commercial stores and, later, even house to appear.

A museum collection which includes  over 2000 exhibits connected with the cultural and historical heritage of the municipality of Krumovgrad is located in a monument-building in the town.

Source: www. krumovgrad.bg , www.bg.guide-bulgaria.com
Photos: www.panoramio.com