LOCATION
The town of Gabrovo (76 591 inhabitants, 390 meters above sea level) is situated along the two banks of the
Yantra River, at the northern foot of the Central
Stara planina. It is situated 220km north-east of
Sofia, 274km south-west of
Varna, 46km south-east of
Veliko Turnovo, and 28km south-east of
Sevlievo.
It is situated in the immediate proximity of the geographical centre of Bulgaria and it itself is a centre of humour and jokes.
HISTORY
Gabrovo originated during the Middle Ages as a strategic settlement in the proximity of the Balkan Mountain Passes.
According to the legend a young blacksmith named Racho settled on these lands along the Yantra River. He used to shoe the horses of the caravans that traveled to and from the mountains allowing the settlers to travel more easily. These new settlers were able to sew clothes, to cook delicious dishes, to repair carts and to process leather. Near the furnace of the blacksmith there was a huge hornbeam/ or in Bulgarian - gabar/, so they named the place Gabrovo in memory of its humble origins.
In that way Racho Kovacha (the Blacksmith) established the settlement, and it was named after the hornbeam.
Today the monument of Racho Kovacha raises in the very center of the town – an imposing bronze figure, situated on a rock in the river of Yantra. The citizens apprehend the monument as a symbol of the creative and tireless Gabrovian spirit that all the generations have preserved.
At the end of the 12 th century due to the proximity of the town to the capital Tarnovo, the handcrafts and trade developed here.
During the years of the Ottoman rule Gabrovo was a big craftsmanship and trade centre. During the 19 th century 26 craftsmanships were practiced here. In 1860 Gabrovo was proclaimed as a town and the first manufacturing enterprise opened.
The first Bulgarian church school was opened in 1825 and in 1835, the first Bulgarian secular school where the mutual instruction method was applied. Since 1889 the school was named “Aprilov’s High School”, by the name of its founder.
The town is a birthplace of Vasil Aprilov, Tsanko Diustabanov, Pop (Priest) Hariton.
The town continued to develop as the biggest textile centre of Bulgaria after the Liberation and it was not by accident that it was nicknamed “the Bulgarian Manchester”. The town has been famous for its stinginess and sharp-wittedness of its inhabitants from time immemorial due to which the unique in the world House of Humour and Satire is located here.
LANDMARKS
The above mentioned unique
House of Humour and Satire (64, Brianska Street, tel. +359 66 27228). Works of authors from 153 countries are exhibited in 10 halls with an area of 8000 square meters. This House not only connects but also investigates and popularizes humour and satire in all the genres. Each uneven year the House and the whole town become the centre of the International biennale of humour and satire in arts, which is a part of the big May Cultural Festivals of Gabrovo.
The unique in South-eastern Europe open-air museum –
Etara is situated at the distance of 8km of the centre of the town.
The town
Museum of history, located in the Dechkova house (19, Opulchenska Street, tel. 066/25218).
The National
Museum of education (tel. 066/24071,25218) and the Aprilov High School.
The Art Gallery “Hristo Tsokev” (10, Kiril i Metodii Str, tel 066/23381) exhibits Bulgarian and foreign works of art. Bayov Bridge, built by Koliu Ficheto in 1855. The
Assumption of the Holy Mother church, the
clock tower(1835).
The monument of Racho Kovacha – the legendary founder of the town. It is located on a small rocky island in the Yantra River.
The Aprilov Fountain, the Planetarium and the Zoo.
THEATRES
- Drama Theatre “Racho Stoyanov” – 2, Timok Str, tel. 066/26722
- Puppet Theatre – 11, Kiril I Metodii, tel 066/29051
- Experimental Theatre of Satire and Variety – 64, Brianska Str., tel 066/26594
CULTURAL AGENDA
MARCH |
03.03 - National Holiday of Bulgaria - celebrations at the Shipka Peak, Annunciation - restoration of a traditional custom Etara |
APRIL |
01.04 - International Day of Jokes - exhibitions, concerts, surprises, Lazarovden (Day of St. Lazar) - traditional songs and dances, demonstrations of customs Etara, Architectural reserve Bojentzi, Tzvetnitza - demonstration of the custom kumichene Etara, Easter |
MAY |
Gergiovden (Day of St. George) - demonstrations of traditional customs at Bojentzi and Etar, Third Saturday of the month - Day of Gabrovo - carnival, International Dixie -land parade, National meeting of joke-Tellers (Blagolaj), International Festival of Comedy Drama Theatre of Racho Stoyanov |
JUNE |
Eniovden - competition of enyovski garlands and maidens' bunches, demonstration of a traditional custom at Etar |
JULY |
Ilinden - demonstration of traditional customs at Etar, Balkan Youth festival |
AUGUST |
Golyama Bogoroditza (Day of the Holly Mother) - folklore concert, demonstration of a traditional custom at Etar |
SEPTEMBER |
Days of Chamber Music Gabrovo, European Heritage Days exhibitions, concerts, discussions at Gabrovo, Etar, Bojentzi, Crafts exhibition at Etar, folklore concerts, demonstration of traditional crafts |
NOVEMBER |
01.11 - Day of Bulgarian Educators special programs at the National Museum of Education and the town centre |
DECEMBER |
Nikulden (Day of St. Nicholas) - customs, exhibitions, culinary show at Home of Humour and Satire, Etar, Christmas celebrations in Gabrovo, Etar, Bojentzi, New Year Eve concerts, show, fireworks, dance party at the town centre |
TRANSPORT
There are regular bus lines to
Sofia,
V.Turnovo,
G.Oriahovitsa,
Kazanlak,
Troyan,
Tryavna,
Sevlievo,
Apriltsi, the Shipka Pass.
- Bus station – tel. 066/23277
- Railway station – tel. 066/25301, 25339
SURROUNDING AREAS
The
Sokol Monastery – 12km from Gabrovo.
The
Liulitsate Resort – 15km west of Gabrovo. The climate renders a favourable influence in relation to some pulmonary diseases. A marked hiking routes starts from here in the direction of Central Ridge of Stara planina. There is a regular bus transport.
The mountain resort
Uzana – 22km south-west of the town. It is the geographic centreof Bulgaria. There are several hotels, 3 tourism’s chalets, a ski-lift, a base of the Mountain Rescue Service.
The historical
Shipka pass – 21km south of Gabrovo.
The historical peak of
Buzludja – 12km east of the pass. All the busses running between Gabrovo and
Kazanlak stop at the Shipka Pass and there is no regular running transport to Buzludja.
The architectural ethnographic reserve the village of
Bojentzi – 16km east of Gabrovo.
The natural park of
Gradishte, located high above Gabrovo amidst a pine forest, is a wonderful place for walks and outgoings.
Description
