City
Gabrovo

The town of Gabrovo is situated at the foot of Stara Planina near Shipka Pass. It extends about 25 km along the Yantra river. Near the town is the sea resort "Usana", which is located at the geographic center of Bulgaria. The prevailing legend, Gabrovo was founded by Racho the Blacksmith about 250 years ago. The story states that he was wandering master blacksmith who had settled under a hornbeam tree. From there comes the name of the city - Gabrovo. In the past Gabrovo was known as Bulgarian Manchester, because of well-developed industry. The city is known as the world capital of humor and satire. In Gabrovo is unique House of Humour and Satire - a kind of "the Louvre of laughter." The most interesting place for visitors to the city is an architectural ethnographic complex "Etara" which is located 8 km. from the city and a museum of Bulgarian Renaissance with ancient workshops for traditional folk crafts. Other attractions in town: the Historical Museum, Art Gallery, National Museum. In the region of Gabrovo you can visit the architectural-historical reserve Bozhentsi - authentic old village with the Bulgarian Revival houses. Also Locality Usana and resort "Lilacs. Gabrovo is also famous for its many stone bridges, scattered around the city. Baev Bridge is one of the masterpieces of the Bulgarian architecture. Upstream of the Yantra River, 4 km south of the museum is located Sokolski Monastery Assumption.