Brief Information about Gabrovo
The town of Gabrovo is
situated at the northern foot of Central Stara Planina, in the
immediate proximity of the geographical centre of Bulgaria.
Gabrovo originated during the
14 century. According to a legend, Racho Kovacha ( the
Blacksmith) established the settlement. But archaeological
remains in the city centre proved that the settlement existed in
the 12 century.
During the National Revival
period Gabrovo was an important centre of crafts and trade. It
had connections all over Europe and the Middle East. Its
inhabitants embraced the advanced ideas of this period and the
town was the cradle of Bulgarian education and culture. In 1835
the first Bulgarian non-clerical high school was opened by Vasil
Aprilov who donated the money for the building.
After the Liberation of
Bulgaria, the textile, leather and machine-building industries
were fast growing in Gabrovo. Education was further developed
too. The famous Aprilov School became well-established and one
of the first technical schools in Bulgaria was opened. It was
named after the Gabrovian patriot Nikola Vasiliadi who donated
the money for the building.
At present in Gabrovo are the
largest manufacturers of electric hoists, cutting tools and
plastic articles in this country. There are companies producing
textiles, electronic and electrical products, furniture, etc.
Gabrovo cherishes the
tradition to be educational, cultural and spiritual centre of
the region with institutions as the Technical University,
Aprilov High School, Technical High School, Mathematical High
School, National Museum of Education, House of Humour and
Satire, Drama Theatre, Puppet Theatre, House of Culture "Emanuil
Manolov", Museum of History, etc.
In the surrounding areas one
can feast ones' eyes on the sight of the panoramic view towards
the town from the old fortress wall (4 - 7 century) in the
locality of Gradishte (6 km), or visit the legendary Shipka
Mount (23 km) , the historical Dryanovski Monastery (19 km) and
Sokolski Monastery (10 km), the Renaissance towns of Tryavna and
Dryanovo, the unique in South-eastern Europe open-air museum -
the architectural ethnographic complex of Etura (8 km), the
architectural reserve the village of Bozhentsi (14 km), the
beautiful mountain resorts Lyulyatsite (15 km) and Uzana (23
km), etc.
Gabrovo can be reached easily
because there are good road and rail links to other parts of the
country. A fast and convenient way is Hemus motorway (Sofia -
Varna) but at Sevlievo (27 km), a diversion has to be made to
Gabrovo. The international road E-97, connecting Northern to
Southern Bulgaria is also convenient. The road
E-91 (Sofia - Bourgas) is picturesque and when Kazanlak is
reached, you leave E-91 and take E-97 through Shipka Pass for 48
km to Gabrovo. If you prefer railways, you can use Sofia -
Bourgas,
Sofia - Varna or Rousse - Stara Zagora services to the station
of Tsareva Livada and there change trains to Gabrovo. |
