Gabrovo (Bulgarian: Габрово) is a city in the Balkan region of Bulgaria.
Once an industrial city which produced much of Bulgaria's textiles, carpets and clothing, Gabrovo has reinvented itself since the fall of communism as a popular tourist destination, providing a comfortable place to stay, shop and dine and quick access to many local destinations. The city is also home to two museums, several historical churches and monuments in and historic bridges over the Yantra River, all popular destinations for tourists and sight seers. Recently the town won one of the biggest prizes in a national survey for "The best living town in Bulgaria" - Gabrovo won the "Greenest (Ecological) city" and came in second in readers’ choice contest.
Gabrovo began as communities harnessing the power of the Yantra River for mills and water wheels. A result of this legacy makes Gabrovo the longest city in Bulgaria as it follows the river, running north from the Balkans Mountains.
The city has a continental climate, owing to its position close to the Balkan Mountains and distance from the Black Sea. Gabrovo has hot summers and cold, snowy winters – which is good for the popular sky resorts in the nearby Uzana area. This part of Bulgaria has all four seasons, although spring is brief and falls mainly in April. The average high daily temperature in summer is about 27 C and in winter about 4 C.
- Etar Architectural-Ethnographic Complex. Closed in winter, regular business hours in spring, summer and autumn. Usually referred to as Etura, this is a recreation of a Bulgarian Revival Village, similar to what Gabrovo was like during the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. Built in the 1960s, the complex is home to a number of shops and crafts such as wood-carving, pottery, coppersmith crafts, furriery, cutlery making, needlework etc. There are also shops for souvenirs and a nearby three star hotel with a bar and a restaurant. 5 lev (about $3.50 US or 2.50 Euro) for entrance.
- The House of Humour and Satire, No. 68 Bryanska Blvd. (бул. Брянска 68) (along the Yantra River, about one kilometer north of the center of the city. 9AM - 5:30PM, closed an hour for lunch. Over the centuries, Gabrovo and the people of Gabrovo developed a reputation for being skinflints. A symbol of the town, a black cat without its tail, comes from the saying that the locals are so cheap, they cut off the tails of the cat in order to open and shut the door as quickly as possible, allowing them to save heat! To their credit, the people of Gabrovo took this reputation and made it their own, eventually establishing a museum in the city which covers this reputation and provides a venue for other aspects of Bulgarian culture and the arts of Gabrovo. 5 lev (about $3.50 US or 2.50 Euro) for entrance.
- Ethnographic Village of Bozhentsi. A village and architectural reserve in Gabrovo municipality, as compared to the city of Gabrovo itself, Bozhentsi was proclaimed an architectural and historical reserve in 1964 and is part of UNESCO's cultural monuments. A Roman bridge lies east of the village and a forest path leading to Tryavna begins on the other side. As a village there is no entry fee, however some of the museums in the village do have entry fees.
- Shipka Memorial. A memorial to those who died for the Liberation of Bulgaria during the Battles of Shipka Pass in the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-78. There are several floors inside the a 31.5-metre (98-foot) high stone tower where one can find replica of Bulgarian military flags and other relics and the top of the tower reveals a panorama of Shipka Peak and the surrounding area.
- Dryanovo Monastery. A functioning Bulgarian Orthodox monastery situated in the Andaka River Valley, It was founded in the 12th century, during the Second Bulgarian Empire and is dedicated to Archangel Michael. Twice burnt down and pillaged during the Ottoman rule of Bulgaria, the monastery was restored at it present place in 1845. It was the site of several battles during the April Uprising of 1876. As a monastery there is no entry fee.
- Gradishte. It has no set hours, though inhospitable and difficult to access in winter. This is the site of ruins of a fortress dating to antiquity, a picnic area, a children's playground and lovely pine groves. The Gradishte site also features a cliff-top view of Gabrovo. It is a public park and historic site, with no entry fee..
- Sokolski Monastery. The Sokolski Monastery is a Bulgarian Orthodox monastery founded in 1833 and named after its founder Yosif Sokolski. It in the Bulgarka Nature Park and is close to the Sokolovo cave. The whole monastery was built during the Bulgarian National Revival with the strong support of the people of Gabrovo and the local villages. The monastery also played an important role during the April Uprising.. As a monistary, there is no entry fee. Spartan rooms are available for rent on a first-come, first serve basis..
- Regional Historical Museum, Str. 10 Nikolaevska (ул. Николаевска № 10) (about a kilometer south-south-east of the city center. 9PM - 5:30PM, closed an hour for lunch. The Historical Museum takes an important place in the cultural life of Gabrovo. The beginning dates back to the first museum collection initiated in 1883 in Aprilov High School by the school principal Raicho Karolev. Nowadays the museum is housed in a beautiful baroque building built in 1904. Its rich collection includes 90 000 exhibits from the Paleolithic era, the late-ancient civilization on these lands (IV-VI centuries BC.), the First and Second Bulgarian Kingdom, the Ottoman Empire, the Revival period and the industrial boom, up to present days.. 5 lev (about $3.50 US or 2.50 Euro) for entrance.
- Hristo Tsekov Gallery, No. 10 Kiril and Metodii (ул. Св. Кирил и Методий № 10) (about 2/3rds of a kilometer due south of the city center, +359 66 803 002. 8AM - 6PM. The gallery was opened in 1974. It is named after the first Bulgarian artist with professional education who was born in Gabrovo and graduated the Art School in Moscow. Its permanent exhibition presents valuable models of icons from the icon-painting school in Tryavna. The gallery has four exhibition halls with a total area of 3000 sq. m.
Etar Architectural-Ethnographic Complex. Closed in winter, regular business hours in spring, summer and autumn. Usually referred to as Etura, this is a recreation of a Bulgarian Revival Village, similar to what Gabrovo was like during the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. Built in the 1960s, the complex is home to a number of shops and crafts such as wood-carving, pottery, coppersmith crafts, furriery, cutlery making, needlework etc. There are also shops for souvenirs and a nearby three star hotel with a bar and a restaurant. 5 lev (about $3.50 US or 2.50 Euro) for entrance.
The House of Humour and Satire, No. 68 Bryanska Blvd. (бул. Брянска 68) (along the Yantra River, about one kilometer north of the center of the city. 9AM - 5:30PM, closed an hour for lunch. Over the centuries, Gabrovo and the people of Gabrovo developed a reputation for being skinflints. A symbol of the town, a black cat without its tail, comes from the saying that the locals are so cheap, they cut off the tails of the cat in order to open and shut the door as quickly as possible, allowing them to save heat! To their credit, the people of Gabrovo took this reputation and made it their own, eventually establishing a museum in the city which covers this reputation and provides a venue for other aspects of Bulgarian culture and the arts of Gabrovo. 5 lev (about $3.50 US or 2.50 Euro) for entrance.
Ethnographic Village of Bozhentsi. A village and architectural reserve in Gabrovo municipality, as compared to the city of Gabrovo itself, Bozhentsi was proclaimed an architectural and historical reserve in 1964 and is part of UNESCO's cultural monuments. A Roman bridge lies east of the village and a forest path leading to [[Tryavna]] begins on the other side. As a village there is no entry fee, however some of the museums in the village do have entry fees.
Shipka Memorial. A memorial to those who died for the Liberation of Bulgaria during the Battles of Shipka Pass in the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-78. There are several floors inside the a 31.5-metre (98-foot) high stone tower where one can find replica of Bulgarian military flags and other relics and the top of the tower reveals a panorama of Shipka Peak and the surrounding area.
Dryanovo Monastery. A functioning Bulgarian Orthodox monastery situated in the Andaka River Valley, It was founded in the 12th century, during the Second Bulgarian Empire and is dedicated to Archangel Michael. Twice burnt down and pillaged during the Ottoman rule of Bulgaria, the monastery was restored at it present place in 1845. It was the site of several battles during the April Uprising of 1876. As a monastery there is no entry fee.
Gradishte. It has no set hours, though inhospitable and difficult to access in winter. This is the site of ruins of a fortress dating to antiquity, a picnic area, a children's playground and lovely pine groves. The Gradishte site also features a cliff-top view of Gabrovo. It is a public park and historic site, with no entry fee..
Sokolski Monastery. The Sokolski Monastery is a Bulgarian Orthodox monastery founded in 1833 and named after its founder Yosif Sokolski. It in the Bulgarka Nature Park and is close to the Sokolovo cave. The whole monastery was built during the Bulgarian National Revival with the strong support of the people of Gabrovo and the local villages. The monastery also played an important role during the April Uprising.. As a monistary, there is no entry fee. Spartan rooms are available for rent on a first-come, first serve basis..
Regional Historical Museum, Str. 10 Nikolaevska (ул. Николаевска № 10) (about a kilometer south-south-east of the city center. 9PM - 5:30PM, closed an hour for lunch. The Historical Museum takes an important place in the cultural life of Gabrovo. The beginning dates back to the first museum collection initiated in 1883 in Aprilov High School by the school principal Raicho Karolev. Nowadays the museum is housed in a beautiful baroque building built in 1904. Its rich collection includes 90 000 exhibits from the Paleolithic era, the late-ancient civilization on these lands (IV-VI centuries BC.), the First and Second Bulgarian Kingdom, the Ottoman Empire, the Revival period and the industrial boom, up to present days.. 5 lev (about $3.50 US or 2.50 Euro) for entrance.
Hristo Tsekov Gallery, No. 10 Kiril and Metodii (ул. Св. Кирил и Методий № 10) (about 2/3rds of a kilometer due south of the city center, +359 66 803 002. 8AM - 6PM. The gallery was opened in 1974. It is named after the first Bulgarian artist with professional education who was born in Gabrovo and graduated the Art School in Moscow. Its permanent exhibition presents valuable models of icons from the icon-painting school in Tryavna. The gallery has four exhibition halls with a total area of 3000 sq. m.
Gabrvo offers a profusion of shopping opportunities, including the Central Mall of Gabrovo (just south of the city center), the Terra Mall (north-west of the city center by about 1 km), a Technopolis (north-west of the city center by about 3 km) and a Billa Supermarket (north-east of the city center by about 1 km). In addition are many shops selling souvenirs, clothing, shoes, books and numerous Bulgarian delis, which are referred to as magazines.
- Glineni Garneta, No. 9 Radion Umikov St. (ул. Радион Умников 9), +359 66 805 168. Regular business hours. The establishment serves cakes, pies, fruit cocktails, coffees and similar desserts and snacks. Price range of 8 to 16 lev (or $5 to $10 U.S. or 4 to 8 Euros).
- Tempo, No. 1 Shipka St. (ул. Шипка 1), +359 66 804 867. Regular business hours. The establishment serves Italian and traditional Bulgarian cuisine. Price range of 8 to 16 lev (or $5 to $10 U.S. or 4 to 8 Euros).
- La Skala, No. 3 Radion Umikov St. (ул. Радион Умников 3), +359 66 805 051. Regular business hours. The establishment serves pizza and similar foods. Price range of 10 to 25 lev (or $6 to $17 U.S. or 5 to 13 Euros).
- Pri Lovetsa, No. 17 Emanuil Manolov St. (ул. Емануил Манолов 17), +359 89 913 489. Regular business hours. The establishment serves traditional Bulgarian and international cuisine. Price range of 10 to 25 lev (or $6 to $17 U.S. or 5 to 13 Euros).
Glineni Garneta, No. 9 Radion Umikov St. (ул. Радион Умников 9), +359 66 805 168. Regular business hours. The establishment serves cakes, pies, fruit cocktails, coffees and similar desserts and snacks. Price range of 8 to 16 lev (or $5 to $10 U.S. or 4 to 8 Euros).
Tempo, No. 1 Shipka St. (ул. Шипка 1), +359 66 804 867. Regular business hours. The establishment serves Italian and traditional Bulgarian cuisine. Price range of 8 to 16 lev (or $5 to $10 U.S. or 4 to 8 Euros).
La Skala, No. 3 Radion Umikov St. (ул. Радион Умников 3), +359 66 805 051. Regular business hours. The establishment serves pizza and similar foods. Price range of 10 to 25 lev (or $6 to $17 U.S. or 5 to 13 Euros).
Pri Lovetsa, No. 17 Emanuil Manolov St. (ул. Емануил Манолов 17), +359 89 913 489. Regular business hours. The establishment serves traditional Bulgarian and international cuisine. Price range of 10 to 25 lev (or $6 to $17 U.S. or 5 to 13 Euros).
Drinking establishments are common in Bulgaria and Gabrovo. Beer and alcohol are available at almost all coffee shops, restaurants and shops where food and refreshments are available. There are few establishments which serve only alcohol.
- Sunrise - Swimming Pool, Bar and Relax, Mestnost Qzovira 1, Gabrovo 5347, +359 878 800 799. 09:00 - 19:00. Sunrise Complex is located in the quiet surroundings near Vranovilci Dam, 12 km from the town of Gabrovo. The complex offers an outdoor swimming pool, a large car park, a bar, a kitchen and free Wi-Fi for all visitors! €5.
Sunrise - Swimming Pool, Bar and Relax, Mestnost Qzovira 1, Gabrovo 5347, +359 878 800 799. 09:00 - 19:00. Sunrise Complex is located in the quiet surroundings near Vranovilci Dam, 12 km from the town of Gabrovo. The complex offers an outdoor swimming pool, a large car park, a bar, a kitchen and free Wi-Fi for all visitors! €5.
Hiking, biking and camping opportunities are widely available in the nearby Central Balkan National Park and in the Nature Park Bulgarka, itself home to Ethnographic Complex Etara, Dryanovo Monastery, Sokolski Monastery, Shipka Pass, and the Uzana area. Also, the Gradishte Trail (Екопътека Градище) leads from the city center to the ruined fortress overlooking Gabrovo. The Bozhentsi Trail (Екопътека Боженци - Дряновски манастир) leads to the village and the Dryanovo Monastery.