Gabrovo Габрово
The Town Hall
Flag Coat of arms
Gabrovo Location of Gabrovo
Coordinates: 42°52′N 25°20′E / 42.867°N 25.333°E / 42.867; 25.333Coordinates: 42°52′N 25°20′E / 42.867°N 25.333°E / 42.867; 25.333
Country	Bulgaria
Province (Oblast)	Gabrovo
Government
• Mayor	Nikolai Sirakov
Elevation	392 m (1,286 ft)
Population (Census February 2011)[1]
• City	58,950
• Urban	65,268
Time zone	EET (UTC+2)
• Summer (DST)	EEST (UTC+3)
Postal Code	5300
Area code(s)	066

Gabrovo (Bulgarian: Габрово) is a city in central northern Bulgaria, the administrative centre of Gabrovo Province. It is situated at the foot of the central Balkan Mountains, in the valley of the Yantra River, and is known as an international capital of humour and satire (see Gabrovo humour), as well as noted for its Bulgarian National Revival architecture. Gabrovo is also known as the longest city in Bulgaria, stretching over 25 km^{[citation needed]} along the Yantra, yet reaching only 1 km in width at places. The geographic center of Bulgaria - Uzana is located near the city. According to Census 2011, as of February 2011, the population of the town was 58,950 inhabitants.^[1]

History[link]

The area around Gabrovo, inhabited since the Neolithic, gained economic importance after Veliko Tarnovo became capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire in the 12th century. Craftsmanship and trade prospered due to the proximity to both the capital and the Balkan passes. Medieval Gabrovo was a small pass village of about 100 houses.

According to the most widespread legend, Gabrovo was founded by a young blacksmith called Racho, close to whose fireplace a hornbeam (габър, gabar in Bulgarian) rose, so the settlement acquired its name.

After the Ottoman invasion of the Balkans in the 14th century, the demographic position of Gabrovo changed significantly, as it was the only settlement in a considerably large geographic area and an attractive place for Bulgarians fleeing from the conquered capital and neighbouring fortresses. It turned from a village into a small town (palanka) and began to develop as an economic, cultural and spiritual centre.

Bulgarian Orthodox Theophany Crucession in Gabrovo. The priests are going to throw a wooden cross in the Yantra. Believers will then jump into the icy waters to "save" the cross.

During Ottoman rule, the rich tradesmen spent plenty of resources for the small town's public planning. The first Bulgarian secular school, the Aprilov National High School, was founded in Gabrovo in 1835 with the aid of Vasil Aprilov and Nikolay Palauzov. Gabrovo was officially proclaimed a town by the Ottoman authority in May 1860.

Shortly before and after the Liberation of Bulgaria in 1878, Gabrovo developed as a centre of industry on the basis of its economic traditions. Joint-stock companies emerged, factories were constructed and connections to the large stock exchanges were created, prompting some to label the city "The Bulgarian Manchester".^{[citation needed]}

The Bulgarian National Revival church of Gabrovo, an architectural monument.

It is hard not to notice that this is the longest city in Bulgaria. With the amazing 28 km (this is a lot for Bulgaria, the Capital Sofia is only 21 km long), Gabrovo represent the past, the "now" and the future of the country. Recently^[when?] the city won one of the biggest prices in the biggest National survey for "The best living city in Bulgaria" - Gabrovo won the "Greenest (Eco) city" and became 2nd in the readers contest. For more information you can see - dariknews.bg. Also Gabrovo is the city with most monumental statues - more than 14 000. The "city" also has an opportunity for business development. The Gabrovo Municipality Agenda says that Gabrovo has an BB+ credit raiting.

Demographics[link]

Gabrovo saw its most rapid growth in the post-World War II years, when its population was doubled. Following general population trends in Bulgaria, the number of citizens started declining after the fall of Communism in the country. People started emigrating abroad or to the capital of Sofia. Currently, Gabrovo is more than 20,000 people short of its peak, achieved in the period 1985-1991 when the number of the residents exceeded 80,000.^[2] The following table presents the change of the population after the liberation of the country in 1878.

Culture[link]

Internationally known as a centre of humour and satire, Gabrovo has two theatres, the Racho Stoyanov Drama Theatre and the puppet theatre, a House of Humour and Satire that serves as a cultural institute, a centre, museum and gallery to popularise comic art. There is also a cinema, Aleko Cinema, and a number of museums and menorial houses both in the town and around it, most notably the Etar Architectural-Ethnographic Complex and the National Museum of Education at the Aprilov National High School. A planetarium is also in operation. Gabrovo is twinned with the Belgian town of Aalst and Mogilev in Belarus.

Tourism[link]

Houses of the late 19th-early 20th century in Gabrovo's central part - the House of Vasil Karagiosov

Places of interest in Gabrovo include the House of Humour and Satire and Aprilov National High School. In Gabrovo Province sites include architectural reserve Bozhentsi. Hiking is widely available in the Central Balkan National Park and in the Bulgarka Nature Park, itself home to Ethnographic Complex Etara, Dryanovo Monastery, Sokolski Monastery, Shipka Pass, and the Uzana area. For admirers of historical tourism Shipka Memorial is a must-see.

Sports[link]

• City's most successfully sports club is FC Yantra Gabrovo, which was founded in 1919.
• The city also has long handball traditions.
• About 25 km from the city in Central Balkan Mountains is located the renowned winter resort Uzana.

Honors[link]

A minor planet 2206 Gabrova discovered on April 1, 1976 by Soviet astronomer Nikolai Stepanovich Chernykh is named in honor of the city.^[7]

Gabrovo Knoll on Livingston Island in the South Shetland Islands, Antarctica is named after Gabrovo.

Notable natives[link]

This article's list of residents may not follow Wikipedia's verifiability or notability policies. Please improve this article by removing names that do not have independent reliable sources cited within this article showing they are notable and residents or by incorporating the relevant publications into the body of the article through appropriate citations. (August 2011)

• Vasil Aprilov - revivalist and educator; founder of the first secular school in Bulgaria
• Nikolay Palauzov - marchant, donated money for the Gabrovian school
• Ivan Kolchev Kalpazanov (1835–1889) - industrialist, ancestor of the modern industry in Gabrovo and Kingdom of Bulgaria (1882)
• Vasil Nikolov Karagiosov (1856–1938) - teacher, politician, grantor - contributor, industrialist, German honorary vice consul, monk in the Zograph monastery "St.martyr George" - Mount Athos
• Koljo Karagiosov (1896–1972) - industrialist, grantor - contributor, German honorary vice consul,repressed by the Communist Government of Bulgaria (1947–1972)
• Tsanko Dyustabanov - revolutionary
• Chardafon - Prodan Tishkov - revolutionary
• Lyubomir Andreychin - explorer of the Bulgarian language
• Dora Boneva - painter
• Emanuil Manolov - composer
• Ran Bosilek - writer
• Christo Yavashev - installation artist
• Ivan Vutsov - sportsman
• Svilen Noev - pop-singer
• Petar Rusev, father of Dilma Rousseff, current and first female president of Brazil

International relations[link]

Twin towns — Sister cities[link]

Gabrovo is twinned with:

• Thun, Switzerland
• Mytischi, Russia
• Mahilyow, Belarus
• Shaki, Azerbaijan
• Aalst, Belgium
• Mittweida, Germany
• Panevėžys, Lithuania
• Sisak, Croatia
• Nowy Sącz, Poland
• Preshov, Slovakia

See also[link]

• Gabrovo humour and jokes
• Ethnographic museum Etara
• Village of Bozhentsi
• City of Tryavna
• City of Dryanovo
• Dryanovo Monastery
• Sokolski Monastery
• Shipka Memorial
• Winter Resort Uzana
• Prodan Tiskov - Chardafon
• Football Club Yantra Gabrovo
• Bulgarka Nature Park
• Central Balkan National Park
• Gradiste

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Gabrovo

• Gabrovo at WikiTravels
• Gabrovo municipality's home page

	Lovech	Sevlievo	Veliko Tarnovo
	Troyan		Tryavna
		Gabrovo    East
	Karlovo	Kazanlak	Sliven

v t e Cities and towns of Bulgaria 1,000,000+ Sofia (capital) 300,000+ Plovdiv Varna 100,000+ Burgas Pleven Ruse Stara Zagora 50,000+ Asenovgrad Blagoevgrad Dobrich Gabrovo Haskovo Pazardzhik Pernik Sliven Shumen Veliko Tarnovo Vratsa Yambol 20,000+ Aytos Botevgrad Dimitrovgrad Dupnitsa Gorna Oryahovitsa Karlovo Kardzhali Kazanlak Kyustendil Lom Lovech Montana Nova Zagora Petrich Razgrad Samokov Sandanski Sevlievo Silistra Smolyan Svishtov Targovishte Troyan Velingrad Vidin 10,000+ Balchik Bankya Bansko Berkovitsa Byala, Rousse Province Byala Slatina Cherven Bryag Chirpan Elhovo Etropole Gotse Delchev Harmanli Ihtiman Isperih Karnobat Kavarna Knezha Kostinbrod Kozloduy Kubrat Levski Mezdra Momchilgrad Nesebar Novi Iskar Novi Pazar Panagyurishte Parvomay Pavlikeni Peshtera Pomorie Popovo Provadiya Radnevo Radomir Rakovski Razlog Stamboliyski Svilengrad Teteven 5,000+ Aksakovo Ardino Belene Belogradchik Beloslav Bobov Dol Chepelare Dalgopol Devin Devnya Dolni Chiflik Dragoman Dryanovo Dulovo Dzhebel Elena Elin Pelin Galabovo General Toshevo Hisarya Kameno Koynare Kostenets Kotel Krichim Krumovgrad Kuklen Lukovit Lyubimets Lyaskovets Madan Nedelino Omurtag Oryahovo Perushtitsa Pirdop Polski Trumbesh Rakitovo Saedinenie Septemvri Simeonovgrad Simitli Slivnitsa Sopot Sredets Straldzha Strazhitsa Suvorovo Svoge Tervel Topolovgrad Tryavna Tsarevo Tutrakan Tvarditsa Varshets Vetovo Veliki Preslav Yakoruda Zlatitsa Zlatograd Under 5,000 Ahtopol Alfatar Antonovo Apriltsi Balgarovo Batak Batanovtsi Belitsa Belovo Boboshevo Bolyarovo Borovo Boychinovtsi Bozhurishte Bratsigovo Bregovo Breznik Brusartsi Byala, Varna Province Byala Cherkva Chiprovtsi Debelets Dimovo Dobrinishte Dolna Banya Dolna Mitropoliya Dolna Oryahovitsa Dolni Dubnik Dospat Dunavtsi Dve Mogili Glavinitsa Glodzhevo Godech Gramada Gulyantsi Gurkovo Hadzhidimovo Iskar Ivaylovgrad Kableshkovo Kalofer Kaolinovo Kaspichan Kermen Kilifarevo Kiten Klisura Kocherinovo Koprivshtitsa Kostandovo Kresna Krivodol Kula Laki Letnitsa Loznitsa Madzharovo Maglizh Malko Turnovo Marten Melnik Merichleri Miziya Momin Prohod Nikolaevo Nikopol Obzor Opaka Pavel Banya Plachkovtsi Pliska Pordim Pravets Primorsko Rila Roman Rudozem Sadovo Sapareva Banya Sarnitsa Senovo Shabla Shipka Shivachevo Slavyanovo Slivo Pole Smyadovo Sozopol Strelcha Suhindol Sungurlare Sveti Vlas Tran Trastenik Tsar Kaloyan Ugarchin Vetren Valchedram Valchi Dol Varbitsa Yablanitsa Zavet Zemen Zlataritsa

v t e Municipality of Gabrovo Capital: Gabrovo Villages Angelov Armenite Baevtsi Balanite Balinovtsi Bankovtsi Bekriite Belomajite Bobevtsi Bogdanchovtsi Bozhentsi Boltata Boriki Borskoto Boycheta Boynovtsi Brunetsite Byalkovo Charkovo Chavei Chernevtsi Chervena lokva Chitakovtsi Chukilite Debel dyal Divetsi Djumriite Donino Draganchetata Draganovtsi Dragievtsi Dragomani Dumnitsi Ezeroto Furgovtsi Garvan Gaykini Gaytanite Genchovtsi Genchovtsi Gergini Gledatsi Gornova mogila Grablevtsi Gubene Haracherite Iglika Ivanili Ivankovtsi Iztochnik Kalchovtsi Kameshtitsa Karali Kievtsi Kmetcheta Kmetovtsi Kolishovtsi Kopcheliite Kostadinite Kostenkovtsi Kozi rog Lesicharka Loza Malini Malusha Mechkovitsa Mejdeni Michkovtsi Mihaylovtsi Milkovtsi Morovetsite Mrahori Muzga Nikolchovtsi Novakovtsi Orlovtsi Ovoshtartsi Parchovtsi Partevtsi Penkovtsi Petrovtsi Petsovtsi Peyovtsi Popari Popovtsi Potok Prahali Prodanovtsi Rachevtsi Rahovtsi Raynovtsi Redeshkovtsi Ruychovtsi Ryazkovtsi Sedyankovtsi Semerdjiite Seykovtsi Sharani Shipchenite Smilovtsi Solari Spantsi Spasovtsi Starilkovtsi Stefanovo Stoevtsi Stomanetsite Stoychovts Stoykovtsi Subotkovtsi Svinarski dol Todorcheta Todorovtsi Torbalazhite Trapeskovtsi Trunito Tsvyatkovtsi Uzunite Velkovtsi Vetrovo Vlahovtsi Vlaychovtsi Vrabtsite Vranilovtsi Vulkov dol Yankovtsi Yasenite Yavorets Zdravkovets Zeleno darvo Zhaltesh Zhivko Zlatevtsi Landmarks Etar Architectural-Ethnographic Complex Sokolski Monastery House of Humour and Satire Central Balkan National Park Uzana Buzludzha Hristo Botev Stadium Culture Gabrovo humour Aprilov National High School FC Yantra Notable people Chardafon Ran Bosilek Emanuil Manolov Vasil Aprilov Tsanko Dyustabanov Lyubomir Andreychin Nikolay Palauzov Dora Boneva Christo and Jeanne-Claude Zdravko Lazarov Plamen Markov Velislav Vutsov