Gabrovo Town

Gabrovo is a town in central northern Bulgaria, the administrative centre of the region of Gabrovo. 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, as well as being noted for its Bulgarian National Revival architecture. It is also known as the longest town in Bulgaria, stretching over 25 km along the Yantra, yet reaching only 1 km in width at places.

The town has a history reaching back 8-10,000 years to the Stone Age. More recently (around 400 AD) Thracian tribes built their settlements and some Roman and Byzantium fortresses are partially preserved even today.

It is said the name of Gabrovo comes from the Bulgarian gabar, which means hornbeam tree, which was sited close to a blacksmith's forge in the days when caravans of horses travelled the area.

Its strategic location near Tarnovo and the Shipka pass gave rise to commerce and education and small industries connected with agriculture, stock-breeding, leather, textiles and carpentry promoted the area's status.

Gabrovo Region

This region covers an area of 2068 sq. km and a population of around 134,000. The region plays host to a number of international events and festivals, especially in the area of sport, crafts and arts.
The major towns are: Gabrovo, Sevlievo, Dryanovo, Tryavna, Tsareva Livada and Velkovtsi. There are many villages with historical and architectural interest.

Bozhentsi

The village of Bozhentsi, 28 km west of Tryavna is an architectural paradise, with almost all of its buildings being built in the 18th and 19th centuries in the regional "Revival" style.

Every year in the beginning of September the village hosts the open-air "Autumn in Bozhentsi", and from June to September - an exhibition-bazaar of works of art. It is possible to stay overnight in some of the villages treasured old houses.