Gabrovo

Gabrovo

Gabrovo is a town in central Bulgaria, administrative and economic center of the eponymous municipality of Gabrovo and Gabrovo district. It is located along the Yantra River at the northern foot of the Shipka part of the Balkan Mountains. In close proximity to it, in the Uzana area, is the geographical center of Bulgaria. According to the latest NSI data as of December 31, 2018, the population of Gabrovo is 52,169 people. Gabrovo residents are known for their love of humor (see Gabrovo jokes), for their annual humorous carnival of humor and satire, for their mechanical engineering, for their numerous monuments and bridges and long streets. Gabrovo is the longest town in Bulgaria with its 25 km from Yabalka district to Smirnenski dam.

 

Sights

Theaters
Racho Stoyanov Drama Theater
Ran Bosilek State Puppet Theater
MIM Theater - Gabrovo
Summer theater
Gargara Youth Theater Studio - Gabrovo

Art galleries
Hristo Tsokev Gallery
Art gallery - 10 Orlovska St
Shop-gallery "Avits Art" - 15 Radetsky Street

Music and dance art
Gabrovsky Chamber Orchestra
Orchestra Gabrovo
Representative wind orchestra - Gabrovo
Gabrovo reserve officers' choir "Emanuil Manolov"
Staroplaninsko Echo Choir
Vocal group "Nadezhda" at the Society of the Disabled and Community Center "Gabrovo"
Vocal group "Nezabravka" from the Day Center for Old People at Aprilov-Palauzov Community Center
Women's choir for academic singing - Gabrovo
Mixed Choir "Aprilov - Palauzov"
Vesela Music Club
Chance Vocal Group
Children's folklore ensemble "Gabrovche"
Sivek Dance Ensemble
Talevi Music School
Show - ballet "Magia" - Gabrovo
Ritmika Competitive Dance Club
Dance formation "Mega Dance"
Music School at the "Emanuil Manolov" Music Society
Children's art workshop at "Raicho Karolev" school
Encaustic School of Fine Arts

Houses of culture and cinemas
Home of humor and satire
House of Culture "Emanuil Manolov"
People's Community Center "Aprilov - Palauzov 1861"
People's Community Center "Gabrovo 2002"
People's community center "Hristo Smirnenski 1949" - Rusevtsi quarter
Community center "St. St. Damascene and Onufrius Gabrovsky 2011"
Community center "Zora" - Nova Mahala quarter
Aleko Cinema

Museums
Open Air Ethnographic Museum "Eter"
Architectural-historical reserve Bozhentsi
Regional History Museum (Gabrovo)
House Museum The Boy's House
Home of humor and satire
National Museum of Education
Museum exhibition "Postal messages in Gabrovo"
Cultural Center Bread House "St. Christopher" - Gabrovo
Interactive museum of industry - in the past, Gabrovo was an important trade and craft center. To this day, industry continues to be a leading industry in the region. From here was born the idea of creating the only museum of its kind on the Balkan Peninsula, opened on March 21, 2014. In an innovative way, by means of sound, visual and light effects, the history of the socio-economic life of the city is traced. The exposition is developed in three stages, each of them occupying a separate floor of the building. The first stage is dedicated to industrialization after the Liberation (from the end of the 19th century to 1944). The second stage traces the fate of the industry during the communist rule (from 1944 to 1990). The third stage examines the industry in the period from the fall of the totalitarian regime to the present day. The talk is led by virtual narrators, and visitors are accompanied by a guide who answers their questions and helps them work with the interactive installations and digital panels. Thanks to modern information technologies and audio-visual applications, an authentic atmosphere and a sense of realism are achieved.

Gabrov's humor
Gabrov's humor
Home of humor and satire

 

Regular events

Liberation of Bulgaria from Ottoman rule - on March 3 every year, on Mount Shipka
April 1 – humor day and Planeta Gabrovo's birthday
International Biennale of Humor and Satire in the Arts (IBHSI) – third Saturday in May, every odd year
National "Thank You" brainstorming meeting - the third Sunday of May, every odd year
Dixieland Parade - May, every year up to and including 2007.
International Festival of Comedy Performance - May, every odd year
Children's Mini Carnival – the third Saturday of May, annually
Traditional carnival – the third Saturday of May, annually
National exhibition (review) of cats - annually on the day of the Carnival
May 24 - Day of Bulgarian Writing - an annual event
Plein air painting in the village of Bozhentsi
Orchestra Gabrovo is the host and organizer of the International Dixieland Parade, which is held annually in the second ten days of May until 2007 inclusive.
International Fair of Folk Crafts – beginning of September, every year
Battles of Shipka - August 22
International Forum "Art, Ecology and Science for Sustainable Social Development" - August 20 - 27 /since 2010/ - organizers: Nadezhda Savova - founder of Saint Hristofor Bakery - Gabrovo, World Cultural Platform "Culture 21", Association "Planeta Gabrovo", Gabrovo municipality
September Days of Culture August 28 – September 14 /since 2009/
Chamber Music Days – May and September
Feast of sacred music - 14.10. - annually, on the occasion of the day of St. Petka Bulgarska and the Spiritual Feast of Gabrovo
"Funny Film Fest Gabrovo"
Paper Lanterns - an annual September festival that celebrates freedom, love and peace (since 2011).

Sports
Sports hall Orlovets,
Stadiums: Hristo Botev, Vasil Aprilov, Hristo Smirnenski
Yantra Football Club, founded on September 21, 1919. The beginning was made with a match against "Lokomotiv" - Gorna Oryahovitsa won with 1:0.
Yantra 2000 Football Club
"Bucky" handball sports club - Gabrovo
Sports club for applied shooting and airsoft "Alfa Metal"
Volleyball Club "KVK Gabrovo"
Yantra Rugby Club
Sport Model Club Gabrovo
Five tennis courts and three indoor swimming pools are available to Gabrovtsi residents

 

Churches

Assumption Church (Gabrovo)
Holy Trinity Cathedral,
Saint John the Forerunner Church - Kamaka quarter
Saint Ivan Rilski Church - Bichkinia quarter
"St. Panteleimon" Chapel - "Dr. TOTA VENKOVA" Medical Center
Chapel "Holy Apostles Peter and Paul"
Virgin Monastery "Holy Annunciation"
Sokol monastery
Chapel of Saint Petka, consecrated on October 14, 2000.

Saints of Gabrovo
Saint Onufrius of Gabrovo – January 4
Saint Damascene of Gabrovsky – January 16
Saint Lazar Bulgarian (Debeldyalski) – April 23

Holy relics and miraculous icons in Gabrovo
The holy relics of St. Catherine, St. Anna, St. Onuphrius of Gabrovo, St. Mercury
Miraculous icon of the Holy Mother of God in Sokol monastery
In the 13th century, the holy relics of St. Paraskeva (Petka) of Epivatska passed through Gabrovo on their way to Tarnovo, to remain in the Tsarevets temple specially built for them by Tsar Ivan Asen II in the old capital until it fell under Ottoman rule.
On November 24, 2008, the holy relics of St. Catherine, St. Anna and St. Onuphrius of Gabrovo were exhibited for worship in the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary church.
On September 21 and 22, 2009, the Miraculous icon of the Most Holy Mother of God Troeruchitsa from the Troyan Monastery visited the "Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary" church in Gabrovo.
On October 19, 2009, a part of the relics of Saint Ivan Rila the Wonderworker, which are kept in Veliko Tarnovo, visited the church "St. Ivan Rila", Bichkinia district.
On November 24, 2009, the holy relics of St. Catherine, St. Anna and St. Onufrius of Gabrovo were brought out for veneration in the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary church.

 

Monuments and monuments

Monument to Vasil Aprilov
Memorial plaque of Saint Petka
Monument to Racho Kovacha
Monument to Nikolai Palauzov
Memorial plaque to Nikolai Palauzov
Monument to Dr. Petar Tsonchev
Monument to Yuri Venelin
Memorial plaque of Raicho Karolev
Monument to Ran Basilek
Monument to Chardaphon the Great
Memorial tablet of Chardaphon the Great
Monument to Gen. Fyodor Radetsky
Monument to the dead of the 55th Podolsky Regiment (Ensign Krakhovetskiy) and 56th Zhytomyr Regiment (Ensign Nikolaev)
Monument to Mitko Palauzov
Monument to Dr. Tota Venkova
Memorial plaque of Dr. Tota Venkova
Monument to teacher Tsvetko Samardzhiev
Monument to Tsanko Dyustabanov
Monument to Emanuil Manolov
Monument to Pancho Vladigerov
Monument to Neophyte of Rila
Monument to Cunning Peter
The monument on Mount Shipka
Memorial plaque of Vasil Levski
Memorial plaque of "Maternal Care" Society - Gabrovo
A full-length monument to Captain Santa Claus
Monument to Captain Dyado Nikola, erected by the grateful citizens of Gabrovo in memory of the hero
Monument to cadet Nikola Donchov Boinovski or as Nikola Voinovski is known (1849 – 1876), cadet in Odessa, participant in the detachment of Hr. Botev, who died near the village of Shipkovo, Troyansko, after the defeat of the squad in the Vrachan Balkan
Russian monument
Monument to those who died in the wars (1912 – 1918)
Monument of freedom
Monument to Totyu x. Dosev or also known as Totyu Ivanov
Memorial plaque of Todor Kableshkov
Fertility monument - at the beginning of Gabrovo, direction from Sevlievo
Monument to Academician Nikola Mihov
Feld Memorial Plaque. Ivan Somlev, (1922 – 1944), aviator, "My feat is nothing compared to the duty to the Motherland."
Monument to Nikola Vaptsarov, (1909 – 1942), poet
Monument to Yordan Radoslavov
Bust of Ivan Kalpazanov - located in the Regional History Museum - Gabrovo

Bridges
Igoto Bridge (Konashki Most)
Baev Bridge
Shivarov bridge
Padal Bridge (next to the House of Humor and Satire)
Bychkin bridge
Hadzhitsonev bridge
Potter's bridge
Borovsky bridge
Gornokrai bridge

Facades of famous houses
Bobcheva house
Yamantiev's house
Dr. Tsonchev's house
The house of Hadji Stoychevi
The house of Hadji Gunchevi
The House of Morocco
Konkilevi's house

Fountains and wells
Kamen springs - "Toplica" and "Izvora"
Gunin's well
Stinking water
April fountain
Konashka (market) fountain
Petar Hadzhihristov's fountain
The fountain of the Virgin Monastery
Clock tower fountain
The fountain at the grain market
The love fountain
Clock tower fountain with a lion's head

Parks
Park next to the Church of the Assumption (Gabrovo)
"Mecheto" Park (between "Aprilov - Palauzov" Regional Library and "Racho Stoyanov" Drama Theater)
Bajdar Park (Alleys)
The park opposite the "Mac" company (Marcoteia)
The park next to the Sony service
Gradishte Park
Marcotteia Park
The park next to the Wheel

Curious
The Eight Wonders of Gabrovo is a half-joking list of "sights":

Monument in the river - monument to Racho Kovacha on an island in the Yantra River.
Cosmos on Earth - an establishment on the 20th floor of the tallest building - Cosmos Cafe (does not exist).
Ship in the forest - the building of the hospital for lung diseases, has the shape of a ship. It was built by Gabrovo industrialist Pencho Semov. It is located in a wooded area in the quarter "Dyado Dyanko". The people of Gabrov call it "Steamboat".
A tree in the middle of the road - a hundred-year-old tree near the Racho Kovacha monument, on "Skobelevska" street.
Stairway to nowhere - steps among the trees, near the House of Culture.
Small planet Gabrovo (Asteroid 2206 Gabrovo) – a small planet named after Gabrovo and registered under number 2206 was discovered.
Three Babes Under Water - a composition of three bathing nude women holding fish in the fountain in front of the Yantra Hotel.
The horsemen on the roof of the "Emanuil Manolov" House of Culture.
Two bridges side by side over the river - the Baeviy bridge.

 

History

Name
The first known name of the settlement, Gabruva, dates from 1477, and today's name, Gabrovo, appeared in the 17th century. One of the first written documents in which Gabrovo is mentioned is from 1704. In it, permission is requested for the repair of the church "St. Petka" and it is said that "it is ours from the conquest to this day". The name comes from the hornbeam tree.

History of the city
Occurrence
According to the most common legend, Gabrovo was founded by Racho Kovača about 250 years ago. The story goes that he was a wandering master blacksmith who settled under a hornbeam tree. There are many other, but not so popular, legends about the first settlers of Gabrovo.

Gabrovo arose in the Middle Ages as a strategic settlement near the old mountain passes. 2 km east of the city is the "Gradishte" fortress, which existed until the beginning of the 7th century. Based on the discovered gold and copper coins from the time of the Roman emperors Constantine I the Great (306 – 337) and Justin II (565 – 578), archaeologists date the Gradishte fortress as late antique and early medieval (from IV to VI century)

Archeological research on the territory of the fortress revealed a fortress wall with a length of about 4 km, which surrounded the fortress, 42 densely built residential buildings, premises of the garrison guarding the fortress, a main entrance and three guard towers. The main temple, built in the 4th century, was located in the highest part of the Gradishte fortress, and a little later a baptistery was built next to it, the so-called. baptistery. The Gradishte fortress was destroyed and rebuilt many times; it is considered to have ceased to exist after the fall of Bulgaria under the Ottoman yoke.

In 2012, the excavations in Gradishte were cleaned, and in 2013, it is planned to continue the excavations.

During archaeological excavations in 1985 and 1989, a multi-layered necropolis in the center of Gabrovo, which existed in the period XIII-XIX centuries, was studied, as well as the remains of the church "Sveta Petka". It is believed that the church was built after the stay of the relics of St. Petka Bulgarska in the settlement, when they were transferred from Epivat to Veliko Tarnovo in 1298. Thus, the existence of a settlement on the territory of Gabrovo during the time of the Second Bulgarian State was confirmed.

Gabrovo is the hometown of Ivan Kalpazanov, who built and together with Vasil Karagyozov equipped with modern German machines the first textile factory in Gabrovo and in the newly liberated Principality of Bulgaria (1882). Having turned into the "Bulgarian Manchester", Gabrovo is home to many outstanding enterprising individuals. Thus, industry and education are developing here at a rapid pace in parallel. The two became the founders of long-term Gabrovo-German relations. The beginning was made in December 1881 in the city of Chemnitz, Germany. The culmination was the establishment of a German consulate in Gabrovo with consuls Vasil Karagyozov (1926 – 1933) and Kolyo Karagyozov (1934 – 1935).

At the end of the 12th century, crafts and trade developed here, as well as industries related to the service and protection of the passes through the Balkans - blacksmithing, gunsmithing, etc. During the years of Ottoman rule, Gabrovo was a large craft and trade center. In the 19th century, 26 trades were practiced here - blacksmithing (Nalbant), cutlery, chakrakki, pottery, pipe-making, leather-working, blacksmithing and much more. The first textile factory (1882) was founded by Ivan Kolchev Kalpazanov with the help of Vasil Karagyozov in partnership with Petko Tsokev.

 

Ottoman period

Most likely, the initial settlements were around "Toplica" - a spring on the road to Stara Planina, at the foot of the "Petkova Niva" hill. They probably happened about 600-700 years ago, and maybe even earlier. One of the first written documents in which Gabrovo is mentioned is from 1704. In it, permission is requested for the repair of the church "St. Petka" and it is said that "it is ours from the conquest to this day". From these words, it can be judged that Gabrovo existed when Bulgaria fell under Ottoman rule (1396) and long before that, to have a church. The remains of the Gradishte fortress can still be seen today, although they are in need of restoration. Excavations were last made there in the nineties of the 20th century.

In 1622, Evliya Celebi passed through the Shipchen Pass with an armed detachment of 500 men on his way to the Ottoman campaign against Austria. According to his travelogue: the people of Gabrovi, who are obliged to guard the pass, do not hesitate to attack Turkish couriers, small groups of soldiers and other travelers passing through it. On the way down to Gabrovo, "in a narrow, wild and stony place, suitable for ambushes", Evliya Celebi's detachment was attacked and the Turks fought twice. About Gabrovo, Evliya Celebi writes: God, forgive me, but the village is rebellious, it is not suitable for five or ten people to stay there... In a word, these villagers commit robberies in the Shipchen mountain, they do not accommodate even 150-200 people in their village souls of horsemen, and those who lodge there with strength do not send with health. The prudent should not go to these mountains, because both winter and summer there are many robbers.

In 1860, Gabrovo was declared a city. Felix Kanitz says of it that in the 1870s "it was one big workshop" and that it was "a city that lives on water", referring to the massively used water power. The fame of Gabrovo products spread throughout the Ottoman Empire and beyond. In Bucharest there is still a street named Gabroveni.

Bulgarian revival
The rapid economic rise and the national awakening are the reason why the first Bulgarian secular school was opened here in 1835. In 1872, it grew into a secondary school, and from 1889 - into the Aprilov High School, named so in honor of its founder Vasil Aprilov, a prominent Renaissance figure. Beautiful Renaissance houses, churches, bridges, fountains, a clock tower (1835) were built. The inhabitants of the city took an active part in the uprising of Captain Grandfather Nikola in 1856, in the Tarnovo uprising of 1862, in the detachments of Hadji Dimitar and Stefan Karadzha (1868), of Hristo Botev (1876), of Tsanko Dyustabanov (1876 .- entirely formed in Gabrovo). In 1868, Levski established a revolutionary committee here. The city is the birthplace of Vasil Aprilov, Tsanko Dyustabanov, Pop Khariton, the composer Emanuil Manolov, Todor Burmov and many others.

After the Liberation
And after the Liberation in 1878, Gabrovo developed as the largest textile center of Bulgaria, which was not accidentally nicknamed the "Bulgarian Manchester". The city has long been famous for the frugality and wit of its inhabitants, which is why the world's only House of Humor and Satire is located here.

In 1906, electric lighting was installed on part of the central streets, powered by the "Usteto" hydroelectric power plant built by Ivan Hadjiberov.

Between the Balkan and World Wars
During the Balkan War in 1912, 13 people from Gabrovo joined the Macedonian-Odrina militia as volunteers.

 

Geography

Location

The town of Gabrovo is located at the foot of Stara Planina, near the Shipka Pass. It stretches along the river Yantra. The city is located 44 km from Veliko Tarnovo, 204 km from the capital Sofia, 137 km from Plovdiv, 263 km from Varna and 247 km from Burgas.

Gabrovo is connected to railway transport in Bulgaria via the Gabrovo-Tsareva livada line. Through Gabrovo passes one of the most important road connections crossing Bulgaria in the north-south direction, which is part of the Pan-European Transport Corridor IX (Helsinki - St. Petersburg - Kyiv - Bucharest - Ruse - Veliko Tarnovo - Gabrovo - Stara Zagora - Dimitrovgrad with deviations to Greece and Turkey).

Near the city is the locality "Uzana", where the geographical center of Bulgaria is located.

In the land of the town of Gabrovo there are also 19 villages that do not have their own land: Baevtsi, Boynovtsi, Vrabtsi, Genovtsi, Gornova mogila, Dumnitsi, Zeleno dreko, Malusha, Mechkovitsi, Morovetsi, Prodanovtsi, Pertevtsi, Ruychovtsi, Ryazovtsi, Stoykovtsi, Stomanetsi, Todorovtsi, Trnito and Chukilite.

 

Climate

The territorial development of the district and the priority development of certain economic branches are favored by its varied semi-mountainous and mountainous relief and favorable climate.

The climate in the region is temperate continental, characterized by cold winters and relatively warm summers. Precipitation is markedly continental in nature. On average, about 900 l/m² fall annually. In the autumn and winter months, the north and north-west winds prevail, and in the spring and summer - the south. The region is characterized by a high annual duration of sunshine. Average annual temperatures are around 10 °C. On the high mountain parts, the snow cover lasts for about 110 days.

Terrain and waters
The Yantra River and its two main tributaries – the Sinkevitsa River and the Panicharka River – flow through the city. The Siviak River flows through Etr Open-Air Ethnographic Museum and immediately afterwards flows into the Yantra. Yellow River is a right tributary that flows into Yantra near Bichkinia district. Other water streams on the territory of the city: Ruychov and Turski dol, Belilska and Kozya reka (tributaries of the Panicherka), Yelovitsa and Strashka reka (tributaries of the Siviak), Maimun Dere (tributary of the Yantra River at the former "Captain Djado Nikola" plant), Lopushnitsa river (Sheinini quarter, a tributary of the Rositsa river), Svinarski dol and Repivitsa (tributaries of the Yantra river near Boykata quarter).

Flora and fauna
The wood species are mainly beech, hornbeam and oak. On the meadows there are many rose bushes and blackberry bushes. During the rainy summer days, most common types of mushrooms can be found in the forests of Gabrovo (mushroom, duck's foot, roe deer, boletus, milkweed, powdery mildew, mushroom, etc.). There are barbel and mullet in the numerous rivers flowing through the city.

 

The first associations and institutions, the first in Bulgaria as well

The first modern school - the Gabrovo school in 1835, founded by Vasil Aprilov and Nikolay St. Palauzov;
The first modern factory with only Bulgarian capital in the newly liberated Principality of Bulgaria was the "Ivan Kolchev Kalpazanov" factory in 1882, founded by Ivan Kalpazanov in partnership with Petko Tsokev and the invaluable help of Vasil Karagyozov, who was also its long-term director;
The first moving model - Ivan Nedkov's 1892 moving model of a boiler steam engine, owner of the steel factory "Ivan Nedkov"
The first cast iron radiators in Bulgaria - designed by Engineer Simeon Nedkov and produced in the "Ivan Nedkov" factory
The first cotton textile loom in Bulgaria - designed by engineer Tsvetan Nedkov and produced in the "Ivan Nedkov" factory
Prof. Dr. Nikola Nedkov - plastic surgeon, one of the founders of the Department of Plastic Surgery at ISUL /Institute for the Advancement of Doctors/, today Tsaritsa Joanna University Hospital - Sofia
Engineer Tsvetan Nedkov – one of the founders of the organized sports activity in Gabrovo
The first credit cooperative - "Poor Work" 1889.
The first knitting factory – founded by Hristak Momerin in 1890
The first consumer cooperative - "Savings-Consumer Tobacco Workers' Company" 1895.
The first productive cooperative - Napreduk Workers' and Tailors' Society 1895.
The first machine tannery cooperative - Shtastie factory
The first circular knitting machines – brought by Yordana Kavalova
The first brush factory - 1925 Stefan P. Kedev. The factory produces all types of brushes: paint, barber, painting, horse, shoe, industrial shafts, and their quality successfully competes with German ones.[14]
The first molding factory - "Panicharka" factory 1910.
The first pigeon mail - Hristo Bruchkov - 1877
The first Society of the "Red Cross" in the Principality of Bulgaria - November 1, 1883.
The first weather station – January 1, 1887.
The first meteorologist – Hristofor Angelov
The first psychological laboratory in Bulgaria - Assoc. Dr. Nikola Hristov Alexiev
The first orchestra in Bulgaria - 1845, the orchestra of the violinists Tsviatko and Pencho Karakolevi

 

Little known facts about Gabrovo

The first secular New Bulgarian school - 1835, founded by Vasil Aprilov and Nikolay St. Palauzov
The first student library - 1840
The first application of the sonorous method for pronouncing letters - 1868.
The first physics classroom - 1872.
First civilian post office in the country - January 1878 (together with those from Svishtov and Tarnovo)
The first fabric supply factory for the Princely Court - Ivan Kolchev Kalpazanov's factory - 1882, built by Ivan Kalpazanov, Petko Tsokev and Vasil Karagyozov
The first light bulb in Bulgaria - 1882
The first performance of the current anthem "Dear Homeland" in the Aprilov High School
The first Red Cross Society in the Principality of Bulgaria - founded on November 1, 1883, earlier in time was the Red Cross Society in Sliven - October 25, 1878, but then Sliven was within the borders of Eastern Rumelia
The first experimental agricultural station
The first weather station – January 1, 1887.
The first Bulgarian banknote with serial number 000001 from 1881 is stored in the Historical Museum - Gabrovo.
The first governor of Sofia and the first prime minister of Bulgaria was Todor Burmov from Gabrovo in 1880. He was born in the village of Nova Mahala, now Nova Mahala district.
1882 Ivan Kolchev Kalpazanov, with the help of Petko Tsokev and Vasil Nikolov Karagyozov, founded the first modern factory for the production of textiles, shayats and gaitans in Gabrovo and in the newly liberated Principality of Bulgaria
The first court princely factory in Bulgaria since 1884 was the factory of Ivan Kalpazanov.
The first 35 hp water turbine driven (1885) and with coal (1901) - the factory of Ivan Kalpazanov, under the management of Vasil Karagyozov.
The first factory in Gabrovo with its own office in the city center - Ivan Kalpazanov's factory, under the management of Vasil Karagyozov.
The first factory in Gabrovo with its own flag, sewn in Vienna - the factory of Ivan Kalpazanov, under the management of Vasil Karagyozov.
The first factory to open a steam power plant in 1911 – the factory of Ivan Kalpazanov, under the management of Vasil Karagyozov.
The first factory to deliver a special pavilion from Vienna for the First Bulgarian Exhibition (1892) - Ivan Kalpazanov's factory under the leadership of Vasil Karagyozov.
The first factory that granted pensions to its workers on its own initiative in 1922 - Ivan Kalpazanov's factory under the management of Vasil Karagyozov.
The first factory that opened a workers' bathroom in 1939 – the factory of Ivan Kalpazanov, led by Kolyo Karagyozov and Ivan Dobrev Kalpazanov.
One of the first factories whose owners insured their workers at the beginning of the 20th century, when the insurance market began to develop actively - Ivan Kalpazanov's factory under the leadership of Vasil Karagyozov, later led by Kolyo Karagyozov and Ivan Dobrev Kalpazanov.
A German consulate was opened in 1926 with consuls Vasil Karagyozov (1926 – 1933) and Kolyo Karagyozov (1934 – 1935). The consulate was moved to Varna at the end of 1935.
The most industrialized city in Bulgaria in the period 1905-1978 was Gabrovo. This is the reason why the city became known as the "Bulgarian Manchester"
Pencho Ivanov Semov - industrialist from Gabrovo from the beginning to the middle of the 20th century, known for his charitable work in supporting many public undertakings.
The first factory for the production of gunpowder, explosives and cartridges - gunpowder factory "Elovitsa"
The first shoe mold factory - 1918.
The first tennis court and ice rink – 1922 in Ivan Hadjiberov's park, now workshop 1 of the Fintex company
The first and all 11 soap factories until 1936.
The first factory for coke and derivatives.
The tallest building in the Gabrovo region – the 20-story Cosmos building
First street radio broadcast in the country - 1946.
1954 radio technicians Iv. Gatev and T. Bochukov constructed the first portable tape recorder in Bulgaria
The bell of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary church - the first bell brought from abroad to Gabrovo
There was a German consulate in Gabrovo. In the period 1926 - 1933, the honorary German vice consul was Vasil Karagyozov. In 1934, the honorary German vice consul was Kolyo Karagyozov. After 1934, it was moved to Varna.
Gabrovo was declared a creditor of Bulgaria in 1942.
The first modern concert hall – opened on October 21, 1962.
The first full-time variety orchestra outside the capital - "KO", created at the then enterprise "Cultural recreation" - Gabrovo /1960/. First at the "All-Bulgarian Competition for Pop Art Masters" for Northern Bulgaria - Pleven /1962/.
A baritone saxophone bought for the first time in Bulgaria after the war. Hristo Mitev from Gabrovo was the first to play it /1962/.
Awarded with a gold medal and the title "Laureate of the Second Republican Festival and Sports Games" STUDENT ORCHESTRA at the Textile Technical College, Gabrovo - Sofia /1964/.
The first post-war jazz club in Bulgaria - HOT CLUB GABROVO /1965/.
First attempt in the country to create a big-band formation in Gabrovo within the framework of a full-time brass orchestra, based on the idea of Ivan Andreev /1967/. Concert held in Veliko Tarnovo.
The first workers' jazz club in Bulgaria in ETZ "Podem", Gabrovo /1978 - 1979/. Supported by the local jazz club and the factory Komsomol organization.
The first Bulgarian orchestra to participate in the XI International Dixieland Festival in Dresden - SWING DIXIE BAND GABROVO /1981/.
First international jazz meeting in Bulgaria - Gabrovo /1982/.
The first specialized jazz festival in Bulgaria with international participation, under the name DIXYLAND PARADE GABROVO /1983/.
For the first time, a Bulgarian orchestra participated in the Traditional Jazz Salon - Prague, Czechoslovakia. SWING DIXIE BAND GABROVO /1985/.
The Bulgarian orchestra SWING DIXIE BAND GABROVO was the first from the socialist countries to take part in the major jazz festivals Jazz Band Ball in Paris, France /1986/ and Dixieland Jubile - Sacramento, USA /1990/.
SWING DIXY BAND GABROVO was the first in Bulgaria to record its own long-playing gramophone record with Dixie music - "Folk Dixie" /1986/.

 

Politics

Mayor
The 2007 local elections were won by Tomislav Donchev (GERB). He defeated Nikolay Grigorov (Bulgarian Socialist Party) in the second round. In 2010, Tomislav Donchev was elected Minister of European Money Management in Boyko Borisov's cabinet. This necessitates new local elections in Gabrovo, which were won by Nikolay Sirakov (GERB). In the regular local elections in 2011, Tanya Hristova (GERB) was elected mayor of Gabrovo Municipality, in the first round, with 57.67%. The local elections in 2015 were won by the previous mayor of the city, Tanya Hristova (GERB) with 68.38% of the votes in the first round.

Coat of arms and flag
The coat of arms of the city of Gabrovo consists of the traditional official signs of this kind: a heraldic shield, on which stands a wall crown - a stylized fortress wall with towers - an old city symbol, revealing the urban form of development and the antiquity of its origin. A motto ribbon with the text "Work and perseverance" is wrapped around it - part of the motto of the first Gabrovo industrialist Ivan Kalpazanov. The heraldic shield on a red background symbolically depicts the main factors that contributed to Gabrovo's prosperity.

In the middle, wavy lines mark the river Yantra, around which the settlement developed from the deepest antiquity. Above it is depicted a stylized gear wheel - a symbol of industrial production, which brought fame to Gabrovo; on the left, there is a hammer on it, which represents one of the oldest crafts in Gabrovo - blacksmithing, associated with the legendary founder of the city - Racho Kovača. On the right side of the shield is a stylized caduceus - the tip of the staff of the ancient Greek god Hermes, which symbolizes the development of trade. Under the image of the Yantra River is an open book, symbolizing the aspiration of the people of Gabrovo towards education and science, which found expression in the foundation of the first New Bulgarian school in the settlement in 1835.

 

Economy and infrastructure

Economic characteristic
In the past, Gabrovo was known as the Bulgarian Manchester due to its highly developed industry. The beginning was made by Ivan Kolchev Kalpazanov and Vasil Karagyozov, who created the first modern textile factory in Gabrovo and in the newly liberated Principality of Bulgaria (1882). In the first years of the 19th century, the first Gaitan chark was brought from the Transylvanian city of Brasov to Gabrovo.

From the existing small productions arose a huge industry for its time. The textile (wool and cotton), leather and iron industries are developing.

Production is concentrated in the following directions:

cotton and woolen textiles;
cotton and woolen knitwear;
sewing industry;
mechanical engineering;
production of plastic products;
processing of hides and production of leather goods;
shoe manufacturing;
production of knives and household utensils;
furniture manufacturing;
production of bread and bakery products;
production of milk and milk products;
chocolate products;
construction.
On November 26, 2009, the first mall type shopping complex - Terra Mall Gabrovo - opened its doors in the city.
On March 26, 2010, Mall Gabrovo also opened its doors.
In Gabrovo, there are large trade chains for appliances and food products: "Billa", "Liddle", "KAM Market", "CBA", "Technomarket", "Zora", "Technopolis" and "Kaufland".

Media
Regional newspapers
"100 vesti" newspaper, daily newspaper - regional private printed and online edition
The newspaper "Gabrovo today" is a private newspaper and is published three times a week.
"Dialog" newspaper - information bulletin.
Gabrovo Info What, where... in Gabrovo
Gnews Gabrovo
Media for urban culture.
Newspaper "Istinata" - printed edition of PP "Ataka" - Gabrovo.
information site for Central Northern Bulgaria Sever

 

Education and science

Schools
In 1835, the first Bulgarian mutual (grade) school was opened in Gabrovo. Many people at that time wanted to introduce it, but the idea came from Vasil Aprilov and Nikolay St. Palauzov, Bulgarian merchants, originally from Gabrovo, resettled in Odessa. The National Museum of Education is located directly next to the April High School (in the same building).

Gabrovo has one higher school - Technical University - Gabrovo. Today, training in it is carried out in three faculties with 24 departments.

Municipal schools
Vasil Levski National University
1 "Ran Bosilek" Elementary School
2nd Elementary School "Neofit Rilski"
3rd Elementary School "Tsanko Dyustabanov"
4 "Hristo Botev" Elementary School
6 "Ivan Vazov" elementary school
8 Elementary School "St. St. Cyril and Methodius"
11 RAICHO KAROLEV PRIVATE VOCATIONAL SCHOOL
12SU "Father Paisius"
PMG "Acad. Iv. Guzelev"
Elementary school "Nayden Gerov" - Yavorets village
Public schools
National April High School
PTG "Dr. Nikola Vasiliadi"
PG on Tourism "Pencho Semov"
Auxiliary school "Nikolay St. Palauzov"
Vocational high school for construction
Libraries and archives
Regional Library "Aprilov - Palauzov" - Gabrovo,
Territorial State Archive - Gabrovo,

 

Personalities related to Gabrovo

Saints of Gabrovo
Saint Damascene of Gabrovsky - is honored on January 16 according to the BOC calendar
Saint Lazar of Bulgaria (Debeldyalski) - is honored on April 23 according to the BOC calendar
Saint Onufrius of Gabrovsky - is honored on January 4 according to the BOC calendar

Holy relics and miraculous icons
In the 13th century, the holy relics of Saint Paraskeva (Petka) of Epivatska passed through Gabrovo on their way to Tarnovo, to stay in the Tsarevets temple specially built for them by Tsar Ivan Asen II in the old capital until it fell under Ottoman rule.
On November 24 every year, the Holy Relics of Saint Catherine, Saint Anna and Saint Onuphrius of Gabrovo are exposed for worship in the Church of the Assumption of the Most Holy Theotokos.
On September 21 and 22, 2009, the Miraculous icon of the Most Holy Mother of God Troeruchitsa from the Troyan Monastery visited the "Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary" church in Gabrovo.
On October 19, 2009, a part of the relics of Saint Ivan Rila the Wonderworker, which are kept in Veliko Tarnovo, visited the church "St. Ivan Rila", Bichkinia district.

Famous people from Gabrovo
Gabrovo is the birthplace of many notable personalities - 26 professors, 17 generals, 12 ministers, 2 voivodes, 2 vice-voivodes, 15 Chetniks, 138 militiamen, 5 first engineers in Bulgaria (mechanical, electrical, shipbuilding, textile and knitwear).

Vasil Aprilov (1789 – 1847) and Nikolay Palauzov – founders of the first New Bulgarian school. Vasil Aprilov was the first ethnographer and numismatist, as well as the first Bulgarian to study medicine (due to health reasons he interrupted his studies).
Anastas Stoyanov (1865 – 1898) – Bulgarian public figure and enlightened activist.
Ivan Kolchev Kalpazanov – founder of modern industry in Gabrovo and in the newly liberated Principality of Bulgaria from 1857 to 1882.
Ivan Kolchev Kalpazanov, Petko Tsokev and Vasil Karagyozov - the creators of the first modern factory in Gabrovo - 1882.
Todor Burmov (1834 – 1906) – the first Prime Minister of Bulgaria.
gen. Konstantin Nikiforov Popkonstantinov (1856 – 1891) – Minister of War from September 1885 to August 1886.
Major General Nikola Ryaskov (1856 – 1917) – the creator of the Bulgarian artillery.
Lieutenant General Hristo Burmov (1869 – 1936) – the first chairman of the Military Research Institute.
Bogdana Guzeleva-Vulpe - one of the founders of the Bulgarian opera.
Academician Nikola Mihov - the first and greatest Bulgarian bibliographer.
Ivan Rodev (1874 – 1934) – the first Bulgarian shipbuilding engineer and the creator of the Varna Shipyard.
Dr. Georgi Payakov, (1871 – 1935) – the first Bulgarian psychiatrist-neurologist.
Lazar Payakov (1860 – 1910), financier, deputy and minister.
Dr. Andrey Sakhatchiev (1883 – 1947) – the first radiologist.
Dr. Tota Venkova (1855 – 1921) – the first female doctor in Bulgaria.
Maria Patruncheva (1874 – 1964) – the first midwife.
Dr. Vera Todorova Pavlova (1912 – 2003) – the first professor of the history of medicine.
Ivan Gyuzelev (1844 – 1916) – the first secretary of the Constituent National Assembly, the first mathematician, physicist and philosopher.
Ivan Metev (1889 – 1913) – the first textile engineer.
Ivan Manafov (1863 – 1937) – the first mechanical engineer.
Atanas Ivanov Vasilev (1910 – ?) – the first knitwear engineer.
Teofana Krill (1931 – 1955) – the first female aviator.
Hristo Vasilev Enev (1868 – 1947) – the first graduate architect who designed the majority of Bulgarian railway stations.
Racho Genchev (1873 – 1956) – the first Minister of Public Health.
Emanuil Manolov (1860 – 1912) – The progenitor of Bulgarian art music.
Bogdana Guzeleva (1878 - 1932) - the first woman composer.
Elena Doskova-Ricardi (1898 - 1987) - the first Bulgarian opera singer who sang in Milan's "Skala".
Neda Fticheva (1881 – 1960) – the first female violinist.
Hristo Tsokev (1847 – 1883) – the first painter.
Eng. Simeon Nedkov - designed the first cast iron radiators produced in the "Ivan Nedkov" factory - 1932.
Engineer Tsvetan Nedkov – constructed the first cotton textile loom produced in the "Ivan Nedkov" factory.
Kolyu Nenov Kolev (b. 1934) – mining engineer, 20 years director of "Minproekt" and 6 years deputy. Minister of Energy.
Angel Rachev Hristov (1889 - 1980) - a famous manufacturer of leather goods in the 1930s.
Prof. Dimitar Rachev (1930 – 2020) – leading engineer for implementing the production of electric hoists in Bulgaria.