The town of Gabrovo is situated along the two banks of the Yantra River, at the northern foot of the Central Stara planina. It is situated 220 km north-east of Sofia, 274 km south-west of Varna, 46 km south-east of Veliko Turnovo, and 28 km south-east of Sevlievo. The town is in immediate proximity of the geographical centre of Bulgaria and it itself is a centre of humour and jokes.
Gabrovo originated during the Middle Ages as a strategic settlement in the proximity of the Balkan Mountain Passes.
According to the legend a young blacksmith named Racho settled on these lands along the Yantra River. He used to shoe the horses of the caravans that traveled to and from the mountains allowing the settlers to travel more easily. These new settlers were able to sew clothes, to cook delicious dishes, to repair carts and to process leather. Near the furnace of the blacksmith there was a huge hornbeam /or in Bulgarian - gabar/, so they named the place Gabrovo in memory of its humble origins.
In that way Racho Kovacha (the Blacksmith) established the settlement, and it was named after the hornbeam.
Today the monument of Racho Kovacha raises in the very center of the town – an imposing bronze figure, situated on a rock in the river of Yantra. The citizens apprehend the monument as a symbol of the creative and tireless Gabrovian spirit that all the generations have preserved.
During the years of the Ottoman rule Gabrovo was a big craftsmanship and trade centre. During the 19th century 26 craftsmanships were practiced here. In 1860 Gabrovo was proclaimed as a town and the first manufacturing enterprise opened. The first Bulgarian church school was opened in 1825 and in 1835, the first Bulgarian secular school where the mutual instruction method was applied. Since 1889 the school was named “Aprilov’s High School”, by the name of its founder.
The town is a birthplace of Vasil Aprilov, Tsanko Diustabanov, Pop (Priest) Hariton.

Landmarks
In Gabrovo one will find the unique House of Humour and Satire. Works of authors from 153 countries are exhibited in 10 halls with an area of 8000 square meters. This House not only connects but also investigates and popularizes humour and satire in all the genres. Each uneven year the House and the whole town become the centre of the International biennale of humour and satire in arts, which is a part of the big May Cultural Festivals of Gabrovo.
Other points of interest in the town are Gabrovo’s Museum of history, located in the Dechkova house, the National Museum of education, which is in the Aprilov’s High School, the Art Gallery “Hristo Tsokev”, Bayov Bridge, built by Koliu Ficheto in 1855, ‘The Assumption of the Holy Mother church’, the Clock tower (1835), the monument of Racho Kovacha, the Aprilov Fountain, the Planetarium and the City zoo.

Architectural-ethnographic complex ‘Etar’
The unique in South-eastern Europe Architectural-ethnographic complex ‘Etar’ is situated at the distance of 8km of the centre of the town. At this complex you will feel the breath of the past, see the marvellous power of water, put in canal, delight at the renaissance architecture. The museum territory covers an area of 7 ha and comprises 50 sites - water technical equipment, houses with craftsman's workshops, places with social importance. The aim of the museum display is showing the architecture, the lifestyle and the economic past of Gabrovo region during the Revival period - the second half of 18th and the 19th centuries. More than 26 main crafts were developed in the town and the goods were sold in different parts of the country and in the region - Bucharest, Vienna, Marseille, Anatolia and other.

Surrounding areas
The mountain resort Uzana – 22 km south-west of the town. It is the geographic centreof Bulgaria.
The historical Shipka pass – 21km south of Gabrovo.
The historical peak of Buzludja – 12km east of the pass.
The architectural ethnographic reserve the village of Bojentzi – 16km east of Gabrovo.
The natural park of Gradishte, located high above Gabrovo amidst a pine forest, is a wonderful place for walks and outgoings.