Gabrovo

Gabrovo is a city in central Bulgaria and the administrative center of Gabrovo Province. It is situated in the Balkan Mountains along the Yantra River. The name Gabrovo is commonly believed to derive from hornbeam trees that once populated the area.

The town has medieval roots and grew as a crafts and trade center during the Bulgarian National Revival. Its historic core preserves examples of National Revival architecture, and the Samovodska Charshiya complex preserves traditional crafts and workshop life, attracting visitors who explore old-style carpentry, metalwork, and trade.

Gabrovo is notable for its cultural institutions, including the House of Humor and Satire, a museum dedicated to humor, cartoons, and related arts. The nearby Etar Architectural-Ethnographic Complex, an open-air museum along the Yantra River, displays traditional Bulgarian woodcraft, textiles, and domestic life in a recreated village setting.

Economically, Gabrovo has long been associated with wood processing, textiles, and crafts. Today its economy combines manufacturing and services with a growing emphasis on tourism, supported by its historic neighborhoods and nearby cultural sites.

Demographically, the city has tens of thousands of inhabitants and serves as a regional service center for northern central Bulgaria. Gabrovo is connected by road and rail to other Bulgarian cities, facilitating access for residents and visitors.