Property For Sale in Gabrovo Municipality - North Central Bulgaria

Gabrovo is located on the River Yantra and stretches along both banks for several kilometers.

Villages in the municipality are: Angelov, Armenite, Baevtsi, Balanite, Balinovtsi, Bankovtsi, Bekriite, Belomajite, Bobevtsi, Bogdanchovtsi, Bojentsi, Boynovtsi, Boycheta, Boltata, Boriki, Borskoto, Brunetsite, Byalkovo, Chavei, Charkovo, Chervena lokva, Chernevtsi, Chitakovtsi, Chukilite, Debel dyal, Djumriite, Divetsi, Donino, Draganovtsi, Draganchetata, Dragievtsi, Dragomani, Dumnitsi, Ezeroto, Furgovtsi, Gaykini, Gaytanite, Garvan, Genovtsi, Genchovtsi, Gergini, Gledatsi, Gornova mogila, Grablevtsi, Gubene, Haracherite, Ivanili, Ivankovtsi, Iglika, Iztochnik, Jivko, Jultesh, Kalchovtsi, Kameshtitsa, Karali, Kievtsi, Kmetovtsi, Kmetcheta, Kozi rog, Kolishovtsi, Kopcheliite, Kostadinite, Kostenkovtsi, Lesicharka, Loza, Malini, Malusha, Mejdeni, Mechkovitsa, Milkovtsi, Mihaylovtsi, Michkovtsi, Morovetsite, Mrahori, Muzga, Nikolchovtsi, Novakovtsi, Ovoshtartsi, Orlovtsi, Parchovtsi, Peyovtsi, Penkovtsi, Petrovtsi, Petsovtsi, Popari, Popovtsi, Potok, Prahali, Prodanovtsi, Partevtsi, Raynovtsi, Rahovtsi, Rachevtsi, Redeshkovtsi, Ruychovtsi, Ryazkovtsi, Svinarski dol, Sedyankovtsi, Seykovtsi, Semerdjiite, Smilovtsi, Solari, Spantsi, Spasovtsi, Starilkovtsi, Stefanovo, Stoevtsi, Stoykovtsi, Stoychovtsi, Stomanetsite, Subotkovtsi, Sharani, Shipchenite, Todorovtsi, Todorcheta, Torbalajite, Trapeskovtsi, Trunito, Tsvyatkovtsi, Uzunite, Velkovtsi, Vetrovo, Vlaychovtsi, Vlahovtsi, Vrabtsite, Vranilovtsi, Vulkov dol, Yavorets, Yankovtsi, Yasenite, Zdravkovets, Zeleno darvo, Zlatevtsi, Ski resort Uzana, Area of Etara, Area of Lyulyacite

Gabrovo and its surrounding area has been inhabited since Neolithic times and gained economic stature after Veliko Tarnovo became the capital in the 12th century. Craftsmanship and trade brought properity to the town in part due proximity to both the capital and the Balkan mountain passes since it was a small pass village with around a hundred properties during medieval times. Legend has it that Gabrovo was founded by a blacksmith called Racho, whose furnace was close to a hornbeam tree, габър, (gabar) in Bulgarian, so the village acquired its name. It turned from a village into a small town developing into a cultural and spriritual centre during the Ottoman ruling as many escapees from Tarnovo fled there, thanks mainly to its poor access.

The Bulgarian Orthodox rite of the priests throwing a wooden cross in a river and believers jumping into the icy waters to "save" the cross developed in Gabrovo in the River Yantra.

After the Liberation of Bulgaria in 1878, Gabrovo developed as a centre of industry on the basis of its economic and craft history. Limited companies developed, factories were built and connections to large stock exchanges developed, indeed it was even cited by some entrepreneurs as the "Bulgarian Manchester". Consequent to this mass development and its requirement for water Gabrovo became the longest city in Bulgaria, post-World War 2 industry all but killed off the Yantra River, but since heavy industry has all but gone, the river and surrounding valley has cleaned up.

Now due to its clean mountain air, historical and ethnographical complexes Gabrovo has become a popular tourist centre. The Municipality of Gabrovo and the adjoining countryside is considered by many as the most ecologically clean region in Bulgaria. The diverse and abundant flora and fauna proves this whether walking the the Central Balkan National Park above the town where where you can take binoculars and a camera to shoot trophies such as bear, red deer and mouflon, mouflon is thought to be one of two original ancestors of all modern day sheep originating on the islands of Corsica, Sardina, and Cyprus, but now successfully introduced in Central Bulgaria. The mouflon lives in terrain around Uzana above the tree line and in the delightful mountain meadows. Specific interests are catered for specialising in local culture and history, photography, caving and pot-holing, alpine cross skiing experience and hunting.

What to do in Gabrovo
A definite must do is visit the picturesque village Etar which is an architectural and working ethnographical complex and is unique in as much that all the crafts and trades are exhibited in a working condition. Watch steel being ground and shaped into knives, wood being turned into bowls, kitchenware and spindles, leather craft, a bakery and a washing place. However what is more fascinating is that all these crafts are powered by water which is channeled from the hill down sluices to each working exhibit. After watching please support the craftsmen and women by purchasing their wears and delicious food.

In the town of Gabrovo is the House of Humour and Satire which is one of the 100 national tourist sites of Bulgaria it is renowned for its high quality of tourst services offered and the access to and around the museum for disabled customers and it is possible to buy some Gabrovo humour from the souvenir shop. This is the only Bulgarian shop where you can find unique Gabrovo artefacts such as 1/2 a coffee-cup, clocks that work counter-clockwise, cups for reading one's future, cups for moustached men and the list goes on....Buy the latest publication of Gabrovo Humour specifically focusing on Gabrovo townsfolk habits about not spending money its available in 5 languages or try the kitchen apron with famous Gabrovo recipes to survive an economic crisis, how very apt!

Hiking around the Central Balkan National Park is assisted by clearly marked routes which also include 10 equestrian trails and 4 extreme mountain bike trails, as well as thematic fauna and flora routes for bird, plant, and large mammal spotting. There is a total of 20 holiday chalets with a combined capacity of over 1,400 beds in the territory of the park, all operated by the Bulgarian Tourism Board. Furthermore private enterprise operates 264 beds, and three tourist lodges with 40 beds the latter offering very basic accommodation but are a Godsend when getting caught out in inclement weather.

Most visitors have heard of Bansko, Borovets and Pamporovo however, beneath the peak of Ispolin, in the heart of the Stara Planina mountain and only 20km from Gabrovo, 1249m above sea level, is located the “Uzana” - Bulgaria's geographical centre. It is the epitome of clean and beautiful Bulgaria with crystal clear water, fresh unpolluted air, stunning nature and serenity. In the winter Uzana is a great location for mountain sports and yet its kept quiet, for beginners and children there are several short and easy runs with mini-drags and ski-schools, and for experienced skiers there is a 1,200 m long piste with a ski-drug. For visitors who just want to take in the scenery and stunning natural beauty why not take the effortless horse drawn sleigh?

Alternative spellings of Gabrovo: Gabravo, Габрово

Nearest Towns: Veliko Tarnovo – 45km, Dryanovo – 20km, Tryavna - 22km
Nearest Villages: Prodanovtsi - 4km, Ryaskovtzi - 5km
Area size of Town of Gabrovo: 233.817km2
Latitude: 42.87622N Longitude: 25.31816E
Altitude: 300 - 499m above sea level
Post code of Town of Gabrovo: 5300
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