Габрово

The capital of Bulgarian humor and the birthplace of the Aprilov High School.

According to the legend, Gabrovo was founded by the blacksmith Racho, who settled under a hornbeam tree near the Yantra river - that is where the name of the town comes from. The first documented name "Gabruva" dates from 1477, and the modern "Gabrovo" appeared in the 17th century. During the Middle Ages, the settlement guarded the approaches to Shipchen Pass and gained importance after Veliko Tarnovo became the capital of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom. During the Ottoman period, residents served as derbentjis – road guards, in return for tax breaks and some autonomy. In the 19th century, Gabrovo teemed with craft and commercial activity in about 26 trades and became one of the most important centers in the Balkans. In 1835, Vasil Aprilov together with Nikolay Palauzov founded the Aprilov High School - the first secular Bulgarian school, which made the city the center of the Renaissance. People from Gabrov are also leading the struggle for an independent Bulgarian church. In 1860, Gabrovo was officially declared a city by the Ottoman authorities. During the Russo-Turkish War of Liberation 1877–1878, the town, near Shipka, made some of the largest contributions in volunteers and aid. After the Liberation, Gabrovo established itself as an industrial center - in 1882, Ivan Kalpazanov opened the first textile factory with Bulgarian capital, and the city received the nickname "Bulgarian Manchester" because of its textile industry. In 1972, the House of Humor and Satire was founded, and from 1973 the International Biennale of Humor and Satire and the Carnival took place, which cemented Gabrovo's fame as the capital of Bulgarian humor. In 1964, the Technical University was also opened.