House of Humor and Satire

As a town situated in Bulgaria’s geographic center and inhabited by witty, wise and jolly people, Gabrovo has long ago been named Bulgaria’s capital of humor. Gabrovo residents are famous for their jokes and funny stories. In 1972, on April Fools Day, Gabrovo got its House of Humor and Satire (HHS). Its motto is We Survived Because We Laughed. HHS is responsible for many activities. It organizes art exhibitions, acts as an information center, entertainment sport and a tourism attraction. Once you enter the “Humor Louvre” you will get the chance to examine 10 unique exhibition halls. There, you can explore sculptures, caricatures, funny photos, paintings, posters and all other items connected to humor. You will also get answers as to why is Gabrovo considered Bulgaria’s humor capital, why has Gabrobvo humor become so popular and why are people telling jokes about Gabrovo residents. Guides will welcome you with traditional Gabrovo cheers and will show you the permanent collections. Then, they will take you to “Heaven” where Adam and Eve have been presented as Gabrovo residents or to the “Sin” hall that features replicas of wall paintings from 22 Bulgarian churches and monasteries. A collection of authentic ritual masks will take you to Africa and will show you more about the life of tribes there. If you decide to visit Gabrovo, try to do so during the annual festival, which is also presented in the museum. The festival is a colorful collection of costumes and masks. Videos in the museum will show you various carnivals, starting from Gabrovo and going to Rio de Janeiro. HHS features another hall named Planet Gabrovo and available for children aged 5 to 105. Everything is permitted there, visitors can look, touch, listen and naturally – laugh. The hall features special light and sound effects, as well as meetings with favorite fairytale characters and carnival personalities. Distorted mirrors further the fun. The HHS also features one of a kind jokes bank and clocks that run backwards. If you want to take piece of the funny atmosphere home, stop at the souvenirs booth were you can find cut coffee cups, spoons with holes, glasses for men who wear mustaches and other souvenirs. You can also buy joke collections. Gabrovo residents believe that humor is the best cure and are ready to apply it to everyone who has come to the town. Sokolski Monastery

Sokolksy Monastery is hidden away in one of the most beautiful spots of the Gabrovo Balkan. At the beginning of the 19th century the cave near the present-day church was the sanctuary of two monks – Joseph and Agapius of the Troyan Monastery. Their solitude was shared by the many falcons which nest in the rock crevices and which have given the monastery its name (‘falcon’ is ‘sokol’ in Bulgarian). The monastery was founded by Arch Deacon Joseph Sokolksy whose highly eloquent rhetoric convinced the Turkish rulers that the monastery had existed well before the conquest. In 1834 with help from the local population a church was built in front of the cave which replaced the timber shrine. Icons by Zachary Zograph, old books of prayer, personal belongings and photographs of the wounded Russian officers who came to the monastery for treatment during the Russian-Turkish Liberation War are preserved in the church. The icons at the altar were painted by the famous Tryavna icon painters – Ruka Simeon and Joanicus Papa Vitan who painted the famous Three-arm Virgin - believed to have healing power. The monastic wing and a spacious walled-in courtyard were built in 1836 on the plateau above the church. This is the only monastery in Bulgaria which instead of a church facing the main gate has a fountain with eight spouts shaped as falcon heads. It was built in 1868 together with the stonewall by the famous master-builder Kolyo Ficheto. Built as a fortress, the monastery was a starting point for many rebel gangs who roamed the mountains fighting the Turkish oppressors and striving to bring freedom to the country. A monument of culture of national significance.

The statue of Racho The Blacksmith
The people of Gabrovo placed the statue of Racho The Blacksmith (the founder of Gabrovo) into the river Yantra in order to save place J and money for flowers for the monument. Racho the Blacksmith with his anvil gave the way of living of Gabrovian people as craftsmen. According the legend the name of the yoke-elm (Gabar in Bulgarian) above Racho’s workshop gave the name of the city.

Dechkov’s House
Dechkov’s House was built in 1835. Initially it housed the Gabrovo Girls School, then the Mayor’s Office, a hospital and today a museum exposition of objects and photographs showing the way of life of the late 19th and early 20th century. During the Russian-Turkish Liberation War the house was used as an infirmary for refugees. A monument of culture.

Aprilov High School
Aprilov High School is the first secular school in modern Bulgarian history. Founded in 1835 by donations of a special fund established by Vassil Aprilov. This is the first modern building in Bulgaria specially intended for a school. The monument of Vassil Aprilov – one of the most generous donors, a reformer and ideologist of national education – is in the school front yard. Many of the leading politicians of modern Bulgaria were educated at the school. Following its founder’s will nowadays the school building unites a functioning national school (Aprilov National High School) and the Museum of Education. A monument of culture of national significance.

There are three churches in the city centre dating back to the 19 century. They have unique architectural value and give Revival period atmosphere to the whole city.

Assumption of Holy Mary Church

St. Joan the Precursor Chrch

Holy Trinity Church