Webcam Gabrovo. Renaissance Square
The town of Gabrovo is located in central Bulgaria, near the geographical center of the country, directly at the northern foot of the Central Mountain "Stara Planina", 390 m above sea level, on the two banks of the river Yantra. It is situated 220 km northeast of Sofia, 274 km southwest of Varna and 46 km southeast of Veliko Tarnovo.
The town of Gabrovo was founded in the Middle Ages as a strategic settlement near the passages of Stara Planina Mountain. Legend has it that a young blacksmith named Racho settled in these parts by the Yantra River. He mended horseshoes for the horses of the caravans that were crossing or returning from the mountain.
Gradually other people who could sew clothes, cook delicious meals, and repair wagons and leather began to live near his house. Near the blacksmith's house there was a huge "gabir" tree. So, Racho Kovaca gave rise to the settlement, and the "Gabar" became the name of the town of Gabrovo.
During the Ottoman rule the town was a major craft and trade center. In the 19th century 26 handicrafts were developed. In 1860 the first factory was established and Gabrovo was declared a town from the village. In 1825 a school was built, and in 1835 the first Bulgarian secular school was established, which used the method of mutual learning. In 1889 the school was named "Aprilov Gymnasium" in honor of its founder Vasil Aprilov.
