Shipka, Etar, Bozhentsi and Gabrovo - Bulgaria Tour

The town of Gabrovo lies along the Yantra River in the north of Bulgaria. The town, 220 km from Sofia, sits on important roads, so it gets very busy during the day, take our word for it. For us coming here from Tarnovo, the road was again very pleasant and lush green! Our post on places to visit in Gabrovo begins!

As early as the Middle Ages, tradesmen and craftsmen started gathering in this area. In parts, they worked with wood, metal, wool and leather. These crafts were passed down from generation to generation and continued until recently. The effects of industrialisation were seen here too, and small shops gave way to factories. Because of its location, Gabrovo became a very important industrial centre within the country. The textile industry, furniture making, plastics production, and the food, wine and tobacco industries are very important.

With its clean mountain air and its historical and ethnographic museums, we added it to our Bulgaria Tour list too. In terms of natural beauty and surroundings, it's considered one of the most ecological and cleanest regions of Bulgaria. The rich flora and fauna in its nature prove it.

Bozhentsi Village, Gabrovo

Bozhentsi, a 600-year-old village near Gabrovo, keeps an architectural and historical heritage alive.

Bozhentsi is set in such a lovely valley and in such a charming layout! From the village road on, it's impossible not to be impressed. There's a huge car park at the entrance; we recommend leaving your car there and walking.

We didn't want a quick visit; we wanted to give this place plenty of time. There's a museum house, with free entry every Tuesday. But normally it's 4 leva for adults and 3 for students and children. With these authentic houses dating back to the Renaissance, we think it's one of the top places to see. We think there's a clear Ottoman influence too :)

We happily walked its streets and followed the lovely smells. The smell of bread being baked fresh in the ovens had spread through the whole village, and we were sooo hungry! It was time for the things that had to be tasted!

Grills, breads and vegetable dishes are all made in the oven. We especially recommend the bread and the baked potatoes. As for prices, despite the huge exchange-rate gap they're really reasonable; to give a few examples, soups are 3.90 leva, a 100-gram portion of köfte is 1.90 leva, and vegetable dishes and salads are around 5 leva.

The Turkish coffee isn't wonderful, but after all that food in the open air we still want a Turkish coffee.

ETAR - Open-Air Ethnographic Museum

One of the best places to visit in Gabrovo is the open-air Ethnographic museum. It's an unusual museum founded by Lazar Donkov, a citizen of Gabrovo.

When we arrived it was closed to visitors; we must have lost a lot of time in Bozhentsi, so we didn't make it here! Isn't it lovely even from outside:)

This lovely museum, opened in 1944, is like a reflection of Gabrovo's rich culture, way of life and architectural diversity. Everyone who comes visits it with pleasure.

Interactive Industry Museum

This museum was made to represent the rise of the city and its decline in Gabrovo. It's known as the Manchester of Bulgaria because it has a wide variety of industries. So what makes it so interesting? It's fair to say it's that you can experience, in the moment, what happened in 1989 under communism. A 1-hour tour around the museum will give you a lot.

Shipka Pass

If you're looking for a perfect view in Gabrovo, don't leave without seeing the Shipka Pass. It's a natural pass through this Balkan mountain. This area was apparently very important for the people living in Gabrovo. A relentless battle was fought here against the Ottomans for their independence. That's why this is a pass with real history and visual appeal.

The road is incredibly winding but incredibly green! It's really enjoyable: put on your playlist of lovely Balkan music and hit the road!

Shipka Monument

The Shipka Monument was built on Shipka peak at a height of 1326 metres. It symbolises Bulgaria's liberation from Ottoman rule. It was built to commemorate the people who died defending the region during its liberation in the Russo-Ottoman War of 1877 and the wars Bulgaria was part of, and this heroic story.

Clock Tower

Every nation has its own sacred and important monuments. One of the important monuments for the people of Gabrovo is this famous Clock Tower. This tower is about 30 metres high. The clock mechanism was made by hand by Ivan Sahatchiata, one of the important masters of his time.

Sokolski Monastery

This is a magnificent place in Gabrovo. All monasteries have a beautiful view, but this is something else!

The peace and calm you look for to spend your holiday! This place is believed to be miraculous, and it's also considered a cultural monument. An archimandrite is known as the founder of the monastery.

The monastery has magnificent gardens. If you come in spring like us, you can experience this beauty. Together with the murals, they add colour and beauty to the monastery. When you visit here, you'll really feel the story of the past.

Bonus

Just 15 km from central Gabrovo there's an amazing place. Lyulyatsite, known as the Lilac Bushes, isn't only a tourist destination or historical site; it apparently also has a healing effect on some chronic illnesses.

Uzana is a settlement near Gabrovo. Uzana can be a good choice for winter and summer holidays. You can do different activities here: skiing, horse riding, mountain climbing..

Click for our posts on Tarnovo or Varna, which we visited before Gabrovo!