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The town of Humour and Satire Gabrovo is situated at the foot of the Balkan Mountains, in the valley of the Yantra River, near the Shipka Peak. One of the most important transportation links goes through the town. Crossing the country from north to south, it is a part of the Trans-European Corridor № 9. The name of Gabrovo comes from the hornbeam tree. The geographic centre of Bulgaria is located near the town in the area of Uzana. According to the most popular legend, Gabrovo was founded about 250 years ago by Racho the Blacksmith, who settled under a hornbeam tree. Historically, the town was founded in the Middle Ages. Handicrafts and industries developed that served the nearby mountain passes such as blacksmithing, weaponry and more. During the Revival the first Bulgarian secular school was founded here which now bears the name of its founder Vasil Aprilov - the Aprilov Secondary School. It is one of the monuments of culture in Gabrovo. Examples of Bulgarian National Revival architecture are the Municipal clock tower, the Church of the Assumption, the Church of St. John the Baptist, the Holy Trinity Cathedral Church. There are a lot of monuments in the town. One of them is the Monument of Racho the Blacksmith, built on a rock in the river of Yantra. The following bridges are also interesting: the Ansambala Baev Bridge, Igoto Bridge, Crafts Bridge, Arts Bridge and so on. Perhaps the most colourful part of Gabrovo is the Architectural-Ethnographic Complex of Etara, which is an open-air museum. There are numerous workshops of traditional crafts as all the activities are carried out manually. The proximity of Gabrovo to the high parts of the mountain, the clear air, historical and ethnographic complexes and reserves as well as the monuments of culture make it an attractive place for tourism. The area is considered to be one of the purest in Bulgaria. The largest Balkan Mountains meadow of Uzana is situated 25 km from the town amidst stunning scenery. There is a sign there marking the geographical centre of Bulgaria. In winter the area is an attractive resort, suitable for winter sports because it has long and steep slopes and high ridges. There are ski tracsk of varying difficulty, lifts and ski wardrobe, holiday homes and lodges. In summer there are conditions for hiking and alternative tourism, and eco-trails. The diversity of rare and endangered species attracts lovers of nature. Other beautiful areas around Gabrovo are Lyulyatsite and Gradishte. Lyulyatsite is characterized by high levels of ozone and thus favours the treatment of certain diseases. Gabrovo is a town with a rich cultural program. Visitors of the town may also visit the world's only House of Humor and Satire, the planetarium, festivals, carnivals and other events. Visitors of the town and the Etera Complex have a wide choice of accommodation at their disposal. The family hotels in Gabrovo and guesthouses are the most common. There are classic hotels and holiday villas and self-catering apartments, rented out on hotel basis.