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Bozhentsi


The exact name of the village is Bozhentsite. As to its creation, there are two hypotheses. One relates to the legend of the noblewoman who settled here with her entourage, after the fall of Veliko Tarnovo after the siege from the Turks. The second is related to a nearby hill, where it is assumed that there was a Roman inn (“mancia” in Latin).

It is quite possible, because of the sound of the Latin word, that the locals have named the area "The Monastery" (“Manastira” in Bulgarian), while because of the religious rites performed there, it is referred to as "God spot." Hence the name Bozhentsi.

More importantly, because of its charm and originality in 1964 it was included in UNESCO’s prestigious list of cultural monuments with world significance.

In the second half of the eighteenth century, the village is experiencing an economic boom, largely due to trade. The locals exported wool and hides, wax and honey, and products of local craftsmen tailors and blacksmiths. They were known for their skill and for the quality of their products, so they exported them to Turkey, Russia, Italy and Germany. In the late nineteenth century the village became an administrative, commercial, cultural and spiritual center with 110 houses and 500 inhabitants. But the wealthy people did not demonstrate their wealth during slavery, they turned it into gold, which they buried in the ground. After the Liberation they dug up the gold and started to leave the village, heading to cities like Gabrovo, where the entrepreneurs began to build factories. Hundred houses exist today in Bozhentsi, after more than 200 years.

The houses in Bozhentsi face the street. Downstairs are household and craft rooms, stables, sheds for animals, warehouses and basements. An external staircase leads upstairs to a balcony, living room, kitchen and bedroom.

Today, this romantic village which is only 15 km from Gabrovo, is visited by thousands of people in all seasons. The village has two museums, houses of the eighteenth and early nineteenth century. The exhibition "The history remembers daredevils and generous donors" presents the history of the Balkan, with many photographs and objects, as well as family trees of prominent local families.

One of these families is the founder of the revolutionary committee in the village - Ivan Karadimitrov’s family. Around 1867 he donated 110 Turkish liras for the new school building with library in the village. In more recent times, the descendants of Ivan Karadimitrov donated the village their father's house. Below the barn local people found a pot with 200 coins that were used to build a new school and kindergarten.

In 1835 in Bozhentsi was built the church "St. Elijah". The villagers were allowed to build a big church with belfry - something prohibited by the ruling Turks at that time. The bell itself was bought from the Russian city of Tula.

Worth a seeing are the cutlery shop, the bazaar, the religious school, in which alternating exhibitions of surouvaknitsi and martenitsi are presented. More than 40 houses have been adapted to meet tourists.

In the mid-twentieth century Bozhentsi gained new fame. Numerous artists settled in the village, attracted by the unique atmosphere. Today the village is an attractive tourist center that offers opportunities for hiking in Stara Planina.

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Gabrovo
Gabrovo is a small town in central Bulgaria, situated near the river Yantra. According to a legend, it was founded about 250 years ago by a blacksmith, who dwelt under a hornbeam (“gabar in Bulgarian”), hence the name of the city.

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