Gabrovo is one of places in Bulgaria, which at first glance may not surprise you, but for the more curious, the Balkan jewel can offer some unique sights. Everyone knows about Etara and Shipka, most people have heard about the House of Humor and Satire, and the colorful spring carnival is no less popular. A few of you, however, must have heard of the list of the eight wonders of Gabrovo. This is a joking list of local "sights". Today we will tell you about them.

"Monument in the River" - According to the legend Gabrovo was founded by a wandering smith who settled under hornbeam in the region about 250 years ago. From his anvil he lеад the livelihood in the town, which turned Gabrovo into a craft center. The Racho Kovacha monument is the only one In the country built in the river. It is located next to the Igo bridge of the center in the Yantra River bed. Famous for their sparingly, the Gabrovians have chosen a special place in the river to avoid losing their living space and not spending money on flowers for the monument. Every year the monument is dressed in a traditional costume for the city's holiday.

"Ship in the Woods" - The building today is a pulmonary disease hospital and is known as "Parahoda". The Gabrovians claim that the ship-shaped building is built on the wooded hill so it can not sink. The building was built by one of the prominent Bulgarian industrialists Pencho Semov, who was removed by the Varna industrialists from the presidency of the Bulgarian Commercial Shipping Company. Because of this he decided to create a ship to overshadow the seagoing ships. Thus, in 1942, the emblematic building was erected.

"Tree in the middle of the road" - A century-old tree that divides the road in two. Located near the Balkan Hotel.

"Stairway to Nowhere" - A long staircase that ends in the woods. At the end is the old summer theater, today it leads to a forest path.

"Planet Gabrovo" (Asteroid 2206-Gabrovo) - On April 1, 1976, the asteroid was named Planet Gabrovo in honor of the Bulgarian capital of humor and satire and its founding date - the International Day of the Joke. The discovery was made by the Ukrainian astronomer Nikolay Chernich of the Crimean Astrophysical Observatory. In the list of small celestial bodies, the asteroid also bears the number 2206.

"Three Babes Under Water" - Statue of three naked women holding fish in a fountain. The horny composition was in the square next to the train station but now the place is under reconstruction and it is unclear where the women will reside after the end of the repairs.

The "Horsemen" - The House of Culture "Emanuil Manolov" is a real palace with remarkable architecture. The building is among the main attractions of the city in it’s neoclassic style. A special impression is made by the statues in full height of horsemen on the roof.

"Two Bridges" The Baev Bridge is entirely made of cut stone and one of the few similar structures preserved to this day throughout the country. The bridge was built in 1855 by Usta Mincho Stoyanov, a student of Kolio Ficheto. As the city grew, the bridge was restored and became pedestrian. A new and larger one is built next to it, which holds traffic.

All the places from the "world-famous" miracles of Gabrovo are a small prize, but well deserved prize for the inquisitive traveler who likes to reveal the secrets of the wonderful Bulgarian cities. Because you do not have to travel far or spend a lot to see some real magical places.