Gabrovo
Occupying an area at the foot of the Balkan Mountain, and taking up a significant part of central Bulgaria, the province of Gabrovo is particularly worth exploring. Encompassing the Yantra River valley and the lower heights of the Balkans, it gained importance during the National Revival period, when it provided the grounds for several uprisings. Meanwhile, it was a cultural centre of sorts, a place of nationalistic pride and revolutionary attitudes. Thus, the area was essential to the Independence War of the late 19th Century, when it produced a number of national heroes. Currently, its major town, Gabrovo, is often referred to as the International Capital of Humour, thanks to several witty folk tales mocking the locals' notorious stinginess. Its old district boasts a number of Bulgarian National Revival houses, while the remaining part of town has several scenic parks and a cluster of concrete blocks.