Bulgaria Inside

One of the biggest architectural landmarks from the revival period in Gabrovo is the town’s clock tower.

The tower still stands in the center of Gabrovo, though it was constructed in 1835. It was set up to commemorate the construction of the first Bulgarian Western-style school.

Three separate sections make up the construction. The lowest part is square-shaped. An octagonal prism is positioned above it and the highest part ends in a dome. The tower is 27.7 m high, which makes it one of the tallest towers from the period.

Craftsmen who worked on it are unknown.

A legend describes the manner in which the construction permit was received. It was quite unusual for nations under Ottoman rule to receive permits for the construction of tall buildings. The chief craftsman talked to the Ottoman ruler and told him that the tower will be constructed in honor of Allah. In this manner Bulgarians received permission to construct the tower but had to place a crescent on top of it. Yet, the crescent was pierced through with a pike. Unfortunately, this symbol was destroyed in 1920.

The face of the clock was placed there in 1882 and in 1902 a bigger one was positioned in the place of the original.

Gabrovo’s clock tower has a bell brought from Vienna. A fountain provides clean water to all visitors.

From 1965 to 1967, the clock tower underwent renovation works. It was named a monument of culture in 1959.

The clock tower is right next to Dechkova house and Sveta Troitsa church.