Gabra

History

For the first time Gabra is mentioned in an Ottoman record of celepkeşan's (livestock traders) in November 1576. The document is a detailed inventory of celepkeşan in 13 kazas, including Sofia. The document is stored in the SS. Cyril and Methodius National Library. The first known buildings are in the area of Srabenitsa and had a 1.5 meters high wall covered with trees – something like sheepfold with a fireplace in the middle. The settlement was recognized by the Ottoman government and was named Chukurova (Chukurovo) from Turkish: çukur means hole, valley. Livelihood of the people of that time was farming and later production of charcoal. Settlers of Srabenitsa moved into the area of Dahchanets where there was better drinking water. There they built better houses. They placed a wooden cross near the village and named the place of St Spas because of their salvation. At that time they began to celebrate Ascension of Jesus (Spasovden) which is the official holiday of the village of Gabra. On 25 December 1877, Chukurovo was released from Ottoman rule. Later the border between the Principality of Bulgaria and Eastern Rumelia lied close to the village.