The town of Apriltsi (about 5000 inhabitants, between 500 and 600 metres above sea level) is spread out along the northern corrugations of the Kalofer Mountain, by the Ostreshka River (the Novoselska River), the Vidima River and the Zla Reka River. Its quarters (former villages) are scattered at a great distance one from the other. It is situated at the distance of 205 km to the south of Sofia, 57 km to the west of Gabrovo, 41 km to the south-west of Sevlievo, 25 km to the south-east of Troyan and 49 km to the south-east of Lovetch. It is a colourful mountain resort.
History: It was in 1812 when a church and a school with it were opened here and in 1850 a secular school was founded, as well. In 1872 Vassil Levski organized a secret revolutionary committee. Freedom-loving Balkan mountain dwellers took part in the April Uprising (1876), known here as Novoselo Uprising. The Republic of Novoselo was proclaimed and the rebels heroically defended the whole 9 days against the numerously outnumbering them enemy. It was drowned in blood and fire - over 150 people killed, lots of people exiled, 772 buildings were destroyed and set on fire, the convent and the church of 1812 inclusively. Voivoda Tsanko Dustabanov who came with his detachment from Gabrovo in support of the insurgent villages was killed there, too. A great part of the survived population emigrated.
In 1976 in honour of the 100-annual jubilee from the April (Novoselo) Uprising the four villages - Novo Selo, Vidima, Zla Reka and Ostrets were proclaimed as today’s town of Apriltsi. The first village is considered as central area of the new town. Apriltsi increasingly becomes an attractive winter resort.
Landmarks: The historical Novo Selo Monastery (in the eastern part of the Novo Selo Quarter). It was plundered and destroyed by fire during the Uprising. It was rebuilt after the Liberation. The following places of interest are located in Novo Selo, too: House-monument to Novoselo Uprising, The Architectural and Ethnographical Museum, St. Georgi Temple Monument, the houses of P. Popnikolov and M. Popski.
Accommodation: The Loven Dom Hotel (Hunter’s House) (Vidima Quarter, 10 beds, everything needed for hunting on offer). The Tihiyat Kut Hotel (the Quite Corner) (10 beds in 5 double rooms). Matev Hotel, family type of hotel (10 beds). Zora Chalet (Dawn) (in the Zora Quarter, past the road fork to the quarter of Vidima, 57 beds in 1 suite and rooms with 3, 4, 5, 8 and more beds). Vidima Chalet (in the southern end of the quarter of Vidima, 54 beds in 1 suite and rooms with 3, 4 and 5 beds).
There are private homes, which offer accommodation as well: Tsonevski (6 beds in 3 double rooms), Turnovski ( 2beds), Perkovi (4 beds in 2 double rooms), Nikolova (4 beds). Catering is offered at all hotels, chalets and private lodgings.
Тourist information: in the Regional Tourist Bureau – 5641 Apriltsi (102, V. Levski Street, Stara Planina block, tel./fax: 06958 3249). At the Balkan Tourist Association. At the hotels, at the tourist chalets.
Тransport: There are regular bus lines to Troyan, Sevlievo, Gabrovo, Pleven, Lovech and other smaller settlements within the region. The bus station is in the Novo Selo Quarter. A town bus runs between the quarters of the town.
