The old town of Plovdiv

Currently, Plovdiv is a modern city with an ancient spirit and charm, emanating from its numerous remains of old times. No doubt the biggest sight of Plovdiv is The Old Town. The Old Town is declared an archeological reserve and covers the three-hill area where the town was located originally. Almost all historical sights of Plovdiv can be found there – religious sanctuaries, old residential and public buildings, archeological monuments and museums, fortress walls and narrow cobbled streets.
The old houses of Plovdiv are classified as two types. The early asymmetrical and the late symmetrical, depending of the positions of the living quarters. The older houses have some of the features of the village homes. The big terrace, under the roof, accessible by stairs, called “chardak”, which can be seen in every Bulgarian house, has been closed with windows to form a “hayet”- a living room for the owner and his family. Usually bedrooms and even service premises are connected to this parlour, which is the most important and elaborately decorated room in the house. Typical for the “hayet” are the so called “alafrangi” – niches in the walls, covered with mural paintings of landscapes. Also present in almost every parlour is the wood carving on the ceiling with geometrical motifs and the ever present sun. Depending on the builder’s decision, the houses usually had cold basements under the ground floors. The differentiation of the two types of revival houses comes from the positions of the rooms and “hayet” – if the parlour is placed in the middle and the rooms encircle it evenly, the house is called symmetrical. The other type is asymmetrical as rooms are freely positioned and may not be connected to the main one.
Most revival houses are elaborately decorated. Walls, ceilings and parts of the façade are mural painted with floral motifs; ceilings, porches, doors and furniture are wood carved and painted. For the houses of Plovdiv, the most beautiful decorations are made by the famous masters Moka and Mavrudi. In the end we should note that almost everything we know about the architecture of the old town, we owe to the architect Christo Peyev. Actually some of the most popular houses were actually rebuilt by architectural copies, made by him.
When in Plovdiv, one should never leave without taking a walk in the old town. This ancient living area has almost frozen in a centuries-old painting. Only the occasional cars, graffiti and power installations on the streets and the colourful signs on the houses remind that you don’t have to return to the time machine.