During visits into Old Town in Plovdiv, I decided to purchase entry into some of the houses that have been turned into museums. I wrote posts on Klianti House and Stambolyan House. But by far, the most complete and heavily decorated of all, is the amazing Hindliyan House.
Brief History
Old Town is full of unique, colourful and beautiful houses from the Bulgarian Revival Period. Built during the 18th & 19th centuries, these homes are large, ornate and one of a kind. Hindliyan House was built in 1840 and just about every room is open to exploration. If fact, this is the only house that I was able to enter a bathroom from that period.
The original owner was a merchant and farmer. His dealings in silk and spices took him on many trips to India which may account for the level of lavish decoration that I find inside the house.
The Exterior
Hindliyan House has an absolutely stunning exterior painted a bright blue with white accent trim. The courtyard is filled with flower beds, a marble reservoir and a fountain.
Facing the house, one sees a large portico with dark wooden columns leading to the front door.
Looking to the left and up a flight of stairs is another building with entrance to the basement and cooking area.
The Interior
Walking inside I was hit with a bolt of extravagance. Almost every inch of this house has been decorated and painted. Upon entry, is a large central parlour room with smaller rooms on either side.
I’ll rely on the photographs to provide details to the decorative elements, as they are too numerous to write about here.
One beautiful room was the master bedroom, full of antique lace and fabrics, to which I admire so much.
The Bathhouse
On the left side at the rear, after passing through a small bed chamber, I entered the ‘bathroom’. My goodness it is gorgeous. Made completely of white marble, with a tall domed ceiling, the only feeling I had inside this space was a sense of romance. Isn’t that a strange feeling for a bathroom?
But it was, I could close my eyes and picture the heavy scent of flowers like lavender and rose. I could see a large copper tub, filled with hot water spilling onto the ‘hypocaust’ heated floor. In my minds eye I could see boughs of eucalyptus hanging here and there, providing a bright sharp scent.
Upstairs
At the back of the main floor parlour are the stairs leading to the upper floor. With much the same layout, this large central parlour room is absolutely exquisite. What took my breath away, was a small spout built within a painted and marble alcove, that has been running with a continual stream of rose water since the house was built. What a luxurious feature that I have never seen before.
Walking around these rooms, seeing the beautiful antiques, and admiring the amazing painted walls and ceilings, it was easy for my mind to get lost. I was fully absorbed by everything I was seeing and experiencing. I cannot over exaggerate the absolute beauty of this house.
If you are lucky to visit Plovdiv, and only have time to explore one of the Bulgarian Revival Houses, I would highly suggest Hindliyan House. It is a masterpiece.
