Plovdiv - The Old Philippopolis - a town with ancient culture!

A large common inheritance which the millenia have been amassing around the seven hills in the Maritza valley is a source of self-confidence as well as responsibility and a bounden duty.
It is not important only to know the history in order to see its signs, but keep and hand them down. And do that with a respect to the past, the present and the future constructing the spirit called Plovdiv!
For that reason we have created our Art Gallery - Museum “Philippopolis”. In order to keep the traditions and establish the name of Plovdiv as a town of artists connected with the names of famous masters from the Renaissance - Dimitar Zograf and Zahari Zograf, Stanislav Dospevski, George Danchov, after the Liberation - Ivan Markvichka, Anton Mitev, as well as the most important contemporary Bulgarian artists - Hristo Stanchev, Sirak Skitnik, David Peretz, Tzanko Lavrenov, Zlatio Bojadjiev and creators of the school of Plovdiv in the 60’s of XX century - Joan Leviev, George Bojilov, Dimitar Kirov, Encho Pironkov, Hristo Stefanov.
As real citizens of Plovdiv we know the power of attraction and the influence of the Old Plovdiv. That’s why we have chosen, bought and restored one of the most beautiful houses of the Bulgarian national revival here - the house of Hadzi Aleko, 29 Saborna str. With its original architecture is one of the most valuable monuments of the Bulgarian national revival in Old Plovdiv. It was built around 1865 by the famous man from Pazardzik - Hadzi Aleko Tzvetkov. The property was the heritage of his wife, Efosina, who was Hadzi Kiriak Efosian’s grandchild. Hadzi Kiriak was chosen for the grand master of the most important Plovdiv’s guild - manufacturing of homespun and he organized the first tailor's fair in 1817. At his request and diligence new labour code about tailors was started as well as rules and penal edicts of this oldest craft association in Plovdiv.

Hadzi Aleko’s house is one of the first houses in Plovdiv which is built with solid walls and in the spirit of West - European style of neoclassicism. It stands strongly on the fortified wall of the ancient Philippopol, dated of II century.

Hadzi Aleko’s house is proclaimed to be an architectural and artistic monument. Since 1983 the famous Plovdiv’s library “Vazrajdane” is sheltered here for a long time.

After main repairs and restoration in 2003, the present owners - the Maletzovis transformed it into an Art Gallery - Museum “Philippopolis”.
In this moment Hadzi Aleko’s house is the first private museum - gallery in Plovdiv with a collection of pictures of the old masters and halls for exhibitions of contemporary artists.


In a lot of guests and friends’ presence Art Gallery - Museum “Philippopolis” was officially opened on 17 September 2003.