Hindlian House

Lonely Planet review

The 19th-century Plovdiv 'baroque' style house is typified by an overhanging upper storey with jutting eaves, a columned portico and a brightly painted façade. Inside, the salons, drawing rooms and bedrooms feature finely carved woodwork, painted wall decorations and ornamental niches. What's more, most also display art or other exhibits.

Once owned by merchant Stepan Hindlian, Hindlian House, built in 1835, is one of Plovdiv's most opulent. It's full of exquisite period furniture and walls painted with real and imaginary landscapes of Venice, Alexandria and Constantinople. These scenes, which took six months to complete, impressed visitors by showing the locales of the owner's overseas trading empire. The magnificent panelled ceilings and 'Oriental style' marble bathroom, with its high, domed ceiling and skylight are other highlights. The small courtyard garden is lovely too.

In the Hindlian House cellar, the Wine from Bulgaria Museum & Oenology Collection conducts wine tastings.