5 Places to Enjoy Art in Plovdiv’s Old Town

Plovdiv’s Old Town is much more than cobblestone streets, colorful Revival houses, and Roman ruins. Hidden behind its beautiful façades are some of Bulgaria’s finest art collections, celebrating the painters who shaped the country’s artistic identity. Whether you’re an art enthusiast or simply looking to discover a different side of Plovdiv, these five galleries are well worth a visit.

1. Zlatyu Boyadzhiev Permanent Exhibition

Few Bulgarian painters are as closely associated with Plovdiv as Zlatyu Boyadzhiev (1903–1976). His permanent exhibition is housed in the elegant Dr. Stoyan Chomakov House, one of the Old Town’s finest nineteenth-century residences.

After suffering a stroke in 1951 that paralyzed his right hand, Boyadzhiev remarkably taught himself to paint with his left. His style evolved dramatically—from realistic rural scenes to highly detailed, vibrant compositions filled with dozens of figures and hidden stories. Many of his paintings depict life in Plovdiv and the surrounding villages, making the gallery an excellent introduction to the region’s culture and traditions.

Visitor Information

The house was built between 1858 and 1860 and belonged to Dr. Stoyan Chomakov, one of the leading figures in the struggle for an independent Bulgarian Orthodox Church. After Bulgaria’s Liberation, it even served as a residence for Tsar Ferdinand during his visits to Plovdiv.

Address: 18 Saborna Street

Opening hours:

• Summer (April–October): 09:30–18:00
• Winter (November–March): 09:00–17:30
• Lunch break: 13:00–13:30
• Closed on Mondays

2. Tsanko Lavrenov Permanent Exhibition

No artist captured the magic of Plovdiv’s Old Town quite like Tsanko Lavrenov (1896–1978). Inspired by Orthodox iconography and Bulgarian medieval art, his paintings combine reality and imagination, transforming familiar churches, monasteries, and historic streets into dreamlike compositions.

Lavrenov’s unmistakable style has become one of the visual symbols of Bulgaria, making this gallery an essential stop for anyone interested in Bulgarian art.

Visitor Information

The exhibition is located in a beautifully preserved Revival house in the heart of the Old Town.

Address: 11 Artin Gidikov Street

Opening hours:

• Monday–Friday: 09:30–18:00
• Saturday: 10:00–18:00
• Closed on Sundays

3. The Icon Collection – A Journey Through Five Centuries of Sacred Art

While Plovdiv is best known for its painters, the Old Town is also home to one of Bulgaria’s finest collections of Orthodox icons.

Opened in 1975, the Icon Collection of the Plovdiv City Art Gallery is housed in a unique building constructed next to the beautiful Church of St. Constantine and Helena, directly above a circular tower of the Early Byzantine fortress wall. The setting alone makes it worth a visit.

The exhibition brings together some of the finest icons preserved by the Plovdiv City Art Gallery and the Plovdiv Metropolitan Diocese. Dating from the late fifteenth to the late nineteenth century, the collection traces nearly five centuries of Orthodox Christian art from Plovdiv and Southern Bulgaria.

Whether you’re interested in religion, history, or art, the exhibition offers a fascinating insight into Bulgaria’s spiritual heritage and the extraordinary craftsmanship of its icon painters.

Visitor Information

Address: 22 Saborna Street

Opening hours:

• Tuesday–Friday: 09:30–18:00
• Saturday–Sunday: 10:00–18:00
• Closed on Mondays

4. Plovdiv City Art Gallery – Permanent Exhibition of Bulgarian Art

If you’d like to understand Bulgarian art beyond Plovdiv, this is the place to visit.

Housed in the former Girls’ High School, designed by renowned architect Josef Schnitter and completed in 1881, the museum presents more than 300 original artworks, following the development of Bulgarian art from the National Revival to the present day.

Following a complete restoration in 2022, both the historic building and its impressive collection were reopened to visitors.

Visitor Information

Address: 14A Saborna Street

Opening hours:

• Tuesday–Friday: 09:30–18:00
• Saturday–Sunday: 10:00–18:00
• Closed on Mondays

5. Three Galleries in One (Yes, We’re Cheating a Little!)

Okay, we admit it—we’re cheating a little. Instead of one gallery, we’re giving you three. They’re all dedicated to members of the legendary Plovdiv Group, often regarded as one of the most influential artistic movements in modern Bulgarian history.

The Old Town is home to the permanent exhibitions of Dimitar Kirov (DiKiro), Encho Pironkov, and Georgi Bozhilov – Slona. Together, they helped establish Plovdiv as one of Bulgaria’s artistic capitals and changed the course of Bulgarian painting during the second half of the twentieth century.

Each painter developed a unique visual language. Dimitar Kirov became famous for his colourful cityscapes and energetic compositions, Encho Pironkov for his poetic works inspired by folklore and history, while Georgi Bozhilov – Slona created expressive paintings full of symbolism and emotion.

Visiting these three galleries offers a fascinating opportunity to see how differently each artist interpreted the same city.

If you’d like to learn more about the legendary Plovdiv Group and the remarkable artists behind it, join our Plovdiv Graffiti Tour or our Socialist Architecture Tour.

Visitor Information

Dimitar Kirov Permanent Exhibition

Located inside the beautiful Veren Stambolyan House, a Revival-period mansion that once served as a creative centre for Bulgarian artists.

Address: 15 Kiril Nektariev Street

Opening hours:

• Summer (April–October): 09:30–18:00
• Winter (November–March): 09:00–17:30
• Lunch break: 13:00–13:30
• Closed on Sundays

Encho Pironkov Permanent Exhibition

The gallery displays 45 paintings donated by the artist himself, offering visitors a wonderful overview of his artistic development and distinctive style.

Address: 1 Vasil Kanchev Street

Opening hours:

• Monday–Friday: 09:30–18:00
• Saturday: 10:00–18:00
• Closed on Sundays

Georgi Bozhilov – Slona Permanent Exhibition

Housed in the historic Skobelev House, built in 1860, the gallery preserves the legacy of one of Plovdiv’s most beloved painters.

Address: 1 Knyaz Tseretelev Street

Please note: The gallery does not currently publish regular opening hours. We recommend checking with the Plovdiv City Art Gallery before planning your visit.

Practical Information

Tickets can be purchased on site or online through the official booking system:
https://plovdiv.urboapp.com/bg/all

Free admission: Students and senior citizens enjoy free entry on the first Thursday of every month at the participating municipal museums.

Final Thoughts

Plovdiv’s Old Town is often admired for its architecture, but its artistic heritage is just as remarkable. From the poetic cityscapes of Tsanko Lavrenov and the unforgettable paintings of Zlatyu Boyadzhiev to centuries-old Orthodox icons and the vibrant works of the Plovdiv Group, these galleries reveal why Plovdiv has long been one of Bulgaria’s cultural capitals.

Take your time, step inside these historic houses, and discover the city through the eyes of the artists who helped shape its unique identity.

Photos: visitplovdiv.com

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