Plovdiv

The Plovdiv Regional Ethnographic Museum houses an extensive collection of more than forty thousand exhibits, presented in six themed rooms. They cover areas such as agriculture, crafts, textiles, furniture, musical instruments, and religious objects and artworks. The museum's holdings are complemented by a scholarly archive, a library, and a photo library. The museum is housed in the historic home of the merchant Argir Kuyumdzhioglu, built in 1847 and considered an outstanding example of Central European Baroque architecture in the Plovdiv style. The symmetrical building takes advantage of its natural hillside setting, with two stories on the west side and four on the east. Visitors will find a building with twelve rooms, airy salons, and a courtyard with a garden. The interior stands out for its artfully carved wooden ceilings and elaborate floral decoration on the walls and ceilings. The house is located in the Old Town near the Fortress Gate. After serving a variety of purposes, including as a guesthouse, a factory, and a warehouse, it was purchased by the city in 1938 and renovated to permanently host ethnographic exhibitions.