House with the Monkey

The House with the Monkey is a three-story Revival-period residence measuring 6 meters wide by 15 meters deep with entrances accessible from two different streets. The ground floor holds an antique shop while the upper floors house the local branch of the Union of Scientists and Scholars in Bulgaria.

Master builder Kolyu Ficheto constructed this residence in 1849 for merchant Nikola Koyuv using architectural features that were uncommon for Bulgarian homes of that era. The design introduced elements that went beyond typical local building practices.

The stone monkey carved on the outer wall has inspired local stories and customs that connect people to the building's place in the town. This sculpture serves as a distinctive landmark that residents and visitors easily recognize.

The ground floor with its antique shop welcomes visitors freely, while the upper levels may have restricted access depending on organizational activities. It is helpful to check ahead about access times if you wish to see the offices or archives located upstairs.

Stefan Penev-Akhtar, Bulgaria's first major collector of antiquities, once lived here and housed a personal collection of medieval manuscripts and coins. His gathering of these treasures turned this residence into an unexpected repository of historical objects.