The House with the Tower

Every property has a story; every home holds sentimental value. Yet, some are true legends. Unique Estates is pleased to present one such property.

We take you to Kazanlak—the city located in the Valley of the Roses. Kazanlak is the heart of a rose-growing region with centuries-old traditions in the extraction of rose oil and other essential oils. The city offers excellent potential for the future development of tourism, thanks to its proximity to the picturesque Central Balkan National Park and hot mineral springs known for their therapeutic properties. Kazanlak is also home to several landmarks included in the Bulgarian Tourist Union’s list of the "100 National Tourist Sites." The city stands as a symbol of a flourishing culture, a rich history, and a robust industrial sector.

An honorary citizen of Kazanlak is the renowned artist Ivan Milev—a key figure in the Bulgarian *Secession* (Art Nouveau) movement. Milev was a master of tempera and watercolor techniques within Bulgarian fine art. His distinctive decorative style was influenced by the *Secession* movement—prevalent in Europe at the time—yet it remained deeply rooted in folk traditions and icon painting. His works are preserved in the National Art Gallery, the Sofia City Art Gallery, and the Art Gallery in Kazanlak.

Throughout his artistic career, Ivan Milev worked wonders with his brush in various locations. One such place is the "House with the Tower" in the center of Kazanlak, where the artist adorned the walls with his paintings. The property stands as a true masterpiece of Austrian architecture and Bulgarian culture. Owned by Stoyan Staynov, the house was built in the early 20th century based on a design by the renowned Sofia-based architect Nikola Zankov.

It is believed that this was the first fully electrified house in the city. In 1925, the family heir, Manyu Staynov, invited Ivan Milev to decorate the house; however, the artist argued that the designated room was too small for his vision. He requested that the wall separating the two southern rooms on the ground floor be demolished to create a single, unified space. Milev then designed the entire layout of the room, including the furniture and other furnishings. He also executed the four wall panels, as well as the decorations on the walls and furniture.

Over the years, the house has hosted several exhibitions featuring Bulgarian, Serbian, and Polish artists. A new lease on life was brought to the house through an initiative by the young people behind "Vikhar" ("Whirlwind")—a cultural and artistic space in Kazanlak. During the 2016 Rose Festival, they organized a week-long event titled "Ancestral Threads" ("Rodovi Nishki"), which included an exhibition of authentic folk costumes, themed evenings, and a wealth of music.

Mihail Staynov describes the construction of the "house with the tower" as one of the crowning achievements of his great-grandfather’s career. "He wanted to demonstrate a certain grandeur on home soil, to stand alongside the prominent figures of Kazanlak—cultural luminaries and rose-oil merchants. It truly resembles a castle; that is how I perceived it in my childhood, and that is how my granddaughters see it today," he recounts.

Over the past year, the care of the building has been taken up by the next generation of owners. These young people recognize the architectural value of the house and its interior, as well as the importance of preserving this invaluable cultural heritage. At the initiative of one of them—architect Alexander Staynov—they have undertaken, using their own resources and efforts, the restoration of the building's elements damaged by time, as well as the preservation of its existing details.

The frescoes by Ivan Milev and the beautiful Art Nouveau-style friezes were restored in the 1980s and remain in generally good condition. Original, period-appropriate furniture has been utilized to maintain the spirit of the place. The kitchen and bathrooms have been restored and partially renovated, while preserving the original Austro-Hungarian floor tiles and all the characteristic details of the era.

The vision is to host events here—to foster a vibrant cultural and social life—as the house itself tells a story, and this serves as its natural purpose. The "House with the Tower"—an iconic landmark of the city—has been revived; it is truly beautiful and ready to fulfill its mission as a cultural venue. For further information regarding the property, please contact Krasimira Nikolova at Unique Estates / knikolova@ues.bg. +359 885 990 122.