Kyuchuk Paris originated as a neighborhood for refugees between the two world wars and initially took on a working-class character. Today, it’s officially the largest residential area in the city under the hills and remains an attractive place for many people who decide to move to the city.
We've already prepared texts for the slightly temperamental nature of some of its residents with a list of 5+1 things NOT to do in Kyuchuk Paris, and have also shared detailed stories about the settlement process of this district.
Now we take you back to the closer or distant past - filled with a mix of memories and emotions for some, and completely forgotten by others with some archival photos.
"The Eiffel Tower" Under the Hills
A longstanding symbol of the district, this structure was considered one of the "godmothers" of the area due to its resemblance to the one in the French capital. The lead tower of the Shot Factory was built in 1927 by Ivan Neykov and stood as the tallest structure in Plovdiv at that time, rising over 40 meters. Its form was reminiscent of the tower in Paris, and it was the only tower on the Balkan Peninsula where lead shot was made through a natural droplet process. It was demolished in 2003. A few years ago, students from the Math High School launched a campaign to restore it. For two months, the students worked on a project - creating models, drawings, and 3D reconstructions based on authentic materials from the Shot Factory.
Hali
Older residents remember it as the most well-stocked store in the area. According to them, the meat counter was massive, with meat hanging on large hooks, where they would cut the exact amount needed for each customer. Minced meat was ground on-site to guarantee freshness and quality. Some people even came from the Karshiyaka ditrict just for the lamb sweetbread. Another impressive feature was the section with live fish. Modeled after the one in the central hali, it featured live fish swimming in white-tiled aquariums, which were a source of fascination, especially for children.
Queues for goods would start as early as 5 a.m., and on Saturdays, people lined up from dawn for kiselo mlyako and fresh milk—limited to two cups of yogurt and one liter of milk in a plastic bag. The Hali operated as a grocery store until the 1990s, when it gradually emptied and was repurposed as an office and business building.
The Pastry Shop - A Helicopter to Moldavia
The helicopter functioned as a pastry shop between 1979 and 1980. It was located in the park in front of the “Moldavia” store. It was possible to be entered under the "tail" of the helicopter. In the comment sections on social media posts, some people recall similar helicopters at Dzhendema, precisely on the curve where the dental faculty parking lot is now located.
Photos: Facebook
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