Lost in Plovdiv

Cover photo: By www.svatbaiukrasa.com - www.svatbaiukrasa.com, CC BY-SA 4.0, Link

In one of our previous articles, "Everything in Plovdiv Has a Home",  we told you a funny story where a wedding guest from another city was genuinely confused as to why everyone was gathering in front of the couple’s apartment, after hearing that the meeting point was in front of the house of the newlyweds.

Although such properties, used for civil wedding ceremonies have been built in many other cities in Bulgaria, the truth is that in Plovdiv, a large part of public buildings have retained their old names in people’s minds, which further enhances their important role in social life.

The House of the Newlyweds in Plovdiv is an emblematic building with unique historical significance, tied to the social and cultural life of the city during the second half of the 20th century, and it still serves its original purpose today. With its function as a place for official civil ceremonies, this building symbolizes the modernization and social development of Plovdiv during the socialist era. Located in the heart of Plovdiv, the House of the Newlyweds holds a special place in the hearts of many generations of the city’s residents.

Photo: Вy www.svatbaiukrasa.com – www.svatbaiukrasa.com, CC BY-SA 4.0, Link

The idea originated in the second half of the 20th century in Bulgaria, as well as in other socialist countries, when civil wedding ceremonies became mandatory, and the institution of marriage took on a special ceremonial character. This led to the idea of creating the “House of the Newlyweds” — a space dedicated to the most important moment in a couple’s life.

The building was constructed in 1962, commissioned by the municipality of Plovdiv, and designed by the well-known Bulgarian architects—Matei Mateev and Dimka Taneva. It was officially opened on September 27 of that year. The building stands out with its specific architecture, combining elements of classical and modern design.

It is a two-story building, with beautiful large windows adorned with painted ornaments, metal window frames, a marble floor and stairs, brass railings, and a spacious foyer. The building’s entrance is wide and welcoming, with beautiful foyers and halls where the newlyweds and their guests can gather before and after the ceremony.

The ceremonial hall, a place for congratulations, a room for the newlyweds, and administrative offices are on the second floor. The main ceremony hall is spacious and elegantly decorated, offering a sense of solemnity and intimacy. It has a seating capacity of 80.

Since the spring of 2005, the building has been managed by the specially created Municipal Enterprise "Radostni Obredi", whose headquarters are located there.

Additionally, on the second floor of the House of the Newlyweds there is a civil registry office, which not only issues the necessary documents but also holds the archives of all marriages registered in Plovdiv over the past 100 years.

Photo: Вy www.svatbaiukrasa.com – www.svatbaiukrasa.com, CC BY-SA 4.0, Link

Over time, the building has undergone some restorations and updates to adapt to the needs of its users. Some of the original architectural elements have been preserved, while others have been modernized to meet new standards.

In June 2018, for the first time in 55 years, the central House of the Newlyweds was fully renovated. The ribbon for the renovated building was symbolically cut on Children's Day, and Rusaliya Kirova, the wife of the famous Plovdiv artist Dimitar Kirov, Di Kiro, who in 1963 created eight stained glass works specifically for the building, attended the grand opening ceremony. The stained glass pieces have been incorporated into the new glass windows to preserve them. Dimitar Kirov’s art works have also been preserved, with all of his creations displayed on the second floor.

The ceremonial hall has become even more beautiful and modern - a special video wall measuring 2.50x1.40 meters, was added there, where the newlyweds can project selected photos or broadcast the marriage ceremony live.

Today, Plovdiv’s House of the Newlyweds is more than just a building where marriage ceremonies are performed. It symbolizes not only an era of social and cultural change, during which official rituals and th state played a key role in people's lives, but it also stands as an example of the architectural thinking of its time. While both the building and social changes have brought new challenges for this iconic structure, its significance for the people of Plovdiv remains intact.