The emblematic pastry shop was housed in one of the city's bomb shelters, which were leased out and widely converted into venues in the 1990s. Its central location—right at the foot of Sahat Tepe and just meters from the Main Street under the hills—made it a favorite spot for meeting friends and having fun for more than two decades.
On a business directory website, we found an advertisement from a few years ago:
"The “Skalata” Café-Pastry Shop is located at the foot of Sahat Tepe, partially embedded in its majestic stone mass. We offer a stylish atmosphere and tempting cakes made by us. The cakes prepared at “Skalata” are true masterpieces of pastry art, unmatched in the city under the hills.
“Skalata” Pastry Shop opened on September 9 1991. Over these nearly 20 years, its name has become an integral part of Plovdiv and a benchmark for quality cake-making.
At Skalata, you can find a cake for any significant occasion—whether it's a wedding cake, a birthday cake, a children's party, or a corporate event. Our culinary masterpieces, with their unique taste and incredible beauty, are a wonderful gift for your family.
In the cozy atmosphere of our salon and summer garden, we offer a rich and diverse assortment of creams, pastries, sundaes, aromatic coffee, and refreshing cocktails."
Photo source: pochivka.bg
Indeed, back then, Plovdiv’s culinary scene was quite different—there were far fewer establishments, and “Skalata” was a go-to choice for coffee, cakes, and sundaes in the city center. The number of places making custom cakes could be counted on one hand, and ice cream treats were something special.
The interior was also unique, with its cave-like atmosphere, and children loved “Skalata” for the small playground in front.
However, in 2018, the lease agreement was terminated, and the city administration decided that no more establishments would be allowed there. There were plans to convert the space into a play area, but that has yet to happen, leaving the entire perimeter abandoned—a reminder of times gone by, when stomachs were filled with sweetness and coffee was enjoyed in peace, away from the bustle of the Main Street but still in the heart of Europe's oldest continuously inhabited city.
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