Nikola Alvadzhiev claims that it was built in Italian style by Vaccaro. Before, Ismail Bey's konak used to be here. However, the facts diverge, as Ismail Bey's konak was located almost next to the Dzhumaya Square. And what do the documents say?
A photograph by the court photographer Ivan Karastoyanov is a sure indication that in 1892 the building already existed. In 1919, the owner of the house was Bohor Perets. However, the owner hadn’t lived in Plovdiv for years, so he authorized his brother to rent it out or to negotiate its sale. Dr. Atanas Sabev was listed as a neighbor, who bought Marko Bey's konak with the help of his Italian wife Emilia Favretto, who adapted the ancient building for a private commercial high school. The neighbor on the other side was Toma Kostov, who opened a shop for modern bicycles from Europe on Dzhumaya Square.
In his article in Pod Tepeto, dedicated to the life of the Italian Edmondo Vaccaro in Plovdiv from 1879 to 1926, Vladimir Balchev wrote that it was he who decided to rent the large building upon his arrival under the hills in 1919. This palace sheltered seven children , a wife and three maids. On top of that, the home was furnished with the most expensive furniture, decorated with original paintings, Japanese porcelain panels and various statues.
Subsequently, however, Vaccaro suffered a complete collapse in his business ventures and all his expensive furniture and possessions were sold in order to repay his debts. Edmondo was devastated by the accident, so he left Plovdiv, lived for several years in Sofia and died only 20 days after his father's death.
Today, the building, together with its adjacent areas, is 9/10 private municipal property. It is also one of the few on the magnificent street with its own spacious courtyard, still preserved, albeit with a non-working fountain and lots of greenery.
The building has not only architectural, but also historical value for Plovdiv, and despite its poor condition, it continues to suggest its splendor from the beginning of the last century.
