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Diony Suites Temelkov Han – History & Revival
Introduction
In the heart of Balchik stands a building that has withstood time and now shines anew. Temelkov Han, built in 1883 by Ivancho Temelkov as an inn, is one of the town’s oldest structures and a protected cultural monument. After decades of decay, this historic house has been carefully restored and reopened in 2023 as the Diony Suites Temelkov Han boutique hotel – a revival that beautifully unites past and present.
Construction and Heyday (1883–20th c.)
Temelkov Han was constructed shortly after Bulgaria’s liberation from Ottoman rule in 1878 – an inscription above the entrance records its completion in 1883 and the name of its founder, “Ivancho Temelkov”. As an inn (“han” in Bulgarian), the two-story stone building offered lodging and a gathering place for travelers and traders. During Balchik’s heyday around the turn of the 20th century, Temelkov Han hosted numerous guests and became a lively hub of the town’s social life. Many stories and legends sprang up around the house – it was regarded early on as a place imbued with special charm and significance for the community.
Decline, Fire and Abandonment
Tragically, the illustrious history took a dramatic turn: in the late socialist era, toward the end of the 20th century, a devastating fire broke out in Temelkov Han. The blaze even claimed lives and left the building in ruins. During the 1990s, the burned-out shell stood abandoned – for nearly 20 years it remained unused due to inheritance disputes and its dire condition. Where activity once buzzed, the walls now crumbled; windows and doors were gone or boarded up, and the formerly proud inn faded into oblivion. Locals came to refer to the derelict structure as the “so-called Temelkov Han”, as if only the name reminded them of its better days.
Archaeological Discoveries at the Han
The revival of Temelkov Han began unexpectedly with a glimpse into a much earlier past. After the property was sold in 2013 for the first time in decades, authorities required archaeological excavations on the site before construction. Balchik’s old town – known as Dionysopolis in antiquity – is rich in buried heritage, and indeed the digs in the Han’s courtyard revealed intriguing layers. Archaeologists uncovered an Ottoman-era cobbled street, fragments of clay pipes, Turkish pottery, and remains of old walls. Deeper down, about 3.5 meters below the surface, they found walls and pottery from the Roman period. Even remnants of an ancient fortress wall and a Roman tomb – believed to be that of a priest-physician – had been discovered in the immediate vicinity earlier. These finds confirmed that Temelkov Han was literally built upon the strata of Balchik’s history. Fortunately, experts determined that the unearthed relics were not so significant as to prevent the building’s restoration. Thus the project was given the green light: the cultural value of the house itself – as part of the town’s heritage – would now take center stage. And just nearby, another highlight of Balchik’s antiquity awaited appreciation: in 2007 the temple of the goddess Cybele was excavated in the city, hailed as the “discovery of the century”. These discoveries – from the Roman masonry beneath the Han to the Kybele temple unearthed not far away – underscore the extraordinary historical depth of the surroundings and lend Temelkov Han even greater significance.
Restoration by the Stoyanov Family
After the excavations were completed, the project initially stalled – but at last a new chapter for Temelkov Han began. Borislav and Jivka Stoyanov, a married couple from Sofia, happened upon the derelict building and were instantly captivated by its character. In 2021 they acquired the Han, determined to restore its original dignity. With great personal commitment and attention to detail, the Stoyanov family undertook the painstaking restoration of the house (a project for which they were honored in 2023 as “Faces of Balchik” for their civic contribution). First, the old walls had to be carefully reinforced and the partially collapsed structure stabilized. Step by step, life returned to the stone walls: a new roof with traditional tiles was installed, the facade of light limestone blocks was cleaned and repaired, and original elements like the arches and window frames were preserved wherever possible. Soon the building sparkled once more – much to the delight of Balchik’s residents, who watched the progress day by day. In spring 2023, roughly 140 years after its construction, Temelkov Han was finally fully restored on the outside.
New Life as a Boutique Hotel
With the restoration complete, Temelkov Han was ready to come back to life. In summer 2023, the historic inn reopened its doors – now as a boutique hotel with a restaurant, uniting tradition with modern comfort. Where coachmen and traders once rested, today guests from around the world can stay and dine in style. The restorers took care to preserve the spirit of the original: many of the restored stone walls and arches remain visible, giving the interior an authentic character. At the same time, the house offers all the amenities of the 21st century – from elegant rooms with designer touches to smart building technology. For instance, a state-of-the-art reservation system is in place to make guests’ stays as convenient as possible. At Diony Suites Temelkov Han, past and present merge in a special way: visitors can feel the 19th-century historic charm while enjoying the comforts of today. A long-neglected monument has become a vibrant place of hospitality once again – true to the spirit of the original han established over 140 years ago.
From Dionysopolis to Diony Suites – A Name with History
The name of our hotel builds a bridge between Balchik’s antiquity and its modern era. Diony Suites is derived from Dionysopolis – the ancient name of Balchik, which in turn harkens back to Dionysus, the god of wine. According to legend, the ancient city received this name after a statue of Dionysus was found in the waters off Balchik. In this way, “Diony” pays homage to the town’s rich ancient heritage, recalling cultural roots that include the aforementioned Temple of Cybele. Temelkov Han, on the other hand, is the historic name of the house, which we deliberately retained to honor Ivancho Temelkov’s legacy and keep the continuity of its story alive. The combined name Diony Suites Temelkov Han thus perfectly reflects what our establishment embodies: it is a place where the millennia-old history of Dionysopolis and the time-honored hospitality of the 19th-century han are interwoven – and carried together into the future.
