Fantasy the Non-Museum of Plovdiv

Fantasy – The Non-Museum of Plovdiv is the city's newest and most unusual cultural space, opened in August 2025 on the Main Street at Patriarh Evtimiy Street 1 — in the iconic building that used to house the legendary Fl'y'N'High and Bar Underground. The concept is exactly what the name promises: not a museum in the traditional sense, but a "non-museum" — no glass cases, no silence, no "do not touch" signs. Instead, 20 interactive installations combining digital technology, visual art, comics, animation, VR and street culture take visitors on a journey through Plovdiv's local culture, history, legends and urban folklore. The space is built around the universe of Maina Town — a platform for local Plovdiv culture running for over a decade — and its cast of seven muses and comic characters, who guide visitors through the alternative Plovdiv: from ancient legends to modern city slang, through the neighborhoods under the hills, and into the homes and stories of the city's famous chesheeti (local characters). It was created by a team of more than 30 contemporary Plovdiv artists, illustrators, architects, scenographers, musicians and designers. The experience is also accessible — there's a dedicated VR app for visitors with limited mobility. A natural pick for travelers who want to feel the real, self-ironic spirit of Plovdiv rather than tick off standard tourist sights, and easily one of the most playful family- and kid-friendly options in the city center.