[1] Built in 1848 for merchant Hrista Jovanović, it has been the property of the Serbian state since 1953, and in 1979 it became a Monument of Culture of Exceptional Importance for Serbia.

Due to the building's size and multiple stories, Jovanović needed permission from the Turkish authorities to construct it, resulting in its location on the outskirts of the town.

It remains unclear whether Jovanović had it designed by an architect, or dreamed it himself up while traveling through the Ottoman Empire for trade purposes.

Wooden window frames and decorated lathes on the building's corners add features to its bright white facade.

While the ground floor was used on a daily basis by the house's residents, the upstairs was reserved for prominent guests.

The roof's wide eaves are lined with shingle and form a wreath of archivolts over the windows at the front and sides of the house.

Typical of Serbian architecture of this period, the house also features a secret passage and a unique "Kandil" (thurible) Room.

Jovanović quickly achieved success as a merchant, and after the suggestions of Çorbacı and Turkish authorities from Pirot, in 1840, he became a Kalauz (cow and butter tax collector) for the pasha of Vidin.

He had a reputation for greed, and he was expelled from Pirot by pasha Sadrezam for repeatedly selling the same goods to the Turkish army.