History Museum, Stara Zagora

In the heart of Stara Zagora, Bulgaria, lies a treasure trove of history and culture—the History Museum, known locally as Регионален исторически музей. This museum is not merely a repository of artifacts but a vibrant chronicle of the region's rich past, offering visitors a captivating journey through time.

A Storied Beginning

The History Museum in Stara Zagora is one of the oldest museums in Bulgaria and among the largest in Europe. It first opened its doors to the public in 1907. Over the years, it has grown both in size and significance, housing over 120,000 cultural artifacts. In September 2007, the museum moved to a new, modern building, which was officially opened to visitors in March 2009. This new facility not only provides a contemporary space for exhibitions but also enhances the visitor experience with state-of-the-art amenities.

Exploring the Museum Complex

The museum complex is a vast and intricate network of exhibits that span various historical periods and themes. One of the highlights is the Neolithic Dwellings Museum, showcasing remnants from the 6th millennium BC. These ancient structures offer a glimpse into the lives of the earliest inhabitants of the region.

Another fascinating site is the Copper Mines of the Chalcolithic period in the Mechi Kladenets area. These mines are a testament to the advanced metallurgical skills of prehistoric communities. The Roman Baths at the Stara Zagora Mineral Baths and the Ancient Forum Complex from the 2nd to 4th centuries AD provide insights into the Roman influence in the area.

Visitors can also explore the Southern Gate of Augusta Traiana, a significant Roman city, and the Late Antique Residential House with a mosaic from the 4th century AD, which was a private Roman home. The Late Antique Public Building with mosaics, located in the Post Office Palace, further illustrates the architectural and artistic prowess of the period.

The Museum of Religions, housed in the Eski Mosque, is another must-see. This unique museum delves into the diverse religious history of the region, offering a rich tapestry of faith and culture. The Hilendar Monastery and the Memorial Complex Defenders of Stara Zagora 1877 commemorate the city's turbulent past and the resilience of its people.

For a more intimate look at local life, the House Museum Urban Life of the 19th Century provides a charming portrayal of domestic life during that era.

Remarkable Exhibits

The History Museum boasts an impressive collection of over 100,000 original artifacts from various epochs. The prehistoric, ethnographic, and numismatic collections are particularly noteworthy. Among the unique exhibits are a bone idol and a marble anthropomorphic figurine from the 5th millennium BC, a helmet-mask, a Sarmatian sword, and a golden necklace.

The museum also houses an array of ancient bronze and glass artifacts, including a glass phial with a dancing woman and a marble statue group of Orpheus from the ancient era. A stone slab depicting a lioness with a cub from the 11th century and a copy of Paisius's Slavonic-Bulgarian History are other highlights.

Visitors can explore artifacts from the Neolithic and Chalcolithic periods, the Bronze Age, the Early and Late Iron Ages, the Roman era, and the Late Antiquity. The museum also features collections from the Middle Ages (7th-9th centuries, 10th-12th centuries, and 13th-14th centuries), the Late Middle Ages (15th-17th centuries), and various other periods.

The numismatic collection, along with collections of badges, awards, jewelry, weapons, uniforms, traditional clothing, household textiles, religious, applied and fine arts, documents from the Bulgarian Revival, and the periods from 1878-1944 and the modern history of Bulgaria, offer a comprehensive overview of the region's cultural heritage.

Additionally, the museum houses tools, household items, old printed materials, periodicals from 1878-1944 and the modern history of Bulgaria, posters, maps, printed materials, production samples, a cine-photo-phono archive, and flags.

Archaeological Expeditions

Over the years, the museum has led and participated in numerous archaeological expeditions, uncovering significant historical sites. Notable excavations include the Azmashka Settlement Mound, the first fully studied settlement mound on the Balkan Peninsula, and the prehistoric copper mines in the Mechi Kladenets area near Stara Zagora, a joint Bulgarian-Russian expedition.

Other important sites include the multi-layered historical site in the Chatalka area, numerous sites in the archaeological reserve Augusta Traiana-Vereya-Boruy, the late antique road station Karasura near the village of Rupkite, Chirpan region (a Bulgarian-German expedition), and many burial mounds.

International Connections

The History Museum in Stara Zagora maintains international contacts with over 20 museums, universities, and libraries in countries such as Germany, England, Russia, Romania, Austria, North Macedonia, France, Greece, Hungary, and others. Directors Dimitar Nikolov and Hristo Buyukliev are members of the International Museum Organization under UNESCO – ICOM.

In 1984, Stara Zagora hosted the 8th International Symposium on Ancient Bronze, where scholars from 30 countries presented their research. The museum has contributed to the publication of corpuses of ancient mosaics and frescoes from Bulgaria in Vienna and has organized or co-organized numerous international, national, and regional scientific conferences, symposia, and colloquia.

A visit to the History Museum in Stara Zagora is not just an educational experience but an unforgettable journey through the annals of time. Whether you are a history enthusiast or a curious traveler, this museum offers a profound connection to the past and an appreciation for the rich cultural heritage of the region.