The Museum of History, Culture and Ethnography of Bulgaria is located in Sofia. It was founded not so recently - in 1973, the space of the governmental residence "Boyana" was allocated for it.
The first exposition was opened in 1984.
The opening of the first exposition is connected with the celebration of the 1300th anniversary of the existence of the state of Bulgaria in 1984. Then visitors to the museum were presented with more than 500 thousand archaeological finds, objects of art and everyday life.
Now the Historical Museum has more than 500 thousand archaeological finds, objects of art and everyday life.
Now the Historical Museum has a huge collection of 650 thousand exhibits, making it the largest of its kind in the Balkans. The museum's exhibitions occupy two floors of the building with a total area of 10,000 square metres. The main exposition is divided into several periods, reflecting the most important milestones in the formation of Bulgarian civilisation (Stone Age, Greek period, etc.).
The rooms with exhibits are arranged in chronological order: Bulgarian Prehistory; History of Thrace; Bulgarian Middle Ages - First and Second Bulgarian Kingdoms (7th-14th centuries); Bulgaria under Ottoman rule (1396-1878); Third Bulgarian Kingdom of 1879-1946. Visitors can trace the history of Bulgaria's development from its origins to the present day.
The rich collection, gathered through years of archaeological, ethnographic research, includes art, household items, church utensils, jewellery, ornaments, silver, gold and copper coins, national costumes, antique vessels, books and rare photographs, as well as other valuable exhibits.
The National Museum's collection is a priceless treasure that tells visitors from all over the world about the development of Bulgaria's civilisation.
