Bulgaria Inside

The Veliko Turnovo regional history museum has been existing for the past 137 years, making it one of the oldest and biggest museums in Bulgaria. It was created in 1871. The first collection was displayed in 1914 and apart from the other artifacts, it included discoveries from St. 40 Martyrs church. In 1945, the museum was named a state institution.

Today, the museum features several building that house various exhibitions. It protects over 200 000 exhibition items.

Some valuable archaeological discoveries have been placed in the archaeology museum on 1 Suedinenie square. The collection named Turnovgrad, Bulgarian Capital from the 12th to the 14th Centuries holds the most interesting items.

Several archaeology museum halls present monuments that shed light on the history and the culture of the Veliko Turnovo region. The biggest Bulgarian collection of clay dishes is displayed there, alongside ceramics dishes and utensils. The oldest gold discovered in the world is also part of the museum collection. This golden treasure was discovered near the village of Hotnitsa.

Golden jewelry from the cave near the village of Emen, and golden rings that belonged to Bulgarian tsars can also be seen. A number of gold and silver coins, painted ceramics and Roman period sculptures make the collection complete.

Revival period museum is situated on the same square. The collection is housed in an Ottoman administrative building constructed by craftsman Koliu Ficheto in 1872. Items have been placed on three floors. The first one preserves icons and works of art. Photos present architecture from the Ottoman period, especially the work of Koliu Ficheto. Liberation struggles have been presented through the second floor collection.

The museum-prison is situated behind the Ottoman building. This construction has been made entirely of stone and features one ground floor and two other levels. Three of the cells in the prison have been recreated in their authentic looks. Visitors can read the names of the 399 revolutionaries who were imprisoned there. Some portraits of well-known revolutionaries can also be examined.

New History Museum is right next to the prison. Photos present the most significant events that occurred in Veliko Turnovo in the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th centuries. Personal belongings, coins and strategic maps have all been put on display.

A beautiful house on Gourko street houses the ethnographic collection. The house was constructed in 1861 in the typical revival period architecture style. Sarafkina house was named a monument of culture in 1965 and the collection was placed there in 1981. Pottery, icons, woodcarvings, folk costumes and jewelry can all be seen there. Groups that recreate Bulgarian traditions often perform there.

Work time:
Archaeology museum: 9 am to 5 pm, each day apart from Monday
Revival period museum: 9 am to 5.30 pm each day apart from Tuesday
Prison: 9 am to 5.30 pm each day apart from Sunday and Monday
Sarafkina house: 9 am to 5.30 pm each day apart from Sunday and Monday
New history museum: 9 am to 5.30 pm each week day