Did you know Plovdiv is home to the oldest museum in all of Bulgaria? The treasure of the Regional Archaeological Museum are incredible! Located near the city centre, this museum has been operational since 1882 and houses over 100,000 pieces.
Layout
Upon entering and paying the 8 LEV ($6 CAD) entrance fee, I was directed to the left to begin the exhibits. Each room that I passed through brought me chronologically from prehistory to antiquity and ending with the middle ages.
The museum does show its age, the exhibits are all housed in similar tall glass cases and there are no interactive displays. It is very old school. But really, I was there to focus on the treasures, now how they are housed. 😊
Early Periods
Very interesting indeed, displayed are figures, pottery, tools, jewellery and such from 6000BC to 1000BC. Each case has a legend attached and each piece is numbered. Simply match the number to read a description in English or Bulgarian, of what the item is.
Coins
Originally this museum started because of its vast coin collection. Today, two rooms contained this enormous stash of coins. They were very interesting and beautiful however these rooms and cases are dim, so the darker coins are very difficult to see.
Thracian
By far, the best part of the museum for me was the Thracian rooms. Wowzers, exceptionally beautiful artifacts and treasures. Lots of pottery, armour, jewellery and gold, gold, gold dating from the 3rd century BC.
One case in the centre of the largest room, has a display of nine pieces of a 23 karat gold table set found in 1949 and weighing 6.146 kilograms! It is the biggest gold discovery in Bulgaria. These pieces decorated with relief scenes of Greek Mythology are nothing short of spectacular!! Included are 8 large rhytons (cups) and one large phiale (dish). I could not stop admiring these pieces. They are truly exquisite and breathtaking.
More absolutely beautiful items from the Thracian rooms. The jewellery was particularly detailed and beautiful.
Romans
Beyond the Thracian rooms were the Roman rooms. At one end a spectacular mosaic floor from a wealthy household.
Middle Ages
Full of armour, pottery and various treasures, many of which were too dark to photograph or the glare from the cases was too intense. One large piece not encased was an early Christian tomb unearthed in 2012, with beautiful images painted on all four interior walls.
The second floor of the museum was not open and I’m not even sure if it still houses anything to be honest. Regional Archaeological Museum is definitely a must see for anyone interested in history, especially the Thracian historical artifacts. To see these items literally inches from my face, was a pleasure that I won’t soon forget.
