The National Museum of History is one of the largest and richest historical museums on the Balkan Peninsula. It houses over 700 000 cultural monuments representing the history of the present-day Bulgarian lands from 8000 years ago to the present day. Only 10% of all these treasures and monuments are exhibited in the halls of the museum. The National History Museum was established in 1973 and its first exhibition was opened in the building of the Court Palace in Sofia in 1984 to commemorate the 1300th anniversary of the establishment of the Bulgarian state. Since 2000, the museum has been housed in the former house No. 1 of the government residence in the Boyana district of Sofia.
The main exposition of the museum is located in five halls: Prehistory, Ancient Thrace, Middle Ages – First (VII-XII centuries) and Second Bulgarian Kingdom (XII – XIV centuries), Bulgarian lands in the XV-XIX centuries and the Third Bulgarian State (1878-present).
In the collection dedicated to prehistory (7th – 2nd millennium BC), various bone and flint tools, idol figurines, ornaments and ceramics are presented. In another hall are presented unique treasures from the time of the Thracians. The museum also preserves the world-famous Panagyur, Rogozen and Letnitsa treasures, as well as the treasure discovered near the village of Duvanli. Here one can also see the numerous grave offerings and decorations uncovered during the exploration of mounds throughout the country.
The medieval history of Bulgaria is presented in a special hall. The collection includes objects from the era of the First (VII-XI centuries) and the Second (XII – XIV centuries) Bulgarian kingdom – jewellery, coins, decorative ceramics, icons, relic holders, etc. In another hall the history of the Bulgarian lands during the Ottoman rule (1396 – 1878) is told. This period of Bulgarian history is divided into two parts – Late Middle Ages (15th – 17th centuries) and Bulgarian Revival (18th – 19th centuries).
The struggle for ecclesiastical and national independence, the activities of the revolutionary organisations, the outbreak of the April Uprising in 1876 and the liberation of Bulgaria in 1878 are presented with various objects. Over 600 exhibits show the development of the new Bulgarian state. A special place is devoted to the Bulgarian monarchs – one can see belongings that belonged to the royal family, numerous material evidence of the restoration of Bulgarian statehood (1878 – 1946).
In a separate hall are exhibited ancient coins – among the valuable exhibits are coins from the time of Tsar Ivan Asen II (1218 – 1241) and Tsar Ivan Alexander (1331 – 1371), Byzantine coins and others.
In the ethnographic collection of the museum there is a reconstruction of a Renaissance school. In the courtyard of the museum there is a rich collection of stone columns, monuments from different periods – Greek, Roman, Byzantine. The museum sells souvenirs, information materials, specialized literature. There is also a library available to visitors.
