National Archaeological Museum Sofia, Sofia

National Archaeological Museum Sofia, Sofia

Housed in the former Ottoman mosque of Koca Mahmut Pa?a Camii (Grand Mosque of Mahmut Pasha) from the 15th century, the National Archaeological Museum of Bulgaria is a treat for curious history lovers.

Housed in the former Ottoman mosque of Koca Mahmut Pa?a Camii (Grand Mosque of Mahmut Pasha) from the 15th century, the National Archaeological Museum of Bulgaria is a treat for curious history lovers. It covers the period from the early Paleolithic tribes to the 18th century, through Antiquity and the Middle Ages. The museum has five exhibition halls -

• Central Hall – It spans the period from the Late Bronze Age to the Late Middle Ages in Southeastern Europe, throwing light on the Thracian, Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Bulgarian and Ottoman cultures. On display are funerary objects from necropolises such as Apollonia Pontica (Sozopol), Greek painted pottery, terracotta figurines, tombstones of gladiators, belongings of Roman Emperors, finds from the St Sophia Basilica, and architectural elements from early Christian churches.
• Prehistory Hall - It covers the Paleolithic, Neolithic, Chalcolithic (Copper Age), and the Early to Middle Bronze Age (1,600,000 - 1600 years BC) in the Bulgarian region. Various items of stone, bone, horn, copper and bronze tools and weapons, ornaments, amulets, ceramics and ritual artifacts are on display.
• Middle Ages – It showcases fine arts from the medieval era. Highlights include a replica of Madara Horseman, wall paintings from St. Nikola Chruch in Melnik, white clay glazed tablets with liturgy texts produced in Veliki Preslav in the 10th - 11th century, double-sided icon from Poganovo depicting 'The Holly Virgin with John the Theologian' and the 'Vision of Ezekiah', golden cross-reliquary from Pliska, relief icon of Christ from Nessebur, and the Nicopol treasure.
• Treasure – The vault on the second floor of the eastern building presents treasures, funerary items and rare artifacts from the Late Bronze Age through Early Iron Age to Late Antiquity. Of note is the Valchitran treasure, and Lukovit treasure.
• Temporary Exhibition.