varna archaeological museum

I went to visit a friend of mine working at the museum and to see the new display on the Thracian gold. The museum is very well put together but was still going through major renovations while I was there.

This museum has displays of the earliest human crafted gold, found in west Varna at the other end of Lake Varna - truly incredible to see. I also really enjoyed the display of coins over history. It is an excellent reminder of the crossroads of civilization that Varna and Bulgaria in general are to the world.

I found a lot of useful information in the Varna Archaeological Museum. Also, there works very intelligent and clever guide, you explained all details, which interested me.

The Varna Archaeological Museum is large. Takes quite some time to run through it all, but definitely worth a trip there. You can get 'museumed-out' on trips, but this would be one to see in your travels. The main town is not much to see, so spend the time at the museum.

A Briton probably first associates Bulgaria with its Slavic heritage, and may know a bit about the role of the eastern coast of Bulgaria as part of Greek civilization. However Varna is also famous for a unique prehistoric (albeit late prehistoric, aka chalcolithic) find - 'the oldest gold in the world'. I think that this exhibition is well worth seeing as it is both a unique find as well as being presented in an sensible and informative way. In the rest of the museum there are exhibits from the classical period of Bulgaria as well as the medieval Slavic kingdoms, so the museum does give a rounded picture of Bulgarian history. Information is certainly given in English in the gold exhibition, and may well have been given in English throughout if I remember rightly.

Have a great view of the history of Bulgaria and Varna region. Just wish that it was more interactive and more taken care off.

Interesting expositions. If you are not a group be aware that the lady's sitting around in the rooms are not interested on visitors and will not give any information.

This museum is very interesting and well-displayed. The highlight is the hoard of gold findings that are the oldest known processed gold in the world. It is very extensive, plus the layout with the preserved tomb is very evocative.

Don't be put off: this museum is a gem in spite of its forbidding exterior. There have been major archaeological finds in the area round Varna and this museum both shows them off and explains with great clarity in Bulgarian and English. Highlight is the Thracian tomb with gold jewellery but there are also Macedonian, Roman and Ottoman treasures. There is also a good collection of 19th century icons. A couple of hours very well spent.

clear presentation of objects with short but exact explenation of the History . And the thracian objects,'???? marvellous. Immagine these fine object were made in 6.ooo-4.ooo BC, after that artist have only imitate the Thracian objects

This museum has a fantastic collection of old Thracian gold, plus a well organised review of the history of Varna.

This is a great museum, well organized, with good information on all stages of Bulgaria's history. The Varna gold is incredible....a must see!

huge building with enough information but not enough directional arrows to show which way to go around the public areas

Very insteresting, you need at least 3 hours there.If you know history you'll be amazed by the handcraft artifacts from ancient ages. If you don't know - you'll learn a lot.

Lovely expositions, definitely worth a visit if you are staying in Varna.It's 10 leva per adult and the museum is spread out through two floors. It took us about an hour to see everything.