Arheologicheski muzey Maritsa Iztok

Dive deep into the rich history of the Stara Zagora region by visiting the Archaeological Museum "Maritsa Iztok" – a unique cultural treasure born from the necessity to rescue and preserve the archaeological heritage unearthed during the extensive industrial activities of the "Maritsa Iztok" mining complex. Established in 1982, the museum hosts one of the largest collections of salvage archaeological finds in Bulgaria, offering a captivating look at millennia of human presence in this strategically important area. Its exhibitions trace the continuous development of human civilization in the region from deep antiquity to the Middle Ages. Here, you'll discover evidence of richly developed Neolithic and Chalcolithic settlements (6th-5th millennium BC) with magnificent pottery and everyday artifacts, impressive Thracian sanctuaries, Roman villas and necropolises, as well as remnants of medieval fortifications and settlements. Each exhibit tells its own story – from exquisite clay vessels and stone tools, through golden jewelry and ritual objects, to coins and architectural fragments, revealing the daily life, beliefs, and economy of the people who inhabited these fertile lands. A visit to the museum is not just a walk, but a captivating journey through time, vividly demonstrating how industrial development can harmoniously coexist with the preservation of cultural heritage. It's a must-visit for anyone eager to explore the ancient history of Southeast Europe and appreciate the extraordinary contribution of salvage archaeology.