Hellenistic Gold from Bulgaria's SE Sakar Region Is Now on Display at National Archaeology Museum

Vanya Suharova

Some of the most valuable exhibitions at the exhition "The Splendour of Hellenistic Gold: The Ruler of Sakar", that opened in Sofia on August 12, 2025 (BTA Photo/Vanya Suharova)

Sofia,

13.08.2025 17:15

(BTA)

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BG ARCHAEOLOGY

An exhibition titled The Splendour of Hellenistic Gold: the Ruler of Sakar, is now on display at the National Archaeology Museum in Sofia. At the opening event on Tuesday night, Deputy Culture Minister Todor Chobanov called the exhibits "masterpieces of Antique art" and said that Sakar, a region in Southeastern Bulgaria, gets in the limelight after being ignored for long years.

An iron knife inlaid with gold, a unique gold bracelet with cast figures and semi-precious stones, a gold necklace, a gold ring with an iron plate, a gold wreath, gilded armor pieces, and gold ornaments from a horse harness are just some of the highlights of the exhibition. Organized by the National Archaeological Institute with Museum at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (NAIM-BAS) and the Municipality of Topolovgrad, the exhibition showcases one of Bulgaria's most impressive archaeological discoveries in recent years.

NAIM-BAS Director Dr Hristo Popov said that the Topolovgrad treasure will remain at the National Museum for a couple of months and will then return to the Topolovgrad Municipal Museum "where it belongs".

Dr Popov dedicated the exhibition to archaeologist Stanislav Iliev of the Regional History Museum in Haskovo, who passed away in 2023.

Bulgarian Academy of Sciences President Evelina Slavcheva said that the exhibits in The Splendour of Hellenistic Gold impress the viewer with their perfection.

Todor Chobanov said that he expects to hear of more invaluable discoveries from this part of Bulgaria. He assured the guests at the event that the Ministry will continue to support Bulgarian archaeologists and restorers.

Topolovgrad Mayor Bozhin Bozhinov said that there have been more archaeological discoveries in the region this year. "We will be pleased and honoured to present to you even more interesting things the like of which have never been seen in our lands before," he said.

The artefacts now on display were found during an expedition in the village of Kapitan Petko Voyvoda near Topolovgrad. Expedition leader Daniela Agre said that a bounty of valuable finds have been unearthed in what was considered a God-forsaken land.

/NF/