Regional Museum of History and Ethnography in Gotse Delchev

The Museum of History and Ethnography in the town of Gotse Delchev (southwestern Bulgaria) was officially opened in 1979. It is housed in an old Baroque building that is considered to be the only one in this style in the region. The museum was founded with the financial support of patriot donors. It is the only center for study, preservation and popularization of the unique historical and architectural heritage of the region. The expositions showed in the museum represent the development of local crafts, known for their large production volume at the end of 18 and the beginning of 19 century. Pottery was particularly widespread, as ceramics is still quite popular in the region. The local pottery masters were quite famous even in far away lands. In the first half of 19 century the coppersmith trade was also very typical. In the same period Gotse Delchev won recognition as manufacturing center for its famous bells. There were over 20 bell workshops that supplied most of the Balkans with bells. Each year the museum arranges exhibitions of archeological finds related to the Thracian, Slavonic and Old Bulgarian culture, found in the valley of Nestos (Mesta). The museum’s archeological department keeps 1500 exhibits.