Regional History Museum – Sofia

Regional History Museum – Sofia (RHM–Sofia) is a leading cultural institution dedicated to preserving, studying, and promoting the historical heritage of Bulgaria’s capital. Housed in the iconic building of the former Central Mineral Bath, the museum offers visitors the opportunity to explore over 8,000 years of history—from the Neolithic period to the 1940s.

History and Mission

Founded in 1928 on the initiative of Mayor Vladimir Vazov, the museum originally combined the functions of a city museum, library, and archive. In 2015, following a major reconstruction of the Central Mineral Bath building, the permanent exhibition Museum of the History of Sofia was inaugurated. A year later, in 2016, the institution was granted regional museum status, expanding its scope and activities.

Activities and Initiatives

Exhibitions

In recent years, the museum has organized numerous temporary and guest exhibitions on key themes related to the history and cultural heritage of Sofia. Some highlight archaeological research findings, anniversary events, or collaborative projects with other museums.

Educational Programs

Working with children is a major priority for the museum. It offers a variety of educational programs targeting preschool and school-aged children. Through interactive lessons, creative workshops, and thematic activities, young visitors are introduced to Sofia’s history and cultural heritage in an engaging and accessible way.

Social Engagement

The museum actively promotes inclusion by engaging various social groups in the cultural life of the city. It participates in initiatives such as European Night of Museums and other events focused on intergenerational dialogue, accessibility, and inclusion of people with disabilities. It also organizes events related to community memory and local heritage, as well as charitable initiatives supporting relief efforts for the earthquake in Turkey and Syria, the war in Ukraine, and local donation campaigns.

Project Participation

RHM–Sofia is an active partner in numerous national and international projects. These include initiatives for digitizing archives, developing digital dossiers, and participating in the fields of digital humanities and cultural heritage—such as the project KLaDA–BG.

Research Activities

The museum engages in active research focused on exploring and popularizing the cultural and historical heritage of the capital. Its team participates in scholarly forums, fieldwork, and interdisciplinary studies that bridge academic research and museum practice. One highlight of this work is the video series “Buildings Tell Stories”, which presents the history of significant buildings in Sofia based on archival research and historical investigations.

For more information and current events, please visit the official website of the museum: https://www.sofiahistorymuseum.bg/bg/home 

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