National Ethnographic Museum — Attraction in Sofia City

The building that used to be the residence of the Tsar is now housing the National Ethnographic Museum. The Royal Palace itself is a remarkable building in the center of Sofia from the end of the 19th century and a monument of culture on its own.

The purpose of the National Ethnographic Museum is to collect, preserve and exhibit everything connected to the Bulgarian ethnical and cultural wealth. The National Ethnographic Museum is home to a collection of around 50000 items organized under several categories: garments, goldsmith crafts, copper objects, objects for ritualistic purposes, woodcarvings, agricultural tools, ceramics, fabrics and embroideries, home furnishing, carpets, foreign art etc. It is no mere chance that in the first decades of the 21th century the National Ethnographic Museum was renowned as one of the museums with the richest exhibits on the Balkan Peninsula. The Ethnographic museum collection also represents the topological characteristics of the traditional Bulgarian garment. It represents in details its structure and fabric composition, describing its function in the life of the Bulgarians.

The museum curators offer visitors interesting facts regarding the traditions and beliefs of the Bulgarian people, which were reflected in their way of life, be it holiday or work day. One of the most interesting collections is the one devoted to embroideries. It is believed that the embroidery is one of the most distinctive features of Bulgarian folklore.

The National Ethnographic Museum is a popular cultural and educational center both for young and old. The Ethnographic Institute, allied with the Bulgarian Academy of Science, shares the building with the National...

I had a fantastic visit to the Sofia National Art Gallery and the National Ethnographic Museum, both located in the beautiful former royal palace. You need two separate tickets to visit both, but it’s absolutely worth it. The ladies at the ticket offices were very kind and helpful. The art gallery has a great mix of classical and modern Bulgarian works. The ethnographic museum was a highlight — I had a lovely conversation with a passionate staff member who explained the meanings behind rug motifs like the butterfly, scorpion, and scissors, and even mentioned Turkish names for some of them. I hope she can visit Cappadocia one day, as we discussed! Don’t miss the Cosmos-themed floor in the ethnographic museum — it’s unique and fascinating. Both museums are well-presented with English descriptions, and together they offer a deep look into Bulgarian culture and heritage. Highly...

A wonderful museum if you are interested in Bulgarian culture. It has undergone a renovation since I last went 5 years ago, with modernisation of its displays and information plaques. Everything is translated into English, and written in an engaging and informative way. Exhibitions include folklore, traditions, costumes, craft and daily life and agriculture. The staff are all lovely and so happy to share with you their knowledge, and have real pride in their roles, especially the lady who does the weaving demonstrations, she is a real gem. For me this museum is a must...