In the immediate vicinity of Sofia is an interesting religious landmark - the Boyana Church. In 1979 it was listed as a World Heritage Site. The erection of the church took place in the 10th century. For hundreds of years, it has been reconstructed several times. Despite a thorny destiny, many valuable artifacts have been preserved in it. Now visitors can admire the unique frescos of the 11th century and see fragments of medieval paintings. Somehow, the temple managed to survive thousands of years later.
One of the most visited cultural institutions in the city is the Archaeological Museum. It was founded in 1892 and occupies the same building as the Institute of Archeology. The archaeological museum is the oldest in Bulgaria. It keeps one of the world's largest collections of antiquities, found in various parts of the country. The building containing the museum was erected in the 15th century and used to be a mosque initially. It is of great historical value.
The Historical Museum of Bulgaria is situated in a beautiful park. Its opening was held in 1973. Today the exposition of the museum includes more than 600000 unique pieces. For the convenience of visitors, it is divided into several thematic halls. Visitors can enjoy collections of ancient weapons and coins, admire medieval decorations and antique furniture, made by the best masters of the country. Yet, they have an interesting collection of church utensils. Since 2000 the museum occupies a new attractive building.
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