The exhibition “Chronicles of Steel. Cold Weapons of the Bulgarian Middle Ages” was opened on December 11 at the National Archaeological Institute with Museum of BAS. The exposition presents the culture of war in the Bulgarian lands in the Middle Ages through the most iconic weapons of the era – swords, sabres and combat knives.

The Director of the National Archaeological Institute, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hristo Popov, presented the exhibition which is an emanation of an outstanding scientific work on the systematization and research of the medieval cold weapons of Bulgaria carried out by the scientists of the NAIM – BAS. All objects are documented with a uniform description and high quality illustrations and photographs. They were measured in the same way, with the same instruments. The chemical composition of some of the artifacts was studied using an energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometer. A new discovery was made – the radiographic examination of the blade of one of the exhibits revealed an elaborate decoration making it the most richly decorated weapon of the Bulgarian Middle Ages.

The President of BAS Corr. Memb. Evelina Slavcheva attended the opening ceremony and congratulated the organizers of the exhibition. Among the official guests were the Minister of Culture Nayden Todorov and the Scientific Secretary-General Prof. Neli Koseva.

Among the nearly 120 unique exhibits are exquisitely crafted swords, sabres and combat knives as well as their parts. They cover a period of 1200 years from the 6th century to the 17th century. Among the highlights of the exhibition are a one-handed sword, from the area of the Zlatar village, Veliki Preslav municipality; a “Bulgarian type” sabre from the area of Cherven bryag town; a one-handed sword with a decorated blade from the Preslav Mountain and a long sword from the collection of NAIM – BAS. The exhibition provides a platform for many of the specimens from the museum collections which will be exhibited for the first time.

The exposition is held in partnership with 28 historical and archaeological museums from across the country which have provided finds from their collections http://naim.bg/bg/content/news/600/857/1412/

The exhibition is part of the Ministry of Culture’s calendar for delegates to the 47th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in July 2025.

It can be seen in the temporary exhibition hall of NAIM-BAS until 30 September 2025.