Adress: 2 Dimitar Zhelev Str., 9600 Balchik, Dobrich Province
Phones: 0579 721 77; 0895554037
E-mail: museum_balchik@abv.bg
Contact person: Radostina Encheva Encheva
Winter working hours (October to May) | 8:00 a.m.– 4:30 p.m. Closed on Saturday and Sunday |
Summer working hours (June to September) | 9:00 a.m.– 5:30 p.m. Closed on Sunday |
The idea for founding a museum in Balchik originated in 1907, when the first archaeological excavations were carried out by Karel Shkorpil on the tomb of a Roman doctor – a priest from the 2nd century AD. All finds from the tomb are in RIM Varna. In 1937 the first museum and gallery in South Dobrudja opened its doors. It contains interesting collections, some of which are 55 paintings, rare old prints, several ancient statues (one of them is the torso of the god Dionysus), as well as marble heads, epigraphic monuments and coins. The museum existed until 1940, when South Dobrudja was returned to Bulgaria. All exhibits from the museum and gallery are loaded on the ship “Oitus” and are exported to Romania.
In 1961 a collection was established at the Paisii Hilendarski National community center, and in April 1969 the museum in Balchik was nationalized.
Today, the Balchik History Museum manages: History museum – Main Exposition, Ethnographic museum, National Revival Complex, Art Gallery, Teketo Site “AkYazala baba – St. Athanas”, village Obrochiste. Especially attractive part of the museum is the archaeological site “Temple of the Pontic Mother of the Gods – Cybele” discovered in 2007.
The virtual tour presents the permanent exhibition of the museum.
The ancient temple in Balchik is the only temple of Cybele discovered so far in the eastern part of the Balkan Peninsula and the only one in the world so well preserved.
