Regional Historical Museum "Stoyu Shishkov" in the city of Smolyan - a visionary project of an enthusiast that has grown into a large-scale regional cultural and scientific institute
- Stefan Ivanov
- Aug 10, 2024
- 7 min read
Updated: Sep 16
The Stoyu Shishkov Regional Historical Museum in the town of Smolyan is recognized as the oldest and largest cultural institute in the Middle Rhodopes.
It is also included in the list of the One Hundred National Tourist Sites at number 83, which emphasizes its national significance and value.
The mission of the museum is to search for, study, preserve and promote the unique heritage of the population inhabiting the central part of the Rhodope Mountains.
The museum fulfills this function through diverse scientific and exhibition activities, which reveal in depth the Bulgarian essence of the mountain population and its contribution to the national cultural treasury.
I structure my account of this wonderful place to present comprehensive information about the history, architecture, collections, scientific and educational activities, as well as practical information for museum visitors.
Historical Continuity and Institutional Development
Foundation and the fundamental role of Stoyu Shishkov
The foundation of the museum is closely connected with the personality of Stoyu Shishkov – a prominent Bulgarian writer, folklorist, ethnographer, historian and benefactor.
The museum was established in 1935, during the celebration of his anniversary, dedicated to his half-century of public service.
Shishkov announced his idea of founding a museum in his native village of Ustovo (today a quarter of Smolyan) and made a personal donation of 50,000 gold leva for the construction of the Middle Rhodope and Thracian Ethnographic Museum.
He not only provided funds, but also drafted the institution's first "Rules of Procedure".
This act, supported by personal funds and organizational structure, demonstrates a deep and lasting visionary vision that goes beyond a one-time charitable gesture.
Created on personal initiative and enthusiasm, rather than by state mandate, the museum acquires unique moral and historical authority.
His official naming of Stoyu Shishkov in 2002 was a belated but important recognition of this foundational role, which continues to shape the identity of the institution today.
Stages of Institutional Evolution
Initially established as the "Rhodope Folk Museum" in Raykovo with a purely ethnographic profile, the museum gradually expanded the scope of its activities.
Over time, new departments were opened - "History", "Archaeology" and "Art".
In 1967, the institution was transformed into the "Regional Historical Museum", and since 2006 it has acquired regional functions covering the territory of the Smolyan region.
This chronological sequence from a folk ethnographic to a district historical and finally a regional historical museum is a key indicator of institutional maturation.
It shows that the museum's mission has evolved from a focus on local folklore and traditions to comprehensive preservation and research of the entire history of the Rhodope Mountains from antiquity to the present day.
Architectural Profile and Location
Strategic Location and Architecture
The museum is housed in a purpose-built building, completed in 1983.
The building is part of a large-scale cultural complex located in the modern administrative center of the united city of Smolyan, together with the Regional Library and the Art Gallery.
Its location is strategic - above the pedestrian zone, the amphitheater and a water cascade, with a panoramic view of the peaks of Perelik, Karluk and Sokolitsa.
This location and its impressive architectural appearance are not accidental. They are the result of purposeful urban planning, the aim of which is to position the museum as the core of the city's cultural life and to establish it as a symbol of the region's cultural identity.
Functionality
The museum building is designed with high functionality to meet the needs of a modern cultural and scientific institution.
It has exhibition halls, storage rooms, a chemical and photo laboratory, conservation studios, a hall for temporary exhibitions, a conference hall and even a café.
Total area 3410 m², of which 1300 m² are exhibition halls
Built-up area 2085 m²
Funds and Exhibitions
Volume and Scope of the Fund
The museum's fund is extremely rich and diverse, amounting to over 150,000 items.
It preserves the material memory of the inhabitants of the Rhodope Mountains throughout various historical periods, from prehistoric times to the present day.
This huge fund includes both historical and archaeological, as well as cultural artifacts.
Permanent exhibition "The cultural and historical wealth of the Rhodopes from antiquity to the present day"
The permanent exhibition of the museum is divided into two main sections - "Archaeology" and "Ethnography", which cover the cultural and historical wealth of the Rhodopes from antiquity to the present day.
Section "Archaeology": introduces visitors to the life of the ancient peoples who inhabited the lands of the Rhodopes. Covers the zones of Prehistory, Thracians, Slavs and the Middle Ages.
"Ethnography" section: focuses on traditional clothing, rituals, crafts, Rhodope architecture, as well as traditions and modernity.
Special Collections and Temporary Exhibitions
In addition to the permanent exhibition, the museum periodically presents temporary exhibitions.
Among the notable exhibits that can be seen is a recreation of a Kukeri custom.
The "Faleristics" collection is extremely valuable - a donation from the retired Colonel Raycho Peev Kharbaliev, which includes a total of 142 authentic awards - orders, badges, honorary titles and medals.
The collection is divided into two main groups – the monarchical award system from 1878 to 1944 and the awards from the period of the People's Republic of Bulgaria.
The existence of such special collections shows that the museum's holdings are enriched not only through scientific research and archaeological excavations, but also through donations from private individuals.
This fact emphasizes the role of the museum as a trusted institution and partner of civil society. The collection itself illustrates the historical transition of the state through the prism of state awards, which represents a deeper and more nuanced reading of national history.
Scientific research and educational activities
Scientific contributions and publishing activities
The Regional Historical Museum "Stoyu Shishkov" is not limited to exhibition activities. It functions as a scientific center that researches and shows the Bulgarian essence of the population in the most comprehensive, in-depth and consistent way.
For this purpose, the museum has specialized facilities such as a chemical and photo laboratory, as well as conservation studios. These facilities are necessary for the professional processing and storage of the artifacts.
Additionally, the institution is also actively engaged in publishing activities, with a catalogue published in 2020, which has an ISBN. The presence of its own scientific laboratories and regular publishing activities confirms that the institution not only preserves cultural heritage, but also generates new knowledge, which elevates it to the status of a serious scientific center.
Educational programs and public engagement
The museum actively engages with the public, especially the young audience, through innovative educational programs.
An example of this is the annual summer initiative "Vacation at the Museum." This two-week program for children includes creative workshops, games, meetings with artists, and a variety of educational activities.
Activities range from preparing traditional Rhodope dishes and making souvenirs to educational games with exhibits from the Archaeology Department and meetings with psychologists.
The program also includes a joint initiative with the Nikolay Vranchev Regional Library, organizing a game to search for hidden objects and books in both institutions. This program is an excellent example of modern museum pedagogy, which makes history and culture accessible and interesting for children through interactive activities.
Collaboration with other institutions demonstrates a strategic approach to building a comprehensive cultural ecosystem that attracts and educates future generations of visitors, transforming the museum into a dynamic social hub.
The Stoyu Shishkov Regional Historical Museum is much more than a static repository of the past. Its history began as a visionary project of an enthusiast, growing into a large-scale regional cultural and scientific institute.
The museum not only preserves the thousand-year-old heritage of the Rhodope Mountains, but also actively promotes it through scientific research, publishing activities and innovative educational programs.
The institution is strategically positioned in the architectural and cultural core of Smolyan, and its rich and diverse activities – from scientific conservation to interactive pedagogy – establish it as a dynamic and modern center.
Ultimately, the museum is a key cultural resource that connects the past with the present and the future, playing a central role in the social and cultural life of Smolyan and the entire region.
How to get to the city of Smolyan?
Smolyan is a city in Southern Bulgaria, located in the Perelik-Prespa section of the Western Rhodopes at a high average altitude of 1035 meters, making it the highest located regional city in Bulgaria.
It is located about ten kilometers from one of the largest winter resorts in Bulgaria - Pamporovo and Mechi Chal.
The city was formed on June 18, 1960, as a result of the unification of the cities of Smolyan and Ustovo, as well as the villages of Raykovo and Ezerovo.
It is the administrative center of Smolyan Municipality and Smolyan District.
Smolyan is also one of the longest cities in Bulgaria - nearly 25 kilometers, which is due to its linear development along the Cherna and Byala rivers.
Smolyan is located:
244 kilometers (about 3 hours and 36 minutes by car) from the capital
98 kilometers (about 2 hours and 03 minutes by car) from the city of Plovdiv
428 kilometers (about 5 hours and 56 minutes by car) from the city of Varna
321 kilometers (about 4 hours and 04 minutes by car) from the city of Burgas
How to get to RHM Smolyan?
RHM Smolyan is located at: Nov Tsentar residential district, 5 Polkovnik Dicho Petrov Str., 4700 Smolyan.
There are free parking spaces nearby where you can leave your cars.
You are reading an ad-free blog – fully focused on the content!
I remind you that you can read all my posts here – in "Photo Moments" – without being interrupted by a single annoying ad, because "Photo Moments" is a place without ads!
I made the important decision to make "Photo Moments" ad-free so that my site can load much faster, the content I present to you can be as clean as possible and your experience in "Photo Moments" can be the best possible!
If you appreciate everything I do, you can support me HERE or by following the gold star below.
Thank you!
And finally, my dear friends,
you should not miss to check out
the special album with photo moments –
discovered, experienced, captured and shared with you!