The Unknown Sofia: Paleontological Museum at Sofia University
The topic of dinosaurs and extinct species is among the most interesting for the children and for the adults too. When it comes to paleontology, however, it seems that we are not familiar enough and many people do not even know that there are such museums so close to them. One of them is the paleontological museum at Sofia University, which we have chosen to present in the “Unknown Sofia” section.
History of the Museum
Under the dome of the North Wing of Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski ”the secrets of the distant geological epochs have been hidden for almost 70 years. The place was established in 1956, but is not among the popular places to visit by tourists. The reason for this is not the fact that there is nothing to show, but the unusual location.
The idea for the museum came from the famous Bulgarian geologist Prof. Georgi Zlatarski, who formed the first paleontological collection in the late 19th century. At the beginning of the next century, extremely valuable and rich collections were purchased and so gradually this temple of knowledge began to develop and enrich. In its current form, it was arranged in 1965 and now the collection of materials collected in the course of research activities exceeds 15,000 samples. Among them are a huge number of fossils, rock samples and maps from Bulgaria and neighboring territories.
What Can We See There?
The central place in the collection is for the pride of paleontologists – a restored skeleton of the genus Deinoterium* with impressive dimensions of 7 meters in length and 4.20 meters in height. It is made of authentically preserved bones (more than 90%). Other impressive finds include the remains of a saber-toothed tiger, porcupine, giraffe, tapir and monkey, as well as a fossilized dolphin skeleton found near Balchik.
Where is the Museum?
Address: 15 Tsar Osvoboditel Blvd., Sofia University, North Wing, 5th floor
Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 10:00 until 12:00 am and from 01:00 until 04:00pm.
*Dinoterii (deinoteriums) – an extinct genus of giant mammals related to modern elephants. They disappeared at the end of the last ice age, around 11,000 BC. A well-preserved skeleton was discovered in Bulgaria in 1963 in the region of Haskovo.
How to Travel all Around the World Without Leaving Your Home
For more than two months our country has been living in a pandemic due to the spread of the dangerous coronavirus. And although the extraordinary conditions closed us at home, the representatives of art found a way to reach us. So from the sofa in the living room we watched various theatrical performances that are definitely worth experiencing.
And because the times are special, it’s good to be careful where we go. That’s why we offer you to visit several great museums in different parts of the world and a few more top sights, but virtually.
Ideas for Virtually Museum Tours
Pinacoteca di Brera – Milan (works by Mantena, Giovanni Bellini, Bramante and Caravaggio, as well as many others);
Uffizi Gallery – Florence (canvases and sculptures by Giotto, Leonardo da Vinci, Titian, Botticelli, Raphael, Michelangelo and other famous artists);
Vatican Museums – Rome (from the 16th century, a complex of 11 museums with 5 galleries and 1400 halls)
Capitoline Museum – Rome (a complex of museums of art and archeology located around the square, designed by Michelangelo on the Capitoline Hill in Rome);
Markets of Trajan, Imperial Forum Museums – Rome (administrative center associated with the Forum of Emperor Trajan);
Ara Pachis Museum – Rome (created in honor of the triumphant return of Emperor Octavian Augustus from Spain and Gaul in 13 BC);
Archaeological sites of the Aventine – Rome (the southernmost of the seven hills of Rome);
Archaeological Museum – Athens (“Athens Louvre”, rich in exhibits);
Prado – Madrid (museum and art gallery, founded in 1819; shows over 1300 paintings);
Louvre – Paris (the most visited museum in the world);
British Museum – London (one of the largest and richest museums in the world);
Metropolitan Museum – New York (a complex of many art galleries, a museum of musical instruments, a gallery for professional photography and a library for research);
Hermitage – St. Petersburg (the largest museum in Russia);
National Art Gallery – Washington (established in 1937).
7 Historical Places to Visit Virtually
Eiffel Tower – With its impressive 300-meter height, this Parisian attraction can not go unnoticed. The best thing, however, is the view from the top floor of the tower.
Palace of Versailles – another place in France that deserves special attention. Enjoy this cultural monument, the great flower gardens, the exquisite architecture and the wonderful halls.
Tower Bridge – the symbol of London (UK). It is 244 m long and 65 m high.
The Statue of Liberty – if you find it impressive in American movies, just wait to see it up close.
Taj Mahal – a beautiful white marble mausoleum located on the south bank of the Yamuna River in the Indian city of Agra. It was commissioned in 1632, but this masterpiece continues to attract millions of tourists each year.
Machu Picchu – an architectural complex in southern Peru. It is the work of the Incas and includes palaces, temples and homes at 2,430 meters above sea level in the Andes.
The Egyptian Pyramids – the virtual tour will take you to a totally different from the familiar European world. But it is definitely worth visiting the tombs of the pharaohs and their wives from the Old and Middle Egyptian kingdoms.
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If you have a trip to Sofia, we are waiting for you in the artistic and cozy atmosphere of Art Hotel Simona. And know that you do not need to worry about your safety, because we have developed a special program Clean & Safe.
