Sofia History Museum (Central Mineral Baths)
The story of Sofia across 8,000 years, told inside the beautifully restored 1913 Central Mineral Baths.
Yellow-tiled facade of the former Central Mineral Baths, now Sofia History Museum
What to expect at Sofia History Museum (Central Mineral Baths)
The Sofia History Museum reopened in 2015 inside one of the most beautiful buildings in the city — the 1913 Central Mineral Baths, a Vienna Secession masterpiece of yellow, red and white ceramic tiles designed by architect Petko Momchilov. The building operated as public thermal baths until 1986; the mineral water still runs from a row of hot public taps in the small park outside (free, safe, slightly sulphurous). Inside, the seven exhibition halls trace Sofia's history from prehistoric settlements through Roman Serdica, medieval Sredets, Ottoman Sofia, Bulgarian Revival, and the 20th century.
The star of the collection is the gilded carriage of Sofia's first mayor after Liberation, Dimitar Petkov, kept in the central hall under the great dome. Also here: the throne of Bulgarian tsars restored after 1878, medieval Sredets pottery excavated from the Serdika archaeological complex around the corner, and a full room on the 1925 Sveta Nedelya bombing. The building itself is the exhibit — the ceramic staircase, the domed central atrium, the restored bathroom cabins on the ground floor — as much as anything inside.
This is the compact history museum for people who found the National History Museum too big. 90 minutes is enough. Combine with the mineral drinking fountains in the park outside (bring a bottle), the mosque and the synagogue for a five-building loop around Serdika. Come Thursday morning of the first week for free entry. English labelling is good throughout. The museum shop sells excellent Sofia-themed books and prints in the $10-20 range.
Questions about Sofia History Museum (Central Mineral Baths)
$4 for adults, $2 for students. Family ticket $8.
First Thursday of every month.
1-2 hours.
Closed Mondays.
Not needed.
Serdika (M1/M2), three minutes walk to the building.
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