The exhibition showcases the restored sword of the Thracian king of the IV century B.C. for the first time in Sofia

The visitors of the National Archaeological Museum will be able to see also some of the armour of Seuthes ІІІ discovered in 2004 by the renowned Bulgarian archaeologist Georgi Kitov.

UniCredit Bulbank opened the archaeological exhibition dedicated to The Sword of Seuthes III * in the National Archaeological Museum. For the first time in Sofia, the exhibition showcases the restored sword of the Thracian ruler from the IV century B.C., as well as parts of his armour, discovered in 2004 by the renowned Bulgarian archaeologist Georgi Kitov.

After 2,300 years, the weapon of one of the most famous Thracian kings, Seuthes ІІІ, was restored to its full shape thanks to the restoration works performed with the financial support of UniCredit Bulbank. After the long work of a team of restorers, the handle shaped like an eagle’s head, famous from the standing exhibition of Iskra Historical Museum in Kazanlak, has already been connected with the restored blade of the weapon and its exquisite sheath decorated with skillfully encrusted gold patterns.

The Ambassador of Italy to Bulgaria Marco Conticelli defined the Bulgarian-Italian partnership in the organizing of the exhibition as a success which can be continued in the joint candidature of the two countries for a European Capital of Culture 2019. He finished his speech saying “We will work with a sword but also with a heart, in order to achieve this goal!”.

“The fulfillment of such a joint exhibition is possible because we are all part of a common European area”, the CEO of UniCredit Bulbank Levon Hampartzoumian added and confirmed the long-term commitment of the Bank to support significant social and cultural projects.

By May 8th, the visitors of the National Archaeological Museum will be able to see also some of the armour of Seuthes III – his bronze greaves, the helmet with the inscribed name of the ruler, gold applications from his armour, as well as from the harness, all discovered in the mound called Golyamata Kosmatka in the Valley of Thracian Kings near Kazanlak.

After the end of the exhibition in the Archaeological Museum, the sword restored with the support of UniCredit Bulbank will take its place in the standing exhibition of Iskra Historical Museum in Kazanlak.

The project is implemented with the support of UniCredit Bulbank in partnership with the National Archaeological Institute with a museum of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Iskra Historical Museum in the town of Kazanlak, and the Italian Cultural Institute in Sofia.

The National Archaeological Museum is open every day except Mondays, from 10 h. to 17 h.

*Seuthes III is a Thracian king from 330 B.C. to 300 B.C. and the last big ruler of the Odrysian Kingdom. The tomb of Seuthes III was discovered by the late archaeologist professor Kitov and is one of the many in the so called Valley of Thracian Kings near the town of Kazanlak. Together with his tomb there were discovered some incredibly precious proofs of the ancient Greek period in that region.

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