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The "Veliki Preslav" National
Historical-Archaeological Reserve & Museum is situated upon the ruins
of Veliki Preslav (893-972), the ancient capital of Bulgaria. The
town covers an area of five hundred hectares. Our institution
displays a rich and ancient history. Our objectives are to search,
research, preserve, and popularize the cultural inheritance of that
ancient and mystic town. The fact that research and excavations have
been going on for over a century proves that the town was once
planned and built to become the perfect rival of Constantinople
(Istanbul). Dozens of so-called immovable monuments have been found
in the territory of the reserve and its surroundings. Original and
unique works of art dating back to old-Bulgarian and
middle-Byzantine art can be seen in the exposition of the museum.
Among these are masterpieces like the icon of St. Theodore, the
Preslavian Gold Treasure, and the ceramic iconostasis (altar
partition) from the Palace Monastery, all of which have been
presented in many Bulgarian and international exhibitions. The
museum has a unique collection of lead seals, which is the largest
collection in the world discovered in situ. They were
uncovered during the excavations of the administrative building in
the Palace centre. The collection of epigraphic monuments is also
extremely valuable because it is indisputable proof of the great
achievements, educational work, and enlightenment of the Preslav
Literary School. |