The natural history museum in the village of Cherni Osam - the place where nature teaches us

• 27 Jul 2023
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• Urban,
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Welcome to the wonderful world of the Natural History Museum in the village of Cherni Osam! This museum is a unique look at the richness of life that nature in this region has at its disposal. Discover displays that tell picturesque stories of animal and plant species collected with love and passion over many years of work by enthusiastic scientists and collectors.

From the first rays of the sun reflected in the colorful wings of butterflies to the noisy forests filled with the songs of various birds, the museum offers a unique view of nature. Open the door to the Natural History Museum and wander its halls filled with the variety of butterflies, insects, fish, birds and mammals that inhabit this stunning region. From the most delicate wings to the mightiest horns, from the rocks to the waters, the museum tells a tale of life in all its nuances.

With its beautiful exhibitions, interesting stories and emotional moments, the Natural History Museum in the village of Cherni Osam invites you to immerse yourself in the magic of nature. Embark on a journey through the amazing world of animals and plants that make the Central Stara Planina so special.

 

How to get to the museum?

/ Picture: Museum of Natural Sciences - Cherni Osam /
The museum is located in the village of Cherni Osam. It is about 10 km from the city of Troyan and is very suitable to combine with interesting places in the city. There is a parking lot in front of the museum for a dozen cars, so it is convenient to visit by car.

If you travel by public transport, you can use buses from Troyan to the village of Cherni Osam, which travel several times a day. Troyan can be reached by bus or train.

Cherni Osam is located about 10 km from Troyan, 160 km from Sofia, 80 km from Pleven, 100 km from Veliko Tarnovo, 65 km from Gabrovo and about 135 km from Plovdiv. It is most easily accessible from Northern Bulgaria.

How long it takes to look around?

The museum is quite interesting and I recommend you spend at least an hour, or two hours if you have the time. It has many interesting animal and plant species that you can see.

What will I be able to see in the museum?

A visit to the Natural History Museum in the village of Cherni Osam will provide you with a unique experience and an opportunity to get to know the diversity of nature in this part of Stara Planina. Here's what you can see:

1. Exposition of plant and animal species: In hall 1 of the museum you will enjoy the wealth of nature through the presentation of diverse plant and animal species characteristic of the region. You will have the opportunity to see fish, amphibians and reptiles that inhabit the area, as well as over 120 species of birds, including some of the most impressive birds on the mountain.
2. Entomological collection: In hall 2 you will find an amazing entomological collection with over 9,000 butterflies and other insects that were donated to the museum by the Shtirkovi family. This is one of the most interesting and valuable parts of the museum, which gives you the opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of colors and shapes of butterflies.
3. Mammals and Their Habitats: The second floor of the museum presents various species of mammals and their habitats through photographs and exhibits. Here you can see roe deer, red deer, bears, wolves, jackals, wild cats and other impressive creatures that inhabit the region.
4. Interactive and audiovisual elements: In the halls of the museum you will also find interactive and audiovisual elements that will help you immerse yourself even more deeply in the world of nature and animals.

What are the opening hours of the museum?

The museum is open to visitors every day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

How much does it cost to visit?

The entrance fee for adults is BGN 3, and children up to 7 years old can visit it for free. For pupils, students and pensioners the entrance fee is BGN 2, and for the disabled and their companions it is free. The family ticket is BGN 8.

You can also enjoy free entry on the last Wednesday of every month.

Is there anything interesting I should see in the museum?

The thing that grabbed me from the moment I entered the museum was the forest phone. It's like a 1990s dial phone with an old earpiece, but instead of the woman from the exact time (whom we used to call quite often), you get calls from the birds of the forest. You pick up the phone and dial the number of the animal you want to talk to. Then you stand and listen in rapture. You can choose from over 40 species of animals - green toad, big hawk, goshawk, kerkenez or wood pigeon. And they always pick up the phone and talk to you.


The other thing that impressed me a lot were the dioramas that are depicted behind the animals. Dioramas are panoramic images that help make the model look more realistic by showing it in its environment. You can see how the brown bear has stepped on a log and behind it is the forest or the foxes chasing the pheasant on the tree. Very beautiful and fascinating at the same time.
 

Is the natural history museum part of the 100 national tourist sites?

Yes! The museum is part of the 100 national tourist sites of the BTS. It is located under No. 31a.
 

Can I buy something as a souvenir from the museum?

The museum has a small corner with souvenirs and various objects. I really liked some duck-like whistles that have a distinctive and unique sound. We bought two units of the same whistle, and the sound is different and we are very happy with them.

Does the museum do different initiatives?

/ Image: Museum of Natural Sciences - Cherni Osam /
Yes! The people at the museum really love innovation and interesting ways to present science to children and adults. Shortly before our visit, the people from the museum had organized "Velokino". It's a cinema powered by the energy of pedaling bicycles. Visitors took turns "driving the wheels" to power the projector for the films.

/ Image: Museum of Natural Sciences - Cherni Osam /
Later, an exhibition of Ivan Hristov's photographs of the Bulgarian mountains was organized in the museum. And a few days ago, "Ranger's Day" was celebrated with various games, entertainment and lessons for children and adults.

To learn about the current initiatives of the Natural History Museum, you can follow them on Facebook on their page - here.

When is the best time to visit?

Anytime! As long as you have the desire or are nearby, I recommend that you definitely visit the natural history museum. It's very interesting and I'm sure it will appeal to both adults and children.

Is there a convenient picnic spot or something to eat nearby?

In front of the museum there is a very pleasant forest corner with benches, from which you can hear the murmur of the river. You can sit on it to enjoy nature and eat home-cooked food.

In case you haven't prepared, you can eat at the nearby "Collibito" restaurant, about 700 meters from the museum. I don't have a review for it, but I've read good things about it. We ate at the "Stranopriemnitsa" in the village of Oreshak, which is located about 4 km from the museum, and everything was wonderful.

 

What is interesting nearby?

• National school for mountain guides "Vasil Levski" in the village of Cherni Osam - is located literally in the same yard as the Natural History Museum. This is the only school for mountain guides in Bulgaria and from it the children graduate with the "Mountain Guide" specialty and are trained in orienteering, climbing, skiing/snowboarding and other interesting specialties.
• Troyan Monastery "Assumption of the Virgin Mary" - located only a few 2.5 kilometers from the museum. It is the third largest monastery in Bulgaria. It was founded in the 15th-16th century and is known for its impressive building and incredibly beautifully carved church.
• Museum of folk art crafts and applied arts - located in the city of Troyan, about 12 km from the village of Cherni Osam. In it you will be able to see the crafts that have been developed in the city of Troyan and the region since the Renaissance. You will be able to see a model of the beautiful craft street, which unfortunately burned down, see master works in ceramics, wood and more.

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I want to especially thank our hosts from the municipality of Troyan, regional association Tour Club ReMark and ASTOM (Association of Owners of Tourist Online Media) for this wonderful weekend and the great organization.

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