Our beloved colleague and friend Kristina Kapelkova died on January 26, 1949. – 28. XI. 2022

The team of the National History Museum is deeply saddened to announce the death of our beloved colleague and friend Kristina Kapelkova!

For many years, Kristina Kapelkova worked as "Editor" and Head of the Department "Bulgaria during the Middle Ages VII - XIV centuries" in the museum. Proof of her high professionalism and dedication is her active participation in the preparation and implementation of exhibitions organized by the National Museum of Art and presenting the Bulgarian cultural heritage beyond the borders of our country: "Culture and Art of the Medieval Bulgarian State" in Moscow in 1981; "Medieval Bulgaria - Art and Civilization" in Mexico in 1981; "Treasures from Medieval Bulgaria - VII-XVI centuries" in Geneva in 1988; "Bulgarian women's jewelry through the ages" in the USA; "Gold of the Bulgarians" in Vicenza in 1997; "Medieval Bulgaria" in Paris. Until 2001, he was the chief curator and head of the department "Bulgarian Kingdom IX-XI centuries" and the relevant collections 

Already in her student years, she took part in the archaeological research of the medieval center near the village of Nova Cherna, in Pliska and in Voivoda. After completing his higher education, he participated in the excavations of Serdika under the leadership of Magdalina Stancheva, and with Zhivka Vazharova - in the excavations of the settlement and necropolis near the Great Basilica in Pliska. She was one of the leaders of the museum's first major archaeological excavations: the medieval necropolis from the 1988th - 1994th centuries near Simeonovgrad, and in 1994 - 1996 on the islands of "St. Ivan" and "St. Peter" near Sozopol. In 1998, he was in the leadership of the international team that explored the "Kale" fortress near Bitola, North Macedonia. He participated in the excavations of the old Bulgarian production center for metalwork near the village of Nadarevo, Targovishtko, and in 2012-XNUMX he led the research of the late medieval necropolis near the town of Yakoruda. Its last excavations were in XNUMX at the northern tower of the Sozopol fortress.
Her main research is on the necropolis near Simeonovgrad, published in the magazine "Archeology" and "Izvestia na NIM". Participates in the publication of catalogs, guidebooks and brochures.

In the face of Kristina Kapelkova, the Bulgarian archaeological and museum community lost a bright personality, an exceptional professional and a worthy person.

For us, her colleagues and friends at the National History Museum, it is a great honor to have had the opportunity to know and work with an unforgettable person like her. She leaves a bright mark both in the history of the museum and in the hearts of all of us.

The National History Museum expresses its condolences to the family, relatives, colleagues and everyone who loves and respects Kristina Kapelkova!

The funeral liturgy will be celebrated in the Church of St. Catherine at the cemetery park in the Knyazhevo district on December 10 at 12 noon.


Prof. Bonni Petrunova, PhD
Director of the National History Museum