The Iskra History Museum in Kazanlak is one of the oldest and most famous museums in Bulgaria. Founded in 1901, its collections feature more than 50,000 original artifacts from the Kazanlak period. The artifacts are split between four different exhibits (Archaeology, Renaissance, Modern and Contemporary History, and Ethnography). Probably the most interesting artifacts are the bone tools (the largest collection in Southeast Europe), Thracian artifacts, medieval pottery, swords, knives, jewelry, and traditional costumes. The new treasury hall holds the latest findings of gold, silver and bronze. Among these are the golden crown, helmet and kneepads of the Thracian King Suethes III, found in the Kosmatka burial mound.
The museum preserves, researches, and promotes the cultural heritage of the Kazanlak region, including all the Thracian tombs in the Valley of the Kings.