One of the historic places in Kotel is the Georgi Stoykov Rakovski Pantheon, housed in the historical museum with the Renaissance exhibit. The building was opened in 1981, to celebrate the 1300th anniversary of the formation of the Bulgarian state.
The Pantheon is dedicated to one of the greatest Bulgarian revolutionaries – Georgi Stoykov Rakovski. He was the founder of the nationally organized revolutionary movement for the liberation of Bulgaria from the Ottomans. He was also a politician, journalist, historian, and ethnographer.
In the main hall of the exhibition is the exposed marble sarcophagus of Rakovski. On it stands a bronze banner which reads “Freedom or Death”, and a copy of the sword of Rakovski. In the “Revolutionaries” exhibit, Rakovski’s life is depicted, showing his participation on the liberation movement, as well as presenting some of his publications.
Historical Monument
Bulgaria
Macedonia
Romania
Kotel