Description
The “Maltepe” mound is of paramount cultural and historical significance for Bulgaria and the Balkan peninsula as a whole. Its historical roots go back to the age of the Thracians – the first civilization that inhabited this region. The mound is a good example of Thracian burial customs and can provide information of their culture. The establishment of an open-air museum will introduce the general public to their culture and customs, as well as encourage educational and scientific progress. The project thus aims to protect areas of cultural heritage, develop open-air museums and preserve the cultural heritage of Bulgaria for future generations. The project includes the construction of an open-air museum at the “Maltepe” mound. The implementation of the project adopts as a top priority the protection of this site, its documentation as a site of cultural and historical importance, its promotion and the provision of public accessibility. The implementation of the project will provide an opportunity for the general public to become acquainted with the cultural heritage of Bulgaria. The use of the museum for touristic purposes will affect the local economic in a most positive way. The museum will be adapted for educational and scientific purposes. The project includes the construction of proper facilities which would ease the access to the site for disabled people. Representatives of minorities will be invited to take part in the project implementation as to encourage their integration.
Summary of project results
The realization of the project is necessary for the preservation of the cultural heritage areas and is aimed at increasing the attention to the village of Manole and the region, which in turn allows the preservation and revitalization of the other nearby cultural objects, which also represent interest from a historical and cultural point of view. The "Maltepe" mound is one of the largest on the Balkan Peninsula as its existence, and secrets remain on a side from the public attention. The main objective of the project corresponds to the preservation of spaces of cultural heritage and development of open-air museums, the preservation of Bulgaria's cultural heritage for the future generations. The main objective of the project to achieve the necessary impact on the target groups is identified in several ways: restoration, renovation and preservation of the cultural heritage, as well as ensuring its accessibility to the public. As an archaeological site revealing new knowledge and information about the ancient history of the Bulgarian lands, the "Maltepe" mound as a result of the project, is distinguished as an accessible and interesting landmark for visitors and tourist guides that will raise the attention to the area of Maritsa Municipality and the entire Plovdiv region. This creates opportunities for a positive impact on the socio-economic situation of the region. The realization of the project in this plan and in this way of impact also appears as an opportunity for enrichment and full realization of intercultural dialogue. As a result of the implementation of the project visitors were given the opportunity to touch the time of the ancient Thracian's by creating a unique space in which were exhibited copies of artifacts, reconstruction of ancient beliefs and burial practices of the Thracian rulers. With the means of multimedia effects, every visitor can feel as a participant in the particular historical moment. For one of the main target groups of the project, namely young people, scholars, students, has been provided with access to the available information according to their specific needs and area of activity. As a result of the project is also the easier access to this cultural value for people with disabilities. The desired impact on the target group has been achieved in one important direction - the integration of these representatives of the society and the provision of equal access to cultural objects.
Summary of bilateral results