A new tourist attraction is coming to Bulgaria. The first Iron Museum in the Balkans will soon open in Plovdiv. The official opening of the exhibition will take place on November 21 — the Day of the Christian Family. The modern collection will feature over 1,200 relics from around the world. It is part of the structure of the Regional Ethnographic Museum and is housed in the Nevena Atanasova House, on the emblematic “Saborna” Street in the heart of the Old Town of Plovdiv.

The collection of irons was donated to the museum by the late artist Dimitar Dobrev. His lifelong passion was searching for and restoring irons — something he pursued literally until his final days. The opening of the museum was his lifelong dream, one he did not live to see realized, but which is now becoming a reality. Years ago, Dobrev once found an old iron discarded on the street. Deeply impressed by its shape and decoration, he became fascinated — and that chance encounter marked the beginning of a passion that led to an impressive collection of irons of all kinds, gathered with dedication and care over four decades.

Dimitar Dobrev used to say: “I want to donate my collection to the people of Plovdiv.” Thus, in 2021, the artist donated over 1,200 exhibits to the museum with the sole wish that a Museum of the Iron be established in his beloved city. And now, the exhibition has become a fact. The team of the Ethnographic Museum has set out to arrange the display so that it traces the history and development of the iron — not only as a technical device for ironing but also as a beautiful decorative object.

The iron is a household appliance whose evolution and design have been influenced by human progress in science and technology. We can trace its continuous improvement through history — from fire, hot coals, and liquid fuels to electricity. Its size and weight vary according to the historical period, function, and use. In our collection, for example, you can find irons weighing from 10 grams to 13 kilograms. The discovery of electricity brought revolutionary changes for the iron.

Inventors faced challenges caused by alternating current, which sometimes led to accidents, even fatal ones. In 1919, Rowenta released the first electric iron that operated on direct current. Later came the introduction of the thermostat for regulating ironing temperature, followed by the creation and mass production of the steam iron.

Many different types of irons with various purposes will be displayed. Visitors will learn, for instance, that special irons were used for collars and cuffs — rounded and slightly convex — while “trouser presses” were used to create the perfect crease in men’s trousers.

Of particular interest are the irons decorated with symbolic motifs. These ornaments serve not only as decoration but also carry deep meaning, rooted in humanity’s relationship with nature, mythology, and religious beliefs across different eras.

One of the first exhibits visitors will see is an iron shaped like a dragon’s head. For added attraction, it will emit steam or smoke, enhancing its mythical feel. Dragons, known to breathe fire and burn everything in their path, symbolize the fiery element and power — in this case, representing the life-giving fire that heats the iron. Another piece in the collection features the image of Athena Pallas. As the goddess of wisdom and crafts, her depiction on irons emphasizes the link between household work and divine protection.