The National Museum of Natural History at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences under the direction of Dr. Neno Atanasov (1947-1962) – 15 post-war years of lasting growth

The paper presents for the first time the history (problems, achievements and importance) of the National Museum of Natural History at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences in Sofia in one of the most constructive periods, the first two decades after the WW2 under the directorship of the Associate Professor Dr. Neno Atanassov. After the aerial bombardment of Sofia in 1944 and the destruction caused to the museum, a rapid restoration of its exhibition halls and repositories began, as well as the arrangement of the exposition and the survivеd of its rich library. The research activity is reoriented mainly on economic practical issues. The new state government treats the necessary attention and contributes in every way to the rapid restoration of the museum. Despite the great damage and losses, today the museum is one of the richest in Southeast Europe.