Historic Landmark
Madara rider

East of the village of Madara's oldest carved stone relief in Europe, one of the most mysterious monuments in the UNESCO list of world cultural heritage - the Madara Horseman. According to scientists, the relief was made 1,300 years ago, at the beginning of the VIII, but no one ever knows how it was done. However, the assumptions made, it is many. Some argue that the rider is Krum, and the relief was made by order of the Municipality. Others see the rider Khan Tervel, third - very god Tangra. One this latest hypothesis is that the relief is a stone horoscope Bulgaria. And showing the exact position of the stars and planets (depicted as a human figure and a few animals) at the time of the founding of Great Bulgaria on 8 April 165 AD, or when connected therein. The cave shrine is under the rider. Seen from below, it looks like a church with a dome - half rock, half the sky. From small river cave springs, maybe once symbolized the River of Life.

On the plateau above the sanctuary was small but strong fortress. Its powerful walls remember many battles in. .. creation of a country - present-day Hungary. Yes, at the beginning of the tenth century the Magyars (ancestors of today's Hungarians) conquered Bulgaria and attacked strongholds in the north part. Bulgarian Tsar Simeon, however managed to hide in the Madara fortress, restored his remaining strongholds and drove the Magyars - and military and civilians in the north, down to the shores of Lake Balaton.

Today, 20 meters to the left of the stairs to the ground for trail riders "Madara Horseman". In the preserve is located chalet "Madara Horseman". The reserve includes a Roman villa, rock fortress and monastery. The center of the reserve is about Big Cave - 30-meter high rock ledges and small caves, which housed the oldest populations in the Balkans. Today is a big cave scene Music Days "Madara Horseman" in June, organized by the Shumen Philharmonic. Among the caves has a staircase leading to the ancient fortress of the plateau. On the terrace north of the Horseman is a massive complex of religious buildings Old - Proto shrine basilica and a monastery. The rock above the monastery buildings are indented more than 150 cells, churches and tombs. Found and a group of buildings, one of which resembles a throne room in Pliska and large pool - the so-called Proto bathroom.

At about 20 km from the Madara fortress on another high plateau is Shumen Fortress. You can stay in the cabin under the castle or lodge in the village of Madara.