The Madara Rider

The story of the rider on the cliff

The Madara Rider is today listed as a UNESCO World Heritage monument as the only early medieval rock relief in Europe. In 2008, following public opinion polls among the country’s citizens, it was also declared the main symbol of Bulgaria.

This imposing monument is carved into the face of the cliff 23 metres above the ground. The life-size relief (the monument is more than 3 metres long and 2.6 metres high) depicts a rider on horseback armed with a short spear. Beneath the horse’s hooves lies a vanquished lion. It is a true symbol of the triumph and invincible might of the Bulgaria of that time.

According to one theory, the rider depicts Khan Tervel himself after his victory over the Byzantines. The Greek inscriptions on the relief point to events of the early 8th century. At that time Tervel helped the deposed Byzantine emperor Justinian regain the throne, and in return received the title of caesar, new territories and new revenue for the treasury — Byzantium undertook to pay Bulgaria an annual tribute.

The choice of site for the sculpture was no accident — the region had been considered sacred since ancient times. At the foot of the cliff there is a large cave known as the Cave of the Nymphs, which was a place of worship for the Thracians, who venerated their deities there. In the reserve into which this area has now been turned, ancient cult images dedicated to the Thracian gods have been discovered.

Later, on the terrace beneath the cliff, Khan Omurtag erected a large cult complex that included pagan temples, palace buildings and dwellings.

Practical information

• The famous sculpture is located 20 kilometres from the modern town of Shumen, near the village of Madara on the territory of an archaeological reserve.
• The Madara Rider is only one part of a large archaeological complex that also includes other religious, cultural and military sites. Bulgaria’s first two capitals, Pliska and Preslav, are also nearby.
• The reserve in which this most ancient Bulgarian monument stands is open from 8.30 to 20.00 in summer and from 8.30 to 17.00 in winter. Steps lead up to the platform beneath the relief, and there are several souvenir shops in front of them.
• Admission costs 4 leva for adults; schoolchildren, students and pensioners pay 1 lev. A guided tour in Bulgarian costs 5 lv, and in German or English twice as much.
• It is best to visit the reserve in comfortable flat shoes.

Pliska: the cradle of Bulgarian statehood

To the list of all articles

To the list of Useful articles