The “Founders of the Bulgarian State” monument is a memorial complex dedicated to 1300 years since the establishment of Danubian Bulgaria. It is situated in the highest part of the Danube plain and rises above the entire town of Shumen. The majestic monument can be reached by the symbolic 1300 steps that start from the city center.

The scale and design of this architectural creation is impressive. Through figures, colorful mosaics and inscriptions the monument recreates the history of our country – from Asparuh, who stabbed the sword in our land and said “Bulgaria will be here”, through the baptism, the creation of the Glagolitic script and the Bulgarian alphabet from Cyril, Methodius and Kliment Ohridski to Golden century of King Simeon.

The composition is topped by a 52-foot lion weighing 1,000 tons. It contrasts with 2000 elements of darker granite. Behind his tail is a stylized butterfly, which is a symbol of longevity. The message is that as the butterfly undergoes various metamorphoses, so too does Bulgaria experience its ups and downs.

You can also visit the Memorial Center information room. There is an interesting exposition “Monumental Bulgarian Art in the Last Decades of the XX Century”. With a special device, you will also be able to observe the placement of the “Testament to Generations” capsule at the base of the monument.

Pliska is the first capital of the Danubian Bulgaria founded by Khan Asparuh. It operated as such until 893, when it was moved to Preslav. Pliska was huge and very rich compared to other European capitals in the Middle Ages. One of the most remarkable monuments in the city is the Khan Krum Palace, which covers an area of ​​500 square meters. In it you can see the secret exits through which the aristocracy and the population escaped during the attack. Later, Khan Omurtag expanded the fortress walls, built pagan temples and built the so-called. Throne Hall (Grand Palace).

1 km. from the fort is the Great Basilica. It looks majestic even as ruined as it currently is. The recovered remains are preserved and are essentially an open-air museum. The historical-archeological reserve is located 28 km northeast of the town of Shumen and 3 km from the modern town of Pliska.

The historical reserve is located in the Shumen Plateau on the outskirts of Shumen. The fort is well preserved. Archaeologists date from the construction of early antiquity – a peer of Troy, and is not inferior to her in wealth or grandeur. During the excavations, the Shishman inscription was found – the first Cyrillic inscription found in Bulgaria. Many jewelry, coins from all ages and utensils were also discovered.

It is located at the top of the Shumen plateau, 3 km from the town. The first wall of the fortress was erected in 5c. BC Many crafts are being developed, coins are being cut, cities are being trafficked from all over the country. The fortress also enjoys prominent royal visits, as evidenced by inscriptions found. Its strategic location also makes it one of the most important military sites.

In addition to the magnificent natural scenery, you can see in the Shumen Fortress a large part of its preserved walls, its main gate and one of the guard towers. The fortress walls were exterior and interior, with a deep moat between them.

It is exhibited as an open-air museum. In the reserve there is an exposition in which the original history of the town of Shumen is traced with original materials.

Here is the largest mosque in Bulgaria and the second largest in the Balkans after the one in Edirne. The mosque complex consists of a main building (prayer hall), a courtyard and an annex with twelve rooms. The mosque dates from 1744. It is known as the Tombul Mosque because of its curved dome shape and is a cultural monument. In addition to the house of worship, it is also a very popular tourist site. The area of the complex is 1730 m2.

The museum holds more than 150,000 movable monuments of culture from the Chalcolithic to the present day, of which 15,000 are displayed in 8 exhibition halls. Temporary exhibitions are periodically displayed. It was founded in 1857 as a school museum collection by the Revival Sava Dobroplodni. The museum has a library of more than 25,000 units of scientific literature and periodicals, restoration and conservation workshops and a photo lab. Carries out surveys on the territory of the Shumen region.

Many archaeological sites dating from the 4th millennium BC to the 15th century have been discovered in Madara. The most remarkable monument in the reserve is the unique rock relief of Madara Horseman, which is carved into the rocks. Only in Europe, it is a model of ancient Bulgarian art and symbolizes the power and grandeur of the Bulgarian state. The inscriptions around it, written in Greek, reveal the exploits of three Bulgarian khan – Tervel, Krum and Omurtag. The Madara Horseman has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here you can see more shrines, pagan church, Christian churches, chapels.

A 386-step rocky staircase climbs the Madara Plateau. It leads to the Madara Fortress. It existed until 1386-1388 when it was conquered by the Ottoman invaders. It has the shape of an irregular triangle with a north-facing gate. Its walls are tall and made of cut stone. Inside, the foundations of a church are noticeable.

One of the most beautiful and visited places in the Shumen Plateau Nature Park is the Kioskovite area. It starts directly from the western quarters of Shumen. The name of the place comes from the word “kiosk” (tur.) – summer house. This is what they used to call the light structures in the surrounding vineyards, which were used for recreation. The place impressed the traveler Barbieux de Bocage, who in 1810 described it as follows: “The surroundings of Shoumen are adorned with a large number of places for walking and beautiful gardens. Under the Castle (” Shoumen Fortress “), which rises above the city, is located widely and an open place called “Dagbunar” (Mountain Spring). It is a real place of rest here in the summer. There is a fast and fresh creek running through the valley that drives the wheels of many watermills. ”

In 1897 afforestation began. From 1904 to 1953 the area is afforested with black pine, spruce, Douglas fir, beech, hornbeam, maple, maple and more. Today, the Kiosks are a true green oasis near Shumen. Centuries-old chestnuts, lindens and maple line the central alley. In early spring, the ground is covered with a colorful carpet of snowdrops, blues, crocuses, cyclamen, jaundice and other spring flowers.

Visitors can relax in the shady alleys, along the fountains with spring water, in the corners with benches, along a small artificial lake, and for the little ones playgrounds have been built.

(source: https://opoznai.bg )

Kabyyuk Complex is 15 km away from Shumen. It is situated in an extremely beautiful natural environment. Its history begins in the 7th century, when an old Bulgarian aul was built on this site, with the aim of protecting the first Bulgarian capital Pliska from the west.

The remains of the Second Bulgarian Capital Veliki Preslav are located 23 km southwest of Shumen. The city was founded in 821 by Khan Omurtag, but its rise and flourishing in material and spiritual culture reaches under King Simeon. This is evidenced by the exquisite mosaics, capitals, gold and silver ornaments of this period discovered during the excavations of the famous “Golden Church”. the famous gold treasure.