The Madara Rider

The Madara Rider is a rock relief carved about 23 metres up the limestone cliffs near Madara village, close to Shumen. It shows a horseman spearing a lion, accompanied by a dog.

Most historians date the relief to the early eighth century — the era of Khan Tervel or shortly after. Greek inscriptions around the image mention Bulgarian rulers and events.

In 1979 the Rider entered UNESCO’s World Heritage list — among Bulgaria’s earliest internationally recognized sites.

The relief is rare in medieval Europe: rock art, state ideology, and inscriptions combined in one ensemble.

For visitors and students abroad Madara is an easy visual sign of early Bulgarian statehood — clearer than many textbook dates.

The National History Museum and the Madara museum keep copies, research, and routes that help families link the image to Pliska and Preslav.

Bulgarian communities abroad include the topic in schools and celebrations, linking knowledge to family life.