Madara Rider
Мадарски конник
A UNESCO World Heritage Site: an 8th-century relief of a horseman spearing a lion, carved 23 metres up a cliff face, and one of Bulgaria's national symbols.
The relief was carved in the early 8th century. It shows a horseman killing a lion, with a hunting dog following, and it bears Greek inscriptions recording the early history of the Bulgar Khanate. It was inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 1979. The site also includes caves and the ruins of a medieval monastery. Climbing about 370 steps brings you to the fortress on the cliff top, with views over the plain. Admission is about €5. The site lies about 75 km from Varna and is often visited on a day trip to the west together with the Stone Forest.
Opening hours
Summer 08:00–20:00; shorter in winter
Nearby sights
- Pobiti Kamani (Stone Forest)
- Park-Museum Vladislav Varnenchik
- Retro Museum Varna
- Dormition of the Mother of God Cathedral, Varna
- Ethnographic Museum, Varna
- Varna Archaeological Museum
- Roman Thermae of Varna
- Naval Museum, Varna