The Madara Horseman is a unique archaeological monument located in the north-eastern Bulgaria, near the village of Madara, 20km from Shumen. The monument is a global symbol of the country and has been on the UNESKO World Heritage List since 1979.
The Madara Horseman monument is а part of a large ancient complex housing very significant objects with complex cultural, religious and military purpose. On the left side of the relief is the Madara Plateau that stands at a height of 123 metres.
The Madara Horseman is an early medieval large rock relief, situated 23 metres in height above ground level in a vertical cliff face that stands 100 metres high. The monument depicted in its natural size a majestic horseman, spearing with his pike a lion that is lying at his horse’s feet, there is also a dog that is running after the horseman.
Until recently it has been believed that the whole composition symbolizes the triumph of the Bulgarian rulers who founded the Bulgarian lands and the great power of the young Bulgarian state. It must be said that there have also been many different opinions as to what the relief represents.
Along with the images of the lion and the dog that are depicted on the Madara relief, there is also a image of a snake which was connected to the most important and significant year of Bulgarian history. This was the year in which the Bulgarian state was established.
Around the figure of the horseman there are some inscriptions that are carved in Greek and containing substantial information for Bulgarian history. According to Professor Veselin Besheliev, the oldest inscription is dated from the time of Tervel (8th century AD), that’s why he believes that this was the original time when the relief was created. The Professor also said that this was the time when Tervel was proclaimed “Caesar” by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian, which was the highest title after the title Emperor.
Some other sources claim that the origin of the relief is dated from the time of Bulgarian Khan Krum and Omurtag.
Most of the Madara inscriptions are part of the Old-Bulgarian stone archive of the earliest period of the Bulgarian State. The inscriptions show the rulers’ high level of culture as well as their great responsibility to the future generations as the heads of state.
Address:
Madara Horseman
Madara Village
Shumen
Bulgaria
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