马达腊骑士崖雕

The Madara Rider area ("Madarski konnik" in Bulgarian) is an incredible place which re-charges you. I keep going there almost every year! It is also one of the symbols of Bulagria!Down, close to the small canteen-like eatery is the parking lot. Then you have to go up the stairs which is quite a long way but a good exercise. Then you come up to the Rider which is a bas-relief carved high (about 25 meters) in the rock. He stabs a lion with a spear and there is a dog running behind the horse. It is believed (based on rock scripts) that the Rider is khan Tervel and the bas-relief was done in the 8th century AD.Then if you go to the right you will reach the caves, the small one and the big one. It is believed that people used to live in the small cave 4000 years BC. The big cave is called "The Cave of the Nymphs" and was used by the Thracians to honour their gods. There is also a small improvised chapel.Then you have to go back to the Rider and continue forward following the signs "To the fortress". After a several minutes stroll you will see the stairs which will lead you to the top of the plateau where the fortress is. There are some benches along the way up for those who need a little rest - the views are also impressive. The climbing is a very good cardio exercise!:) Then, you will have to walk a little and collect your breath till you get to the fortress. There are some boards with explanations - quite rusty and worn out. Down, at the foot of the plateau, there are a sanctuary and remnants of old buildings some of which were related to a ritual cult. The fee is symbolical. We paid a combined family ticket - 6 leva (two parents and one child). Although the price is very low it was a little strange and curious to me if a family without a child could take the combined family ticket??!! As I mentioned before there is a small canteen-like restaurant where you can eat and drink something (simple things). They will prepare it even if it is not on the menu! Highly recommended!

We was there on November 27 and the weather wasn't very nice, but we paid the entrance of 4 leva/pers. Madara Rider (or Horseman) is the global symbol of Bulgaria and we want to see it, but the stairs until the 'sculpture' was closed :(! We can see it from the bottom and we was somewhat satisfied. It is something majestic on the horseman and I understand why this is a UNESCO World Heritage! On the way to the left you'll find some stairs that lead to the top, where you'll discover a wonderful view and the ruins of an old fortress. After you return to the rider, go to the right and you will discover some beautiful caves. Being winter, the big cave offers a breathtaking view with big icicles that blends with a luxuriant vegetation!

Madara Rider seems like quite a straightforward site: you park your car, pay your entrance fee at the white ticket box next to the stairs and climb upwards towards carving of a Thracian rider on a large stone wall. But on your way you'll notice signs to both left and right. Route to the left leads to a fortress and route to the right to some caves with collapsed ceilings that have been turned into shrines. Both are curious sites to visit.

The Madara Rider (or Horseman) is an impressive artwork when you think of how long ago it was that it was carved into the steep cliff. However, when you get to the top of the 200 steps to see it, it can seem a bit of a disappointment, as it is the carving that is on UNESCOs World Heritage List. Don't let that you fool, but continue the tour by taking 400 steps more up to the top of the cliff where there's an old fortress and ruins from other buildings. Plus an impressing and beatiful view. It is a strenuous walk up there, but well worth the effort.After that continue down to the caves. There's a chapel cave, a small cave and a gigantic cave with different interesting plants that have adapted to the extraordinary surroundings.

We spent the night in a nearby Villa and stopped by this attraction headed to our next destination. Hike up was easy considering there was a break between steps to catch your breath for those not in the best of shape. It's definitely a moderate activity and one should pace themselves to make it to the top. Seeing the Madaro rider was not all that interesting, but seeing the caves and the fortress in addition to the rider made the visit worthwhile. There is also a small altar/prayer/votive area if you like such things and places to sit in prayer or to rest. You do need to step carefully as some of the steps are not in the best of condition. We took lots of photos in scenic areas and appreciated the few signs in English. There's a discount for students and seniors so they pay 4 lev and regular customers pay 5 lev. Families with two children 6 lev. There is a bathroom for .50 lev to the entrance left.. Would recommend a visit if you are in the area. Not recommended if you are in a wheelchair or need physical assistance. There are a number of eateries across the street from the entrance, though we did not visit any.

The Madara Rider or Horseman as some may refer to it, is a rock relief that was carved on the Madara Plateau in Shumen, Bulgaria. It's quite a hike to get to, but once you are there you realize it was worth it. It depicts a horseman with a spear, a lion in front of the rider, and a dog that seems to be chasing the horse. It's on the UNESCO Heritage List so its considered an important part of Bulgarian history and culture. Definitely worth preserving.

The horseman rider carving in the cliff face is breathtaking. You have to climb around 200 steps from the parking to reach it. Nearby (200 meters away) there are caves, one of which a nymph sanctuary. If you are willing to climb the cliffs (these are steps and rails) you can see the remains of a fortress. The view from above itself is worth the climb. You can also see a tomb and a pagan sanctuary. The entrance fee is 4 BGN (a little bit more than 2 EUR).

Madara is a neat little town, and you can get there with a bus from the Shumen central bus station or train station (they are next to each other). There are numerous options available for just a small fee (about 1 euro or a bit more maximum).The view itself is amazing and lots to see around - if you want to go up to the very top be prepared to do a healthy amount of climbing for the fortress.All around a very worthwhile place to see with lots of beautiful views and impressive history.

Well worth the effort to drive to this little village if you are in Shumen. Not only is it a mysterious bas relief carving in the majestic cliff wall but there is a pagan sanctuary, tomb and caves as well as the ruins of a small fortress. This area has been inhabited for 7000 years and all this is prehistoric....likely the oldest artifacts you will see in Bulgaria outside of a museum.

Turned up and parked. Paid the small fee for entrance and cameras and then mounted the 200 steps to see this stone carving half way up a cliff face. The carving is impressive and detailed considering its age and the exposure it must have had to the elements but this was not all there was. There was cave for nymphs, an ancient tomb, another cave, a small shrine, many sand martins and if you could face the climb a hill top fortress!

The horseman is carved high on a cliff face, and is best seen at sunset. There are seats from which to view it, and it takes a little while to walk up to it. When there, the detail slowly becomes visible, and it becomes a very impressive monument indeed. Also wild plums grow nearby, which are delicious.

Very good to see it, not so busy area and in combination with climbing to the top of the rock where you can see the walls of an ancient fortress make it a very good pick.

A perfect place in the forest. Very nice view from the top, recommend seeing. A little steep steps to the top but worth taking. Also a nice walk in the forest.

It was an excellent trip on the way back from our sea holiday. We took the easy road and firstly visited the caves. As caves they do not present such an attraction.There is a large glade surrounded by lofty elevated cliffs. The foot of the cliffs is covered by ivies and plants. This place itself is worth seeing. It is majestic and the day we visited there was Bulgarian bagpipe player who created unforgettable atmosphere. The man was selling also original keepsake. So if you visit Madara first go inside and take a look and than decide what souvenir to buy.After seeing the caves, the easy path led us to the monument on the cliffs - the Madara Rider. It was memorable to see in vivo the image of the Rider, who is inscribed of our coins. Summer working time: 8.00-19.00Winter working time: 9.00-17.00Fee: adults - 4 leva; students and disabled people - 1 leva; lecture - 5 leva

The Madara Reserve is a beautiful place, the pearl of it being the Madara Rider (an UNESCO World Heritage Site) and maybe the biggest symbol of Bulgaria. The Madara Reserve is full of wonderful landscapes (many caves and even a fortress are there). I truly reccomend a visit here, the place is situated near Shumen and the road is very good and spectacular. The entrance fee is 4 Leva for adults and 1 Leva for students.