Madara Horseman

Shumen Province, Bulgaria

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The Madara Horseman, also known as the Madara Rider, is a remarkable early medieval rock relief carved into a high cliff near the village of Madara in Shumen Province, northeastern Bulgaria.

Created in the late 7th or early 8th century during the time of the First Bulgarian Empire, it is the only monument of its kind in Europe and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979. The relief depicts a horseman spearing a lion beneath his horse while a dog runs behind him. Carved about 23 meters above the ground into a 100‑meter-high cliff, it symbolizes the power and achievements of Bulgaria’s early rulers.

Ancient inscriptions nearby record important historical events from the 8th and early 9th centuries. The Madara Horseman is one of Bulgaria’s most important national symbols, valued for its historical, artistic, and cultural significance. Surrounded by archaeological remains, caves, and sacred sites, it offers a unique glimpse into the origins of the Bulgarian state and its early heritage.