Full-Day Madara Horseman and Pliska Tour with Preslav Fortress

The journey

Trip highlights

• 01 See the unique 8th-century rock relief of the Madara Horseman
• 02 Explore Pliska and Veliki Preslav, the first and second Bulgarian capitals
• 03 Discover remarkable historic monuments in the Shumen region
• 04 Admire the natural features and archaeological legacy of these former capitals

Embark on a full-day tour through the Shumen region with a knowledgeable guide to discover some of Bulgaria's most remarkable historic monuments. See the unique 8th-century rock relief of the Madara Horseman, then continue to Pliska and Veliki Preslav, the first and second capitals of the Bulgarian state. Along the way, appreciate the natural features and archaeological legacy of these former capitals.

Visit some of the most remarkable monuments in the Shumen region, including the unique 8th-century rock relief of the Madara Horseman.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 1 Day

Tour type Private

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Not included

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

Cities Shumen, Veliko Tarnovo, Pliska, Veliki Preslav, Madara

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1

Day 01

Madara Horseman, Pliska and Preslav Fortresses

• Meet your Bulgaria guide and begin your trip.

• Visit some of the most remarkable monuments in the Shumen region, including the unique 8th-century rock relief of the Madara Horseman.

• Admire the natural features of Pliska and Preslav, the first and second capitals of Bulgaria.

The route

Where you'll travel

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

• English-speaking Bulgarian tour guide
• Transport

What's Not Included

• Lunch/Dinner
• Entrance fees
• Tips and gratuities
• Personal expenses

What to bring

• Comfortable shoes

Know before you go

• Preslav was the capital of the Bulgarian state from 893 to 971. After the opening of the new museum building and exposition, more than 35,000 archaeological units from the Palace City have been preserved in the Archaeological Museum. The remains of the most significant administrative, religious, and farm buildings from the capital city of Preslav can be seen in Veliki Preslav.
• Covering 23 square kilometres, the medieval town of Pliska is one of the largest medieval cities in Europe. The remains of the first Bulgarian capital, discovered during archaeological excavations, are preserved and presented as an open-air museum. Here, although in ruins, you can see the castle walls, the palaces of Khan Krum and Khan Omurtag, the temples of the god Tangra, and the Great Basilica.
• The 330-year history of the First Bulgarian Kingdom was marked by constant rivalry with the neighbouring Byzantine Empire, the acceptance of Christianity, after which Bulgaria became the cultural center of Orthodox and Slavic Europe, and the adoption of the Cyrillic alphabet.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point

Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria

Tour start

9920 Pliska, Bulgaria

Tour ends at the same location as the start point.