CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL SITES that can be visited by "The Castle of Tervel":

2/ At 800 meters away from the castle in luxury mixed deciduous-coniferous forests and parks is a world-famous national historical and archaeological reserve Madara that he has the remains of 7 periods: primitive, prehistoric / stone, Thracian, Roman, Byzantine and the First and Second Bulgarian State. From prehistoric times Madara was with its rich deposits of flint centre of production of stone tools and weapons. From the dawn of mankind Madara is a cult religious and social centre of Bulgaria and predecessors. In reserves have remains of prehistoric, ancient, early and late medieval religious buildings and complexes. Here are the most numerous and high rock monasteries / more than 150 cells / in Bulgaria and the Orthodox world.

3/ At 900 meters from the "Castle" is located only in Europe, rock bas-relief - Madara Horseman / VIII century. Cut to 23 meters height in 1300-years old bas-relief and many inscriptions around it attest to the greatness and power of the early Bulgarian kings, who are pay tax even Emperors of the Eastern Roman Empire. Bas-relief represents the triumphant ruler - the symbol of the power of the first Bulgarian state. Size are depicted in HORSEMAN move to right, in the eagle flying in fleur posture before him jumped dog who follows him and punctured with a copy LION, down in the front legs of the horse. The composition is a unique stone metaphor symbolizing the winning Bulgarian ruler who succeed to defeate the most powerful empires of the time, Byzantium and the Arab caliphate / represented as a lion, the mightiest predator, and the king of animals. The stone composition reminiscent triumphantly the scenes, the ancient artistic traditions / Thracian Rider and Christian saints-warriors / St. George and St. Dimitar/. As for the image creator and relief Khan Tervel centuries together in West-European chronicles is described as a saviour of Europe from the invasion of Arab caliphate in the VIII century, which have already taken the Iberian Peninsula, across north Africa, Arabian Peninsula, Middle East and even the great Persian Empire until India. Arab Empire called Caliphate that in its historical era was the largest empire and military force which the world has seen till then. Great soldier taken most of these lands - Maslama who is brother of the caliph, the last was stopped and beaten by troops of Tervel, as it is saved Constantinople and failed campaign to conquer Europe from 200 000 previously unseen army of Arab caliphate. In honour of this Emperors gave Tervel the title "Caesar." Madara Horseman was declared by the UN-UNESCO world cultural monument since 1979. The monument is a large part of ancient-medieval archaeological complex encompassing the sites of cultural, religious and military purposes. Bas-relief is depicted for all Bulgarian coins and was elected by vote as nationally global symbol of Bulgaria.

4/ At 900 meters away from the castle starts the cut in 100 meter vertical cliff, which is reached by the medieval fortress-city of Madara plateau protected by IV to XIV century, the cult centre Madara. Behind thick walls of the fortress are the remains of old barracks churches' there and find breathtaking views in all directions. The top of the plateau is the perfect place for lovers of steam and paragliding .Those supporters of excitement can every day lowered their parachutes and glider in the sky with birds, enjoying the beautiful view.

5 / At 800 meters from the castle is the museum of the National Historical and Archaeological Reserve Madara. The museum has a rich internal and external exposure beautifully arranged with flowers. There are also kiosk for brochures, books, postcards and souvenirs.

II. The city of Pliska / VII century / is 10 kilometres from the village Madara. It was the first capital of Danubian Bulgaria. From this great medieval city of the Bulgarian rulers were managing three centuries the whole South-eastern Europe. Then Pliska was bigger than London and Paris put together. Here, seven students from St. Cyril and St. Methodius created the modern Cyrillic alphabet, on which the alphabet except Bulgaria now write more than 15 countries worldwide, with over 300 mil. population inhabited more than 1 / 6 of the planet. It deserves to see magnificent ruins of the city that gave so much to the world. The National Historical and archaeological museum of Pliska has a large exposure.

III. The city of Shumen - 120 000 inhabitants is situated 15 kilometres from Madara. The town has many cultural and historical landmarks, such as:

1 / the old city - ancient, medieval fortified city with thick walls outlive for more than 3000 years in 5 historical epochs, from the XVIII century BC. to XV century AD. The town is situated on a Shumen's plateau and there opens a magnificent view of the medieval-rocks. The ancient medieval Shumen has Shumen has a museum open for visits.

2 / The monument "1300 years Bulgaria /1981/ is located adjacent to the top plate near the old town and is visible from there. The largest monumental across Europe and is dedicated to the founder of Danubian Bulgaria -the oldest country in Europe now outlive the 14th century with the same name and at the same place. People feel small and admire it from the surrounding giant sculptures and breathtaking views. Over 1300 feet will take you directly to the monument of the modern town of Shumen.

3/ The regional Historical Museum has extensive exposure in all historical periods and keeps most of the archaeological treasures of the region.

IV. At 35 kilometres from the village of Madara is the city of Veliki Preslav / X century, which is the second Bulgarian capital, and called by his contemporaries "Third Rome", because it is considered the third wealth, luxury and cultural city of excellence in Europe after Rome and Constantinople. Here are the famous palaces and churches of King Simeon the Great and famous Preslav Literary School. Preslav was most associated with the period of the "Golden Age" in literature and art of the third civilization in Europe after Greek and Roman - Bulgaria remains today this heritage in more than 1 / 6 of the planet. The National Historical and archaeological museum of Veliki /Great/ Pleslav has a large exposure.

V. At 56 kilometres from Madara in modern Razgrad are the remains of the Roman city Abritus known that in its surroundings for the first time in history the Roman Emperor is murdered / Trayan decyl / in battle and outside Rome. Razgrad is known to the treasures of the Thracians - the golden Thracian Pegasus and Golden chariot. The Archaeological Reserve Abritus "an area of 1 sq.km" is one of the largest and most well researched, developed and exposed ancient cities in Bulgaria. You can discover the rich and interesting exposition of the museum Abritus, which is at the beginning of the ancient city.

VI. At 68 kilometres from Madara, Sveshtari in the village, is world famous Thracian tomb Sveshtari of 2500 years, which with its unique interior architecture and sculptures included in the list of world cultural heritage UNESCO. Here you will meet with still little known but one of the most ancient civilizations in Europe - Thracian with its magnificent architecture and tombs, comparing on wealth and age of the Egyptian. Thracian gold treasures are recognized as the most beautiful and magnificent in the world. Thracians were Orpheus, Alexander the Great, Spartacus, and even Roman emperors.

VII. At 68 kilometres from Madara / 64 of that highway / is Varna International Airport and the city with 500 000 inhabitants. Varna is known not only with golden sandy beaches of the Black Sea Riviera, but also with their rich heritage harvested in Regional Historical Museum, the Cathedral and found near Varna oldest gold products in the world - 5000 years. In Varna on 10.11.1444 has held crucial battle for Europe between crusade army and Islamic armies of the emerging Ottoman Empire. Site has a museum and memorial park dedicated to King Vladislav II Yagelo / died in battle/ and genius captain Ian Huniyadi. Their names carry two of the main boulevards in Varna.

VIII. Outside these world famous sites 15-25 km from Madara there are many other important archaeological sites, such as: the medieval fortress-town of Khan / King / Omurtag which is near the village of Khan Krum, Thracian tomb to Ivanski and Ancient city near the village Vojvoda and Catholic Monastery of Benedictine Sisters in the village of Tsarev Brod. As well as one of the largest mosques in the Balkans Tombul mosque in Shumen.