Madarski Skali Cliff

The site known as Madarski Skali contains the famous Madara Rider, an early medieval rock relief in Shumen Province, northeastern Bulgaria. The relief is dated to the late 7th or early 8th century and is a UNESCO World Heritage site (inscribed 1979).

The main highlight is the cliff-carved relief of a horseman with attendant figures carved directly into a vertical rock face. The composition combines human and animal imagery in a single panel and is the central visual element at the site.

The relief is attributed to the early medieval period of the First Bulgarian Empire and is generally interpreted as a commemorative monument connected with early Bulgarian rulers and their military achievements. The site has attracted scholarly attention since the 19th century and was protected and researched as an archaeological and historic monument during the 20th century.

The relief sits on a rocky outcrop near the village of Madara in Shumen Province in northeastern Bulgaria, within a rural landscape of open hills and karst formations.

• UNESCO status: Inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979.

What to See#

• Madara Rider relief: An early medieval rock relief carved into a cliff showing a mounted horseman accompanied by a dog and a fallen figure; stylistically dated to the late 7th or early 8th century.

Madarski Skali is accessed from regional roads in Shumen Province. The site is a short drive from the nearest town; parking is informal and visitors walk a short path to the main rock formations.

• Bring sun protection - many rock formations have little shade.
• Wear good shoes; scrambling is required in places and surfaces can be sharp.
• Visit late afternoon for cooler temperatures and softer light on the cliff faces.