A unique monument of ancient Thracian art. It is thought that in the 4th century a prominent but now unknown Thracian
chieftain was buried in the tomb, which consists of an antechamber, stone corridor and a domed chamber. The exceptional frescoes on the walls, ceiling, corridor walls and on the dome make this monument truly unique. It has been placed under the protection of UNESCO.
MADARA HORSEMAN
A fine bas relief, carved at a height of 23 m in the rocks of the ancient Madara Fortress, near the town of Shoumen. The talented master from the period of the First Bulgarian Kingdom has created a true masterpiece, representing a horseman holding the bridles of the horse in one hand and a lance in the other, stuck into the back of a dying lioness . This scene most probably depicts some victory of one of the Khans Tervel, Kor- misosh or Omourtag.
PLISKA AND PRESLAV
Six km from Madara, near the town of Shoumen, lie the ruins of Pliska – the first capital of the First Bulgarian Kingdom private tour guide ephesus.
These ruins show that the first Bulgarian capital was protected by a double line of fortifications – an earth embankment with a moat on the outside and an 8-foot stone wall on the inside. In turn, the wall was protected by round and pentagonal turret-battlements, with which the city gates, too, were equipped. The streets all led to the centre, where ruins of the palace, the throne hall and other buildings (temples, feudal residences, etc) were uncovered. In the outer town lying between the two fortification systems, were the barracks, workshops, stables and probably also the wooden dwellings of soldiers and commoners. The first constructions in Pliska date back to the late 7th century, while the palaces are presumed to have been built under the reign of Omourtag (816-831). Various objects, ornaments, weapons and the like, which are on exhibit in the small museum, give an idea of the mode of life in those days. A special lapidarium has been built during the excavation work.
Bulgaria's second capital, Preslav (893-972), is associated with the Golden Age of Bulgaria and hence is much more sumptuous and brilliant than the more primitive Pliska.
Preslav — 19 km south of Shoumen, founded by Khan Omourtag, it rapidly surpassed the glory of Pliska. This much can be deduced from the remaining ruins (in the course of their invasions the Turks destroyed Preslav down to its foundations), as well as from the chronicles of its contemporary Yoan Exarch (John the Exarch), one of the first Bulgarian writers. Not far from the old Preslav are the remains of Patleina Monastery, where the Bulgarian Prince Boris I spent his last days. King Simeon made it his shining capital, a fact which is revealed by the preserved foundations of the royal palace and the so-called Golden Church, decorated with marble and gaily-coloured ceramics, the work of Preslav masters. Very interesting and valuable exhibits are displayed in the halls of the Archaeological Museum.
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