Madara Rider
Madara Rider
4.5
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4.5
190 reviews
Excellent
114
Very good
52
Average
19
Poor
4
Terrible
1
Menq
Newport, UK9,203 contributions
Aug 2012 • Couples
The Madara Reserve is a beautiful place, the pearl of it being the Madara Rider (an UNESCO World Heritage Site) and maybe the biggest symbol of Bulgaria. The Madara Reserve is full of wonderful landscapes (many caves and even a fortress are there). I truly reccomend a visit here, the place is situated near Shumen and the road is very good and spectacular. The entrance fee is 4 Leva for adults and 1 Leva for students.
Written 14 August 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tereza S
Sofia, Bulgaria76 contributions
Aug 2017 • Family
The Madara Rider is most likely from the time of Bulgarian Khan Tervel, so it's very old - carved around the years 701 - 718.
In the area, you will also see an ancient Roman fortress and Thracian findings.
In the museum, you will find a unique Thracian marble plate with engraved zodiac signs, which is one of its kind in the whole world - it's from 1st century B.C.
If you decide to climb to the fortress prepare for 380 stairs - take water and comfortable shoes. And when you get to the top you'll see a breathtaking view towards the village of Madara and the fields around it. Totally worth it!
In the area, you will also see an ancient Roman fortress and Thracian findings.
In the museum, you will find a unique Thracian marble plate with engraved zodiac signs, which is one of its kind in the whole world - it's from 1st century B.C.
If you decide to climb to the fortress prepare for 380 stairs - take water and comfortable shoes. And when you get to the top you'll see a breathtaking view towards the village of Madara and the fields around it. Totally worth it!
Written 28 August 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
chiaraSofia
Sofia, Bulgaria225 contributions
June 2017 • Family
Just re-visited Madara rider after some time, it's as beautiful as I remember it from childhood years. Apart from the rider and the caves, there is now a museum as well as a movie about the rider (multilanguage, ask at the museum to start it in the movie hall right across the street).
At the top, just in front of the little cave with icons there was a guide giving information about the sight to everyone who inquired (free).
If you are visiting the rider, make sure to also visit nearby Pliska - the site of the first capital of Bulgaria, along with the stunning basilica.
At the top, just in front of the little cave with icons there was a guide giving information about the sight to everyone who inquired (free).
If you are visiting the rider, make sure to also visit nearby Pliska - the site of the first capital of Bulgaria, along with the stunning basilica.
Written 19 June 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sy N
San Francisco, CA541 contributions
Dec 2015 • Couples
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Madara Rider is a stone carving about 300 feet above the ground that depicts a knight spearing a lion. It dates back to the First Bulgarian Empire and was carved by a super brave dude between 700-800 c.e. Plan for a few hours to visit the rider, visit the pagan ruins, see the caves and then climb up the cliff side (it's somewhat safe...although precarious) to the top of the mountain to see the fortress ruins. It's really worth it. From the top of the mountain you get an amazing view of the valley. Not recommended if you have bad health or joint problems.
Written 19 December 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joan J
Newhall, CA361 contributions
June 2015 • Couples
Just walking up the hill, seeing the phenomenal cliffs, caves and Rock Church was excellent, but then seeing the sculpture in the stone was wonderful. It continues to weather and I guess that is why there was a large piece of equipment below it the day we visited to try and preserve it better. I did manage to get some outstanding photos in spite of that.
Written 9 August 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ninopoliti
Paris, France97 contributions
Aug 2015
simply amazing, even if comments are clearly missing ... better to have a guidebook with you.
anyhow, don't miss it!
anyhow, don't miss it!
Written 6 August 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sid J
Sydney, Australia72 contributions
June 2015 • Friends
The area around the rock carving of a horseman fighting a lion is beautiful. The ancients considered the area sacred and in the right weather and light you can see why: there is something otherworldly about this place. The Horseman is an amazing historical artifact so do try to read up a bit before to understand the significance of what you are looking at.
Written 29 June 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Martinsen8700
Horsens, Denmark293 contributions
July 2014 • Family
The Madara Rider (or Horseman) is an impressive artwork when you think of how long ago it was that it was carved into the steep cliff. However, when you get to the top of the 200 steps to see it, it can seem a bit of a disappointment, as it is the carving that is on UNESCOs World Heritage List. Don't let that you fool, but continue the tour by taking 400 steps more up to the top of the cliff where there's an old fortress and ruins from other buildings. Plus an impressing and beatiful view. It is a strenuous walk up there, but well worth the effort.
After that continue down to the caves. There's a chapel cave, a small cave and a gigantic cave with different interesting plants that have adapted to the extraordinary surroundings.
After that continue down to the caves. There's a chapel cave, a small cave and a gigantic cave with different interesting plants that have adapted to the extraordinary surroundings.
Written 3 August 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Angela D
New Orleans, LA252 contributions
July 2014 • Friends
We spent the night in a nearby Villa and stopped by this attraction headed to our next destination. Hike up was easy considering there was a break between steps to catch your breath for those not in the best of shape. It's definitely a moderate activity and one should pace themselves to make it to the top. Seeing the Madaro rider was not all that interesting, but seeing the caves and the fortress in addition to the rider made the visit worthwhile. There is also a small altar/prayer/votive area if you like such things and places to sit in prayer or to rest. You do need to step carefully as some of the steps are not in the best of condition. We took lots of photos in scenic areas and appreciated the few signs in English. There's a discount for students and seniors so they pay 4 lev and regular customers pay 5 lev. Families with two children 6 lev. There is a bathroom for .50 lev to the entrance left.. Would recommend a visit if you are in the area. Not recommended if you are in a wheelchair or need physical assistance. There are a number of eateries across the street from the entrance, though we did not visit any.
Written 31 July 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Luchia R
Sofia, Bulgaria15 contributions
Aug 2012 • Friends
It was an excellent trip on the way back from our sea holiday.
We took the easy road and firstly visited the caves. As caves they do not present such an attraction.
There is a large glade surrounded by lofty elevated cliffs. The foot of the cliffs is covered by ivies and plants. This place itself is worth seeing. It is majestic and the day we visited there was Bulgarian bagpipe player who created unforgettable atmosphere. The man was selling also original keepsake. So if you visit Madara first go inside and take a look and than decide what souvenir to buy.
After seeing the caves, the easy path led us to the monument on the cliffs - the Madara Rider. It was memorable to see in vivo the image of the Rider, who is inscribed of our coins.
Summer working time: 8.00-19.00
Winter working time: 9.00-17.00
Fee: adults - 4 leva; students and disabled people - 1 leva; lecture - 5 leva
We took the easy road and firstly visited the caves. As caves they do not present such an attraction.
There is a large glade surrounded by lofty elevated cliffs. The foot of the cliffs is covered by ivies and plants. This place itself is worth seeing. It is majestic and the day we visited there was Bulgarian bagpipe player who created unforgettable atmosphere. The man was selling also original keepsake. So if you visit Madara first go inside and take a look and than decide what souvenir to buy.
After seeing the caves, the easy path led us to the monument on the cliffs - the Madara Rider. It was memorable to see in vivo the image of the Rider, who is inscribed of our coins.
Summer working time: 8.00-19.00
Winter working time: 9.00-17.00
Fee: adults - 4 leva; students and disabled people - 1 leva; lecture - 5 leva
Written 13 September 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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