SHUMEN

SHUMEN

The town of Shumen – a fine blend of history and modernity

Lying right in the heart of a region, soaked with history and located on the crossroads of important trade routes, close to all major transport facilities, which are bound to foster a brisk local development, the town of Shumen is a fine blend of history and modernity. The latter combined with various nature and excellent conditions for active tourism make the region a place suitable for a holiday, permanent living and business.

The wealth of open-air archeological monuments dating from 4000 B.C. to the 15th century give reasons for researchers to call Madara the “Bulgarian Troy”. The most remarkable monument in the preserve is the unique rock bas-relief Madara Rider.

Unique Europewide, it is a sample of old Bulgarian art and symbolizes the power and greatness of the Bulgarian state. The Madara Rider is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage.

In the historical sciences Madara is also well-known as a religious center. Found here are sanctuaries, Christian churches, chapels. During the 14th century, in the rocks of the plateau, the biggest Bulgarian rock monastery was created with over 150 chambers. Today Madarà is one of the most visited tourist sites in the country.

Apart from being of great interest to the historians, the Madara Plateau appears fascinating even to an unprofessional eye – for its beauty, plenty of routes for climbing and tourism.

In the city there are several professional cultural institutions – a dramàtic theatre, philharmonics, a large library, several cultural centers, art galleries and a rich historical museum with contemporary exhibitions. The museums are complementary ranging from memorial house-museums and an archeological museum to the open-air museum Shumen fortress, rising on top of the Shumensko Plateau.

In honour of 1300 years of the Bulgaria state, the impressive memorial complex Founders of the Bulgarian State was opened and has been a symbol of the city ever since.

Now the town has cultural institutes of national importance, two universities – the Shumen University “Episcop Konstantin Preslavski” and the Higher Military School of artillery and air defence “Panaiot Volov”, also many primary and secondary schools, a few local media.

The city of Shumen, the tenth largest Bulgarian municipality, is situated in the central part of Northeastern Bulgaria. It serves as an administrative center of the region.
The population of the municipality of Shumen is 120 076 people. In the city of Shumen live 105 052 people and in the 25 villages of the municipality live an additional 15 024 people. According to the latest data of the Territorial Statistic Bureau, the municipality of Shumen’s population density is 0.18 per decare.

The theatre is located on a pedestrian alley, which in the summer is a favorite place for a short coffee break in one of the numerous open-air cafes, nestling between the shady trees along the main street.

One of the museum-houses dating back from the Bulgarian Revival – a period which was significantly forged by local artists and innovators. More cultural places of interest include the Drama and Puppet Theatre “Vassil Drumev” (the first one to be opened after the Liberation), the Public Philharmonic Orchestra, the Historical Museum, the Public Library “Stilian Chilingirov”, the Complex “Founders of Bulgaria”, the Youth Centre. The second biggest mosque on the Balkan Peninsula – a symbol of the rich pattern of cultures, coexisting on the territory of the region.

Since its founding, 3200 years ago, the region has been inhabited by Thracians, Romans, Byzantines, Ottomans, and Bulgarians. Their temples and traditions now merge into a colorful intriguing mixture. Two of the national sanctuaries– the ancient capitals Pliska and Preslaw - are also located here.

National historical-archaeological preserve “Pliska”

Capital of the first Bulgarian state established by Chan Asparouh. Relics from monumental architectural objects are situated on an area of 23 km².

In the archaeological museum, conditions of life of the villages, the materials and the spiritual culture from the period VII – X centuries are shown.

National historical-archaeological preserve “Veliki Preslav”

Capital of the Bulgarian state from 893 to 972. In the archaelogical museum are masterpieces of the Bulgarian Golden age: Preslavian golden treasure, the ceramic icon “St. Teodor”, a golden stamp collection, authentic written monuments from IX – XI centuries.

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