This northeastern Bulgarian city has a preserved old town with traditional houses, a Roman-era fortress, and an Archaeological Museum displaying Thracian artifacts.
Shumen sits among the hills of northeastern Bulgaria, 80 kilometers west of Varna. In this city, you can climb 1300 steps to reach a giant concrete monument, walk through medieval fortress ruins, and visit Bulgaria's largest mosque. The surrounding area holds some of Bulgaria's most important historical sites, including the Madara Rider rock carving and the ruins of ancient capitals Pliska and Preslav.
The Monumental Complex Above the City
The Monument to 1300 Years of Bulgaria stands 50 meters high on Shumen's plateau, visible from 30 kilometers away. Built in 1981, this concrete complex includes 21 sculptures depicting Bulgarian khans, kings, and writers. The site contains Europe's largest mosaic triptych, measuring 500 square meters. You can reach it by climbing 1300 steps from the city center or driving up the winding road. Local events and celebrations regularly take place at the monument's plaza.
Exploring the Ancient Shumen Fortress
The medieval Shumen Fortress sits on the plateau above the modern city. The restored fortress walls reach up to 5 meters in height, dating to the Second Bulgarian Empire (12th-14th centuries). As you walk through the fortress grounds, you'll find the remains of three churches, two water cisterns, and stone foundations of medieval homes. Information panels in Bulgarian and English explain the significance of each structure.
The Tombul Mosque and City Center
The Sherif Halil Pasha Mosque (Tombul Mosque) is Bulgaria's largest mosque, built between 1740 and 1744. Inside, you'll see Arabic calligraphy covering the walls and geometric patterns decorating the dome. The mosque complex includes a madrasa (religious school) with 12 rooms arranged around a small courtyard. The surrounding streets have cafes and restaurants with outdoor seating, and you can walk to most central attractions within 15 minutes.
Day Trips to Ancient Sites
The Madara Rider, 20 kilometers from Shumen, is an 8th-century rock relief carved 23 meters up a cliff face. The carving shows a mounted warrior spearing a lion, with Greek inscriptions describing Bulgarian khans' victories. At Pliska, 25 kilometers away, you can walk through the remains of a royal palace, fortress walls extending for 2.3 kilometers, and a basilica with 30-meter-high walls. The medieval city of Preslav, 17 kilometers southwest, contains excavated church foundations, ceramic workshops, and a museum displaying medieval Bulgarian art.
Getting Around and Transportation
Trains run between Sofia and Shumen six times daily, and buses connect to Varna every two hours. The city center is compact, spanning about 2 kilometers. Local buses run to the monument complex and fortress every 30 minutes between 7:00 and 19:00. For trips to Madara, Pliska, or Preslav, regional buses depart from the central bus station several times daily, or you can take a 20-30 minute taxi ride.
