The oldest inscription mentions the name of the Bulgarian Khan Tervel.
This is the only monumental rock bas-relief of its king in Europe, dating from the beginning of the 8th century. Interesting about the relief is the fact it is carved into the rock face at a height of 25 meters on a vertical rock in the northwestern slope of the Madara plateau. He hold a pike in one hand and a wine cup in the other. It depicts a horseman who has transfixed a lion with his spear, and a dog following behind.This is a triumphal scene symbolising the greatness of the Bulgarian ruler and the might of the Bulgarian state. The three inscriptions carved around the relief were written in Greek language. This is the earliest Bulgarian monument to have mentioned the name “Bulgarians”. Madara was an ancient and medieval cult rock compound which served as a religious centre for Thracians and Bulgarians.
The sculpture marks a triumph-the Byzantine Empire had recorgnized the new state, marks a new epoch, the beginning of new European world.
Located 1.5 km to the east of the village of Madara, 17km from the town of Shoumen and 380 km from Sofia.
The Madara Horseman became a UNESCO monument in 1979.
The work of unknown sculptor is indeed magnificent. The Horseman on the rock inspires admiration and excitement even today-thirteen centuries after. The Madara Horseman is a magnificent message from the early Middle Ages.