Early 7th century AD. An expressive bas-relief, carved high out of the sheer rock, and depicting a horseman spearing a lion. It symbolizes greatness of the ruler and the power of his state. Europe's only rock relief dating from the early Middle Ages. Located 20 km from the town of Shoumen, NE Bulgaria.

An unusual place - a plateau rises in the middle of a plain which, when viewed from the west, resembles a petrified waterfall. At a height of 23 meters the figure of a horseman has been hewn into the sheer rock, piercing a lion with his spear, and flanked on both sides by inscriptions reflecting the military and political power of the First Bulgarian Empire.
This symbol of Bulgarian statesmanship is the only one of its kind in the whole of Europe. Monumental in design and execution, the Madara Horseman is a magnificent message from the early Middle Ages.

4th-3rd century BC.

A Thracian beehive tomb from the Hellenistic period, containing extremely valuable murals.

The tomb consists of a square antechamber, narrow passage and tomb vault with a beautiful frieze depicting three racing chariots and an exceptionally vivid scene of a funeral feast. The best preserved monument of Thracian art from that period.

Located near the town of Kazanluk in the Valley of Roses.

First half of the 3rd century BC.

A Thracian-Hellenistic tomb made of cut stone blocks and depicting ritual scenes. The wide frieze of stone panels adorned with ten female figures is an unusual sculptural composition.

Unearthed near the village of Sveshtari, Razgrad region, NE Bulgaria.

During the Middle Ages the strong Bulgarian fortress of Boyana (Batil) stood on the lower slopes of Mount Vitosha in what is now the Sofia suburb of Boyana. This name is mentioned for the firs time in 969. Boyana was one of the thirty-five fortresses and settlements, which formed the fortification systems of the city of Sredets (Sofia). The Boyana Church was build within the fortress and is a magnificent example of medieval architecture and monumental art.

The Boyana Church is about 900 years old. During its existence, the Church has undergone many transformation and extensions, and thus its present complex volume differs considerably from the original. New buildings have been added to the First (East) Church, architectural transformations have been made, the decoration has been changed. At present the Boyana Church consists buildings - from the 11th, 13th and 19th centuries. Only the first two churches, built during the Middle Ages, possess significant aesthetic and architectural value.

First founded in the 10th century,, its present-day appearance dating from the mid-19th century.

The most famous monument of Bulgarian architecture and culture from the National Revival period (the early Renaissance). The greatest Bulgarian monastery with exquisite architecture, fantastic wall paintings, brilliant iconostasis, a rich collection of icons and old manuscripts and a magnificent masterpiece of the Renaissance - a wooden cross with 140 microscopic Biblical scenes featuring more than 1500 figures, the largest of them not bigger than a grain of rice.

Located 120 km southwest of Sofia in the heart of the Rila Mountains.

The ancient town of Nessebur, which has been declared a reserve, is situated on a tiny peninsula on the Black Sea coast linked with the mainland by a narrow isthmus. Some of the finest achievements of mediaeval church architecture are preserved here. The ancient fortress wall, the town's churches with splendid appearance and over 60 National Revival period houses characterize the town of Nessebur as one of Bulgaria's oldest and most picturesque ones.
 

Located 3 km south of Sunny Beach resort on the Black Sea coast.

Dating from the Middle Ages.

Several medieval churches, chapels and monastic cells have been dug into the rocks flanking a scenic river valley. Located at a height of 6 to 8 meters, the cells were inhabited by monks until the 17th century.

Chronicles of the preserved church murals show that the community of hermits also created a blossoming literary center during the 13th-14th century.

The Archangel Church built in the 14th century is the best preserved. The 13th and 14th century murals depicting Biblical scenes are of great artistic interest.

Located near the village of Ivanovo, Rousse region, NE Bulgaria.

A shallow lake near the Danube river, one of the most interesting and typical wetlands in Europe, abounding in an amazing diversity of plant varieties and animal species.

Almost half of all Bulgarian birds nest here.

Located close to the town of Silistra, NE Bulgaria.

It lies in the highest part of the Pirin Mountain.

Forests cover 60% of its total area. Trees between 280 and 1000 years old have been declared natural sites, the oldest one being the 16 meter high Baikousheva white fir which is 1200 years of age.

The Pirin National Park has exceptionally rich and varied flora and fauna. This is the kingdom of alpine flowers. The Pirin edelweiss, the best known of them, grows on sheer rocks leading to Mount Vihren (2914 m).

Glacier lakes, caves, water falls and steep peaks form part of the magnificent scenery.

Pirin is one of the most beautiful Bulgarian mountains.