"Founders of the Bulgarian State" Monument

Overview

The monument is located 1 km from the town of Shumen,  on the hill Ilchov Bair, Shumen Plateau Nature Park.

The idea for the construction of the monument appeared in 1977 during the preparations for the celebrations of the 1300th anniversary of the establishment of the Bulgarian state (681). Construction began in  1979, and the monument was inaugurated in 1981.

It is believed that the Bulgarian system of chronology starts from the Shumen region and that is the reason why the monument was built right here.

The concept was developed by a large team of designers. What is unique is that when sculpting the figures a combination of futuristic style with elements of the old Bulgarian stonemasonry is used. The technique of light and shadow was applied and depending on the position of the sun's rays at different times of the day, the viewer's perception changes. The most important moments in the historical mission of each of the rulers were emphasized.

The monument was designed so that it is perceived differently, depending on whether it is observed from near or from a distance. If observed from a distance of 30 km, a silhouette stands out, consisting of eight bodies, gathering in the form of a spiral, symbolizing the progressive rise of the Bulgarian state.

Sculptors, old epigraphic monuments, mosaics (Europe's largest outdoor mosaic-triptych), and original artifacts trace the history of Bulgaria.