The iconic Madara horseman will be the distinguishing mark of Bulgarian euro coins, BNT reported.
The most recognizable and unique rock relief in Europe will be on the reverse side of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 euro cents. Until now, Bulgarian and foreign tourists in our country held stotinki with the image of the relief in their hands, but after Bulgaria's accession to the eurozone, Bulgarian euro cents became an equivalent means of payment.
The relief was carved on a sheer cliff near the Shumen village of Madara. For modern science, it was discovered and described for the first time in 1872 by the Austrian archaeologist Felix Kanitz. The dimensions of the image are 2.6 meters in height and 3.1 meters in width. The composition symbolizes victory over the enemy and is reminiscent of the triumphal scenes in antiquity.
"This is a cult scene from the Bulgarian Middle Ages, a ruler's scene, so to speak, where the ruler, the horseman, stabs the beast, the lion. In this case, our historians believe that this is Byzantium through the lion, and the horseman, this is the Bulgarian horseman, a victory scene", commented Yuri Yorgov, curator of the museum at the NIAR "Madara".
The Madara horseman was the global symbol of Bulgaria when we entered the European Union, now it has been chosen again to represent our country in front of 350 million European citizens. The Municipality of Shumen has already launched an advertising campaign to promote the natural, cultural and historical landmarks. The video clip presenting the Madara Horseman and the Thracian sanctuaries around it will be ready in a few days.
"In addition, we plan a number of other initiatives such as placing information signs, information campaigns. Madara is applying for a label for a village that is suitable for the development of rural tourism. Placing the Madara Horseman on the Euro coins will support this process," said Daniela Ruseva, Deputy Mayor of Shumen.
People are also getting involved in promoting the Madara Horseman. With a lens in hand, at a certain period of coolness, photographer Ivan Ivanov also stands in front of it.
"Special lighting must be kept in view, which usually occurs in June-July. I come at noon, when the sun licks the rock sideways, so that the deep relief can be outlined".
The Madara Horseman is among the most popular tourist destinations in the region, visited annually by over 50,000 tourists. In addition to their wonderful impressions of the relief and the nature around it, tourists can also take home a collector's coin depicting the Madara Horseman and the coat of arms of Bulgaria.