Kabiyuk stud farm in Bulgaria was founded in 1864 and celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2014. It currently breeds around 300 horses of various breeds developed at the farm over the years, including Arabian, Thoroughbred, and Bulgarian breeds. Each year about 80 foals are born and over 70 horses are sold domestically and abroad. Pliska was the capital of the First Bulgarian Empire from 681 to 893 AD and the site of an important archaeological reserve. It was an large medieval city that is now preserved as an open-air museum, with remains including fortress walls, palaces, temples, and a grand basilica. Artifacts in the on-site museum trace the pagan and

1. Stud "Kabiuk"was founded in 1864 and this year
celebrates its 150th anniversary.
After reopening and resuming its activity, in the autumn of 1894,
“Kabiyuk” stud farm consisted of horse studs from English
Thoroughbred, Arabian breed, Orlov trotter, Bulgarian heavy draft
(Ardennes) and other halfbred crossed horses, imported from Russia,
Poland, Austro-Hungary, and Turkey.
During that period were developed breeds which still continue to be bred in Kabiyuk stud farm. These are East
Bulgarian and Shagya Arabian breed. Later, in 1954 was developed English Thoroughbred, and in 1977 the
Arabian Thoroughbred.
Currently in Kabiyuk horse stud farm are being bred about 300 horses. Every year about 80 horses are born and
more than 70 horses with a different level of train are being sold in Bulgaria and abroad, mainly in Greece, Turkey,
Cyprus, Macedonia and many other European counties. All horses that are being bred now belong to the above
mentioned breeds. Precisely these are: English Thoroughbred, Arabian Thoroughbread, Shagya Arabian, East
Bulgarian. Small studs of Shetland ponies
and Haflinger breed horses are currently also being
bred.
PLISKA NATIONAL HISTORICAL-
ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESERVE
Covering a territory of 23 km², the medieval city of Pliska was one
of the largest medieval European cities. It was established by Khan
Asparouh – the first Bulgarian ruler. It was the capital city of the
Bulgarian state for more than two centuries (681-893). Pliska is
associated with
the names of 18
Bulgarian rulers,
some of who are
Tervel (700-721),
Krum (802-814), Omurtag (814-831), Boris I Michail (852-
889). All the remains of the First Bulgarian capital discovered
by archaeological excavations are preserved, and today the
reserve operates as an open-air museum. Despite in ruins only,
fortress walls, palaces of Krum and Omurtag, temples of
Tangra, and the Grand basilica can still be seen. The entirely
renewed collection in the new museum building, keeps the
most valuable findings. Chronologically exposed, they trace the
main periods of life in Pliska – Pagan and Christian.

2. MADARA NATIONAL HISTORICAL-ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESERV
Madara National Historical-Archaeological Reserve encompasses a rich
history, a wide range of archaeological artifacts, beautiful nature and the
unique rock relief Madara Horseman. Here life began in the rocks, in the
proximity of a deep spring, back in the Neolithic Age. A Thracian sanctuary of
the three nymphs, pagan temples, ruins of Christian churches dating back to the 9th c., a rock monastery
comprising of more than 150 monastic cells and churches from the 14th c., all provide evidence that Madara was
a cult center during the whole of its existence.
As the only one of its kind medieval rock relief in Europe dating from the 8th c., the Madara Horseman was
inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list, as a property having an outstanding value. It’s a global symbol of
Bulgaria since 2008.

3. HUMEN FORTRESS HISTORICAL-
ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESERVE
/Шуменска крепост/
Shumen Fortress Historical-Archaeological
Reserve, also known as the Old City, rises about 3 km
west of present day Shumen. After its existence as a
Thracian fortified city (5th–2ndc.BC), a dominating
fortress which guarded main Roman roads (2nd–4th c.), a Byzantine fort with control of the approach to
the Balkan Mountains (5th–6thc.), and a strategic fortification in the early Middle Ages (8th–10thc.), in
late Middle Ages (12th–14th c.) Shumen fortress turns into one of the most important cities in the
Second Bulgarian Kingdom.
Although conquered by Ali Pasha in 1388, the fortress
remained in use in the early days of the Ottoman rule.
In 1444, when the crusaders led by Vladislav III Jagelo
fought against Ottoman army, it was demolished and
burned by fire.
Today it operates as an open-air museum.

4. “FOUNDERS OF THE BULGARIAN STATE”
MEMORIAL COMPLEX
“Founders of the Bulgarian State” Memorial complex,
constructed to commemorate the 1300th anniversary of the
foundation of the Bulgarian State, was opened in 1981. It is
located near the town of Shumen, within the territory of
Shumen Plateau Nature Park and its silhouette can be seen
within a 30 km radius. Its architecture construction consists
of two groups of dynamic concrete structures built at different
angles, facing north and south, with fixed sculpture figures of Bulgarian rulers from 7th-10th c. The
largest outdoor mosaic-triptych on the Balkan Peninsula, by means of interrelated figures and letters,
represents the idea of establishment, development and rise of the Bulgarian State. Medieval crosses
along with stone pillar cleverly complete the gallery.
In the nearby information center is on display an exposition titled “Monumental art in the last decades of
the 20thc.” where historical documentaries are screened. The main hall is a place for wedding
ceremonies. In 1997 the complex received the awards of
Shumen and “TOUREXPO” for its contribution to the
development of tourism in the region.
Guided tours are available in five languages.

5. Велико Търново