Welcome to the city of Shumen (Bulgaria), new member of the network

Founded 3200 years ago, Shumen is the capital of an historical Region keeping the memory of the Thraces, the Romans, the Byzantines, and also of the 2 capitals of the First Bulgarian Kingdom - Pliska and Véliki Preslav. The city is located at the North-East of the country, in a region which is beloved by the bulgarians: it is the ground where Khan Asparoukh inserted his spear while saying: "it is here that will be Bulgaria! "

It is at the time of the National Awakening that the city knew its very great effervescence. In Shumen were created the first school, the first public library and the first symphony orchestra in Bulgaria. It is still in Shumen, just as in Lome and Svichtov that the first reading center was inaugurated. It is precisely in Shumen that was held the first stage performance and the High figures of the Bulgarian Rebirth came to develop their activities. The first Bulgarian dramatic work was written in Shumen. It is again in Shumen that on May 11, 1813 was held the first public celebration of the festival of the writing and of the Bulgarian culture, that of the Saints Cyrille and Method. Eventually, It is here that the first brewery was built, and the beer of Shumen is even today among the most famous.

On the territory of the municipality several cultural and natural sites are located, amonst which the following historic buildings, archaeological and architectural:
- the Fortress where the city was located until the 15 century,
- the regional Museum of history - a true heritage of single objects being also one of the first museums in Bulgaria
- the monument of the Founders of the Bulgarian State built at the time of the 1300 birthday of Bulgaria.
- the Tombul mosque, largest and best preserved monument of the Moslem culture in Bulgaria, is both a place of interest and a Moslem temple. 
- the archaeological and historical national Reserve "Madara" is famous for its rider cut in the rock. Single in Europe, the Rider of Madara is inscribed in the list of UNESCO of world heritage.

Pliska was the first capital of Bulgaria as of its foundation in 681 by Khan Asparouh. Its name is related to the conversion of Bulgarian with Christianity in 864 and the diffusion of the Slavic. 
Véliki Preslav is the second Bulgarian capital. It is affirmed like one of the most powerful Christian and literary centers, for the period named the Gold Century of of the Bulgarian culture.

It is a rare city, with pedestrian alleys and parks, relayed by terraces of coffees, fountains and shops.
The dramatic Theatre, the Art gallery, the muppets theatre, the regional library, the philharmonic Orchestra develop the cultural activities in the city.

-> Do not miss: the Carnival of Fertility, the Re-enactment of the battle delivered by the armies of Ladislav III in 1444 close to the Fortress, international competition of young pianists and violin players, the international biennial of sculpture in Madara.