In the Municipality of Kaspichan, Pliska’s early Bulgarian history meets distinctive nature and landscape attractions. When planning your trip, it is worth distinguishing between these highlights: Pliska focuses on archaeological sites and museum exhibits, while the nature attractions range from designated protected areas to a nature trail.

Pliska: Capital History and Archaeological Sites

The Pliska National Historical and Archaeological Reserve preserves the remains of Bulgaria’s first capital. The reserve’s museum displays cultural and historical relics. Visitors to the Historical Museum of the Pliska Complex can also learn about the everyday life and material and spiritual culture of the local population from the 7th to the 10th century. This brings both the relics and the way of life of the people of that time into focus.

Sites visitors can see in Pliska include the East Gate, the Throne Room, also known as Omurtag’s Palace, and the remains of the so-called Small Palace. The Great Basilica of Pliska is considered the largest Christian temple and dates to the late 9th century. The basilica’s date can be placed within the broader time frame covered by the museum exhibits, which span the 7th to the 10th century.

The Court of Cyrillic

Another cultural highlight is the Court of Cyrillic, which opened to visitors in May 2015. It includes a 12-metre-high cross featuring the Pliska Rosette and a stone chapel. The court also has an art gallery and a souvenir shop. Its described features therefore include both striking architectural elements and facilities for art and souvenirs. This makes the cultural site distinct in its composition from Pliska’s archaeological buildings and relics.

Protected Areas and Landscape

Nature attractions in the municipality have different focuses. The “Kaniona” protected area in the lands of Kaspichan was designated to protect plant species of national importance. The “Madarski skalni ventsi” protected area includes land in the Municipality of Kaspichan near Kyuvecha. The Madara National Historical and Archaeological Reserve, in turn, brings together archaeological monuments, nature, and a unique rock relief. This distinguishes explicit plant protection from the land within a protected area and from the combination of cultural heritage and landscape.

Kireka is another point of interest for nature-focused trip planning: a nature trail has been established there. A recreation area for outdoor sports and tourism has also been created in Kireka. This adds a nature trail and an area specifically established for outdoor recreation, sports, and tourism to the protected-area and landscape attractions. According to its 2024 interim assessment, the Municipality of Kaspichan funded new markings and signposts for the nature trail on the Madara Plateau.

Explore Destinations

Explore more destinations: Pliska, Kyulevcha; Shumen, Veliki Preslav, Varbitza, Venetz.

Back to the regional travel overview: Shumen Province.