Founders of the Bulgarian State Monument
About This Museum
People make the steep climb up to this hilltop monument not just for the panoramic views of Shumen, but to stand in the shadow of giants—literally. It's a place that feels frozen in 1981, a monumental tribute to Bulgaria's medieval khans and tsars conceived during the country's communist period. You walk through a vast, geometric concrete complex where the air is thick with a sense of both history and ideology. The sheer scale is humbling, leaving you with a powerful, if slightly austere, impression of national pride carved in concrete.
Collection Highlights
The main draw is the procession of colossal, stylized statues of foundational rulers like Khan Asparuh and Tsar Simeon the Great. Inside, a massive mosaic traces 1,300 years of Bulgarian history, while an eternal flame once burned solemnly in the center.
Visitor Information
Wear good shoes for the climb—it's a bit of a hike up the 'Stairs of the Founders' from Shumen. Once you're up there, give yourself at least an hour to wander the terraces and take in those incredible views.
Architecture & Building
A starkly imposing example of Bulgarian Brutalist architecture, featuring massive geometric blocks and soaring concrete forms that create a fortress-like silhouette against the sky.
