The image of the Madara Rider is clearly important to Bulgaria; it is reproduced on all of its stotinki coins. Certainly the site appears to be revered by Bulgarians, who flock to see the engraving.

What is amazing is the location of the carving. How did the artists reach the site so high above the ground 1400 years ago?

I reached the site by train from Shumen to Madara village. The site is quite a hike uphill from there, followed by a long flight of stairs.