Kaspichan: Pliska’s Cultural Heritage and Designated Natural Areas

The Municipality of Kaspichan offers two clearly distinct themes for a hotel stay: Pliska’s archaeological and cultural-historical heritage, and protected natural and landscape areas. This contrast can help you decide what to focus on when planning your trip: would you like to put museum exhibits and historic buildings at the center of your visit, or focus more on protected areas and nature trails? The places and themes offer specific points of interest for both.

Pliska: Capital History and Archaeological Evidence

The National Historical and Archaeological Reserve of Pliska preserves the remains of the first Bulgarian capital. The reserve’s museum displays cultural and historical relics. The Historical Museum of the Pliska Complex complements this perspective with exhibits on everyday life and the material and spiritual culture of the local population from the 7th to the 10th century. This takes visitors from the historic site and its relics to the ways of life and cultural practices presented for that period.

Sites open to visitors in Pliska include the East Gate, the Throne Hall, also known as the so-called Palace of Omurtag, and the remains of the so-called Small Palace. The Great Basilica is considered the largest Christian temple and dates to the late 9th century. Those interested in exploring cultural history through specific buildings will find a range of evidence here: a gateway, palace areas, and a religious building. The basilica’s dating provides a distinct chronological point of reference.

The Courtyard of the Cyrillic Alphabet

The Courtyard of the Cyrillic Alphabet offers a different cultural focus. It features a twelve-meter-high cross with the Rosette of Pliska and a stone chapel. The courtyard also has an art gallery and a souvenir shop. It opened to visitors in May 2015. Together, the cross, chapel, and associated facilities form a separate attraction alongside Pliska’s archaeological sites and museum exhibits.

Protected Areas and Landscape

Designated protected areas are a key feature of the landscape. “Madarski skalni ventsi” covers 319.13 hectares and includes areas in the Municipality of Kaspichan near Kyuvecha. The “Kaniona” protected area in the Kaspichan region was designated to protect plant species of national importance. The National Historical and Archaeological Reserve of Madara, in the Municipality of Kaspichan, combines archaeological monuments, nature, and a unique rock relief. The protected areas and the reserve have different focuses: protecting important plant species, and combining archaeological monuments with the landscape.

Nature Trails and Outdoor Recreation

Nature trails and open-air recreation also add to the range of options. The Kireka nature trail was established in the Municipality of Kaspichan. An outdoor recreation, sports, and tourism area was also created in Kireka. The nature trail on the Madara Plateau received new markings and signposts, funded by the Municipality of Kaspichan. The information about the established trail and outdoor recreation area in Kireka is therefore distinct from the markings on the trail named after the Madara Plateau.

If you’re looking for a hotel in Kaspichan, you can plan your stay around the themes that interest you most: Pliska’s history and buildings, the Courtyard of the Cyrillic Alphabet, or protected areas and nature trails.

Discover more destinations

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

Back to the regional travel overview: Shumen Province.