The village of Kyulevcha is situated in the southern foot of the plateau by the same name, 500 metres above sea level, 3 km from the Madara Horseman and 20 km from the city of Shoumen.

It has 1052 residents in 520 houses. According to linguists its name is connected with ashes, while according to archaeologists with a tower. There have not been any systematic archaeological excavations, however findings of old coins from the time of Alexander the Great, Byzantine emperor Theodosius, as well as the traces of a Roman road speak of the presence of an ancient settlement. There is a locality, which the local residents call the “Greek massacre” which is connected with the battle between Khan Krum and Nikephoros. During feudal times a village by the name of Slavomir (Glory to Peace) existed in the location of today’s Kyulevcha.

The Legend of the Chanite locality:

The Chanite locality is connected with the legend of a Dragon, who lived in the rock caves situated over the village.He fell in love with the best looking girl in Kyulevcha, who had hair like silk and long to the ground. On the day of St George, when the whole village was dancing, the dragon jumped out and snatched the girl. She did not agree to become his wife so he bricked her up into the cold rock and turned her hair into ivy. Every spring water springs out from the same place in the rock. The locals say that that is the girl crying over her lost youth.

 

Bulgaria begins here … …
...And not only! In order to learn something more about all that is unique and all that had its beginning in the region of Shoumen come and see: the ruins from the first ancient capitals, the magnetic cult centre Madara, the renaissance houses turned into museums, theatres and symphony concerts.

Take part in the festivals and carnivals, ride purebred horses or discover the numerous possibilities, which our region offers.

SIGHTS:

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	FOUNDERS OF THE BULGARIAN STATE COMPLEX - this is situated on Iltchov hill south of the city. Bulgarian history from Khan Asparuh to King Simeon is depicted trough the language of architecture and sculpture. Opened in 1981 it has an information centre. Opening hours are from 8.30 am to 5.00 pm, 7 days a week.
	CITY HISTORICAL MUSEUM – 15 "Slavyansky" boulevard, founded in 1904 by Rafail Popov. Opening hours are from 8.30 am to 5.00 pm.
	MUSEUM COMPLEX "PANCHO VLADIGUEROV" – 136 "Tzar Osvoboditel" Str. Opening hours are from 09.00 am to 12.00 pm and from 2.00 pm to 6.00 pm.
	ROCK RELIEF "MADARA HORSEMAN" – Image of a horseman holding a sceptre in his right hand and a sheppard’s crook in the left, a dog, a lion and a snake under the lion. A unique monument of world-wide significance and under UNESCO’s protection.
	EQUESTRIAN FACTORY "KABIUK" – this is situated a few kilometres north of Shoumen. It contains a beautiful park, its own hippodrome and a covered riding hall. A unique Equestrian Museum, the summer residence of Alexander Battenberg and a chapel with priceless icons are all found here. Great spot for equestrian sports.

PLISKA – First Bulgarian Capital founded by the Bulgarians headed by Khan Asparuh during VII century.

GREAT PRESLAV – The Capital of Bulgaria from 893 to 972. It was not only an administrative and state centre but also a large literary and educational one. Arts and crafts flourish here. The earliest monuments with Slav writings have been discovered here.

Because of its closeness to the first Danube Bulgarian capitals (Pliska and Preslav), the Madara Horseman, as well as because of its own rich historical past, Shoumen was the centre of celebrations of the 1300 year anniversary of the founding of the Bulgarian (Asparuh) State in 1981. The city is the birthplace of the famous Bulgarian composer Pancho Vladiguerov.

Its historical and natural riches turn it into a first-class tourist centre.