Today we head to Romania, pausing before crossing the border to see the Madara Horseman. The Horseman is an early medieval rock relief carved on the Madara Plateau in northeastern Bulgaria, near the village of Madara. The monument is from the late 7th to very early 8th century.
We bring along Beth and Tom of Minnesota today as they were due to head to Bucharest as well.
Below, the climb begins, there's almost always a climb involved. And shortly we're there - that's it just above the supported platform, as well as Tom in the foreground. The Horseman is 75-ft up on a 328-ft cliff.
We bring along Beth and Tom of Minnesota today as they were due to head to Bucharest as well.
Below, the climb begins, there's almost always a climb involved. And shortly we're there - that's it just above the supported platform, as well as Tom in the foreground. The Horseman is 75-ft up on a 328-ft cliff.
 |  |
Its actual scale is more or less "life-sized". He's actually stabbing a lion, with his helper dog running behind.
There's an even older Roman fortress (or the ruins of) atop the cliff, from between the 2nd and 5th centuries. It looked like an exciting climb up (on steep protected steps), so up we went further.
We get airplane-vantage views of Madara from near the top.
After reaching the top, we had an almost 1/2 mile hike to find the ruins.
A church foundation inside the fort, from around the 6-7th century.
Heading out the "main-gate".
Remains of old structures at the foot of the cliff, far below the fort.
 |  |
There's Tom and Beth, with Gerri, reading all about it.
We're anxious to cross the border, and not seeing any easy lunch choices, we topped off gas and picked up snacks to get us through. Pop-corn is nutritious, right?
It's the Blue Danube!
Sharing the border bridge with the big rigs.
Romania!!
Dinner, after making the run across the border, the obvious choice is Mexican food. Much tastier than Taco Bell by the way.
RSS Feed
