schumen

Schumen, also spelled Shumen, is a city located in northeastern Bulgaria. It serves as the administrative center of Shumen Province. The city is situated in a valley at the foot of the Shumen Plateau, a significant natural and historical area. Shumen has a rich history dating back to antiquity, with evidence of Thracian settlements and later Roman and Byzantine presence. During the First and Second Bulgarian Empires, it was an important military and cultural center.

The modern city of Shumen developed around the medieval fortress, remnants of which can still be seen today. It played a notable role during the Ottoman rule and the Bulgarian National Revival period. Key landmarks in Shumen include the Shumen Fortress, the Tombul Mosque (one of the largest mosques in the Balkans), and the monument "1300 Years of Bulgaria."

Economically, Shumen has a diversified industrial base, with sectors such as machine building, food processing, and light industry. The city is also a transportation hub, benefiting from its location on major road and rail networks. Its cultural scene includes theaters, museums, and a university. The Shumen Plateau is a protected natural park offering hiking opportunities and archaeological sites.