Über Bulgarien
Aladzha Monastery
Aladzha Monastery is a Bulgarian medieval engraved monastery, which is located about 17 km from Varna and 3 km away from the Golden Sands resort. Its name originates from the Turkish word alaca, which means "multi-coloured, variegated". Aladzha monastery was built around the 12th - 13th century but was abandoned at the beginning of the 18th century.
The monastic cells and chapels are carved directly into the limestone rocks. They are situated on two levels above the ground and are connected with an outdoor staircase. Unfortunately, only a small part of the wall paintings is preserved nowadays (most of them are in the chapel) but the feeling of the visit of that monastery, dug in the sheer rock high above the ground, is unforgettable. Aladzha Monastery was declared a national monument of culture and has a small museum in the courtyard. A similar monastery complex, called The Catacombs, is located less than a km away. It has a similar history and architecture but it is in much poorer state.
Aladzha Monastery is a Bulgarian medieval engraved monastery, which is located about 17 km from Varna and 3 km away from the Golden Sands resort. Its name originates from the Turkish word alaca, which means "multi-coloured, variegated". Aladzha monastery was built around the 12th - 13th century but was abandoned at the beginning of the 18th century.
The monastic cells and chapels are carved directly into the limestone rocks. They are situated on two levels above the ground and are connected with an outdoor staircase. Unfortunately, only a small part of the wall paintings is preserved nowadays (most of them are in the chapel) but the feeling of the visit of that monastery, dug in the sheer rock high above the ground, is unforgettable. Aladzha Monastery was declared a national monument of culture and has a small museum in the courtyard. A similar monastery complex, called The Catacombs, is located less than a km away. It has a similar history and architecture but it is in much poorer state.
