It is the best known rock monastery along the Bulgarian Black Sea coast, 14 km away from Varna. The cells of the monks and the chapel were carved into the soft sandstone into a group of natural caves. The predominating opinion of scholars is that the monastery was under the influence of a religious teaching that was in circulation in Byzantium and Bulgaria at that time. It taught about the energy of God – “isichasm” or “hesychasm”.
Visitors today can see in the 40-odd metre high rock separate rooms of the monastery complex- the place of worship, the chapel, a special church for requiescat (mass for the dead), tombs, the kitchen, the dining room, the cells of the monks and work rooms. They all are situated on two natural terraces, one above the other. In the past, the church was richly decorated with wall paintings. Probably that is why the monastery was called Aladzha meaning “motley, multi-coloured”. In the 17th-18th century, the monastery was abandoned by the monks.

Aladzha Monastery

Aladja Monastery, one of the most famous Medieval rock monasteries in Bulgaria, is definitely one of the highlights of the three-day itinerary. Between 13th and 14th century AD hermits lived there. Aladja Monastery, which at present is a museum and national monument of culture, is tucked away high in Golden Sands Nature Park, 14 km to the north-east of Varna and 3,5 km to the west of Golden Sands. There is a regular bus service from the central bust station opposite the Cathedral in Varna (Bus 29) and the monastery is within easy reach by car or taxi either from Varna or the centre of Golden Sands along a first-class road. For those who fancy a spot of walking the management of Golden Sands has provided a well-kept pathway, which winds its way up to the monastery through the surrounding forest. The striking architectural features of the monastery, its beautiful surroundings and the legends of mysterious treasures and ghosts of monks roaming freely among the ruins all contribute to the monastery’s reputation as a place of mystery and intrigue apart from being an excellent spot for tourism. In immediate proximity to the monastery a three-storey museum has been built where apart from the objects telling the history of the monastery on permanent display, one may see a number of annually organised exhibitions of interest.