Aladzha Monastery, the Medieval Cave Monastery near Varna
Aladzha Monastery is a medieval Orthodox cave monastery cut into a limestone cliff in the forest, about 17 km north of Varna and 3 km from the Golden Sands resort. Its rock-hewn rooms spread over several levels, and two small catacombs lie close by. Easy to combine with a day on the Black Sea coast, it is one of the best-known rock monasteries in Bulgaria.
The monastery's name means “motley”, after murals that have almost vanished. Until the early 20th century locals believed the hills around it were guarded by a treasure-keeping spirit.
The history of Aladzha Monastery
The monastery was carved into a vertical karst cliff of soft limestone, near the upper edge of the Franga Plateau, in a protected forest area next to Golden Sands Nature Park. Its rooms were cut on several levels, and the complex also includes two small catacombs nearby. The setting is so quiet that it is easy to understand why monks chose it.
People may have lived and prayed in these rocks long before the present monastery. Remains of a three-aisled church from the 5th–6th century have been found close to it, and a cave monastery of the 5th century may have existed nearby. Fragments of glassware point to the fourth century, and coins of Justinian suggest that this earlier complex may still have been in use in the 500s. The catacombs, about a kilometre away, are thought to have been inhabited in early Christian times, between the 4th and 6th centuries.
The medieval monastery is usually dated to the 12th–13th century, when it was an active hesychast community of the Second Bulgarian Empire. The surviving paintings belong to the Tarnovo art school and are dated to the 11th–12th and 13th–14th centuries. It is not known when the monks left. Some sources point to the end of the 15th or the early 16th century, while others suggest that the place stayed a religious site until the 18th century. The original Christian name has not survived. A tradition recorded by Karel Škorpil gave the patron as the Holy Saviour, and since about 1960 Bulgarian Christians have called it the Holy Trinity.
The present name comes from the Turkish word alaca, meaning “motley”, a reference to the colourful murals that once covered the walls and are now almost destroyed. The monastery appears in writing for the first time in the book Letters from Bulgaria by the Russian writer Viktor Teplyakov in 1832. The first systematic study was made in the late 19th century by the brothers Hermann and Karel Škorpil. The site was declared a national antiquity in 1912 and a monument of culture of national importance in 1957, and from 1966 to 1989 it stood on the list of the Hundred National Tourist Sites. Today the grotto is a popular visit, and thematic light shows are staged here in summer.
Curious facts about Aladzha Monastery
- As late as the early 20th century, local people regarded the forested hills around the monastery, called Hachuka (Mount of the Cross), as sacred and inhabited by a mythical treasure-keeping spirit named Imri Pop or Rim-Papa.
- The name Aladzha comes from the Turkish alaca, “motley”, and refers to the colourful murals, which are now almost destroyed.
- The monastery's original Christian name is unknown; since about 1960 Bulgarian Christians have called it the Holy Trinity.
- A harvestman species discovered in 1997, Nelima aladjensis, is named after the monastery.
- The first written mention of the monastery is in the 1832 book Letters from Bulgaria by the Russian writer Viktor Teplyakov.
- In summer, thematic light shows are staged at the monastery.
Tours near Aladzha Monastery
Experiences in the area that you can book online with Viator:
Visiting Aladzha Monastery: what to expect
- Inside the cliff you can see the church, the chapel and the monks' cells cut into the rock; most of the old frescoes have faded.
- The monastery stands in a protected forest area, so allow time for a short walk among the trees.
- The small catacombs lie about a kilometre to the west and share a similar story with the monastery.
- The beach of Usun Kum, about two kilometres long, is nearby, and Golden Sands is only 3 km away.
- Check the current opening hours and the programme of any evening light shows before you go.
Opening hours, access and conditions can change. Check before you go.
Map: where Aladzha Monastery is
Photos of Aladzha Monastery
Questions
What is Aladzha Monastery?
Aladzha Monastery is a medieval Orthodox cave monastery cut into a limestone cliff in north-eastern Bulgaria. It was an active monastic community of the Second Bulgarian Empire.
Where is Aladzha Monastery and how far is it from Varna?
It lies about 17 km north of central Varna and 3 km west of the Golden Sands resort, in a protected forest area.
Why is it called Aladzha?
The name comes from the Turkish alaca, meaning motley or colourful, and refers to the painted murals that once covered the rooms. They are now almost destroyed.
How old is Aladzha Monastery?
The medieval monastery is usually dated to the 12th–13th century. Remains of an earlier church and catacombs nearby date to the 5th–6th century.
Are there light shows at the monastery?
Wikipedia notes that thematic light shows are staged in summer. Check the current programme before you go.
What else is worth seeing near Aladzha Monastery?
Euxinograd is about 7 km away, the Roman Thermae in Varna about 12 km, the Varna Necropolis about 14 km and Balchik Palace about 18 km.
Also nearby
Euxinograd
Varna · French-style royal palace, rare-tree park and wine cellar
6.5 km away
Roman Thermae in Varna
Varna · the Balkans' largest Roman baths, later a prison
12 km away
Varna Necropolis
Varna · Copper Age cemetery with the “oldest gold in the world”
14 km away
Balchik Palace
Balchik · Queen Marie's summer palace, minaret and cactus garden
18 km away