Albotin Monastery, the Medieval Rock Monastery near Deleyna
Albotin Monastery is an inactive medieval cave monastery cut into a limestone cliff about 25 metres above a river, near the village of Deleyna in north-western Bulgaria. Natural caves and rock overhangs were extended into a row of eight rooms with a three-aisled church. It is a quiet, little-visited place for anyone who likes hidden monuments, reached by a steep sandy path.
In this rock monastery, where 29 Christian graves were found, a living tradition survives: on Easter Monday people dance in memory of the dead and hang their portraits on an old tree.
The history of Albotin Monastery
The monastery lies in the locality of Albotin, also written Albutin, between the villages of Gradets and Rabrovo and close to Deleyna. It belongs to the area of the Kula bishopric in the Vidin diocese of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church. The complex was built into the limestone rock massif on the northern side of the river, at a height of about 25 metres, using shallow natural caves and rock overhangs. Further rooms and niches were hewn out for religious and everyday purposes.
Fragments of frescoes and inscriptions show that the monastery was active in the 14th century. Further proof comes from the ornaments, earrings, tabs and bracelets, found in the 29 Christian graves that were uncovered. The large number of burials of lay people among the clergy suggests that it was a respected sanctuary and a sought-after place of eternal rest for its donors. Written records are scarce, but one stands out: a Vidin district register of 1560 mentions a village called Altovin, which no longer exists.
The complex consists of eight rooms in a row. The church stands in the middle sector, in the most concave part of the curve of the rock. It has three naves and is oriented west to east, as the canon demands, although its southern and south-western parts are completely destroyed. A baptistery shows that the church served not only monastic prayer but also public services. In the north-western part there is a second floor with the second largest room after the church, presumed to have been the refectory. The western part held the monks' cells, kitchen, cellar and store-rooms, and two water cisterns can still be seen.
Because the site is easy to reach, shepherds and stonecutters later used it as a shelter, and treasure hunters robbed and vandalised it. The monastery was declared a monument of culture in the State Gazette in 1927 and again in 1969. The name of the monastery church is not known, but it may have been dedicated to the Resurrection of Christ, because of a tradition that has survived to this day. On the second day of Easter, people gather at the foot of the rock and dance chain dances in memory of the dead.
Curious facts about Albotin Monastery
- At the foot of the path stands a fountain known as Haiduk cheshma.
- Archaeologists found 29 Christian graves with ornaments such as earrings and bracelets, and many of the dead were lay people buried among the clergy.
- A village named Altovin appears in a Vidin district register of 1560 and no longer exists.
- On the second day of Easter, chain dances (horo) are held in the meadow under the monastery. Each dance before noon is dedicated to a separate dead person, and the afternoon dances to the living.
- Vlach families hang portraits of their dead relatives on the branches of an old tree in the meadow, and Bulgarians and Vlachs pick dittany and hand out a sprig for each deceased relative.
- The name of the monastery church is unknown; the Easter custom suggests it may have been dedicated to the Resurrection of Christ.
Tours near Albotin Monastery
Experiences in the area that you can book online with Viator:
Visiting Albotin Monastery: what to expect
- The monastery is reached by a steep, narrow sandy path; wear sturdy shoes.
- In the rock you can look for the church with its three naves, the baptistery, the upper-floor room and the two water cisterns.
- The meadow under the monastery is where the Easter Monday gathering takes place; it is a pleasant spot to rest.
- The monastery is no longer active, and facilities on site are unknown; check the current access conditions before you go.
- Other places in the wider area are the Castra Martis, about 12 km away, Baba Vida about 26 km and Magura Cave about 31 km.
Opening hours, access and conditions can change. Check before you go.
Map: where Albotin Monastery is
Photos of Albotin Monastery
Questions
What is Albotin Monastery?
Albotin Monastery is a presently inactive medieval cave monastery cut into a limestone cliff in north-western Bulgaria. It was active in the 14th century.
Where is Albotin Monastery?
It stands in the locality of Albotin, along a river between the villages of Gradets and Rabrovo and near Deleyna. It belongs to the Kula bishopric of the Vidin diocese.
How is the monastery reached?
By a steep, narrow sandy path, at the start of which stands the Haiduk cheshma fountain. Sturdy shoes are advisable.
How old is Albotin Monastery?
Frescoes, inscriptions and ornaments from 29 Christian graves show that it was active in the 14th century. Its original church name is not known.
What happens at Albotin on the second day of Easter?
People gather in the meadow below the monastery to dance chain dances in memory of the dead and to hang portraits of the dead on an old tree. Dances before noon are for the dead, dances in the afternoon for the living.
What else is worth seeing near Albotin Monastery?
Castra Martis is about 12 km away, Baba Vida about 26 km, Magura Cave about 31 km and Ratiaria about 35 km.
Also nearby
Castra Martis
Kula · late Roman fortress and the tower that named a town
12 km away
Baba Vida
Vidin · the best-preserved medieval castle in Bulgaria
26 km away
Magura Cave
Belogradchik · cave of 750 prehistoric paintings made of bat guano
31 km away
Ratiaria
Vidin region · Roman Danube colony and capital of Dacia Ripensis
35 km away