Aladja Rock Monastery
Type: Monastery
Location: Town Varna »
In Bulgarian: Скален манастир Аладжа »
Aladja monastery is is one of the few preserved and accessible rock monasteries in Bulgaria. It is located 14 km in north-east direction from the city of Varna, close to the Black Sea resort of Golden Sands.
The monastery was established in XI-XII-th century when the hermits first inhabited it. Monastic cells and a small church have been dug into a 25-m high vertical carst cliff near the upper edge of the Franga plateau on several levels. The complex also includes two small nearby catacombs.
The name of monastery originated from the Turkish word for colourful "aladjha" ("aladja"). Several brightly coloured 13th-14th century frescoes are still discernible on its walls.
The monastery was established in XI-XII-th century when the hermits first inhabited it. Monastic cells and a small church have been dug into a 25-m high vertical carst cliff near the upper edge of the Franga plateau on several levels. The complex also includes two small nearby catacombs.
The name of monastery originated from the Turkish word for colourful "aladjha" ("aladja"). Several brightly coloured 13th-14th century frescoes are still discernible on its walls.
