Aladscha (Аладжа манастир) Abbey

The exact period of the Aladzha Monastery's creation is not known, but an early settlement between the 4th and 6th centuries is presumed, though not confirmed. The first written mention of the monastery occurred in 1832 by the Russian writer Viktor Tepljakov. The frescoes still visible today date from the 11th/12th and 13th/14th centuries and are attributed to the Tarnovo Art School of the Second Bulgarian Empire. The time when the monastery was abandoned after the Ottoman conquest of Bulgaria is also unknown, but it seems to have retained religious significance until the 18th century. In the 19th century, systematic research of the monastery began, and in the 20th century, it was recognized as a national monument of Bulgaria. The name “Aladzha” comes from Turkish and means “colorful,” likely referring to the once brightly colored frescoes.

Aladzha Monastery is located in Bulgaria, in the Varna district, near the city of Varna and the resort town of Zlatni piasatsi (Golden Sands). It is situated at an altitude of approximately 273 meters above sea level in a rock cliff about 40 meters high.

The remains of Aladzha Monastery are now accessible to visitors and can be explored. These include the two churches, a crypt, monk cells, and a refectory, all carved into the rock.

• Euxinograd Palace (Palace), approx. 6.8 km away
• Ancient City of Odessos-Roman Bath (Ancient Buildings), approx. 11.7 km away
• Ancient City of Bisone (Ancient Buildings), approx. 30.9 km away
• Kaliakra Fortress (Fortress), approx. 37.8 km away