Aladzha Monastery

Aladzha is a monastery cut into a limestone cliff in the wooded park behind Golden Sands, occupied by hesychast monks from the twelfth century and perhaps into the early eighteenth, with chambers on two levels: a lower row of cells, a church and a crypt, and an upper level reached by steps in the rock holding a chapel with fragments of wall painting. The name means variegated in Turkish, from the painting that once covered more of it. About seven hundred metres away is a group of catacombs, a second cut complex whose purpose is less clear. The cliff face is honeycombed with openings, and a small museum at the entrance holds finds and a model. The surrounding forest is part of the Golden Sands park.

What to look for

• Two levels of rock-cut chambers - cells, church and crypt in the cliff.
• Fragments of wall painting - what remains of the decoration in the upper chapel.
• The catacombs nearby - a second cut complex a short walk away.
• The honeycombed cliff face - openings across the rock.

When to go

April to October; winter opening is limited. Two hours. Evening sound and light shows run in summer. It is busy with day trips from the resorts in July and August.

Good to know

Access inside the chambers is limited and much is viewed from walkways. Wall paintings survive only as fragments. It is very busy with resort excursions in summer. Interpretation is limited in English.

Nearby

Golden Sands is on the coast below; Varna lies south.

Key facts