About Aladzha Monastery

A monastery does not need to be a man-made complex with buildings on the landscaped green grass. The Aladzha Monastery outside of Varna is a medieval Orthodox Christian cave complex dedicated to the Holy Trinity.
The caves were carved into the 75-foot high vertical cliff face of the Franga Plateau in the 13th century. Aladzha Monastery was still active 600 years later. On the first floor, you will find the church, the sleeping chambers, a refectory a kitchen, and crypt. The remains of bright-colored murals and mosaics still adorn the walls and ceilings. On the second floor, there is a monastery chapel at the end of a natural cave.
Built-in the middle of a protected forest into the rocks, it is easy to imagine how the monastery inspired myths. A demon treasure-keeper named Rim-Papa is said to live there, and so the area is considered sacred by locals.
Your spirits will be lifted here.

Must See

  • Preserved rock monastery
  • An audiovisual show called "Legends of Aladzha monastery" 

How to reach

Taxi from Varna city center to Aladzha Monastery: Travel time is 17 minutes;  One-way taxi fare is from 14 leva to 18 leva; Distance is at 13.8 km
 

Walk from Varna city center to Aladzha Monastery:  Time taken is 2 hours 38 minutes; Distance is 13.2 km

By bus: Bus Number 31 is from Train Station to Vinitza district and goes to Aladzha Monastery
Bus ticket: 2 leva

The current schedule is as follows:
 

Working days:

From Train Station - 7:55 a.m. and 5:40 p.m.
From Aladzha Monastery - 9:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Weekend:

From Train Station - 7:55 a.m. and 5:40 p.m.
From Aladzha Monastery - 8:45 a.m.and 6:30 p.m.

Tips

  • During summer Aladzha Monastery is a must-see as you can avoid the heat and visit an attraction as well.
  • You cannot spend the night in the monastery as it is monkless
  • The monastery is inactive and you can visit it as a historical and architectural monument
  • You can enjoy the show "Legends of Aladzha monastery" which is unique in the whole of Southeastern Europe
  • Carry water and snacks to munch on the way
  • Near the monastery, there is a group of caves, called the Catacombs, worth walking towards and being explored
  • Be prepared for plenty of steps
  • The ceilings are low, tall people take care.

Visit Time

1st May to 31st October

Sunday:        9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Monday:        9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Tuesday:       9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Wednesday:  9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Thursday:      9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Friday:           9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Saturday:       9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

1st November to 30th April

Sunday:        Closed
Monday:        9:00 a.m. to  4:00 p.m.
Tuesday:       9:00 a.m. to  4:00 p.m.
Wednesday:  9:00 a.m. to  4:00 p.m.
Thursday:      9:00 a.m. to  4:00 p.m.
Friday:           9:00 a.m. to  4:00 p.m.
Saturday:       Closed

Time Icon

Waiting Time

Nil

 

Entrance Fee Icon

Entrance Fee

Yes

Entrance fee for adults is BGN 5
Entrance fee for children is BGN 2

Ticket for the show:
BGN 15 per person for groups of up to 20 people
BGN 10 per person for groups of more than 20 people
Lectures given in Bulgarian and Russian – BGN 20

Read more

 

Time you can spend Icon

Time you can spend

1 to 2 hours

 

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Weather

Broken Clouds 12.79°C

 

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