Aladzha Monastery
Aladzha Monastery
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
575 reviews
Excellent
285
Very good
190
Average
81
Poor
16
Terrible
3
Lucas
Rotterdam, The Netherlands17 contributions
Aug 2024 • Friends
The monastery was really cheap to access. The original state of the rooms in the monastery were illustrated with drawings of the rooms. However I did miss some additional information (in English) about for example the age of the monastery, important events or the lives of the people that lived there. I would still recommend to visit if you’re nearby as its cheap and quite an interesting sight.
Written 29 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Torinobaba
Godollo, Hungary1,442 contributions
Jul 2021
This place definitely worth the visit.
The entrance fee is nothing, it is very cheap but so interesting.
You could visit the medieval monastery part and also walk in the nearby area.
They have a nice exhibition also.
The entrance fee is nothing, it is very cheap but so interesting.
You could visit the medieval monastery part and also walk in the nearby area.
They have a nice exhibition also.
Written 9 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Km6m
76 contributions
Aug 2021
Lovely place, must visit when in the area. A medieval sandstone monastery. Gives you a good idea, how monks used to live there. Very nicely accessible place, not with wheelchairs though. It must have taken years to carve out different rooms, it really is a marvel.
I know, that sandstone is actually quite easy to carve, so please, if you visit, don't carve your name in the sandstone, just keep the place as it is.
I don't know what's the deal in Bulgaria with road signs, but there are literally none, until you reach the site. You can trust your GPS though, it will take you there.
Don't forget to fill your water bottles at the parking lot, there's a spring there.
P.S. if you go near the bus stop, you can find a map with few hiking routes!
I know, that sandstone is actually quite easy to carve, so please, if you visit, don't carve your name in the sandstone, just keep the place as it is.
I don't know what's the deal in Bulgaria with road signs, but there are literally none, until you reach the site. You can trust your GPS though, it will take you there.
Don't forget to fill your water bottles at the parking lot, there's a spring there.
P.S. if you go near the bus stop, you can find a map with few hiking routes!
Written 29 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Amy P
Dublin, Ireland28 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
Interesting location. Easy to get to via taxi.
First time seeing that type of site. Cheap to get into, only €5 for two people.
Self guided. With a little hike. Easy to get done in an hour.
Would recommend as a quick stop on the way to other sites.
Hiking available nearby.
First time seeing that type of site. Cheap to get into, only €5 for two people.
Self guided. With a little hike. Easy to get done in an hour.
Would recommend as a quick stop on the way to other sites.
Hiking available nearby.
Written 23 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anna Hristova
Varna, Bulgaria119 contributions
May 2016 • Family
It's an interesting attraction with an interesting history. The views were lovely and the grounds very peaceful. The entrance fee was minimal. There is also a museum, a cafe and a forest there that you can have a wonder around.
Written 25 July 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jason K
Chicago, IL37 contributions
May 2018 • Couples
I really like religious architecture and religious history ... and I was really unimpressed with this monastery. Resembling an ant farm or gerbil burrow, it is simply a pair of trenches dug into a rock cliff. Impressive feat by the monks, but as for a modern tourist destination? No. It was hard to tell what anything once was, and my imagination was not up to the task of making this venue interesting. Even the museum was less than thrilling. I would not spend the time it took to get here again--better to spend a few more hours on the beach or wandering around Varna.
Written 31 May 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sab2na
Haifa, Israele43 contributions
Apr 2015 • Family
Aladzha Monastery is a medieval Orthodox Christian cave monastery complex in northeastern Bulgaria, 17 km north of varna. The name of Aladzha Monastery comes from the word of Turkish origin for colourful ("aladjha", ” aladja”) due most probably to the bright colours of its wall paintings, dating back to the early Middle Ages.The lower floor hosted the monks' private cells, common rooms ( kitchen, dining room) and a small church, while the upper level was dedicated entirely to a chapel.there are two levels ---40-meter high connected via an external staircase dug into the rocks( limestone rock ) -----the access is by stairs - not recomandable for wheelchairs
.there are coloured incredible frescoes dated back to 13th-14th century.Unfortunately, only a small part of the wall paintings(frescoes) is preserved nowadays (most of them are in the chapel) but the feeling of the visit of that monastery, dug in limestone rock high above the ground (40 meters), is unforgettable
there is also a small museum - history of the place also worth a visit
we did not visit the catacombes
at the entrace is a fee -- there are no discounts for students and senior visitors ..
there is parking outside the gates
there are signs (brown color) from the main road to the Aladzha Monastery
.there are coloured incredible frescoes dated back to 13th-14th century.Unfortunately, only a small part of the wall paintings(frescoes) is preserved nowadays (most of them are in the chapel) but the feeling of the visit of that monastery, dug in limestone rock high above the ground (40 meters), is unforgettable
there is also a small museum - history of the place also worth a visit
we did not visit the catacombes
at the entrace is a fee -- there are no discounts for students and senior visitors ..
there is parking outside the gates
there are signs (brown color) from the main road to the Aladzha Monastery
Written 16 April 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
melanic220
Sofia, Bulgaria75 contributions
Jun 2016 • Family
The monastery is the most famous medieval rock monastery on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast, inhabited by monks hermits in XIII - XIV century. Beginning of systematic studies of this Christian monument was initiated in the late nineteenth century by the founders of Bulgarian archeology - brothers Karel and Hermin Shkorpil.
In 1927 Aladzha Monastery was declared a "national historical monument" and in 1968 - an architectural monument of national importance. No details about when the monastery was founded. The surviving frescoes in the chapel show that here was seething rich spiritual life during the Second Bulgarian Kingdom (XIII-XIV century).
After the fall of Bulgaria under Ottoman rule in the late fourteenth century Aladzha Monastery gradually declined and probably towards the end of the XV or the beginning of XVI century was finally abandoned.
Christian name of the monastery is unknown. The name "aladzha" is of Persian or Arabic origin and means "motley, colorful." At the beginning of the last century K. Shkorpil recorded a legend according to which the patron of the monastery was St. Spas (Saviour of Christ). The unusual architectural forms and numerous stories about hidden treasures and ghosts of monks wandering among the ruins create this atmosphere of mystery and mysticism, which for decades attracted many admirers. For a century, these facts confirm Aladzha monastery as one of the most attractive tourist destinations along the Bulgarian Black Sea coast, included in almost all the world's Guides. In the 70s of last century near the monastery was built museum building, which along with the permanent exhibition presenting the past of the monastery are covered and others dedicated to the Bulgarian Christian culture.
In the lobby of the museum, visitors can buy popular science magazines, CDs with Bulgarian church music, various souvenirs.
In 1927 Aladzha Monastery was declared a "national historical monument" and in 1968 - an architectural monument of national importance. No details about when the monastery was founded. The surviving frescoes in the chapel show that here was seething rich spiritual life during the Second Bulgarian Kingdom (XIII-XIV century).
After the fall of Bulgaria under Ottoman rule in the late fourteenth century Aladzha Monastery gradually declined and probably towards the end of the XV or the beginning of XVI century was finally abandoned.
Christian name of the monastery is unknown. The name "aladzha" is of Persian or Arabic origin and means "motley, colorful." At the beginning of the last century K. Shkorpil recorded a legend according to which the patron of the monastery was St. Spas (Saviour of Christ). The unusual architectural forms and numerous stories about hidden treasures and ghosts of monks wandering among the ruins create this atmosphere of mystery and mysticism, which for decades attracted many admirers. For a century, these facts confirm Aladzha monastery as one of the most attractive tourist destinations along the Bulgarian Black Sea coast, included in almost all the world's Guides. In the 70s of last century near the monastery was built museum building, which along with the permanent exhibition presenting the past of the monastery are covered and others dedicated to the Bulgarian Christian culture.
In the lobby of the museum, visitors can buy popular science magazines, CDs with Bulgarian church music, various souvenirs.
Written 16 June 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Soumya C
North Florence, Alabama, United States152 contributions
Feb 2015 • Friends
If some one visit Varna,they should visit aladzha monastery,its like 10 km from varna town,the buses going to golden sands can drop you close to that location,alternatively there are taxis who goes there and can charge you up-down 10-20 leva (bulgarian,1 euro=1.95 leva).The entry fee is 6-10 euro,the atmosphere is awesome..there are many caves to see.
Written 15 December 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Endijs M
Riga, Latvia8 contributions
Jun 2014 • Family
There is not much to see at the monastery itself. ~ 15min visit. The best fun was to take the forest trail to the monastery. It took ~1h from the Golden sands to the monastery. Don't take the taxi or bus there it will spoild the fun.
Written 18 June 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
You could but it’s all uphill, and there’s a nasty bend you have to cross. Drivers over there don’t stop for nothing. I would get a taxi up. It is all uphill and when you get to monastery there’s a good number of stairs. If u do walk it take plenty of water
Written 31 August 2019
Здравствуйте! По каким дням в монастыре шоу? Сколько стоит вход и как доехать из Варны?
Written 17 August 2019
Доехать на такси проще, недалеко. Если на автобусе, то прийдется пешком идти от остановки, в горку. Все автобусы, что идут на золотые пески. Шоу летом, ср и воскр
Written 17 August 2019
Bonjour
Peut on payer en euros?
Merci à vous.
Written 9 May 2019
How do you get from Varna city center (cathedral area) to the monastery?
Written 29 October 2017
Public bus number 409 goes from opposite the cathedral to Golden sands (30 minutes). Get off at the stop before the bus starts to go downhill to Golden sands. Tell the driver Aladzha monastery. The monastery is sign posted from that road and is 1.5 km walking up hill. Alternatively you can walk up and or/ back down through a waymarked trail through the forest fro Golden Sands. The 409 bus goes from the Cathedral to Varna airport, 20 minutes in the other direction.
Written 30 October 2017
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