Aladzha Monastery is a cave monastery situated about 15 kilometers from Varna and just few kilometers south of the Riviera Holiday Club and Golden Sands sea resorts. Aladzha, in Turkish, means picturesque and probably the name comes from the colorful rock frescoes dated to the Early Middle Ages. Historical studies suggest that the first monastic dwellings at the site were set up in IV c. This is supported by the archeological findings such as coins and pieces of earthenware from the time of Byzantine emperors Constantine The Great and Justinianus I. Still, this cannot be accepted as undeniable evidence that the monastery already existed at that time. More likely, the caves were used for dwelling by common people or as shelter from Barbarian invasions.
What is known with certainty is that the monastery complex was completed in the 12th century. The living-quarters, common premises and chapels are caved into the limestone above ground in two levels connected via outer staircase. Unfortunately only a small part of the frescoes have been preserved till present days, most of which are in the chapel on the second level.
