Medieval cave monastery “Aladzha Monastery”

Aladzha Monastery is one of the numerous rock monasteries existing in the Middle Ages in Bulgaria. They differ in the construction techniques used, the internal distribution, as well as the way of use.

In the 5th – 6th century the area arose one of the oldest Christian centers, which is associated with the emergence of the rock complex "Catacombs", in the immediate vicinity of the medieval monastery, as well as the foundations of the 40-meter basilica in the Harman Erie area and the fortress discovered near the monastery.

Due to the scarce artifacts found during the research activities, it is difficult to date exactly the creation of the monastery. During the period of Byzantine rule in Bulgaria (XI – XII century) were restored many temples and monasteries from the early Christian period. There are hypotheses that Aladzha Monastery arose at that time. The unique natural resources – dense forest, numerous water sources and limestone rocks with natural cavities and porous structure – easy to process, were the reason for choosing a place for the monastic cloister.

There is evidence that during the period of the second Bulgarian kingdom (XII-XIV centuries), the Aladzha monastery was renovated and rebuilt with the help of the rulers of the Dobruja despotism. It was actively used and was among the largest and most picturesque rock monasteries in the country. The decline of the monastic monastery came with the Ottoman conquest of the Balkans.

Today, the monastery is known by the Arabic-Turkish "alaja", which translates as "variegated, colorful". But already in the 19th century, Karel Shkorpil recorded a tradition according to which the name of the monastery was "St. Spas" (from Christ the Savior) or "Ascension of the Lord". There are hypotheses that the monastery was built, with rooms closed from the outside, but as a result of an earthquake or collapse in the 17th or 18th century, the entire front part was destroyed.

The architecture of the temple is unique , built in harmony with the features of the relief and the material of the rock. The planning scheme is divided into two main levels. On the first level, in the westernmost part, the main monastery complex is located. The most important religious services were performed in it, among which the liturgy occupies a primary place. The semicircular niche at the eastern end of the temple testifies that the altar was there, and the altar abode was separated from the rest of the space by a wooden iconostasis. The premises were richly decorated, but the decoration was destroyed over time, after the abandonment of the monastery. A stone staircase has been cut into the floor of the church near the altar, which leads through a narrow passage to the rest of the rooms on the first level.

Next are the rooms for the residents - monastic cells, then the dining room. After the refectory, a few stone steps lead up to the Cemetery Church for Requiem Prayers, and a few down to the crypt below. From the cemetery church, a wooden staircase led to the upper level, where the monastery chapel was located. Only here is preserved a greater part of the original mural decoration from the 13th - 14th centuries. The most preserved is the fresco on the ceiling, which represents the Ascension of the Lord. The first written information about the monastery can be found in the book "Letters from Bulgaria" by the Russian writer and traveler Viktor Teplyakov, who visited Varna during the Russo-Turkish war of 1828-29. Another early source of information about the site is Konstantin Irechek, who visited it in 1884 and briefly described it in his book "Travels in Bulgaria".

The beginning of systematic and purposeful research was set by the Shkorpil brothers, and the first article that appeared on their behalf was in the edition "Collection of popular thoughts, science and literature" from 1892. The brothers left a significant amount of materials - notes, sketches, architectural plans, which have prepared during the long-term study of the site.

In 1912, at the proposal of the VAD (Varna Archaeological Society) and with the decision of the Antiquities Commission of the Ministry of Education, the Aladzha Monastery was declared a "national antiquities". In 1915, again at the initiative of the researchers, it was a decree was adopted for the allocation of a large area around the monastery for the purposes of its research and preservation and the creation of a park. In 1930, the "Trust for the Preservation of the Folk Antiquities of Aladzha Monastery" was established at the Varna Archaeological Society.

After 1945 The site is taken care of by a regional historical museum - Varna, and in the 1980s the site was studied by senior PhD candidate Dimitar Dimitrov, and in 1989 archaeologist Assoc. Dr. Georgi Atanasov and art critic Dimo Cheshmedjiev are doing a comprehensive study and new mapping. Currently, the site is in relatively good condition, has public access, and is socialized in a unique park space with a museum building. However, despite the annual care, due to the fragile structure of the rock material - limestone, progressive destruction is observed, which takes away from the material substance of the immovable cultural value. The constant efforts of the team of the Regional History Museum - Varna regarding the maintenance of the technical condition of the site are commendable and give hope that it will delight its visitors for a long time to come.

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