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Aladzha monastery

Photo: Albena Bezovska
Aladzha monastery is one of the most visited tourist sites in Bulgaria. Once hosting hermits during the Middle Ages, this place now continues to attract all fans of history and the mysticism. This happens mainly in the summer. During this season the white rocks in this locality are illuminated by the sun beams and the greenery of the massive trees plays with the blue color of the sea waves.

© Photo: Albena Bezovska


Ages ago, Hesyhasm was wide-spread on the Bulgarian lands. It was part of Orthodox Christianity. Its name comes from the Greek word Hesyhea, which stands for tranquility and serenity. Many of the monks from Mount Athos adipted Hesyhasm. It was also popular in a number of monasteries in the Middle East and the Balkans. Many rock monasteries, where followers of this religion found place to develop their intense spiritual work, were discovered on Bulgarian territory.

Aladzha monastery is one of the best preserved spiritual places, which dates back to the Middle Ages. It is situated in the northeastern part of Bulgaria, in close proximity to the famous Black Sea resort of Golden Sands and only 17 kilometers away from the coastal city of Varna, which is now the second biggest city in this country. At the foot of the rocky plateau lies the wonderful natural park Golden Sands.

© Photo: Albena Bezovska


The natural rock massif where the monastery is situated is nearly 40 meters high. It is part of a plateau covered with natural vesicles. They are a heritage of the ancient history of this locality, which was once under sea water. According to historians, this place was inhabited during the early Christian times, between the 4th and the 6th century. Many ceramic fragments, coins and crosses carved in the rocks were found there, which proves that people inhabited these lands ages ago. Some 800 years ago the caves became monk cloisters. Now they are known as Aladzha monastery. We do not know the Christian name of the monastery, because it stopped functioning long time ago. When Bulgaria fell under Ottoman yoke this place became desolate. In Arab and Persian language Aladzha means versicoloured (bright). Perhaps the local people named it Aladzha after the beautiful multi-colored frescoes on the monastery walls. Unfortunately none of these frescoes were preserved in their entity. There are only parts of icons, which are not sufficient for their restoration. The wall paintings in the chapel, which is situated on the second level of the monastery complex, are best preserved. However, tourists do not have access to that part. We can find information about some of the frescoes in the notes of the Czech explorer Karel Schkorpil, who was one of the first people who explored this place. At the end of the 19th century the Schkorpil brothers, who were the founders of Bulgarian archeology, started to explore this Christian monument.

© Photo: Albena Bezovska

An altar niche in the chapel


Although this place has not been dwelled for centuries we can clearly delimit the basic chambers of the monastery. They are situated in 2 levels- monk cells, a chapel, a temple for requiescats and a crypt. The chambers, which were once used as a kitchen and living room by the monks, are well preserved inside the rocks. On the first level, right next to the wooden staircase used by the tourists, is the monastery church. A sanctuary recess was carved into the eastern wall of the church. Only some of its frescoes were preserved though. Scientists claim that the upper layer of icon-paintings dates back to the end of the 18th century. Under this layer there is another one, which takes us to the 16th-17th century.

© Photo: Albena Bezovska

What remains of the church

 

© Photo: Albena Bezovska

One of the monk cells

A stone ladder was made inside the floor of the church. It takes us to 6 monk cells. Remains of small niches in the walls of these cells can still be seen there. The monks used to place their icons and personal belongings there. Later the museum employees placed pictures over some of these niches. The paintings portray the life of the monks from Aladzha monastery. This was the only change made in the monastery except for the multiple notes taken by Bulgarian and foreign tourists, where all their dearest wishes were written. This happens despite the huge sign, which prohibits people from placing any kind of notes in the niches. According to a local belief, the souls of the monks continue to haunt the monastery. And if someone meekly shares his desires with them, they will make them come true.
There are many legends about Aladzha monastery. One of the most popular ones says that the spirit of one of the monks who lived there appears from time to time asking whether there are still trees in this locality or not and if women in this area still give birth. If the answer is positive, the spirit disappears. Before leaving this place it says that if people stop living on these lands something mystical will happen.

© Photo: Albena Bezovska

The silent wood-carver

The Bulgarians still keep their traditional beliefs and feel the special energy of this place. That is why the monastery is constantly visited by tourists, who can plunge into the history if this tourist site. Young and cheerful people meet the tourists in the museum, which is situated next to the entrance. They show the exposition to the tourists and provide interesting facts about the monastery books, which were translated in several foreign languages. You can also meet there a silent man from the town of Varna. He is an electrician but also practices wood-carving. There he makes the sculptures of the monks who once lived in the monastery and brought a lot faith to this place.

English version: Kostadin Atanasov

По публикацията работи: Albena Bezovska


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