The Aladzha Monastery is located 16 kilometers from Varna. It is one of the few monasteries in Bulgaria (4 in total) that is cut into the side of a mountain, and has not been active for a long time. Not much is left from the monastery life except a couple of frescoes on the ceilings. It began being carved in the 4th century, and took its final shape during the 12th century. The two-level chambers of the monastery are carved into a tall limestone cliff. Near the monastery you can find a small archaeological museum, a large courtyard, and some grassy areas with benches and tables. Also nearby is a similar monastery complex (with catacombs), which is smaller and less well preserved.
The Aladzha Monastery is one the many monasteries carved into the mountains on the north coast during the 13th and 14th centuries. According to researchers, it was one of more than 500 monasteries dedicated to Hesychasm (the teachings of the Divine Energy).