monastery travel tips and stories. Vacations ideas, cruises spa and resorts

Aladzha monastery is the most famous medieval rock monastery on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. The archeological finds and dating of the murals survived in the chapel show that the monastery flourished in the period of the Second Bulgarian State, 13th-14th C. The monastery has been attracting many explorers and visitors due to its beautiful woodland location 14 km from Varna.

The monastery rooms were cut out on two levels in the almost 40-meter high limestone rock. The church, cells, dining room, small funeral church, the crypt (tomb) and facility rooms were on the first level. The second level was a natural niche hosting the chapel at its east side. A winding wooden staircase connected the two levels.

After Bulgaria’s fall under the Ottoman rule at the end of the 14th C, Aladzha monastery gradually fell into decay and was finally abandoned, probably in the 17th-18th c. The local Christians inhabitants continued to worship this holy place through the years of the Ottoman suppression as evident by a silver signet ring of the 18th c found in the Crypt.
The real name of the monastery remains unknown. The name “Aladzha”, probably given during the ottoman rule, is as Arabic-Persian origin and means “sundry-colored“.

From at least the ninth century, the territory of present-day Ukraine was a center of medieval East Slavic civilization forming the state of Kievan Rus. The Pechersk Lavra in Kiev is one of the oldest monasteries in Eastern Europe, built by Kiev monks back in 1051, this striking building is the most holy place in the Ukraine, so it is included on the UNESCO list of World Heritage sites. The Pechersk Lavra is also called the Monastery of Caves.

The Pechersk Lavra is a complex of churches, masterpieces of architecture by themselves, has been a holy place of worship for devout Christians. Its main feature: crypts and catacombs filled with princes, famous people and priests. There are lots of tiny skeletons in robes on plinths, candles, and far too many visitors. Those of faint heart may find themselves beating a hasty retreat. The spiritual and intellectual influence of Kiev-Pechersk Lavra contributed to the spread of Orthodox thought and the Orthodox faith in the Russian world from the 17th to the 19th century.

There are unique frescos preserved on the walls of the Labyrinth, painted by the monks some of which are almost 900 years old. Taking a candle each and walking through the narrow catacombs… The relics in the catacombs are worshiped by thousands of pilgrims from all over the world that pass through every year.

Take a short trip to discover the second largest city in Bulgaria – Plovdiv situated on three hills rising inic the Thracian plain and washed by the quietly flowing waters of Maritza River. An ancient crossroads between East and West, Plovdiv has preserved unique treasure from it’s 24 centuries long history. Brilliant examples of the Bulgarian National Revival Period are preserved here. The ethnographic Museum, Churches and the street of folk arts and crafts are major landmark of the Old Town followed by lunch and trip to Bachkovo Monastery. It was mostly destroyed by the Turks in the 14th century and rebuilt a century later. The main treasure of the monastery is a miracle working icon Sveta Bogorodica which is said to heal the sick.

photos by Flickr

In addition to its remarkable natural features, Stara Planina is also rich in valuable cultural and historical landmarks, which it has preserved during the centuries. One of its greatest wealth are the dozens monasteries nestled in its bosom. During the hard years of foreign rule the Bulgarian people looked for more concealed and secret places to create in them their Christian sanctuaries and keep the national spirit alive. There is no other mountain in Bulgaria, which has housed so many Christian temples and which has given so much to its people in its struggles for survival and spiritual rise!
The monastery is built in the style of the Bulgarian Renaissance. The chapel of St Nikolay the Miracle-Worker is the oldest but best preserved religious building in the area, though it lies outside the present-day monastery complex, at about half an hour walk south of it. The monastery’s church, “Assumption of Virgin Mary”, was built in 1835 by a master from the village of Peshtera, named Konstantin. The church was built of porous limestone and large bricks in alternating layters, and impressed foreign visitors with its architecture. The ornate interior and exterior of the church were painted between 1847 and 1849 by Zahari Zograph, a popular Bulgarian painter of the time, who also painted the central church of the Rila Monastery, the largest monastery in Bulgaria.
The Holy Virgin Troyan Monastery is situated in the northern folds of the Troyan Balkan – this is Central Stara Planina. On the left – Cherni Osum River. It is 10km south-east of Troyan, between the village of Oreshak and Cherni Osum. There is a marked tourist route from the town of Troyan to the Monastery – about 4 hours. The Monastery is famous for its miracle-working icon ”Holy Virgin’.’ It was a renowned literary centre, too and valuable library. During the time of the struggles for national freedom Troyan Monastery was a genuine revolutionary nest. All the monks took part in the revolutionary committee headed by the well-known Father Makarii. The Apostle of Freedom -Vasil Levski often came here, too. The working house of the Monastery – from 7.30 a.m. to 7.30 p.m. All the regular buses running between the town of Troyan and the village of Cherni Osum stop at the Monastery, around which a little tourist settlement of shops, restaurants, coffee bars developed. There are accommodation facilities in the Monastery itself – 2 suites and 10 double rooms with their own sanitary facilities and shower. Low prices. Romantic atmosphere, silence and calm.
The rude tourism catches everybody that searches peace ad peace among the nature. The bit manner of the hotels, matched to the mount-watering Bulgarian eating will make you to the Troyan Balkan. But the inspiration of beautiful murales of the Troyan religions residence cannot compare with a thing-other. Built at about 400 meters above sea level, the biggest monastery in the Balkan mountains is surrounded by beautiful forests and the Cherni Osum river, which gives a particular charm to the place. The monastery’s complex is quite developed as a tourist site with plenty of shopping outlets, restaurants and entertainment facilities in the neighbourhood.

Dubrovnik is nicknamed “Pearl of the Adriatic” and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dubrovnik is one of the most beautiful cities on the Croatian coast. Dubrovnik, its tourism oriented region and its old, ancient culture. Apart for rich history and culture, our city is abundant with places for tranquil rest and wild fun, perfect for camping and excursions.
The walls of Dubrovnik girdle a perfectly preserved complex of public and private, sacral and secular buildings representing all periods of the city’s history, beginning with its founding in the 7th century. Today they stand proudly with five bastions, three round towers and 12 square towers, and provide a popular diversion for visitors wishing to explore their 1,940m length.
The old town was completed in the 13th century. Dubrovnik managed to preserve its beautiful Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque churches, monasteries, palaces and fountains. Tall ramparts surround it and there are only two entrances to the old town, the city’s promenade. One of the greatest pleasures for many visitors is to have a drink in one of the nearby cafes and watch the world go by. There you can have a good time, enjoy good music, friendly atmosphere, and good drinks without getting ripped off. Here are a couple of them: Caffe Bar Rio, Galleria, Trokadero. When you enter the old town, you will find the Onofrio Fountain, built in 1438. On the right is the Franciscan Monastery, with one of the oldest functioning pharmacies in Europe, in operation since 1391. At the other entrance, you will find the locals’ favourite meeting place, the Orlando Column, with the nearby Sponza Place and the baroque church of St. Blaise. Particular mention should be made of the city’s main street, Stradun, the Prince’s Palace, the church of St Vlaho, the Cathedral, three large monasteries, the Custom’s Office and the City Hall.
Opposite the palace through a narrow street is a square, Gunduliceva Poljana. In the same square is the Jesuit Monastery from the early 18th century. From here you can head for the little old town port and visit the city walls, built between the 13th and the 16th centuries.
Today, Dubrovnik is a very lively city, with many things to do, both at day and night times. The coast nearby offers all sorts of activities and the town has many restaurants, bars and nightclubs. If you are visiting in the summer, do not miss the Dubrovnik Summer Festival, with music, theatre and dance. The Dubrovnik International Film Festival also runs for several days at the beginning of October.
See you in Croatia, Dubrovnik !