The name of Aladzha monastery comes from the Turkish word for colourful ("aladzha") due most probably to the bright colours of its wall paintings, dating back to the early Middle Ages. The monk's cells, common rooms and sanctuaries, dug directly into the limestone rock and situated on two levels high above the ground, were connected via an external staircase. The lower floor hosted the monks' private cells, common rooms (i.e. kitchen, dining room) and a small church, while the upper level was dedicated entirely to a chapel. According to some historians, primitive monks' cells were built and inhabited already in the 4th century AC. The entire monastery is considered to date back to the 12th century AC. Unfortunately, nowadays only few of the frescoes are preserved (most of these to be found in the chapel) but the experience of visiting a monastery dug high above the ground into a steep rock is unforgettable. The monastery is declared a cultural sight and houses a small museum. Less than a kilometer away from the Aladzha Monastery, one can find a similar monastery complex, called Katakombite (The Catacombs). Katakombite has an origin and history similar to those of the Aladzha Monastery, though its remains are far less preserved.
The cape stretches 2km deep into the sea and consists of 60-70m-high limestone rocks, the inaccessibility of which has been the main reason for the construction of an ancient fortress named Tirisis there. The fortress was successively used by Tracians, Romans, Byzantines and Bulgarians. According to legends, the fortress was guarding the treasuries of Lyzimah, successor of Alexander the Great. Today there are quite many remains of those ancient settlements, which can be seen exhibited in a small museum. One can also read there a legend telling the story of several Bulgarian girls who chose to jump from the high cape into the sea but not to be captured and converted to Islam by the Turks.
The Ropotamo river originates from springs located some 50 kilometers to the west in the Strandzha Mountains. The mouth of the river is some 30 meters wide and is a favorite place of local fishermen. The river is named after the Greek goddess of 'Ro', meaning 'Run' (Potamo meaning in turn "River'). The legend tells that the Goddess was so charming and sang so beautifully that she managed to talk in pirates to leave the area in peace.
The mouth of the Kamchiya River is one of the most beautiful sights along the Bulgarian coast. The region is known for its wide beaches, starting from an area called Paletsa (The Thumb) to the north and ending to the Black Cape near the village of Shkorpilovtsi to the south. A recently-built holiday complex is situated at the river's mouth.
Although Yaylata is a bit far from the most popular resorts and hence is little known as a tourist attraction, it is one of the most amazing places along the Bulgarian coast. It represents an oval ledge, broken off the Dobrudja plate by the coast. The big cliffs make this area almost unaccessible, except via a few narrow paths among the rocks. About 40 caves can be found in the vertical cliffs hanging over the sea. Their smoothened walls and niches dug deep into the rock speak about the existence of an ancient cave settlement there. There are also remains of a stronghold dating back to Roman and Byzantine times. A 90 ha region is declared a protected archeological area.
A small village called Emona can be found 2km away from the cape in inland direction. The village's name, Emona, comes from the ancient name of the Stara Planina mountain range, Aemon (later called Hemus). The village is famous for being the birthplace of the Thracian king Rez. He participated in the Thracian War and was killed by Odysseus and Diomedus according to Homer's "Iliad". During the Middle Ages, the cape hosted a virtually inaccessible fortress, called Emona. The fortress was part of a system of similar forts, controlled by the Karvuna autonomous principality. During the same period, the cape was surrounded by monasteries, inhabited by hermits. The remains of the fortress and those monasteries are considered to stand behind the ancient Greek name of the area and later - of the very fortress, Paleokastro (meaning Old Fortress).
