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However already in the 5th century there was a Christian church standing on this place. During the Ottoman Empire domination, monastery (with church) was dissolved and overgrown with weeds. Just at the end of the 19th century it was discovered by two Czech archaeologists – Škorpil brothers.

Monks cells were carved into the limestone rocks and connected by corridors which create a three-storey complex. There were also kitchens, dining rooms, prayer rooms, simply everything what monks needed for their life. They lived here in celibacy and create their own world, away from civilization, so they could devote prayer and spiritual development.

The entire monastery was completely self-sufficient. With the surrounding monasteries the monks communicated by ringing the bell. Today you can ring on it during your visit. It is interesting that during the archaeological research of graves in the vicinity of the monastery, were found around 5 kg of gold objects. These historic gems can be seen in the Museum of Natural History in Varna.

In the forest park below the monastery is a small museum, where you can further see the Roman mosaics, Orthodox icons, photos, and models and drawings of the original appearance of the monastery. About 500 metres from the monastery (still in paid section) are other caves named as the catacombs.

Aladzha Monastery can be reached from Golden Sands or St. Constantine, both on foot or by taxi. The Varna is probably best to go either by bus to Golden Sands and the intersection before the golden sands. From there it is on the road about a mile up the hill. Serpentine is an interesting twist around a ravine with a stream.

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Poulnabrone Dolmen is a portal tomb, which consists of a huge stone boulder weighing 5 tons, that is supported on two sides by raised stones. The entire formation is a 9 m deep burial chamber whose entrance is turned over to the east. Thus gives the impression that it was used as a sacrificial place in the Celtic period. This mysterious place is most impressive at sunset, when setting sun is lighting surrounding field with clearly purple color.

Archaeological research in 1985 showed that there were buried about 16 to 22 adults and 6 children, including personal belongings of deceased, as it was believed that the deceased needed them on their way to the next world. There were found such as bone pendants, ceramics, quartz crystals, weapons, and stone axes.

As regards natural conditions, vegetation in the Burren area is very poor and there is not enough soil. In the tomb Poulnabrone there is only about 25 cm of the soil and below it there is only a rock. The method of burial is still unclear. The bones of the bodies were separated from each other.

Poulnabrone Dolmen is situated on the R480 road, about 9 km south of the town Ballyvaghan. Admission is free. In the vicinity there are about seventy other tombs.

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More than 5.000 years ago, the early inhabitants of the area, used slabs of limestone to build temples and portal tombs, sometimes called dolmens. Poulnabrone Dolmen is probably the most photographed monument throughout Ireland. It lies on the west of the Ireland, in County Clare, in the Burren karst area. A number of these interesting sites are spread throughout the Burren.

The entire structure of Poulnabrone Dolmen consists of 9 m deep burial chamber whose entrance is turned over to the east. Archaeological research in 1985 showed that there were 16 to 22 adults and 6 children buried, including their personal things. Found here such as stone axes, bone pendants, ceramic products and weapons. Poulnabrone Dolmen was therefore an important ceremonial site used in the Bronze Age.

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