Things to Do in Melnik

Wine Cellar Pri Shestaka

Undoubtedly the most famous variety of local wine in Melnik is the wide Melnik vine. The variety is grown only in the region, and the wine has a unique taste. When you try it you can taste a combination of strawberries, white cherries, and sometimes hints of tobacco, dried mint and pepper. It is said that wine contains the enzyme of longevity, and its glory dates back to the time of Roman Emperor Trajan – from 2nd century AD. After many centuries the local wine became a favorite of Winston Churchill, who ordered tons of wine every year for himself and his guests. Among other partners who recommend Melnik 55. In the exhibition of Shestaka, which is located just above the Manolev House, you can expand other quality Bulgarian wines of local varieties. The tasting can be organized on site at the Manoleva House upon prior request.

The Melnik pyramids

The Melnik pyramids are among the most visited natural landmarks in Bulgaria. The height of the natural formations reaches 100 meters, and the area of which they extend is nearly 50 square meters. In fact, the clay and sand from which they were sculpted by wind and water were the bottom of a shallow lake that existed 4-5 million years ago. Due to the movement of the continental plates and the folding of the earth's layers, its water drained away. Millions of years later, the flowing mountain waters, making their way through the accumulated rock mass, form deep valleys and valleys. All these processes make the bizarre rock formations a favorite place for photos. Eco-trails lead from Melnik to the pyramids, and the most beautiful views are on the one to the Rozhen Monastery, where in addition to typical pyramids you can also enjoy rock needles, mushrooms, cones and other figures. Nature continues to change their forms.

Kashina waterfall

Kashina Waterfall or Skoko ( The Jump), as the locals call it, is one of the largest waterfalls in the Malnik region. Its waters fall from a height of nearly 20 meters and in sunny weather form coloured rainbows. It can be reached by an eco-trail, which starts from the village of the same name Kashina with a length of just over 2 kilometers. There is also a place for a picnic. The most pleasant time to visit it is during the summer months, when the tiny drops of the waterfall turn even the hottest days into a cool ones.

Rozhen Monastery

In the Rozhen Monastery you can get rid of all diseases and troubles, as long as you pray with faith in the heart of the miraculous icon of the Mother of God - the icon of St. Our Lady of Portaitis or in Bulgarian - Gatekeeper. It is a copy of a miraculous icon from the Athos monastery and was made in 1790 by the monk painter Jacob Iversky. Unlike other copies of the icon throughout the Orthodox world, the one in the Rozhen Monastery is surrounded by ten small compositions enclosed in oval frames, representing the events of the history of the shrine and its miracles of healing and encrusted with sacred iron. Every year on September 7, worshipers from all over the country and abroad bring their gifts to the icon and spend the night in the temple for health. On September 8, when the temple holiday of the monastery - the Little Mother of God, is a liturgical procession with the miraculous icon, blessing of the monastery sacrifice and its distribution for health. In the immediate vicinity of the main building of the monastery are the ossuary of St. John the Baptist and the church "St.St. Cyril and Methodius".

Melnik - the smallest town in Bulgaria

Melnik is the smallest town in Bulgaria, but not the one with the least sights or interesting places. Its history begins thousands of years ago, when the Thracian tribe of Medi liked the region and in the period 1-3 century AD made it their home. On the plateau of St. Nicholas there is a Thracian sanctuary, which was later turned into a temple dedicated to the goddess Bendida. In the 13th century Melnik was proclaimed the capital of the Western Rhodopes during the reign of the ruler Alexei Slav. Then the city was fortified with fortress walls. During this period it was also the center of the Melnik diocese, which explains the large number of temples in a relatively small area. Among the most interesting is the church of St. Anthony, which is one of two in Europe dedicated to the saint. In it they treated the mentally ill by tying them with chains, which can still be seen today, on the central column of the temple and leaving them to spend the night there alone, in the company of the saint, to heal them. The church is also interestingly painted, so do not miss it when visiting Melnik. Among the sights you can see are the remains of the impressive Bolyarska House, which is one of the oldest on the Balkan Peninsula, Kordopulova House with its typical Revival architecture, the Metropolitan Churches "St. Nicholas" and "St. Nicholas the Wonderworker", the ruins of the church " St. Barbara ”, the churches“ St. St. Peter and Paul ”and“ St. John the Forerunner ”, the old Turkish bath. It is no coincidence that Melnik has been declared a city-museum and is under the protection of UNESCO.