Melnik

Rozhen Monastery

The Rozhen Monastery is also one of the symbols of the region. It is believed to have existed as early as the 13th century, when the entire Melnik area was ruled by Despot Alexius Slav, nephew of Tsar Kaloyan. The monastery houses the icon “Holy Virgin Portaitissa of Iveron,” which is said to be miraculous, bringing peace, tranquility, and healing from illnesses. It is one of the copies of the wonder-working icon discovered 10 centuries ago in the sea by monks from Mount Athos, where the original is still preserved today. Even if you are not religious, the place is definitely worth visiting not only from the outside but also from the inside, as the frescoes are exceptional. The Rozhen Monastery is also one of the 100 National Tourist Sites. Just 300 meters from the monastery gates lies the church “St. Cyril and St. Methodius,” in whose yard Yane Sandanski is buried.

Monastery “Holy Virgin Spileotissa” / “St. Zona” /

It is located on the top of St. Nicholas Hill, south of the town. The monastery was originally built in the 13th century by Despot Alexius Slav and later became a dependency of the Vatopedi Monastery on Mount Athos. The whole area around the monastery is known as “St. Zona.” Throughout the centuries, the monastery was destroyed several times. In 1795, on the site of its ruins, the small church “Holy Virgin of the Holy Belt” was built. Among the locals, the site is held in special reverence. It is said that during the Middle Ages, the monastery kept a relic — part of the actual Holy Belt of the Mother of God.

Church “St. Paraskeva – Petka”

The church “St. Paraskeva” (“St. Petka”) was built in 2010 on a small terrace on the northern slope of the ridge that borders the town of Melnik from the south. It was erected on the ruins of an older church that functioned until the early 20th century. It is believed to have been the energy center of the old Melnik neighborhood “Murdzu,” named, according to tradition, after the Byzantine strategos (commander and city governor) Murtzuphlos, who, under the Komnenos dynasty (12th century), was exiled from Constantinople to Melnik.

There had been a church at this site as early as the 6th century. It was subsequently restored and expanded several times. Such works are thought to have been carried out in the early 13th century (probably when it was dedicated to St. Petka), during the 16th–17th centuries (reconstructed after an earthquake), and in the 18th–19th centuries — during the Bulgarian National Revival, when it was converted into a three-nave pseudobasilica (until then, the building had only one nave).

The restoration of the church began in 2004. After its completion in 2010, it was decorated with frescoes. The carved iconostasis is the work of craftsmen from Ohrid. Next to the church, to the west, a bell tower was built. It holds seven bells brought from Russia. On October 13, 2016, the church was consecrated by Metropolitan Seraphim of Nevrokop.

The Kordopulov House

The Kordopulov House is one of the largest landmarks in the region. Built in 1754, it is the biggest Revival-period house on the Balkan Peninsula. It belonged to the wealthy Melnik family Kordopulov, known for their wine production.

The house has three floors. The first one is a ground floor with a dug-out wine cellar — a typical feature for wine storage in the Melnik region. On the second floor, visitors can see the guest room and the bedroom. Their interior combines Oriental, Venetian, and Revival styles. One of the most interesting features is the fireplace in the bedroom, shaped like a minaret with a cross on top — symbolizing the coexistence of the different ethnic groups that lived in the region.

On the third floor is the summer terrace, where a map of Bulgaria from the Revival period is depicted. In the center, you can also see a stone-made sundial, which is exceptionally accurate.

The Boyar’s House in Melnik

The Boyar’s House was the first residence of Despot Alexius Slav and was described as one of the richest houses in Melnik. Its courtyard was paved with marble tiles, it had fountains with marble statues, as well as its own water reservoir.

Today, it resembles a ruined castle, with only the remains reminding of its existence. Nevertheless, it is worth a visit, as it offers one of the most beautiful views of the town, especially at sunset.

The Sand Tunnel near the village of Lyubovishtе

The village of Lyubovishtе is located just a few kilometers from Rozhen and is a lesser-known attraction near Melnik. The only road leading to it passes through a 40-meter-long sand tunnel in loosely cemented sandstone, which has become the symbol of the village. This tunnel runs through a sand pyramid and was hand-dug by the villagers in 1961.

Church “St. George”

If you are on vacation in Melnik or the surrounding area, it is a great idea to also visit the church located right next to our Residence! It is known for housing an energy stone, believed to have healing powers. Visitors often take off their shoes, step on it, and, while looking at the icon of Jesus Christ, say their prayers.

This is also the place where the prophetess Reverend Stoyna once lived. The route starts from the eco trail right next to VILLA MELNIK RESIDENCE, is about 5 km long, and takes roughly one hour to complete. The terrain is light and pleasant.

Church “St. Nicholas”

“St. Nicholas” is a partially preserved medieval Byzantine church in the town of Melnik, today part of the Nevrokop Diocese of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church. It dates back to the late 12th century and was built on top of a Thracian sanctuary and a 5th-century basilica. During the Middle Ages, the church served as the cathedral of the Melnik Metropolis.

Until 1913, when it was destroyed by the devastating fire that swept through Melnik after the resettlement of its Greek population, the church’s interior was covered with frescoes depicting rarely seen scenes, as well as a series of donor inscriptions from the 13th and 14th centuries. After its destruction, some of the preserved frescoes were removed from the walls and transferred to the Archaeological Museum in Sofia.

The church stands on St. Nicholas Hill, south of the town of Melnik.