Melnik is the smallest and one of the most fascinating towns-museums in Bulgaria. Nestled amongst the lowest southwestern fold of Pirin. The climate of Melnik is favorable for medical treatment of chronic pulmonary, kidney and rheumatic disorders. Melnik is a blend of unique nature - the cliffs clustered around the houses on the hills, history, culture and wine. The beautiful white houses, which are built one on the top of the other on the hills, are surrounded by rocks and have quiet yards and white bay-windows. They really arouse admiration. Today the town has about 230 inhabitants. Interesting are the ruins from different epochs and nations, which have inhabited the town when it prospered culturally and economically. At that time it had more than 1300 houses and 25 000 inhabitants. In the sand pyramids that surround it are hollowed out cellars in which the famous Melnik wine – mellow, full-bodied and heavy – matures, seasons and is preserved.

Quick facts about town of Melnik
In Bulgarian Alphabets: Мелник
Location: South-West Bulgaria
Distance to capital city: 130 km from Sofia
Latitude: 41.517 N
Longitude: 23.4 E
Altitude: 300 - 500 m above the sea level
Province: Blagoevgrad District
Municipality: Sandanski Municipality
Area size of town of Melnik: 6.464 sq km
Population: 241 inhabitants (to 01/01/2007)
Post code (ZIP): 2820
Phone code: 07437 from Bulgaria; 003597437 from outside.

Landmarks
Rozhen monastery "Nativity of the Virgin Mary" situated far to the south in the Pirin area, 6 km from Melnik is the only monastery restored during the first centuries of Ottoman rule which has survived to this days. The monastery complex includes the main church, living buildings, shady verandah and fortified walls, combined in a beautiful architectural ensemble. The church is decorated with frescoes, candlesticks, crosses, and beautiful fretworks on the iconostasis. Some of the icons are exceptionally precious monuments of our fine arts. Of great interest are the scenes painted on the outer facade, and its white belfry. According to historians, the monastery was founded during the time of Alexi Slav - a Bulgarian bolyar who ruled the Rhodopean territory during the 12-13th century. Today the monastery is restored, and open for visits. Yane Sandanski - one of the biggest Bulgarian revolutionaries - spent his last days in this monastery. Today his grave is under the church of St. Kiril and Metodii, not far from the Rozhen monastery.

Kordopulov's House - Settled in the picturesque town of Melnik, the Kordopulov’s house is one of the most impressive houses of the local architecture. In the immediate proximity are located the Pashova, the Tsintsarova and Bolyarska kashta (house) – medieval cultural monuments. But the most impressive of those houses is the Kordopulov house, built in 1758. In addition it is the biggest residential building on the Balkan Peninsula from the Revival period. The house fascinates with its architecture, the magnificent wood carvings and drawn ornaments on cupboards and ceilings. The twenty four windows with Venetian stained glass in the reception room as if throw their glance at the whole town in a full circle. This house will meet you with the culture and the history of the 19 th century. The house has a huge underground cellar where can be preserved wine up to 300 tons. Today Kordopulov’s house is a private museum which is open to visitors.

See the gallery of Melnik