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| Melnik | ||
| Oblast | Blagoevgrad | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | 800 | |
other value for residents on Wikidata: 194   | ||
| no tourist info on Wikidata: | ||
| location | ||
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Melnik (Мелник) is a town in the Blagoevgrad district (Oblast) and the smallest town in Bulgaria (approx. 800 inhabitants). Melnik is located in the Pirin Mountains and is surrounded by bizarre sandstone cliffs.
background
In the early Middle Ages, Melnik was a border town that sometimes belonged to Bulgaria and sometimes to Byzantium. In the 17th and 18th centuries, Melnik became a trading center for wine and tobacco.
getting there
Buses go to once a day Sofia. Many Greeks from around Thessaloniki, Serres, drama and Kavala visit Melnik on a day trip in combination with near by Sandanski and good shopping.
mobility
The place is small so you can walk to everything.
Tourist Attractions
- Nikolai Chudotvorez Church. From the Middle Ages.
- Kordopulov house. From 1754. It once belonged to the wine merchant Manolis Kordopulus. The house has four floors, the two lower floors are made of stone. Seven internal stairs connect the floors with each other. The interior walls are decorated with paintings and wood carvings. The house is fully furnished.
- Paschov house. From 1815. It has two floors and eight rooms. The ceilings are made of carved wood, the fireplaces are made of marble and the cupboards are made of colored wood.
activities
A stroll along the stream and the beautiful traditional buildings is worthwhile, as is a tour of some of the wine cellars.
shop
Local specialties and wine are offered in many small shops, but they are usually not particularly tasty. If you want to buy good wine, you should do so in one of the many real wine cellars, where you can also try it.
kitchen
Melnik has many nice romantic taverns that serve traditional Bulgarian dishes. These traditional restaurants are hard to find anywhere else in Bulgaria and together with the beautiful scenery it is a pleasure to eat there.
