BULGARIAN BACKROADS:  TOWN OF MELNIK

This is the smallest town-museum in Bulgaria that hugs its flock of houses in the skirts of the sandstone pyramids. The surrounding hillsides once guarded the town against enemies, but today they are just like a giant curtain of a scene and Melnik on it. The highlights of sightseeing Melnik are The Boyar's house dating 10-11 c, the magnificent 17th c. Kordopulov's house, the mid 18th c. church "St. Nicholay Chudotvorets" (St "Nicholas the Miracle maker"), etc. But the tiny town of Melnik would not have survived unless its population did not grow the famous Melnik grapes and produced the strong Melnik wine. A lot of wine cellars are at disposal of everybody who would like to take the challenge to judge the best wine and the best wine producer. 6 km East from the town you can visit the picturesque Rozhen monastery, which is another pearl of the Bulgarian Renaissance architecture of 17 - 18th century. You will stay at the impressive restored 18th century Lumparov's House. The house offers 6 double rooms, mechana - typical Bulgarian restaurant - with big fireplace, and wine cellar.