Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
able Greek population among its 20,000 inhabitants was forcibly relocated by the Greek
army in the 1912-13 Balkan Wars, when the village was largely burned.
Melnik's good for exploring the southern Pirin Mountains and, though seeing the vil-
lage requires just one day, you may enjoy lingering on in the sunshine and quietude. Nice
places to stay and eat abound.
Melnik is very easy to navigate on foot as it only stretches for 1km. The bus stop is
right at the village's entrance (on the road connecting Sandanski and Rozhen); opposite is
the municipal building, site of the tourist office. Here begin the two streets that run into
town, alongside the dried-up river.
Sights & Activities
Wineries
Melnik's wines, celebrated for more than 600 years, include the signature dark red,
Shiroka Mehichka Loza. Shops and stands dot Melnik's cobblestone paths, with reds and
whites for 3 to 4 lv and up. Try to sample first, and buy from the refrigerator - avoid the
bottles displayed in the sun all day.
Numerous hotels and restaurants advertise wine tasting.
Mitko Manolev Winery
( 0887545795; 9am-midnight)
For the most atmospheric adventure in
degustatsia
(wine tasting), clamber up the slippery cobblestones to the Mitko Manolev Winery. Also
called Mitko Sheshtaka ('the Six-Fingered') it's basically a cellar dug into the rocks, and
an informal hut with tables and chairs outside, with both reds and whites available. It's
along the hillside trail between the Bolyaskata Kâshta ruins and the Kordopulov House.
There are certainly worse things than whiling away the hours in the sunshine with a glass
of Melnik red, and the views from above are wonderful.
WINE TASTING
Museums
Melnik's grand old houses, many jutting out from cliffs, feature handsome wood balconies
and spacious upper quarters, with cool stone basements for wine storage. Officially, all
buildings must be built and/or renovated in the Bulgarian National Revival-period style,
and painted brown and white.
