Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Getting There & Away
One daily direct bus connects Melnik with Sofia (17 lv, four hours); times vary. One daily
direct bus serves Blagoevgrad (9 lv, two hours). Three daily minibuses go from Sandanski
to Melnik, continuing to Rozhen.
Note that, if you're travelling in a group by this minibus, there may be insufficient seats
if the village elders are en route to shopping in Sandanski. Melnik has no taxis.
Rozhen Monastery
The
Rozhen Monastery
(admission free; 7am-7pm)
, also called Birth of the Virgin
Mary Monastery, stands 7km north of Melnik. Built in 1217, it was reconstructed in the
late 16th century, though the Turks soon destroyed it. Today's monastery, mostly built
between 1732 and the late 18th century, has undergone significant modern renovations.
Photography and video cameras are prohibited inside.
The
Nativity of the Virgin Church
(1600) contains stained-glass windows, 200-year-
old murals, woodcarvings and iconostases. Murals also occupy the 2nd-floor refectory.
The monastery enjoys a great setting atop Melnik's cliffs and has a vine-covered court-
yard.
About 200m before the monastery car park is the (closed)
Sveti Kiril & Metodii
Church
; here too is the grave of Yane Sandanski (1872-1915), one of the most important
Macedonian revolutionary leaders.
The
Rozhen Fair
of traditional culture is held on 8 September.
Hotel Rozhena
( 0878 832-192;
www.hotelrojena.net
/
; Rozhen; s/d.apt incl break-
fast from 50/80/140 lv; )
has simple but comfortable rooms with TV and bathroom,
and more luxurious double apartments, plus sauna, gym and restaurant.
There are
mehanas
(taverns) near the bus stop, and a cafe by the car park.
Getting There & Away
It's 7.2km from Melnik to the monastery, including the steep 800m uphill bit from
Rozhen. Buses from Sandanski to Melnik continue to Rozhen. Alternatively, hike (6.5km)
from Melnik up the track by the Bolyaskata Kâshta ruins along the creek bed, then look
