Must-see attractions in Pirin Mountains

Surrounded by 1m thick stone walls, this 19th-century church has the air of a fortress. By contrast, the interior is a multicolour marvel with flower…

This richly painted 18th-century mansion stands out among Bulgaria's countless heritage properties. Admire elaborate frescoes within the house-museum and…

Standing serenely in the hills 7km north of Melnik, this working monastery has admirable 16th-century frescoes and a holy icon of the Virgin Mary. Its…

Bulgaria's largest Revival-era building, this whitewashed and wooden mansion beams down from a cliff face at the eastern end of Melnik's main road. Dating…

This house-museum was the birthplace of Nikola Vaptsarov (1909–42), a respected antifascist poet and activist. Influenced by communist ideology while a…

In a small, serene garden, this church (1844) has a richly frescoed portico and a unique black-and-white chequered facade. Look for the extraordinary…

Occupying a Revival-era stone and wood building, this house-museum exhibits manuscripts by, and photos of, Rilski (1793–1881), the father of Bulgarian…

Learn the history and tools of Melnik's winemaking trade; ogle 400-plus bottles of wine; and work your way through a tasting menu at this fun museum…

Commemorating the eponymous local monk, author and instigator of Bulgarian nationalism, this museum contains a chapel with a replica of the room at the…

This museum in a 19th-century mansion contains finds dating back to 6000 BC, plus antique, medieval and 19th-century National Revival–period items.

Housed within a former nunnery dating to 1749, this small museum exhibits 18th- and 19th-century icons painted by the Bansko School of art.

This 19th-century church, signposted from Melnik's main road, is dedicated to the patron saint of the sick. In the unenlightened past, the mentally ill…

This 15th-century church, situated just below Kordopulov House, has retained its walls and floor. It's little more than an enigmatic ruin these days, but…

Located near the Varosha old quarter, this regional museum exhibits roughly 160,000 religious relics, archaeological artefacts and traditional costumes,…

Up a steep cobbled lane, en route to Kordopulov House, the tiny two-room Historical Museum features traditional costumes, ancient ceramics and jewellery,…

The 10th-century Bolyaskata Kâshta, one of Bulgaria’s oldest homes, is ruined except for some partially standing walls. You can peer in and enjoy great…

Survey the ruined walls of this 13th-century fortress, reachable via a short, steep climb from the eastern end of Melnik's main road.

There are admirable views of the town from lofty Park Loven Dom, which spreads south from Blagoevgrad's Varosha quarter.

Admire the exterior of a Turkish bathhouse, built in the 19th century, before the Mehana Mencheva Kâshta tavern.

This ruined church, constructed in 1756, is accessibly by a signposted path from Melnik's main road.