Small fortification with characteristic of the age extended navicular plan with very sharp trigonal forehead with a tower.
The Saint Nicholas plateau is a holy place for the Thracians who inhabited the region of today’s town of Melnik. In V – VI century it was converted into a fortress. Due to its natural protection was unnecessary its circumvention with stone walls. Small fortification with characteristic of the age extended navicular plan with very sharp trigonal forehead with a tower, with a moat at the front was erected on a ridge in the southwestern end of the plateau above the Melnik river, which offers a wide panorama to the immediate environment and to the valley of the Struma. The place is guarded by gates each one with two towers – at the foot of the castle from the southwest at the main entrance and from the southeast in the Klyuch area. The power of the fortress was reinforced enormously from the surrounding high, almost vertical and inaccessible cliffs.
During the period of 1215-1218 year after having the capital of Alexi Slav Despotate moved to the town of Melnik, the castle was fully reconstructed and expanded as additional facilities are built. There have been found many buildings – residential and commercial, churches and monasteries.
The oldest and the largest Christian church in Melnik, dedicated to St. Nicholas is associated with this fortress.
Maps
More Information
- Services: Providing a tour guide for a tour of Melnik and the region
- Accessibility: Mixed - bus/car/bicycle to Melnik and to the site - pedestrian. Inaccessible for visitors with mobility limitations. Parking- free.
- Coordinates: 41°31'10.0"N 23°23'26.7"E
- Note: Source: Municipality of Sandanski: http://visitsandanski.eu
- Opening time: Free access.
