BOYAR HOUSE

It is a medieval architectural monument of national importance and one of the oldest buildings on the Balkan Peninsula, though partly preserved.

The Boyar house in Melnik is a unique monument of medieval residential architecture not only in the Bulgarian lands, but also in the Balkans. Preserved in ruins, it is one of the three iconic monuments in the historical city. It is built in two stages in the early XIII centuries. The first period of its building was dated back to the first half of ХIII century, when it was the residence of Despot Alexius Slav, from the Bulgarian royal dynasty of Asenevtsi. and despot Constantine Dragash related with generically kings-Asenevtsi, Serbian kings – Nemanjich and Byzantine emperors-the Palaeologus. The second stage is during the time of despot Constantine Dragash related generically with  the kings-Asenevtsi, the Serbian kings – Nemanjichi and the Byzantine emperors-the Palaeologus. The Boyar house consists of several buildings and a church that were behind a stone fence with dominant residential-defense tower of “donjon” type,  with the throne room and a massive extension in the picturesque style in the top part, served as reception room of the ruler. In 1701 was built the clock tower – a symbol of the Renaissance.