Melnik, Bulgaria's smallest town with only 194 residents, is renowned for its wine culture, particularly during Saint Trifon's Day on February 14, a significant occasion for winemakers. This centuries-old celebration attracts thousands of visitors who enjoy local red wine tastings, traditional folk music, and lively dances. The town transforms from its usual tranquility into a festive atmosphere, showcasing its rich traditions. Visitors experience the warmth of hospitality as they partake in local merriment and cuisine, reflecting Melnik's importance in Bulgaria's wine heritage.
The sun glows on the otherworldly shapes of the sandstone cliffs that have been sculpted by millennia of rain and left looking like someone tried to make sand castles but was too impatient to fill the bucket to the top.
Every year, on 14 February, thousands of visitors arrive for Saint Trifon's Day, a celebration of the patron saint of winemaking, which is a much bigger deal than Valentine's Day, and dates back centuries.
The festivities begin when the wineries in the surrounding hills open their doors to visitors for tastings of the local red wine, but soon take on the atmosphere of a village fete.
Women in traditional dress lead a horo, a Bulgarian folk dance where the dancers link hands and move in winding lines.
Collection
[
|
...
]