Besides the frescoes and the icon of Theotokos Portaitissa—painted by an 18th-century monk or St. Luke himself, depending on who you ask—the church offers gorgeous woodwork, vibrant murals, and an ornate iconostasis. There is little by way of public transit, so most travelers visit by driving or joining a tour. Classic itineraries include the striking sandstone rock formations of Melnik Pyramids, a local winery, and one or more of the historic homes in the town of Melnik.
The Rozhen Monastery is a working monastery, so some areas are off-limits.
The monks request respectful dress and behavior. There are gowns available for women who need to cover their shoulders and knees before entering the church.
You are not allowed to use mobile phones, cameras, or similar devices in the monastery.
The monastery is not wheelchair-accessible.
Melnik is about a 110-mile (180-kilometer) drive south of the capital of Sofia. There’s just one bus a day to Melnik from Sofia, and the journey takes almost 4 hours, so most travelers will prefer to drive or join a tour that includes round-trip transport. From Melnik, the monastery is about a 15-minute drive by road or a 2.5-mile (4-kilometer) hike down an attractive eco-trail.
The monastery is open to visitors from morning to early evening all year round. Travelers who plan to take the scenic hike from Melnik will want to visit during late spring, summer, or early fall when the weather is not too cold. On the Virgin Mary’s birthday—September 8 in the Bulgarian Orthodox church—the fields around Rozhen fill with hopeful pilgrims, making this a colorful, if hectic, time to experience the monastery.
Many travelers come to Melnik to see the Melnik Pyramids, but this little town with its pretty heritage buildings is also an epicenter of wine production; during your trip, you can visit a wine museum, wine stores, and winery outlets. The Kordopulova House (Kordopulov House), a beautifully preserved 18th-century mansion, offers tastings in its wine cellar.
