Bolyarski fortress – a monument of Bulgarian housing of architecture of national importance. Also it is the oldest construction of the Byzantine era, preserved in the Balkans. Is the fortress in the East of Melnik, literally 10 minutes from the Central part of the city.

The building was built in the first half of the XIII century, when Alexius ruled the Principality with its capital in melnica. Originally the fortress was built as the residence of the ruler. Bolyarski house – part of Slavova fortress, which allowed him to occupy at least an important strategic position on the first defensive level. The house also acted as the Central zone and the outer part of the core of the settlement.

The building has undergone a restructuring in the next few centuries. The late middle Ages and the Renaissance – primarycode Bolyarski house. During these periods he was the most richly furnished house all melnice and the surrounding area. Marble slabs in courtyards, fountains with statues of marble, mosaic floors in interior rooms, rich painted walls and stained-glass Windows are just a small part of the luxurious decor.

People in Bolyarski house lived until the beginning of XX century. Unfortunately, today from its former opulence and grandeur were the ruins. To this day preserved interior and exterior transverse walls, which are connected with the South-East and North-West walls. And the façade walls of the tower room and an impressive cellar. Medieval Bulgarian picturesque style of architecture represented in the surviving decorative pieces of brick on the walls of the tower room and the main body of the house. Archaeological excavations have revealed near the tower master building, reservoir and well worked first half of the XIII century.