The ruins of the medieval Church of St. Barbara is located in the northeastern part of Melnik, just below Kordopulov house – the other famous attractions of the city.

It is not known exactly when the Church was built. The legend says that she belonged to the family Kordopulovi. Most likely, the temple was built in XIII-XIV century, in the heyday of the city. During archaeological excavations in 2008 at the depth of 60 cm were found fragments of coloured frescoes. This supports the hypothesis that on this spot once stood a still more ancient Church.

The ruins of the temple give only a vague idea of its former grandeur and beauty. Stone building survived not completely. The best-preserved altar room with apse. Here are still standing walls, in some places reaching almost 4 meters in height and tiled with stone slabs. Almost completely preserved apse with a niche and window opening. The second Church was less fortunate: there survived only a part of the wall and the Foundation stone columns.

St. Barbara, in whose honor was named the Church, is the patron of the deceased sudden death and therefore failed to confession and communion. Barbara lived in the III century. Her father was a pagan. When he learned that his daughter behind his back embraced Christianity, he subjected her to severe torture, and then beheaded. As a Martyr, suffered for the faith in Christ, Barbara was raised to the rank of Saint.

Locals have put in place of the former altar of the icon of St. Barbara. Here are the candles, coins and food.