Virgin Mary and Holy place
History of this amazing town od Melnik is described in many articles, books and Internet stories, and there is no need to repeat it.
Geocachers who will visit this town, hunting for other caches, will read much more about it in the listings.
When I visited Melnik in July 2013, I was completely astonished of it. The natural beauty of the sand pyramids is just breathtaking. It seems to me that this enchanted environment evokes a spiritual need for contact with the God. The richness of religious heritage of Melnik people (because churches and monasteries are built for people) seems to prove it. Data say that in the past “more than 70 churches, as well as 4 monasteries, were erected here”.
What you will see on the way
With all my respect and apologies to Bulgarian geocachers, I could not resist this challenge and I had to hide a cache here…
I love celebration of 1 st March!!!
About this cache: The St. Virgin Mary Spileotisa Monastery was built in the period of 1209-1211 on the spot of a tiny monastery cave (speleon). The second name – “Virgin Mary of the Holy place” is associated with a chapel at the Mount Athos Monastery Vatopedion. A donor’s deed of 1220 of the donor of the Monastery, despot Alexiy Slav, refers thereto as “Despot’s and Tzar’s Monastery.
The Virgin Mary and Holy place
Initially, the built area of the Monastery was about 1650 sq.m. In the course of time, as a result of earthquakes, the bigger part thereof had fallen into the precipice. This humble, small place of worship of God overlooks the magnificant sand pyramids and Melnik in its arms.
Each year, on 31st August, a fair is carried out in honour of the patron’s day of the Monastery.
An irresistable view
The cache is a small white plastic box.
How to get there: Start at the higher part of the town, at R1 point. The trail leads up, left behind a house and then uphill, on steepy terrain. After some 15 minutes a big blue info table will show you where to go (left). From here, after some 10 minutes, you'll get there.
Please, be very careful when getting out, logging and putting back the cache, in order to protect it of Muggles! Thanks.
Sources: Internet. Photos: Original (by Galejnik)