Jon Searles' photos with the keyword: Melnik

Here are the Melnik radnice photos, as promised. Supposedly this site has been used for the radnice since 1449, although the site has the magistrat as far back as 1398, and the current building dates to 1793. This 1793 radnice was also rebuilt in 1889 and 1941, so even it isn't completely original. Other than this, I've had trouble finding much information about it.

Here's an alternate shot of the radnice.

Here's a better look at the church tower after nightfall. It appears that the spire may be Renaissance, while the lower part may be original.

This is the Modra Hvezda Vinarna, or wine bar, actually, which carries wines from around the world, although it specialises in local and Moravian wine. What isn't so obvious is that underneath it is a reasonably serious restaurant with an experienced international chef. I showed up just before closing, and was surprised that the place was still open, and after I got into a conversation with the owner, I got a tour and a good deal on wine, although I only drank here since the restaurant was closing.

Here in the evening light you can see the tower of the Kostel svatého Petra a Pavla, or church of St.'s Peter and Paul. The church, which is part of the castle, dates to 1480, although the tower appears to be newer, possibly from the 1530 reconstruction in Renaissance style.

This was looking to the right of Picture 4, out of the public entrance.

This is Namesti Miru in Melnik, not to be confused with Namesti Miru in Prague. On the right you can see the radnice, or town hall, and I plan to post more photos of it that I shot with another roll of film.

This was shot from a slightly different angle than Picture 2, from the corner facing the tower on the right.

Zamek Melnik dates to the 10th Century, and has been owned by the Lobkowicz family since 1753, although under Communism (1948-1989) the castle was nationalised, along with the castles and estates of other nobles. The castle has had a public winery since 1925 (according to Wikipedia, although there have been cellars, and I'm assuming a private winery, since the 14th Century), which now specialises in organic wine, although the Lobkowicz family are better known for their beer. In addition to the winery, there is also a cukrarna (pastry shop) and a high-end restaurant specialising (as I understand it) in fondue. Self-guided tours are possible (I'm not clear on whether guided tours are done, but I'm assuming they are), and at least one artist was displaying his work in the Big Hall, where the Lobkowicz family normally display their antique map collection. Weddings can also be arranged at the castle.

This is not the famous Prazka Brana (for some reason this roll of film doesn't have a large photo of it, which seems weird. I do have a smaller photo. This tower appears to be attached to a private residence or business of much newer vintage.