The Bolyar house in Melnik is a unique monument of medieval residential architecture not only in the Bulgarian lands, but also in the Balkans. It is preserved in ruins. It consists of several buildings and a church, which were behind a stone fence dominated by a residential and defensive tower type “donjon” with a throne room and a massive annex in picturesque style in the front part, which served as a reception room for the ruler. In 1701 the Clock Tower was built – a symbol of the Melnik Renaissance.