Traditional dwelling (kăšta)
Melnik, Bulgaria
The traditional dwellings of the Pirin mountains are considered a variation of those found in the Rhodope mountains immediately to the east of the Pirin range. The dwellings typically are constructed with thick reinforced masonry walls for the ground levels and lighter framed walls with infill on the upper levels. Since the topography is often significantly sloped some of the masonry walls continue to the upper levels. The ground level interiors were used as stables and food storage and the living spaces occurred above.
(photo 2000)
