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Folk costume from Bojmija, Gevgelija
Folk costume from Skopje
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Traditional ritual from Ohrid lake
Skopje The territory of Skopje has been inhabited since at least 4000 BC; remains of Neolithic settlements have been found within the old Kale Fortress that overlooks the modern city centre. Skopje is located on the upper course of the Vardar River, and is located on a major northsouth Balkan route. At the heart of Skopje is the Square Macedonia, a place where all sightseeing tours start. You can get
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there walking under Arch Macedonia, one of the most impressive buildings in the center of Skopje. The square was built between1920 and 1940, and it was modified and upgraded afterwards. In the center of the square there is a fountain-statue "Warrior on a horse", 22 meters high, which attracts attention with its grandeur, especially in the evenings when the
Warrior on a horse ► Arch Macedonia▼
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color spectrum and the water which "dances" to the rhythm of music makes everyone stop for a while, event those rushing somewhere. On the square a number of other monuments are to be found – Tzar Samuil, Goce Delchev, Dame Gruev, Dimitrija Chupovski, Methodia Andonov – Chento, Justiniana Prima… Stone Bridge, which comes out of the square, links the old and the new part of the city. On the left bank of the river Vardar, which represents the "old" part of Skopje, you can find the Museum of Macedonian battle for statehood and independence; Macedonian National Theatre; Memorial Center of the holokaust; Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the National Archives and Museum of Archaeology which can be reached by the pedestrian bridge called "The eye." Here is the new concert hall of the Macedonian Philharmonic orchestra and the “Bridge of art” with 28 sculptures on it.
Museum of Macedonian battle for statehood and independence ▼
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Macedonian National Theatre▼
Bridge of art▲
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Holocaust Memorial Center for the Jews of Macedoniaâ–ź
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Kale Fortress▲
Kale Fortress Kale Fortress is a monument of history and culture, located in the old city, from where you can see the Bazaar, the old part and the new part of the city. According to historical records, Kale was first settled between the 4th and 3rd millennium BC. The fortress is thought to have been built during the rule of emperor Justinian I and constructed further during the 10th and 11th centuries over the remains of emperor Justinian’s Byzantine fortress which may have been destroyed due to a number of wars and battles in the
region. During the excavations of the fortress, remains of cultural and ritual activities were discovered, remnants of animal sacrifices, pottery and bronze coins. Stone blocks from the ruins of the ancient city Skupi were used in building of the fortress. Huge walls of the fortress originate from the 11th century. Excavations show even the presence of Vikings in the 12th century. In the 14th century the Turks collapsed much of the castle, and instead it became a place of Turkish army garrison. Today it proudly rises above Skopje and witnesses the rich history of the city.
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The Stone Bridge The Stone Bridge, which connects the old part of Skopje, Square Macedonia and the new town, was built in the 6th century. Although restored and modernized, some of the original stones are still found in its base. In the middle of Stone Bridge there is an old guard house and a monument erected in the memory of Karposh, the man who led the first uprising against the Ottomans and who was impaled on the bridge.
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Millennium Cross
St. Panteleimon
On top of the mountain Vodno, at an altitude of 1066 m. rises the Millennium Cross (height 66 meters, tentacles width 46 meters), the highest in the Balkans. Since its completion in 2002, it is one of the most visited places in Skopje. The cross was built to mark 2000 years since the birth of Jesus Christ, placed on 12 pillars representing the 12 apostles. It consists of 33 items which symbolize the age of Jesus. The Cross can be reached on foot in about an hour or by a funicular.
One of the main features of Skopje, the complex St. Panteleimon, composed of a church, monastery lodgings and restaurant, is located in the village Nerezi. The frescoes in the monastery date back to the 12th century.
St. Panteleimon ▼
◄ Millennium Cross
Стара чаршија ▼
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Daut Pasin Amam â–˛ Kurshumli An â–ş
Old Bazaar
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The Old Bazaar extends from Stone Bridge to the fortress and the Bit Bazaar. Here are merged numerous cultures, history is intertwined with modernity. Even in the 12th century on the site of today's bazaar there was a trading center. When the Ottomans took over the city, they started erecting mosques, inns, and sarays. In the 17th century there were about 2150 Bazaar stores, but almost all were burned in the great fire in 1689.
Old Bazaar â–˛ Nowadays, in the old bazaar there are only a few objects that testify to the past. Suli An was built in the 15th century. Today, in the renovated facility are situated the Faculty of Fine Arts and the Museum of the Old Bazaar. West of Suli An is located the Bezisten. It was the largest shopping center in the bazaar, and it was built around a number of small shops. Today Bezisten is built on the foundations of the destroyed bazaar, originating from the 15th century. There are several shops, tea shops, and art gallery. Kapan An was built in the 15th century. It had 44 rooms, and today most of them are adapted to shops and restaurants. Chifte hammam was built in the 15th
century to be a public bathroom, and is now an art gallery. The best preserved of all is the Kurshumli An, which is now a place for concerts and cultural events. At the entrance of the bazaar, in the heart of the city is located Daut Pasha Hamam, one of the monuments of Islamic culture in Macedonia. It is part of the former Islamic trio, Ibni Pajko mosque and Caravan Saray, but today there is only Daut Pasin Amam. Built in the 15th century it represents a true masterpiece of Islamic architecture - massive walls and many domes, giving it a special glow. Today it is used as an art gallery.
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St. Spas â–˛
St. Spas For almost 5 centuries in the highest part of the Old Town, immediately below the fortress Kale, proudly stands the church St. Spas, which has received its present appearance in the 19th century. This monument of culture is also known as the place in which the relics of one of the biggest Macedonian revolutionaries, Goce Delchev are to be found.
Cave Vrelo â–ź
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Matka Canyon Canyon Matka is a favorite place for rest for many citizens of Skopje, and one of the favorite places of alpinists and speleologists in the country. Here is the oldest lake in Macedonia, created by the construction of a dam on the River Treska. Around 1000 plant species grow here and over 250 different types of butterflies. Big caves attract attention, and the most popular of them are Vrelo, Krshtena and Ubava. Vrelo is the first cave in
Macedonia that can be visited by tourists, and the entrance is a “hall” in which occasional concerts may be organized. The cave has two ponds and a source of hot water which is below the cave, in the water of the lake. Every summer in “the blazing” enter cave divers who explore the depth and the width of the cave, which is currently among the five deepest underwater caves in the world.
Canyon Matka ▼
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Mother Teresa Memorial House The House where Mother Teresa was born was located in the central square of Skopje. On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of her birth in January 2009 the memorial House of Mother Teresa was built, at the site where the Catholic Church, “Sacred Heart of Jesus” was located before the 1963 earthquake in
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Memorial House of Mother Teresa ▲ which Mother Teresa (then Gonxha Bojaxhiu) was baptized a day after her birth and she received her first communion here. The house includes an exhibition area, a chapel and an amphitheatre, and a large number of photographs and personal belongings of this humane citizen of Skopje.
Adam of Macedonia At the village Govrlevo, near Skopje, in the year 2000, archaeologists found a male figurine that originated from the Neolithic age which is one of the ten greatest discoveries in the world. The tiny figure of a male torso is known as Adam of Govrlevo, or Adam of Macedonia. Studies have shown it dates back to 5478 BC, and at the site Cerje where it was found, stone tools, jewellery and many ceramic ornaments had been excavated.
Aquaduct The Aquaduct is located in the northwest part of Skopje, on the valley of the river Serava. It was built in the 6th century during the reign of Justinian I, who was born in the village of Taor, 20 km. southeast of Skopje. Part of the aquaduct functioned until the early 20th century, supplying water to several
Adam of Govrlevo â–˛ villages in Skopje. It is long 386 meters, with 55 arches and 42 main openings, 53 poles and two ramps, but today much of it is destroyed. However, even in this situation, it is breathtaking.
Aquaduct in Skopjeâ–ź
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Ohrid is referred to as “Jerusalem of the Balkans”, because there are 365churches, one for each day of the year. St. Apostle Paul started spreading Christianity here, where he baptized the first Christian woman, named Lydia. The city is rich in picturesque houses and monuments. The importance of Ohrid and the Ohrid lake was emphasized when it was declared a World Cultural and Natural Heritage site by UNESCO in 1979. Lake Ohrid is one of Europe’s deepest and oldest lakes, preserving a unique
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Ohrid
aquatic eco system that is of worldwide importance, with more than 200 endemic species, which is why the lake is called the “museum of living fossils.” Its origins can be traced back up to more than five million years ago, long before the appearance of the first people. The clear water is the result of numerous underground and several surface sources. Ohrid trout is the most recognized resident of the lake, and also Belvica from whose scales is made the emulsion for coating Ohrid pearls.
St. John at Kaneo ▲
St. John at Kaneo The Church St. John at Kaneo is one of the most beautiful in Ohrid, built in the 13th century situated on the cliff over Kaneo Beach overlooking Lake Ohrid. The oldest fresco painting dates back to 1290. The church was built into the shape of a cruciform with a rectangular base. Reconstruction work was carried out on the church in the 14th century, shortly before the arrival of Ottoman Turks in Macedonia. A wooden iconostasis was constructed within the church and by the 20th century numerous saints along with the Virgin Mary have been portrayed.
Sts. Cyril and Methodius ►
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Samuil Fortress Samuil fortress rises above the lake. Although on the hill above the town a fortress existed as early as the 4th century BC, present fortification dates from the 4-century. Later it was expanded and it engulfed the entire hill. In the Middle Ages, entire town existed inside the fortress, and from the 15th century the town has spread down towards the lake. In numerous excavations
â—„Old Bazaar â–źSamuil fortress
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of the fortress, had been found graves with extensive archaeological material, pottery, jewelry, bronze,
iron, silver and golden items and a golden mask found at the beginning of the 21st century.
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Plaoshnik
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Plaoshnik is the place where, according to archaeological excavations, the first settlement on the hill of Ohrid was raised, at the end of the Bronze Age. In the 5th century the first Christian basilicas were built there with recognizable floors with mosaics. Towards the end of the 9th century St. Clement built a church here on the foundations of an already destroyed church from the 7th century where he set the Ohrid Literary School, the first Slavic University in Europe. This
church was pulled down with the arrival of the the Ottomans in the 15th century and a mosque was built in its place. The old church of St. Clement was restored in 2002, and a fresco painting dating from-14 century can be seen inside the church.
St. Sofia The Church St. Sofia is one of the major landmarks of the city. There are no records of its construction, although it is believed that it exists from the period of reign of Tsar Samuil. During the time of the Ottoman Empire most of the frescoes were white washed, a minaret was built over the dome and the church functioned as a mosque. Today
Church St. Sofia▲ parts of the frescoes have been restored, and a gallery of portraits of archbishops, patriarchs, bishops have been found here. In the interior and in the churchyard are held concerts of the international cultural event “Ohrid summer festival”.
Ancient amphitheater▼
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St. Naum The sources of the River Black Drim are located just at the foot of the monastery of St. Naum. There area total of 45 sources, out of which 30 on the bottom and 15 on the shore of the lake, with a capacity of about 8m3 of water per second. Black Drim flows into the lake, and on the spot where the river and lake merge concentric circles can be seen due to the touch of the lake and river currents. Because of the clearwater, it seems that you can touch the bottom, which is three meters deep. Black
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Drim got its name after the endemic black algae seen on the bottom of the water. Besides the source of the river is located Monastery St. Naum, as well as three churches - St. Mary, St. Athanasius and St. Petka. The founder of the monastery was one of the disciples of Sts. Cyril and Methodius, St. Naum. He spent most of his life in the monastery and is buried here. Today visitors of the monastery visit
The sources of the Black Drimâ–ź
St. Naumâ–źâ–˛ the relics of St. Naum and bend over his grave to hear his heart beating. Deciples of Sts. Cyril and Methodius, are St. Clement and St. Naum who are the founders of the Slavic literacy and the new alphabet, which in honor of St. Cyril is called Cyrillic alphabet. The river Black Drim flows from the lake on the northern side of Lake Ohrid, in the town Struga. 27
Old city architecture â–˛ Trpejca â–ź
Trpejca
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Trpejca is, for many people, the most beautiful place on the Ohrid coast, a little village with most beautiful beaches and blue water, close and yet away from the city noise. The village is built in an archaic style, and even the hotel built there does not stand out of its architecture.
The Gulf of Bones On the coast of the lake existed prehistoric settlements, houses which were built on platforms that stood on wooden piles which were placed in the lake. Today, in the place known as the “Gulf of bones” there is a Museum on Water, which testifies to that time. The remains from the prehistoric dwellings are located on the lake bottom, and the houses that attract tourists from all over the world, are their replica based on underwater images.
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Struga The town of Struga is the birth place of the Enlighteners, the brothers Miladinovci. At the end of the summer a festival of the written word is held here since 1961 – the “Struga Poetry Evenings”. In and around the city may be found around 120 archaeological sites which speak about the rich history of this region.
Struga Poetry Evenings▲ Virgin Mary church, Kalishta, Struga▼
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Struga is also known as the city of the eels – from the River Black Drim the eels start their journey towards the Sargasso Sea where they spawn, and then females come back to the Black Drim.
Small cave church ▲
Black Drim▲▼
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Vevchani village lies at the foot of Jablanica, near the town of Struga. According to some records, it dates from the 9th century, and in and around the village there are temples built in different periods. For its residents, it is a state in state. The village has about 2500 inhabitants and visitors can buy passports, and can exchange their money for Vevchani lichnices. The village is crowded with tourists during the Carnival held on 13th and 14th of Januari, which is an interesting mix of paganism and modernism. The main characteristics of the carnival are: archaism, secretiveness, and improvisation. Its particular features distinguish it from any other carnival worldwide. The home setting of the carnival events is the village of Vevcani, which turns into a boundless theatre, where each house and
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Vevcani
street is a scene on which disguised people perform plays like real actors. There are several traditional masks: bridegroom and bride, August the Stupid, and musicians. Other masks are basically major or minor carnival groups, which, by means of their costumes, gesticulations, and moves usually symbolize and ridicule social events and figures. The manifestation ends by burning the masks in the center of the village which symbolizes banishing the evil.
Krushevo is located at an altitude of 1350 m. It is distinguished for its narrow paved streets and specific architecture of the houses. Krushevo is a monument of history, known for the Ilinden Uprising and the Krushevo Republic. In the center of the town there is a church St. Nicholas which was burnt in the uprising against the Turks and only a small part of the items that were kept are now displayed in the monument Makedonium. On the Ilinden day (2nd of August), men are dressed like Ottoman Turks and Macedonian revolutionary freedom fighters.
Krushevo
Because of its elevation, Krushevo is one of Macedonia’s winter sports destinations.
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Kokino In 2005, NASA declared the Megalithic Observatory Kokino as the fourth most important observatory in the world. Kokino is located near the town of Kumanovo, and is often visited by astrology lovers. The greatest number of visitors come there on the date of the vernal equinox, and they all wait to see the first rays of the sun and feel the magic of this mystical place. The observatory dates back to the early Bronze Age, around 1800 BC. The ancient inhabitants
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of this region have considered it the place where heaven meats and earth. There have been found multiple vessels with gifts, evidence of cults, rites and rituals performed on the mountain.
Kuklice The village Kuklice is in the region of Kratovo. The site called “Stone dolls”, is also known as Jolly Wedding. “Dolls” are large earthen pillars that resemble human figures, and the legend associates them with the story of a frozen wedding. According to the story, a bricklayer scheduled wedding with two girls, but chose the rich one. When the poor girl heard about this, on the day of his wedding, she asked him to kiss her
for the last time, but before the kiss she cursed him to get petrified, together with the in-laws. Today, in the 148 stone figures the visitors may “recognize” the bride and the groom, the godfather, and all the guests of the wedding. According to tests carried out at the site, the stone figures were created 20 million years ago, with the erosion of volcanic rocks. The highest are up to 10 meters.
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Shara Mountain Shara Mountain is situated in the northwestern part of Macedonia, on the border with Kosovo and Albania. The source of the largest river in Macedonia, Vardar is on one of the peaks of the mountain. There are over 200 sources of clean water. Shara’s eyes are numerous glacial lakes which were created during centuries. 27 of them are on the Macedonian territory,
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out of which 19 are permanent and 8 are temporary. Because of the cold mountain air, snow on the peaks may be seen even in the summer. On Shara Mountain there are over 200 endemic plants, the largest number of endemic species in one place in the country. On this mountain there are over 45 species and the dominant are: the lynx, the doe, the wild goat, the bear and the wild boar. However, the trademark of this region is the Sharplaninec Macedonian shepherd dog, which may be seen on one denar coin and a post stamp.
Shara Mountain Eyes â–˛
Sharplaninec â–ź
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Doyran Lake is one of the three natural lakes in Macedonia. Half of its area is on the territory of our country. It owns a unique flora and fauna, and its small area has 500 species of butterflies, 15 species of fish, dragonflies, 5 types of shellfish, the Doyran endemic snail... The algae in the lake evaporate iodine, which is extremely healthful for young children. Equally healing is the mud from the lake, which helps in treating bronchitis. Doyran Lake is known for the specific type of fishing - with birds in reed fences. This type of fishing may only be found in China.
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Doyran Lake
The Koleshino waterfall is nestled in the forest of the Belasica Mountain near the village Kolesino, surrounded by maple trees and stone cliffs. It is high only 15 m., but the picturesque scenery and the untouched landscape make it a breathtaking sight. The Koleshino waterfall is beautiful in every season and continually changes to reflect nature which surrounds it. Near this tectonic waterfall there are several smaller ones.
Strumica waterfalls
In northern Belasitza, above Smolare village, the waterfall Smolare Falls is located, which is the highest waterfall in Macedonia, falling from 39.5 m. To reach the majestic beauty of Smolare Falls, visitors must wind their way up a nature path that includes 300 stone steps made from natural materials.
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Heraclea Heraclea is located near the town of Bitola. It is one of the oldest and most beautiful destroyed towns in Macedonia. The town dates from the 200 BC. In the downtown area there is a theatre which had 12 rows of seats and an honor lodge, and could hold up to 2,400 spectators. Because of constant attacks of the Goths, around Heraclea were raised high walls, and the town became a major Episcopal seat. From that period were found several great buildings - the Great Basilica, the Small basilica, the grave Basilica and
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Episcopal residence. On the floors of the buildings dominate mosaics depicting images from the Bible. With the arrival of the Barbarians life in Heraclea vanished. Nowadays, this is an ideal place for cultural manifestations throughout the summer.
The National Park Pelister is situated near the town of Bitola, in the southwest of Macedonia, on an area of12,500 ha. Untouched nature, beautiful vegetation and particular climatic conditions, make it a unique place to discover. Extremely impressive in this area are the relief forms created by pulverization of rock surface. The trademark of National Park Pelister is the small and the big lake, known as Pelister eyes.
Pelister
peak can be reached from three routes – from the mountain house Neolica through the Big Lake, from the village Nizzepole through the Big Lake and from mountain house Kopanki. The town of Bitola, Pelagonia valley, the artificial lake Strezevo and Prespa may be seen from the peak.
Bitola ▼
On Pelister thrive 88 different species, but the most distinctive is molika. On the mountain peaks grow rare herbs which are endemic to this region. The National Park has over 90 species of birds and numerous animals. With 2.601m. Pelister is the highest peak in the National Park. The
Pelister eyes ▼
Molika ▼
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Mavrovo Mavrovo was declared a National Park in 1949. The reason for its declaration as a national treasure of Macedonia was the protection of the juniper tree. There are over 50 peaks higher than 2000 meters, and those on Bistra are ideal for winter sports. The Mavrovo Lake was made in1957. It is one of the three largest artificial lakes in the country. Its
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trademark is the church St. Nicholas which, depending on the level of the water in the lake, is mainly largely submerged underwater. Tourist attraction in the National Park is Sharko’s Cave, located on the outskirts of the village of Mavrovo, which abounds with stalactites, stalagmites, corals and is fully lit and open for visitors.
â—„Church St. Nicholas
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The foundations of the monastery St. John Bigorski, which is located on the slopes of Mount Bistra were laid in 1020. Today there is a temple from late 18th century, but
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St. John Bigorski
centuries before and after that, it was destroyed, set on fire, renovated... Central position in the complex has the church St. John the Baptist. There is an icon of the Baptist in the church,
which, according to sayings, has a healing power. In times of turmoil the icon would disappear from the church and then re-appear.
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Stobi One of the most famous and most visited archaeological sites in the country is located in the center of Macedonia - the ancient town of Stobi. Studies have shown that the town came to life in 6-century BC, and remains from the Neolithic and Iron Age have been found here. At the time of the Roman Empire, the town was an important military, administrative, religious and commercial center. The town had its own blacksmith where the
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first money called denarius was hammered. At the beginning of the site rises half of the amphitheater which once held up to 7600 visitors. This had been a favorite place for entertainment of city residents. Under the remains of Stobi the church of Bishop Philip was found, which captures the beautiful mosaic floors and marble items. Next to it an Episcopal residence is situated where gold rings and bronze icon lamps were found. Near the church
were found remains of the baptistery. The town was abandoned in the 6th century, after the attacks from the Huns, the climate changes and the devastation of arable land.
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Galichnik Many consider Galichnik one of the most beautiful mountain villages in the country. Located on the Bistra Mountain, at an altitude of 1400m, it can be reached on the road leading towards the Mavrovo Lake. During the summer, the village is a major
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tourist attraction, especially in the days around St. Peter’s Day (July 12) when the traditional Galichnik wedding is held. Since 1963, the wedding is a cultural and tourist event, and the newlyweds may be only those that have Galichnik
origins. The wedding lasts several days and all newlyweds follow wedding rituals inherited from their ancestors. Only those which have Galichnik origin can buy land in the region or renovate some of the abandoned houses in the village, which even nowadays cherishes the old architecture and the spirit of the past.
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Tikvesh region Tikvesh is a plain situated in central Republic of Macedonia which is known for an artificial lake. It is home to the towns of Kavadarci and Negotino. Famous for its wine, Tikvesh is the center of the Macedonian wine production which has been cultivated for more than 120 years. The grape varieties that are grown here are “Smederevka” and “Vranec” and also “Hamburg” and “Cardinal”.
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At the beginning of September each year the Tikvesh vintage takes place, which marks the beginning of the grape harvest.
Macedonian cuisine Macedonian traditional cuisine includes many dishes that vary from region to region - shirden from Prilep, mezal’k from Kumanovo, gjomleze from Ohrid. What is typical and characteristic of the Macedonian cuisine is the widely famous ajvar, pindzur, beans, musaka, cabbage rolls, homemade pie, vegetable casserole‌
Ajvar
Homemade pie
Cabbage rolls Beans 51
Folk costumes Folk costumes in Macedonia have centuries-old tradition, they are part of the material culture of the Macedonian people and significant branch of folk art creativity. They had been passed to generations and in their development they fit many items of various cultural influences that have crossed this part of the Balkans.
Folk costume from region of Bitola
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Folk costume from Mariovo
Folk costume from Dolni Polog, Western Macedonia Folk costume from Galichnik - Lazaropole
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Most costumes are characterized by rich lace decoration, applications of gold or silver thread embroidery, woolen tousles, white linen shirts, belts, women’s aprons with ornamental decoration and specific female head coverings with richly embroidered decoration and rich and massive female jewelry. Part of the costumes have ancient Slav, ancient Balkan and Turkish-Oriental elements. An integral part of the costumes are knitted woolen socks, some in combination with golden or silver thread.
Folk costume from Kriva Palanka, Eastern Macedonia
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With the masculine costumes they are below the knee, decorated from the foot to the upper part and women’s socks are richly decorated from the foot to above the ankles.
This project is supported by the Government of Macedonia Published by: Foundation „Nikola Kljusev“ Photo: Jovan Nastevski - Jon Design: Aneta Gacevska Text: Andrijana Jovanovska Cover page- Warrior on a horse, Skopje Last page - Square „Karposh’s Rebellion“, Skopje Gratitude to Folklore enssamble Etnos
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Macedonia
Folk costume from Bojmija, Gevgelija
Folk costume from Skopje