Macedonia attractions & sights http://travel2macedonia.com./feeds/tourist-attractions.xml http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attractions/macedonia Ajdar Kadi mosque - Bitola, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/ajdar-kadi-mosque-bitola Sacred heritage: The Haydar-Kadi Mosque is situated on the left bank of the river Dragor, in the location of the former Ovchi bazar, Sheep Market, near Deboj, a Turkish bath from the 17th - 18th century. Ajdar Kadi mosque was built in 1561-1562, as the project of the famous architect Sinn Mimar, ordered by the Bitola kadija Ajdar-kadu. The mosque was commissioned by Hayder Beg, the administrator of Rumelia, the largest Turkish administrative territory, with Bitola as a regional centre. According to the inscription in Arabic on the stone plaque above the door, the mosque was built in 969 he (1561/62 AD). The mosque is a domed building with massive walls of about 1,4 meters thick. The surface under the dome is 11x11m. The builders came from a small village in the region of Bitola but the project was most probably prepared by an unknown Islamic architect, influenced by the work of famous architects of that time, such as Kodja Sinan. In the description of Evlia Celebia's travels through the Balkans in the 17th century, this mosque was considered as one of the most beautifully decorated. Study of the remains show that the Haydar-Kadi Mosque was the only mosque in Bitola with two minarets. Marble decorations adorn the mihrab and the triangle-shaped tromps. The mosque was abandoned and over time, it was heavily damaged, but, the recent restoration and conservation works, have restored, to a certain extent, the original appearance to the mosque. The mosque was repaired in 1890. We also know that all the mosques of the town were restored before the visit of the Sultan Reshad in 1910, a fact confirmed by certain elements of the interior decoration painted at that time. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/110/ajdar-kadi.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/ajdar-kadi-mosque-bitola Ancient Theatre - Ohrid, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/ancient-theatre-ohrid Cultural-historical heritage: This is a theatre from the Hellenistic and the roman period. The open Ohrid theater has a perfect location: the two hills that surround it keep it protected from winds that could interfere with acoustics during performances. The Ohrid ancient theatre is located in the ancient part of Ohrid, Varoš, in the area of High Kale and Upper Saraj on Ilindenska street. During Roman times, the theater was also used for gladiator fights. However, since the theater was also a site of executions of Christians by the Romans, it rapidly turned to a highly disliked site by the locals. In fact, as a result of this dislike, the theater was abandoned and buried by the locals after the demise of the Roman Empire. Fortunately, this allowed for most of the structure to be well preserved, only to be uncovered accidentally in the 1980's. The object is on 4,000 square meters. The theatre is a place were many cultural manifestation are held, including the Ohrid Summer Festival, that is held here every year. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/69/amphitheatre.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/ancient-theatre-ohrid Aqueduct - Skopje, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/aqueduct-skopje Other attractions: Located north-west from Skopje, the aqueduct was built of stone and bricks with 55 arches supported on massive pillars. According to one group of archeologists, it was built during the 6th century AD, during the rule of Justinijan First, for water supply of his town Justiniana Prima, while according to other group of arheologists it was built during the Ottoman period by Isa Bey of Mustapha Pasha. In 1669 the traveler Dr. Brown has noted that the aqueduct is a wonderful old object, which brings a great respect to Skopje. The historians have quoted the famous chronic from the period of Justinian Procopius, whoe notes that it was build between 527-565 AD. Many archeologists beleive that, due to the similarities with the Kursumli An it dates from the Ottoman period (late 15 century). The Skopje aqueduct was used to supply water from the gorge Lavovec in Gluvo village, to the part of Skopje, which now is the Old Bazaar and Bitpazar district. Interesting to mentioned is that, in former Yugoslavia there were only 3 aqueducts remained, one in Macedonia and two in Montenegro. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/55/skopje-aquaduct.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/aqueduct-skopje Arabati Baba Tekje Dervish monastery - Tetovo, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/arabati-baba-tekje-tetovo Sacred heritage: On the road out of Tetovo on the way to Gostivar, under the Shar Mountain, there is the Dervish Arabat Baba or Sersem Ali Baba Teke. Arabati Baba Teke was built in the second half of the 18th Century by Redzep Pasha and his son Abdurahman Pasha, who were also involved in the construction of the Painted Mosque in Tetovo and the Tetovo Fortress. There is also a theory that says that Sersem Ali Baba was the one who began the construction of The Teke. The Arabati Teke is a complex of religious objects around the grave of Sersem Ali Baba, a dervish who belonged to the Bekteshi Order. Some of these religious objects that still exist today are: "sadrvan", "bogomolja", "turbe", the tower, the drinking fountain, the kitchen and the dining room, the guest bedroom, "dervishane" and "haremlak". The Arabati Baba Teke was abandoned in 1945 and is now used as a museum. The Bekteshes lived in the Teke for 120 years. They learned the secrets of their cult, one of the most significant among over 20 known Dervish cults. The Dervishes are known for their particularly cherished cult towards the late "babas" and "shehs". Once a year, in memory of the Imam Hussein and his family that was slaughtered in Kerberi, Syria, the Dervishes have their religious service. The service includes a prayer with rhythmical music and movement, during which they mention God, sway from the left to the right, back and forth and fall into a mystical trance. At the end they poke themselves with needles and other sharp objects all over their bodies. The active Dervish life in the Teke existed until 1912. In 1914 it was reintroduced and lasted until 1945, when the Teke was completely deserted. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/93/arabati-baba-tekje.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/arabati-baba-tekje-tetovo Archangel Michael monastery - Varos - Prilep, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/varos-monastery-prilep Sacred heritage: The Varosh monastery complex includes foundations of necropolis and settlements from the bronze and iron ages, thermal spas from the Roman period and numerous well preserved cultural-historical monuments from the middles ages. The most important monuments from the middle ages are the church St. Nikola (built in 1299) with one of the most important master-pieces from that period in Macedonia; the church St. Dimitrija with preserved reign doorways from the 15th century; St. Atanasius; St. Petar and Holy Mother Precista, as well as the monastery St. Archangel Michael. The monastery was built between the rock of Marko's towers, it consists of a church and old monastery inns. It is believed that the original church was built in the second half of the 12th century, and later on rebuilt. Fragments of the old painting have been preserved, including the frescoes "Christ in front of Pilat", and "The way to Golghota", "Descending from the cross". The monastery inns were built in the 19th century. The monastery is significant for its preserved stone pillars from the ancient period discovered in the monastery yard. One of them bears an inscription with Cyrillic letters from 996, and after the epitaph of Samoil's parents, this is the second inscription preserved with Cyrillic letters. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/126/varos-monastery.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/varos-monastery-prilep ASNOM memorial complex - Kumanovo, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/asnom-memorial-pelince Museums: The ASNOM memorial center is a building located in the village of Pelince, in the northern part of Macedonia. It was built in 2004 and is a copy of the original building where the first plenary session of the Anti-Fascist Assembly for the People's Liberation of Macedonia (ASNOM) was held, which is located in the Prohor Pchinjski monastery in neighboring Serbia, 2 km from the memorial center. 115 delegates held the first Anti-Fascist Assembly for the People's Liberation of Macedonia (ASNOM) in monastery St. Prohor Pcinski near Kumanovo, confirming Macedonia's social-legal position as an equal federal unit within Yugoslavia. The oldest delegate and witness of both Ilindens Panko Brasnarov opened the assembly, whereas Metodija Andonov-Cento was elected ASNOM President. The ASNOM assembly adopted several statehood documents, including the decision on introducing the Macedonian language as the official language in the country, along with the Declaration on the fundamental rights of the man and citizen of democratic Macedonia. It is therefore a building with great historical importance for the Macedonian citizens and the country. Every year the Day of the Republic is celebrated here by thousands of people and the president or the prime minister of Macedonia being guests and holding speeches. Next to the building a library, a typical Macedonian restaurant and a park were constructed. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/156/pelince-memorial.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/asnom-memorial-pelince Astibo old town - Stip, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/astibo-stip Cultural-historical heritage: Astibo is the ancient town of Stip, which is mentioned for the first time in the period of antiquity, that occurs in connection with Peonia. Later it's known as Stipion. The discovery of the location of the roman city of Astibo, has attracted the attention and caused curiosity of different explorers for a long time. During history, this name has been mentioned for the first time by antique historiographer Polien, in the 3th century BC, who brings it in connection with the river where Payonic emperors have been crowned. It is presumed that this is river Bregalnica of today. Towards the end of the 4th century, a very important roman settlement has been designated as Astibo, also mentioned in the map of Poytinger as the second station along the Stobi-Pautalija road. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/144/astibo.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/astibo-stip Baltepe Fortress - Tetovo, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/baltepe-fortress-tetovo Cultural-historical heritage: A testament to the Ottoman past offering panoramic views of Tetovo and its environs. On a hill above Tetovo, some 3-4 km from the downtown, with a spectacular view of the Polog plain. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/15/kale.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/baltepe-fortress-tetovo Banjsko Roman bath - Strumica, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/roman-thermal-bath Cultural-historical heritage: The village Bansko is located 12 km. South-east from Strumica, south-east Macedonia. The east end of the village, the place where the spring of thermo-mineral water is, is know by the name "Bath" among the local population, a thermal healing spa from late antiquity. The archeological digging on the Late-Roman thermal spa has begun in 1978 and continues, with short interruptions, till today. Till the year 2002 it was managed by Jovan Ananiev, a counselor archeologist from the Institute and Museum – Strumica. Unfortunately, his early death stopped him finishing his researches. With the last campaign we’ve covered about 1,500 sq. km. where a well-preserved Late – Roman thermal spa was discovered. Archaeological excavations have revealed 10 well preserved quarters. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/80/roman-bath.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/roman-thermal-bath Banjsko spa - Strumica, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/banjsko-thermal-spa Natural attractions: The spa is located at the height of 270 m at the bottom of the mountain Belasica, 12 km southeast from Strumica. Orrographically it belongs to the north slope of mountain Belasica which has general east-west spreading. There are layers from the time of the old Paleozoic, neogen and qarter in the geological construction of the field. The place tectonically belongs to Macedonian-Serbian tectonic massif, i.e. to Belasica’s fissure 45 km. long in east-west direction with a discent towards north under angle of 65º, and along its length there are parceled zones and millionits. All this influenced the springs of thermal water. The Banjsko spa-resort has an artificial lake 8 km, from the spa-resort. The waters emerging from the springs of the Banjsko spa are considered the hottest in Macedonia. Their temperature reaches 720C. They assist in the treatment of diseases of the digestive organs, breathing, lung, different rheumatic and intestinal diseases, all gynecological diseases, disorders of the nervous system, sterility, and rehabilitation after heart attacks. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/154/banjsko-thermal-spa.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/banjsko-thermal-spa Bargala old town - Stip, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/bargala-stip Cultural-historical heritage: Bargala is located south-east of Stip, by the Bregalnica river. Last archeological researches, discovers that the period of late antique and the early Christian period was fill out with plenty monuments. The late Roman period was in a good mood in the place of Bargala and the region of the river Kozjak. In the 4th and 5th century AD, Bargala became important and well known strong cultural and religious center. Barala was spread on 5 hectares of land. It was protected by a walls with height of 2,2 meters. The Christian complex is contained by a 4 basilicas, 3 big and 1 small. Also there was a residence for the episcope. The city was in the part of the province middle Dachiya. In the literature is first mentioned in the year of 451 AD, in the list of the meeting of Halkedon, where the episcope Dardanius from Bargala is written right near the episcope Nikola from Stobi. The both of them were mentioned in the group of episcopes of Macedonia. Not far from Bargala was discovered the ruins of the ancient city of Astibo, near Shtip. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/142/bargala.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/bargala-stip Basilica in Oktisi village - Struga, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/basilica-oktisi-struga Cultural-historical heritage: Not far from Struga, another early-Christian basilica has been found, near the village Oktisi. The excavations have been commenced ever since 1927, and continued in 1958. The basilica is three-naval, with a narthex and baptistery, it is dated around the 5th or 6th century. The baptistery, which has square basis, is abundant with mosaics with the images of: deer, horses, cantharoses, flowers and trees. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/105/oktisi-basilica.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/basilica-oktisi-struga Bay of Bones museum - Ohrid, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/bay-of-bones-museum-ohrid Museums: Ohrid was enriched with another cultural and historical landmark as well as with a tourist attraction - Museum on Water - an exceptional archaeological complex, which is one of a kind in the region. On the southern coast of Gradiste Peninsula in the Bay of Bones, a pile-dwelling settlement has been erected, which in the past was spreading at a total surface of 8.500 m2. Bay of the Bones is an authentic reconstruction of a part of the pile-dwelling settlement, dating back between 1200 and 700 BC. A Roman military fortification (Gradiste) has been reconstructed on the hill above the Bay of Bones simultaneously with constructing the pile-dwelling settlement and the Water Museum. The walls of the fortification that once had protected the Roman Empire from its enemies, are once again lifted up on the hill near Gradiste. The Roman fortress is connected with the settlement in order tourists and visitors to be given an extraordinary opportunity to experience time travel, from prehistoric to ancient times and vice versa. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/188/bay-of-bones.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/bay-of-bones-museum-ohrid Berovo lake - Berovo, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/berovo-lake Natural attractions: The Berovo lake is 7 km far from Berovo, it is 1,000 m above sea level and can be reached by car using a single asphalt road. On the way to the lake you must visit the women monastery Sv. Archangel Michael. Berovo Lake and the surrounding nature in the famous Malesevo region includes: the Berovo monastery, the excursion spot "Ablanica" and the weekend-house settlement on the banks of the Berovo Lake. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/157/berovo-lake.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/berovo-lake Bey Mahala mosque - Gostivar, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/bey-mahala-mosque-gostivar Sacred heritage: The Bey Mahala Mosque was built in 1688 by Ebu Bekir. It's also known as the Clock mosque, due to the nearby Clock tower. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/186/clock-mosque.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/bey-mahala-mosque-gostivar Bezisten - Bitola, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/bezisten-bitola Cultural-historical heritage: The Bezisten (covered market) is situated near Bitola centre, and is one of the most impressive and oldest buildings in Bitola from the Turkish period. With its numerous cupolas that look like a fortress, with its tree-branch-like inner streets and four big metal doors the Bezisten is one of the biggest covered markets in the region. It was built in the 15th century by the Rumelian Beglerbey, the Grand Vizier and the famous donor Kara Daut Pasha Uzuncarsili. Although this object looks very secure, many times during its existence it was robbed and set on fire, but it managed to endure. The Bezisten, from the 15th until the 19th century, was rebuilt and many stores, often changing over time, were located there. Most of them were selling textile and other luxurious fabrics. In the same time the Bezisten was a treasury, where in specially made small rooms the money from the whole Rumelian Vilaet was kept, before it was transferred in the royal treasury. In the Bezisten in the 19th century there were a total of 84 stores. Today most of them are contemporary and they sell different types of products, but no matter what the internal transformations, the outer appearance stayed unchanged. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/177/bezisten.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/bezisten-bitola Bezisten - Stip, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/bezisten-stip Other attractions: The bezisten is an old Turkish market. It is located in the center Stip. It is built of stone, and it is supposed to have originated from the 16th or the 17th century. Today, this construction is being used as an art gallery. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/138/bezisten.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/bezisten-stip Bitola Clock tower - Bitola, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/clock-tower-bitola Other attractions: The clock tower is the pride of the people from Bitola. According to the legends, even though the existence of the Clock Tower was mentioned before in the 1664 (17th century), present Clock Tower was built in the 1830’s, in the same period when nearby, the Orthodox Church of St. Demetrious was built. The Bitola Clock Tower got its present appearance in the 19th century, and is 30 meters high. The entrance into the Clock Tower is on the north side of the tower, and it is encircled by big marble blocks. Approximately a hundred stairs leads to the clock, to its peak about 32meters high. On each of the stairs new information, new transformation begins. Those stairs lead to the top from where in the past the big metal bells sounded, indicating the precise time. In 1927, a new numbers and the first clock mechanism were placed, and some additional changes were made. The individuals in charge to ring the bells were replaced with sajzii which were in charge to take care of the clock and the clock mechanism. The first clock face was white with black numbers and hands, and it was smaller than the present one. This clock mechanism was changed in 1936, when 15 new bells, about 900 heavy ones, were placed there. They were a sign of gratitude for the building of the Memorial Cemetery of the German soldiers who died during the First World War. In 1962, the mechanism was renewed, and in 1970 for the performance of new compositions, the piano was placed inside the tower. This Clock Tower is one of the 180 towers in the world which has built on this kind of mechanism. The music compositions make it even more unusual. Every six hours one of six compositions is played: Bitola Babam Bitola, Biljana platno belese etc. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/112/clock-tower.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/clock-tower-bitola Bitola museum - Bitola, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/institute-museum-bitola Museums: Institute for preservation of monuments of culture, Museum Bitola is a national institution of culture which main goal is the protection, systematization, scientific processing and presentation of the cultural legacy of municipality of Bitola. In the framework of the Institute and Museum of Bitola included are the following edifices: the Old Barrack, Antique locality of Heraclea Lyncestis, Art gallery (Yeni Mosque), Hajdar Kady Mosque, Memorial House of Goce Delcev, Memorial House of Stevan Naumov Stiv, the Magaza located at “27 March” Street. Provides artefacts from 3000 BC till 1945 AD. Considering the fact that the Institute and Museum of Bitola is a complex facility which in this integrated form acts since 1976 beside the review of the museum activity the review will be given also for the protection activity of the institution. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/53/muzej_bitola.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/institute-museum-bitola Catholic Cathedral - Bitola, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/catholic-cathedral-bitola Sacred heritage: http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/179/catholic-cathedral.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/catholic-cathedral-bitola Cifte Amam - Skopje, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/cifte-amam-skopje Other attractions: Built by Isa Bey in 1531. The bath is the second largest in Skopje from that time. It is divided into two parts with separate bathing entrances for the men and for the woman, that's how it got its name, that translated from Turkish means double bath. As the previous, it is turned into an art gallery. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/6/cifte-amam.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/cifte-amam-skopje City Museum of Skopje - Skopje, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/skopje-city-museum Museums: 4 departments: archaeology, ethnology, history and art history. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/52/museum-of-city-skopje.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/skopje-city-museum Cocev Kamen - Kratovo, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/cocev-kamen Cultural-historical heritage: Cocev Kamen is a rock from volcanic origin which consists of caves and rock-shelters. Cocev Kamen is believed that it has been used as a temple from prehistory (Neolithic/Bronze age), throughout Roman times, until the middle ages due to the surrounding archaeological sites. Some of the rock shelters are decorated with red figural prehistoric rock art. Cocev Kamen is also believed that it has been used as a prehistoric observatory. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/206/cocev-kamen.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/cocev-kamen Daut Pasha's Amam - Skopje, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/daut-pashas-bath-skopje Cultural-historical heritage: Daut Pasha's Bath is one of the most prominent monuments of the Islamic profane architecture. The Turkish bath was built by the grand vizier of Rumelija, Daut Pasha in the 15th century. In the first time it was used for the needs of its harem, and later it served as a public bath. Today, the Turkish bath is turned into an art gallery with a wide choice of Macedonian icons of the 14th to the 19th century, collective works of Macedonian artists - pictures, sculptures, graphics, and drawings and more recently in the rooms of the Turkish bath also concerts are held, promotions of books, theater performances with chamber orchestra etc. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/65/daut-pashas-bath.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/daut-pashas-bath-skopje Debar spa - Banjiste - Debar, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/debar-spa Natural attractions: The powerful springs of the Debar spa-resort in Banjiste, with a total velocity if 70 l/s, are located northwest of Debar at a height of 880 m in the village Banjiste, which is very close to the border with Albania. The Debar spa (Banjiste) resort is famous for its radioactivity and healing properties. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/72/debar-spa.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/debar-spa Debar spa - Kosovrasti - Debar, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/kosovrasti-spa Natural attractions: Kosovrasti spa is located east of Debar, by the Debar lake, at the distance of 8 km and at height of 585 meters above the sea level. The mineral waters of the Kosovrasti spa resort in many small waterfalls and through numerous rocks used to flow into the river Radika. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/71/kosovrasti-spa.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/kosovrasti-spa Deboj Amam - Bitola, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/deboj-amam-bitola Cultural-historical heritage: Deboj bath was built in the 17th century. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/178/deboj.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/deboj-amam-bitola Deer leap bridge - Debar, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/deer-leap-bridge Cultural-historical heritage: The Deer jump bridge (Elenski skok), is built on the Garska river, very close to the Mogorche village, in Mavrovo-Rostuse municipality. The bridge is just 600m. away from the Gostivar-Debar road and was built in the 16th-17th century. According the local story, the local people have built this bridge, after unsuccessful jump of a deer, chased by the hunters. The dear has jumped at the location, but few inches were missing to jump over the river, so he broke his legs. Impressed by the deer’s bravery and driven to catch that deer, the Bey honored the deer by building this bridge and had it built in the shape of a deer’s leap. It is why the peasants named "leap of a deer (elenski skok)". http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/214/elenski-skok.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/deer-leap-bridge Devil's Wall - Sveti Nikole, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/devils-wall Cultural-historical heritage: Devil`s Wall is a stone formation close to the village Bogoslovec, in the vicinity of Sveti Nikole and Stip. The stone blocks are huge and till this day, noone can tell for certain if this is artificial/manmade or nature creation. According the legend, the Devil has made a bet with God, that for only one night, he can build a wall and turn the flow of the Bregalnica river, towards the Ovce Pole and flood it. The same night, the Devil has started building the Wall and there was no doubt that he would build it by the morning, God has marked the following day a little earlier, just as the Devil was placing the last stone. Some people do belleive that this Wall is a remain from the period of Alexander the Great, who has here, hidden his treasure, while other claim that the water in the area has ability to heal. Next to the wall is the mountain peak named Saint John (Sveti Jovan). Lots of illegal diggers come here and search for the lost gold. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/46/gjavolski-zid.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/devils-wall Devina Tower - Mak. Brod, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/devina-tower Cultural-historical heritage: Devina Kula was built in the vicinity of the cave Pesna. Here also may be found remnants of the town's walls which were, according to legend, built by the young girl Pesna, sister of the hero Krale (King) Marko. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/166/devina-kula.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/devina-tower Dojran Clock tower - Dojran, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/clock-tower-dojran Cultural-historical heritage: The clock tower of Dojran was built in the 14th century. According to the legend passed down through many generations, the tower was built by Evrenos-beg, in honor of the conquest of Dojran. During the First World War, the tower was partially destroyed, and it remains in the same condition today. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/147/clock-tower.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/clock-tower-dojran Dojran lake - Dojran, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/dojran-lake Natural attractions: The Dojran lake has a surface of 43,1 sq km, of which 27,3 belongs to Macedonia and 15,8 sq km on Greece. The shape of Dojran lake is similar to a circle and it's length is 9 km and it's width 7 km. According to an old legend, a Macedonian girl named Dojrana was accustomed to fetching water from special springs that had to be sealed following use. Yet at the very moment Dojrana was filling her jugs, she heard that her beloved had come back from the army, and forgot to seal the springs. Dojran lake was, the legend says, the result of her unthinking euphoria. Due to the lake 15 types of fish, (of which famous are kostreš, plašica, carp, sheath-fish) and water grass (algi), the Dojran lake enters the list of world's rarities due to its special features. Dojran lake is the richest lake in fish in Europe. The ancient way of fishing with the assistance of birds (kormorans) and gratings practiced here is very interesting. A similar method of fishing exist only in distant China, and is carried out during the winter. Here on Dojran lake, the notorious Dojran fishermen still fish in a very special traditional way - by the help of birds, a special type of birds called Cormorants. Lake Dojran is also rich in vegetation. The algae that generate and emit iodine must be mentioned, as they make the water suitable for balneal therapy. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/16/dojran-lake.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/dojran-lake Dr. Nikola Nezlobinski museum - Struga, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/nezlobinski-museum-struga Museums: National museum of Dr. Nezlobinski consist of fauna from the area including some extinct species. The museum was founded in 1928 by Nikola Nezlobinski, a Russian doctor who lived and worked in Struga after the October Revolution. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/97/museum-nezlobinski.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/nezlobinski-museum-struga Elsani village - Ohrid, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/elsani-village-ohrid Natural attractions: Elshani is a vibrant village whose inhabitants of all generations are enjoying the comforts of the 21st century, still surrounded by the smell of home made bread, brandy, wine, and traditions that never fade. In Elshani, there are several shops to provide food, drinks and other most needed things for a pleasant stay between the green heights of Mount Galicica and the blue waters of Lake Ohrid. Most hosts will provide cooking facilities, and even will be happy to serve home cooked food. The nearest restaurants are located outside the village, by the lakeside. All year round activities enlighten the rural experience in Macedonia! The people of Elshani welcome visitors and will be happy to introduce you to their style of living. From early April to late October, days are long with many sunny hours and medium temperatures of the air between 20o and 30o C. This is the right time for outdoor activities, such as water sports and mountain hiking. Winter brings lower temperatures, and sometimes it can snow, as well. However, frost and fog are rarely seen here. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/183/elsani.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/elsani-village-ohrid Eski mosque - Kumanovo, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/eski-mosque-kumanovo Sacred heritage: This mosque is the oldest object with public function in Kumanovo, built in 1751 by the Ottoman Turks. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/187/eski-mosque.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/eski-mosque-kumanovo Ethno museum - Tetovo, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/ethno-museum-tetovo Museums: The smallest Ethno-museum in the world. 5 km from the Tetovo, in the house of the collector Simeon Zlatev-Mone. The museum has a fund of 1,150 items. Due to the limited space, the museum can host only one visitor. The largest part of the displayed materials date from the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century, but there are also fragments of ceramic items, which are 5,000-8,000 years old. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/92/ethno-museum.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/ethno-museum-tetovo Feudal tower - Skopje, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/feudal-tower-skopje Other attractions: The feudal tower of Skopje makes part of the House of ARM, the unique preserved monument in the new part of the city, by the monument of "Mother Teresa". The time when it was built and the one who built it are not known. Most probably it is a feudal tower of some Turkish bay. Today it is in good conditions. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/59/feudal-tower-skopje.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/feudal-tower-skopje Freedom memorial - Kocani, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/freedom-memorial-kocani Museums: The Freedom memorial was constructed in 1981, is a memorial located on a hill above Kocani. It's the most significant architectural-mosaic content dominates from the very top. This monument was designed by Gligor Cemerski. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/162/freedom-memorial.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/freedom-memorial-kocani Galicica National Park - Ohrid, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/galicica-national-park Natural attractions: The National Park Galicica is located in the Ohrid-Prespa region, the most important tourist region in Macedonia. Besides the mountain Galicica, the park encompasses areas of the shores of both Ohrid & Prespa lakes. That is to say the shore line of the Prespa Lake from the location Sirhan near Oteševo and the border, extending to the west part of the lake, to the town Golem Grad, which is also included within the Galicica National Park. In the south from the island, to the Macedonian-Albanian border in the east corner of the Ohrid Lake and in the west from the Macedonian-Albanian border to the east coast of the Ohrid Lake, the border separates from the coast and goes to the mountain Galicica. Particularly distinctive are the relief characteristics of Galicica National Park: the high mountain peaks which often exceed 2,00 m. (the Magaro peak being 2,254 m), the afforested areas at a height between 1,564 m and 1,984 m, and in the higher areas, the large pastures with numerous herds which are a special ornament of the mountain landscapes. The National Park Galicica also includes a large number of impressive caves, - a geographical reminder of the Glacial Epoch, as well as a special attraction for the tourists. Galicica National Park tourism The Ohrid & Prespa lakes and the mountain areas in the National Park Galicica are especially attractive for their beauty and natural wealth. Especially attractive is the area surrounding the monastery St. Naum, where the springs of the river Crni Drim are located. With its lower slopes reaching the edge of the lake the mountain Galicica provides vistas of extraordinary beauty. Prespa Lake with its clear water and the clean sandy beaches also presents a very picturesque landscape. Especially attractive is the island Golem Grad and the shallow bays near the village Konjsko, with their small beaches. The mountain areas of Galicica, especially the higher peaks, such as the peak Magaro at the height of 2,254 m, provide ideal opportunities for panoramic views of both lakes. Of the numerous cultural monuments in the Galicica National Park, with their historical and artistic value, especially significant are the churches St. Spas and St. Holy Mother Zahumska from the 14th century, the Monastery St. Naum and several cave churches such as St. Holy Mother in the village of Peštani and the church St. Petar on the island Golem Grad. The village Konjsko is known for its specific rural architecture. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/209/galicica-national-park.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/galicica-national-park Galicnik village - Debar, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/galicnik-village Natural attractions: The village is located about 10 km from the artificial lake of Mavrovo and the ski resort of Zare Lazaresvki, deep in the Mavrovo national park. Galicnik is famous for the Galicka Svadba, a traditional and public summer wedding, held annually on the day of the village feast of the Patron Saint Petrovden (St. Peter's day). During the wedding, local men will dance the Teskoto (the hard or heavy) - a dance that is meant to symbolize the overcoming of difficulties in life. People from Galicnik and northwestern Macedonia appreciate its mature yellow cheese kaskaval as well as the local salt brine white cheese belo sirenje. Galicnik is also famous for its local traditional architecture, including an amphitheatre in the village square, its summer Galicnik Art Colony and its countryside and nature reserve. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/118/galicnik-village.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/galicnik-village Gemidzii monument - Veles, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/gemidzii-monument-veles Other attractions: The imposing monument, 6,5 meters height, represents an involution of 12 sun rays which symbolize the twelve members of the revolutionary group Gemidzii who in the dawn of the revolt of Ilinden made famous attacks and bombings of Salonica while trying to draw the attention of Europe to the Macedonian question. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/190/gemidzii-monument.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/gemidzii-monument-veles Golem Grad island - Resen, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/golem-grad-island-prespa Natural attractions: Also known as Snake Island, is an island located in Prespa Lake. It is about 18 hectares big and includes ancient ruins from Roman, Neolithic, and Hellenic times. It also includes six churches and monasteries, and much more. Apart from the preserved church of St. Peter, the attention is drawn by the medieval church dedicated to St. Demetrius, as well as the early Christian basilica from the end of the 4th and the beginning of the 5th century, where remnants of a floor mosaic have been found. It is home to many endemic plants, rare birds, and many snakes. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/194/golem-grad-island.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/golem-grad-island-prespa Golem Korab peak - Gostivar, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/golem-korab-peak Natural attractions: The highest peak in Republic of Macedonia - Golem Korab or Korabska Vrata (2,764 m). The Korab mountain is adjacent to the Šar Mountain. Climbing is organized by the mountain club PSD "Korab". http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/43/golem-korab.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/golem-korab-peak Gorna Belica village - Struga, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/gorna-belica-village Natural attractions: The village of Gorna Belica (1,600 meters above the sea level) can be reached by driving, biking or walking from Struga, or by hiking from Vevcani. Nowadays, this village is almost abandoned, although some residents visit on weekends and holidays. The church of St. Petka is undergoing restoration, but the two ladies are happy to tell its story and that of the saint. The owners of some of the cottages offer accommodation in their homes, and there is a modern hotel in the center of the village. The legends says that St. Clement used to spend his vacation here in the past. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/123/gorna-belica.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/gorna-belica-village Gostivar Clock Tower - Gostivar, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/clock-tower-gostivar Other attractions: The Clock tower, was built by Abu Qebir an Ottoman Bay (ruler) in 1683. It's located in the center of Gostivar and has been renovated while ago. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/184/clock-tower.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/clock-tower-gostivar Grkov winery, Krnjevo - Kavadarci, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/grkov-winery Other attractions: Grkov winery is situated 26 km away from Kavadarci, on the foothils of Kozuf mountain in the village Krnjevo. The total production capacity is 120.000 liters with a possibility of increasing. The terrain of Krnjevo, as well as the climate, the altitude provide perfect condition for a high quality grapes such as Pinot Noir, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/215/grkov-winery.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/grkov-winery Halveti Tekje - Struga, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/halveti-tekje-struga Sacred heritage: One of the most representative examples of Ottoman architecture in Struga and it is protected by the Macedonian Cultural Memorial Institute. The Tekje (Muslim monastery) was established by Hasan Baba (Asan Dede) in the beginning of the 18th century and consists of five rooms in the shape of the letter T. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/101/halveti-tekje.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/halveti-tekje-struga Heraclea Lyncestis - Bitola, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/heraclea-lyncestis Cultural-historical heritage: Heraclea Lyncestis is a ancient Macedonian town found by the ancient Macedonian King Phillip 2nd in the middle of the 4th century BC, but most of the remains that can be seen in Heraclea Lyncestis are from the Roman and the early christian period. Heraclea Lyncestis was an important strategical town during the Hellenistic period as it was at the edge of Macedonia border with Epirus to the west, until the middle of the 2nd century BC, when the Romans conquered Macedon and destroyed its political power. The main Roman road in the area, Via Egnatia went through Heraclea Lyncestis, and made Heraclea Lyncestis an important stop. The prosperity of Heraclea Lyncestis was maintained mainly due to this road. The Roman emperor Hadrian built the theater in the center of Heraclea Lyncestis, on a hill, when many buildings in the roman province ofMacedonia were being restored. It began being used during the reign of Antoninus Pius. The theater went out of use during the late 4th century AD, when gladiator fights in the Roman Empire were banned, due to the spread of Christianity, the formulation of the Eastern Roman Empire, and the abandonment of, what was then perceived as, pagan rituals and entertainment. In the early Byzantine period (4th to 6th centuries AD), Heraclea Lyncestis was an important episcopal centre. Some of Heraclea Lyncestis bishops have been noted in the acts of the Church Councils as bishop Evagrius of Heraclea in the Acts of the Sardica Council from 343 AD. In the late 6th century Heraclea Lyncestis suffered successive attacks by Slavic tribes. In place of the deserted theater several houses were built between the 6th century and the 7th century AD, when Slavs settled across the northern regions of the Balkans. Just small portion of Heraclea Lyncestis has been unearthed, including a theatre, two water fountains, courthouse, baths, bishops palace and two basilicas. There is a small museum on the grounds with few artifacts and a nice scale model of the city at its peak. The entrance in the Heraclea Lyncestis museum is included in the ticket for the site. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/23/heraklea-lynkestis.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/heraclea-lyncestis Holy Mother Bolnicka church - Ohrid, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/holy-mother-bolnicka-church-ohrid Sacred heritage: The church of Holy Mother Bolnicka is located opposite the church of Saint Nikola Bolnicki. The church yard is fenced with a high wall, and within the yard there are several tombs of monks or priors and the joint tomb of many citizens of Ohrid. There are several valuable icons and wooden iconostasis, carved, by master Nikola from Debar. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/68/sveta-bogorodica-bolnicka-view.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/holy-mother-bolnicka-church-ohrid Holy Mother of God church - Bitola, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/holy-mother-of-god-church-bitola Sacred heritage: Holy Mother of God church (Sveta Bogorodica/Virgin Mary) is a small basilica church built in 1870. This church is a triple flight church with an octagonal cupola on the west side. Under the west entry (door) there is a magnificent iconostasis made by a master woodcarver from Mijak. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/201/sveta-bogorodica.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/holy-mother-of-god-church-bitola Holy Mother of God church - Gostivar, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/holy-mother-of-god-church-gostivar Sacred heritage: The church is cathedral in the city and it's located in the Gostivar's square. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/185/sveta-bogorodica.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/holy-mother-of-god-church-gostivar Holy Mother of God Eleusa church - Strumica, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/holy-mother-of-god-eleusa-church-strumica Sacred heritage: Built on a rocky plateau, the monastery of the Holy Mother of God Eleusa is located in the village of Veljusa, about seven kilometers west of Strumica. The bishop Manuel of Strumica made this monastery, dedicated to the Holy Mother of God (Holy Virgin) Eleusa of Tenderness, in 1080 AD. This place is the most visited place in all of the eastern region of Macedonia. The monastery is important because of its architechtural layout, 11th century frecoes, floor mosaic, and the marble iconstatis. This church is important because of its architecture, mural picturesqueness, mosaic floor and the marble iconostasis. Holy Mother of God Eleusa is the only church from this period with that kind of architectural concept. In the basis it is a tetraconch (four leaved clover), and above it it’s raising an octagonal dome. The facades on the north, east, and south conch are animated with two rows of niches made of bricks. The Veljusa monastery was visited in person by the Byzantine Emperor Alexis I Comnenus, and he was enchanted by its beauty. At certain periods of time this monastery was male, but there was also a sisterhood in Vodocha, while today is the opposite. Painting of the church is done in three time periods. The altar, under-domed space in the nave and walls, the konhs and the chapel the painting occurred in 1085, the porch dates from 1164 and the nave is from the 19th century, with many local painting features. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/81/sveta-bogorodica-eleusa.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/holy-mother-of-god-eleusa-church-strumica Holy Mother of God Perivleptos church - Ohrid, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/holy-mother-of-god-perivleptos-church-ohrid Sacred heritage: The Holy Mother of God church was built in 1295. The fresco painting in this church represent some of the first works of the most prestigious Macedonian icon-painters Michail and Eftihije. On the walls of this church, with extraordinary vitality and power, those two icon-painters have painted scenes from the life of Christ and the mother of God. After the destruction of Clement's church St. Pantelejmon, which was burned and converted into a mosque by the Turks, the relics of St. Clement were transferred here, and ever since the citizens of Ohrid named the church St. Clement. When the biggest church in Ohrid, St. Sophia, was transferred to a mosque, St. Holy Mother Perivleptos became synod Ohrid Archbishop. The most important treasures of the Holy Mother of God Perivleptos church are the old ecclesiastical books, perchament manuscripts of 11th and 12th century, old music notes of Byzantine church songs, icons. Worth mentioning are the Litian icons, one of which is valued as a master piece from 18th century. It presents "Holy Mother of God with Jesus Christ" on one side, and "Christ's crucifying" on the other. The other two-side Litian icon presents St. Clement on one side, and St. Naum on the other. The icons were supposed to be "miraculous" because the inhabitants believed that the city protector can defend the city from the events that happened in Ohrid at that time. The tombstone of the mutual grave of St. Clement of Ohrid and the archbishop Prohor is saved in the south part of the church. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/17/holy-mother-of-god-perivleptos.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/holy-mother-of-god-perivleptos-church-ohrid Holy Mother of God the Cleanest monastery - Kicevo, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/holy-mother-of-god-cleanest-monastery-kicevo Sacred heritage: Not far from Kicevo, is the Monastery dedicated to St. Bogorodica Precista (Immaculate Mother of God). Holy Mother of God the Cleanest monastery near Kicevo is located on the slopes of the mountain Vrboj, at an altitude of 920 meters. The Holy Mother of God Precista church was built in the 19th century. Dedicated to the Virgin Mary, the Holy Mother of God, the feast day of this monastery is Mala Bogorodica, (Birthday of the Virgin Mary on the 21st of September). The monastery, dedicated to the Annunciation and lodgings for devout monks, represents a medieval monastery that was known under the name Krninski monastery in the past. The Precista monastery, was built in 1316, and it was burned down by the Turks in 1558. Several centuries after in 1848, the Christian population of Kicevo, has managed to rebuilt this monastery church again. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/152/sveta-bogorodica-precista.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/holy-mother-of-god-cleanest-monastery-kicevo Holy Saviour church - Skopje, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/holy-saviour-church-skopje Sacred heritage: It was built in the beginning of the 17th or 18th century, upon foundations on an older church. Part of the fresco painting on the southern side was found from this older church which origins from 16th century. In contrast to the modest outside appearance of the church, after one enters inside, he immediately becomes astonished in front of the beauty of the iconostasis on the eastern side. The 19th century iconostasis of the church of the Holy Savior, carved in walnut, combines a profusion of plant and animal motifs with the figures of saints in local costumes. This realistic high-relief carving is the work of skilful craftsmen of the Debar area, who included their own figures in one corner of the iconostasis. The iconostasis is 6 meters high and 10 meters long. On this space, the carving group managed to show numerous scenes from the bible, important geometrical ornaments and figures from the flora and the fauna. The iconostasis at this church is one of the finest samples of traditional woodcarving which can be found on the territory of the Republic of Macedonia along with the iconostasis of St. Jovan Bigorski Monastery. Goce Delčev (1872 Kukus/Kilkis, Greece - 1903 Serres, Greece), an important revolutionary hero and member of IMRO from the period of the Macedonian struggle for liberation from the Ottomans, is to be found in the yard. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/2/sveti-spas.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/holy-saviour-church-skopje Holy Saviour church - Stip, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/holy-saviour-church-stip Sacred heritage: The church Holy Savior (Sveti Spas) is located on the left bank of the river Otinja. According to the preserved data, it was built in 1369, as the inheritance of the duke Dimitar. Today, from the old frescos, remain only certain parts representing the old prophets, several saints of the synod church and the beautiful compositions Transfiguration and The Holy Indivisible Trinity. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/137/sveti-spas.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/holy-saviour-church-stip Holy Trinity church - Kumanovo, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/holy-trinity-church-kumanovo Sacred heritage: Holy Trinity (Sveta Troica) church was built in 1902. Holy Trinity (Sveta Troica) church is a product from the struggles in the 19th century by initiative of the Patriarshy. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/117/holy-trinity.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/holy-trinity-church-kumanovo Holy Trinity church - Radovis, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/holy-trinity-church-radovis Sacred heritage: The building of the Sveta Trojca/Holy Trinity church in Radovis is work that proves our historical existence and our love to God. The cathedral church Holy Trinity has been built recently. It covers an area of about 5,000 square meters. The interior and the exterior of the church were designed by the Ukrainian painter Anatolij Gajdanaka and they are based on Macedonian church tradition. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/167/sveta-troica.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/holy-trinity-church-radovis Ilinden rebels monument - Veles, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/ilinden-rebels-monument-veles Other attractions: Duke on a horse is placed in the center of the city, placed between old city clock tower and the monument of Koco Racin, dedicated to dukes of Veles, participants in Krusevo liberation and creating a famous Republic of Krusevo: Jovan Naumov – Alabakot, Aleksandar Dimov – Dokurcev, Todor Hristov – Oficerceto and all fighters for Macedonian freedom. In the past "malo movce" (little bridge) was the most famous bridge in Veles. Veles was known as city of bridges. There, where in the past stands the little bridge, connecting both costs of river Vardar today stands a bridge again, dedicated to the old little bridge. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/90/ilinden-rebels-monument.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/ilinden-rebels-monument-veles Isak Celebi mosque - Bitola, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/isak-celebi-mosque-bitola Sacred heritage: The mosque was built in 1508 by judge Isak Celebi Ibni Asa. The diameter of the dome is 26 meters, and the minaret is 45 meters high. Across from the Clock Tower and the Big Bezisten (Covered Bazaar), this mosque with its almost 50-meter-high minaret, simply dominates the area. This single-room under-dome mosque, surrounded with always nurtured plants, represented a real resting place for the soul of its donor, but as well as to the believers that come here to say their prayers or simply to hear God’s words. Built in a cloisonné technique, where the cut stones and bricks alternate, we can see the unusual but attractive appearance of this important object. The entrance of the object actually represents an entrance within the double closed porch of the mosque, which, with its vastness only announces the big interior of the mosque. The four pillars, resting on a high stone pedestals are ending with identical capitals. This pillars that dominate the room are the main decorative element in the porch. The main portal is situated on the northwest wall of the porch. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/108/isak-celebi-mosque.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/isak-celebi-mosque-bitola Isar fortress - Stip, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/isar-fortress-stip Cultural-historical heritage: Isar fortress is located between the rivers Bregalnica and Otinja. Exact records of the time of the construction of the fortress have not been found. Some of the 19m high fortress walls have been preserved. During the middle ages, churches were built on all four sides of the fortress. In 1332, they built a church dedicated to St. Archangel Michael. The second church, built in 1341, was dedicated to St. Nikola, and a few years later, the third church - which has been preserved in its original form until the present day. The last church dedicated to St. Vasilie, was located on the north side of the fortress, and it was built in 1337. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/136/isar-fortress.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/isar-fortress-stip Isar Marvinci - Valandovo, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/isar-marvinci Cultural-historical heritage: The discovered "stadium" milestone from the 3rd or the beginning of the 2rd century BC leads to the conclusion that the name of the city was Idomene, who belonged to the southern Macedonian area called Amphacsitida. The archeological site contains remnants of a temple, dated from 181 BC and designed according to the Roman concept, dedicated to the Roman emperor Comodus. The archeological findings are dated from the Bronze Age to the late Antiquity, and are especially significant in clarifying the culture of Payonia in the Pre - Roman time. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/203/isar-marvinci.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/isar-marvinci Jeni mosque - Bitola, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/jeni-mosque-bitola Sacred heritage: Built in 1558 by Kadi Mahmud Efendi, the diameter of the dome is 19 meters, and the minaret is 39 meters high. Christian and Muslim, mine and yours, common… Deep inside the foundations - a church, height up to the sky - a mosque. Blue and white in the interior, blue and white toward the sky. Khadi Mehmed effendi Mosque or known as the Jeni Mosque was built in 1558/59. According to its appearance this mosque is one of the most impressive and maybe most valuable buildings in Bitola. With the diameter of the dome is 19 meters and a minaret that is about 39m high, it rises up to the sky. The massive wooden doors are the most dominant element at first sight. But when they open up, a different story will lay out in front of our eyes. The enclosed porch will welcome us with its calmness and whispers to us about thousands of believers that had spoken their prayers here. The second wooden door with a shallow carved decoration will lead us to the prayer space, to the mosque itself. Jeni mosque houses the city art galery. Yeni means "new" in Turkish. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/109/jeni-mosque.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/jeni-mosque-bitola Jewish cemetery - Bitola, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/jewish-cemetery-bitola Other attractions: The Jewish cemetery are located north-eastern of Bitola downtown. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/176/jewish-cemetary.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/jewish-cemetery-bitola Kale fortress - Skopje, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/kale-fortress-skopje Cultural-historical heritage: Kale fortress has the dominant place in Skopje. It was built of stone blocks from the ruins of the city of Scupi, during the rule of the Byzantium Emperor Justinijan the 1st. The ramparts of the Skopsko Kale are 121 meter long and today one square, one rectangular and one round tower are saved. It originates from the 6th century, while it's presents appearance is from the Ottoman period. The great complex since 1392 was stationary of the Turkish army until 1913, when Skopje falls under Serbian authority. And in the period from 1913 to 1953 here was settled the Yugoslav army. Today in the space of the fortress is an arranged park, which serves for recreation and fun, and in the evening hours besides the sounds of the Macedonian folks music, the visitors have a wonderful view on the city and the river Vardar from there. Currently this fortification is being reconstructed. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/4/kale-view.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/kale-fortress-skopje Kalista monastery - Struga, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/kalista-monastery-struga Sacred heritage: The Kalista monastery complex - Holy Mother of God, is located on the shore of the Ohrid lake, in a beatuful rocky area, south of Kalista village. The monastery is located in the village of Kalista (30 km from the town of Ohrid) on the western edge of Lake Ohrid, toward Albania. It hosts one of the most important Church in the rock of the Lake. Central place in the Kalista monastery complex takes the new church Holy Mother of God, renovated in 1977 (over an older 17th century church). Today, there's a very important icon is kept, where the Holy Mother of God is painted woth Black face and clothing, holding in her hands the Black Jesus. The oldest part of the Kalista monastery is an cave church, built in the 13th century, deep into a rock. Close to the Holy Mother of God church is the other smaller church dedicated to Saint Peter and Paul (built in 1990). From its basin flow water, which according the local can heal several diseaseс and spell. Now the monastery complex includs another church and the residentials buildings. In the Monastery is possible to buy souvenirs. On the way to Elen Kamen settlement, which is on south, you can visit the Saint Atanasius cave monastery. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/204/kalista-monastery.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/kalista-monastery-struga Kapan An - Skopje, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/kapan-an-skopje Cultural-historical heritage: Standing in the old bazaar. The ground floor used to house the horses and the goods of the merchants that visited the bazaar and the city, while on the first floor were the rooms where the people slept. The han was built in the 15th century. Today it houses a nice restaurant. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/7/kapan-an.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/kapan-an-skopje Katlanovo spa - Skopje, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/katlanovo-thermal-spa Natural attractions: The Katlanovo thermal spa is situated 20 km to away from Skopje, on the Skopje-Veles (E-75) road, in the Katlanovo village. The favorable influence of the waters of this spa-resort was recognized for the first time by the Romans, as testified by the remainders of constructions from Roman times found in the area of the spa-resort: obviously the ancient population of this area, also used to exploit the waters. In the immediate vicinity of the spa-resort there are numerous springs with hot and cold mineral waters. Each of them is characterized by a completely different chemical composition, temperature and quantity of water. The water in the hottest spring is 500C high, and is used for therapeutic purposes. Near the spa-resort, there are long cracks which reach 350 m and from where hot steam and hot water emerge. There are sulfur, alkali-coal and cold earth-alkali acid waters. In the complex of the spa-resort, there is a special hospital for rheumatic diseases, with residential and therapeutic departments, equipped with modern devices and instruments, as well as with rooms for physio-therapy and rehabilitation. The hospital liases with appropriate clinics at the Medical faculty in Skopje and employs a full range of expert medical staff for diagnosis and therapy (specialist -physicians, medical nurses, physio- therapists, midwives). The waters of Katlanovo spa are believed to be curative of many rheumatic diseases, neurological and orthopedic diseases, chronic diseases of the digestive organs, of kidneys and of the urinary tract, diabetes in mild forms, as well as chronic gyneacological diseases. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/148/katlanovo-spa.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/katlanovo-thermal-spa Kezhovica spa - Stip, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/kezhovica-thermal-spa Natural attractions: The spa is located near the shore of the river Bregalnica, in the south east part of Shtip. The temperature of the thermal mineral waters in the spa-resort reaches 620C, and the radioactivity reaches 42,82 moch units. The water is characteristic for its very favorable chemical composition: it contains sodium chloride, sodium sulfate, and sodium oxide. The spa-water is believed to be curative of rheumatism, ankle and nervous system, diabetes, arteriosclerosis, high blood pressure, etc. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/140/kezovica-spa.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/kezhovica-thermal-spa Kitino Kale fortress - Kicevo, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/kitino-kale-fortress-kicevo Cultural-historical heritage: According to the earliest document this is a fortress from the ancient period, when Kicevo was known as Uskana. It was very important stronghold during the rule of the Byzantine emperor Vasilius 2nd, being a military-administrative and merchant center. The Turks were using it - as a military base. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/153/kitino-kale.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/kitino-kale-fortress-kicevo Koco Racin memorial house - Veles, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/koco-racin-memorial-house Museums: Koco Racin (Kosta Solev) (1908-1943) was a Macedonian revolutionary and poet, who is considered a founder of modern Macedonian literature. Born in Veles in 1908 to a poor family, Ratcin was encouraged by his parents to study art and literature His father Apostol was a poor potter who taught Ratcin the pottery trade. In his youth, Ratcin participated in the progressive movement that propagated a Communist ideology. In May 1943, Ratcin joins to the workers party in the same time when he published his first anthology of the folk songs dedicated to liberation of Macedonia. Kosta Solev Ratcin was killed on June the 13, 1943. Today, important institutions and international manifestations carry his name. The anthology White dawns is foreseen also in the Golden Library of chosen European books which is an UNESCO initiative. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/213/koco-racin-house.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/koco-racin-memorial-house Kokino megalithic observatory - Kumanovo, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/kokino-megalithic-observatory Cultural-historical heritage: An important megalithic observatory site. It is believed that represents an astronomical observatory and a ceremonial place. The site is approximately 3,800 years old. Kokino consists of two parts. It includes special stone markers used to track the movement of Sun and Moon on the eastern horizon. The observatory used a method of stationary observation, marking positions of the Sun at the winter and summer solstice, as well as the equinox. The importance of the site, was confirmed by the U.S. space agency NASA. It appears 4th on the list of old observatories compliled by NASA. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/25/kokino-observatory.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/kokino-megalithic-observatory Kolesino waterfall - Strumica, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/kolesino-waterfall-strumica Natural attractions: The waterfall gently falls over the stone cliffs nestled in the forest of the Belasica Mountain at a height of 19 metres (62 ft.) in multiple watery streams only to reform into the river below. Kolesino waterfall is found at an elevation of 610 meters on the Baba River in the heart of the Belasica Mountain, surrounded by maple trees and stone cliffs. The water of this waterfall falls from the height of 19 metres. The Kolesino waterfall is beautiful in ever season and continually changes to reflect nature which surrounds it. In the winter, these fragile streams can become frozen and in the spring, strengthened by the recent rainfalls, the gentle streams rush more powerfully over the cliff sides. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/84/kolesino-waterfall.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/kolesino-waterfall-strumica Konce monastery - Radovis, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/konce-monastery-radovis Sacred heritage: The Konce monastery dates from earlier than the 14th century, with a church dedicated to St. Stefan. Located at the village of Konce, 20 km to the south from Radovis. This monastery was a very important spiritual and religious center with well-developed monastic life in the beautiful and spacious lodgings (konaci). http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/168/konce.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/konce-monastery-radovis Kosturnica memorial - Veles, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/veles-kosturnica-memorial Museums: The Kosturnica represents a Memorial from the Second World War. It's a strange, cement, cracked-egg-shaped structure. It symbolizes a German helman of the Second World War, broken in four pieces. There is a museum inside this building, where the exhibits and documents tell the history of the town during that period. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/88/kosturnica-veles.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/veles-kosturnica-memorial Kozjak lake - Skopje, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/kozjak-lake Natural attractions: The newly-built artificial lake of Kozjak on the Treska River is the largest man made accumulation in Macedonia. Local people have already started telling stories related to the lake: its construction, the fish that does not want to return to the river but immediately adapts itself to the new conditions etc. Kozjak Hydro Power Plant is a large hydroelectric power plant on the river Treska which creates an artificial lake Kozjak, the largest in Republic of Macedonia. It is located in the western part of the country in the municipality of Makedonski Brod. The power plant has two turbines with a nominal capacity of 41 MW each having a total capacity of 82 MW. The lake is 32 km (20 mi) long, with maximum depth of 130 m (430 ft). The maximum elevation of the lake is 469.9 m and it has a capacity of about 380 million m³ of water. There is an abundance of fish in the lake. The construction of the dam started in August 1994. The reservoir started filling in May 2003, and the two power generators finally went online in July and September 2004. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/12/kozjak-lake.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/kozjak-lake Kozuf ski resort - Gevgelija, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/kozuf-ski-resort Other attractions: http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/33/kozuf.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/kozuf-ski-resort Kratovo bridges - Kratovo, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/kratovo-bridges Cultural-historical heritage: The bridges which unite both parts of the city, extend as lances between the two shores of Tavacka river, and are a special feature of the town. Carsiski, Grofcanski, Yorkshirski, Argulicki and Radin birdge - all of them are built of the Kratovo river. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/163/kratovo-bridges.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/kratovo-bridges Kratovo towers - Kratovo, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/kratovo-towers Cultural-historical heritage: Only 6 of 12 medieval towers of the city have been preserved to the present day. The time of the construction of those towers has not been established yet, but their architectural style and the ornamentation used, indicate that those construction originate from the period of the Turkish rule. The more significant towers in Kratovo, are the Simiceva tower, Emin-Bey, the clock tower, the Zlatkova, Krsteva and the Hadzi-Kostova tower. The most imposant of them is the Simikjeva tower, located in Dolna Maala district, built in the distant 1370 AD. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/164/kratovo-towers.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/kratovo-towers Krusevo Foundry Museum - Krusevo, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/krusevo-foundry-museum Museums: The museum exists after it has been re-opened since 2003. This is the place whrere the weapon and munition was made for the uprisers. Inside are the part of the tools what they use and some weapons. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/197/krusevo-foundry.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/krusevo-foundry-museum Krusevo old town architecture - Krusevo, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/krusevo-old-town-architecture Cultural-historical heritage: As the city was started from scratch, the Vlachs were willing to invest and the Mijaks were excellent builders, in Krusevo a very interesting architecture has developed. The houses are freestanding, mostly symmetrical, without open spaces typical for other towns in Macedonia. The back of the houses are built of stone, while the front of socalled bondruk construction of wooden columns and beams covered with white plaster. There is almost always a well in the ground floor. On the main facade usually there are painted decorations in blue colour. Blue is also usually used for the window frames and other details of the facades. On the upper floor there usually is a small balcony with a triangular pediment above it to put accent on the symmetry of the house. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/199/krusevo-architecture.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/krusevo-old-town-architecture Kursumli An - Skopje, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/kursumli-an-skopje Cultural-historical heritage: Memorial of Mula Musledin Hodza. Acts impressively and delightfully with its monumentality, decoratively built walls and the numerous domes in shape of pyramids. The yard of Kuršumli An during the summer period is being used for organizing of cultural manifestations: dramatic performances, concerts, literature readins, etc. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/9/kursumli-an-front.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/kursumli-an-skopje Lapidarium museum - Ohrid, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/lapidarium-museum-ohrid Museums: The Lapidarium museum is located next to the Museum of Ohrid (House of Robevci). The Lapidarium museum is used for presentation and the sale of books, and other publications connected with Ohrid. Also, various copies of authentic artifacts are to be found here. Ohrid Lapidarium museum also offers a collection of original artifacts found on the archaeological sites of the town. There is a yard exhibition as well, where visitors can check on monuments and marble artifacts. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/189/lapidarium.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/lapidarium-museum-ohrid Lesnovo monastery - Probistip, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/lesnovo-monastery-probistip Sacred heritage: Lesnovo village is located in the vicinity of Probistip, 900-1000 meters above sea level. The village monastery St. Gavril Lesnovski was constructed in 1347 by the ruler Oliver 1st. The monastery is known for its manuscript-writing school and the wood-carved iconostasis from 1811, a work of art performed by the Mijak craftsman. The monastery is the centre of the Christianity in this part of the country and has been visited by many during religious holiday services. The Church of the Holy Archangels in Lesnovo. The village Lesnovo is 17 kilometers from Probistip. An asphalted road leads to it. The village has its own authentic architecture and an enormous very old ethnological collection. The Lesnovo environment is very interesting - the landscape is predominately rocks, naturally sculptured, among which the most impressive one is the so-called "Virgin Mary with a Child". http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/44/lesnovo-monastery.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/lesnovo-monastery-probistip Lesok monastery - Tetovo, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/lesok-monastery-tetovo Sacred heritage: The Monastery of Lesok (Leshok/Lešok) with the churches of St. Atanasius and of the Holy Mother of God (Holy Virgin), from the 14th century, is situated 8 km from Tetovo. The oldest information about Lesok monastery comes from the first half of the 14th Century, 1326. The Lesok church is in the shape of a triconhos. There are three layers of frescoes on the walls from different periods. The bottom layer is from the time of the construction of the church, the second one is from the 17th century and the last layer is from 1879. The Lesok church is dedicated to Saint Atanasie and was built by a monk Joanakie, later the first bishop of Dolen Polog, during the foundation of the first Polog eparchy, between 1348-1355. The Lesok monastery with the church of Sveta Bogorodica (Holy Mother), were renovated and converted into monastery in the early 19th century by Kiril Pejcinovic. Before the 17th century the Lesok monastery was restored by the bishop of Polog, Nikanor. Around 1698 the Lesok monastery was seriously damaged in a severe storm. The waters from the mountains flooded the Lesok monastery, and the monks abandoned it. Since then, and all the way to 1927, the Lesok monastery was in ruins. The Lesok monastery's conchs were built with the arrival of the famous Macedonian educator Kiril Pejcinovic in 1818. In honor of the educator Kiril Pejcinovic, who is buried in its yard, this monastery hosts an International Meeting of Literary Translators. The Lesok monastery, Saint Atanasius was bombed by Albanian rebels in the 2001 Macedonia conflict, but has since been rebuilt. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/14/lesok-monastery.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/lesok-monastery-tetovo Ljubanista village - Ohrid, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/ljubanista-village-ohrid Natural attractions: Ljubanista village is the last before Saint Naum. Many people seem to like it, probably because of the sand beach (which arguably looks like mud). There is camping here. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/78/ljubanista.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/ljubanista-village-ohrid Makedonium - Ilinden memorial - Krusevo, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/makedonium-memorial-krusevo Museums: The Makedonium is a symbol of the town, built on the highest area in the town called Gumenje. It's a monument of the Macedonian statehood and a memorial of the Ilinden rebellion. The Makedonium is a symbols that represents a synonym for Krusevo. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/169/makedonium.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/makedonium-memorial-krusevo Marko monastery - Skopje, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/marko-monastery-skopje Sacred heritage: The monastery is situated in the valley of the Marko's River, in the vicinity of the village of Markova Sushica near Skopje (on Kitka mountain). The church is dedicated to St. Demetrius and the name Marko's monastery was acquired by its donor, the king Marko (the first son of the king Volkashin). According to the donor's inscription the monastery was founded in 1346/47 under the king Stefan Dushan and the king Volkashin, and was finished by the king Marko in 1366, who is also the donor of the frescoes painted between 1366 and 1371. The church is in the shape of a cross inscribed within a rectangle with a central dome, and a narthex with a blind dome on the west. The frescoes were painted by several painters coming from different art schools. Some of them are considered to be the followers of the Ohrid painter, Jovan Theorianos. In the wall paintings dominate illustrations of scenes based on church poetry and literature. Traditional Gospel scenes are also depicted, as well as scenes from the life of Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary. The disposition of some of them is quite unusual and differs from the well-established rules. In the narthex there are scenes from the life of the patron of the church, St. Demetrius, as well as from the life of St. Nicholas the Great. Above the entrance on the Southern facade is the donor's composition, representing king Marko and his father king Volkashin. It is unknown why the monastery is built in the vicinity of Skopje instead of Prilep the capital of their medieval kingdom. It is presumed that the grave of king Marko was here in Marko's monastery, but it was destroyed by the Turks. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/60/markov-manastir.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/marko-monastery-skopje Matejce monastery - Kumanovo, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/matejce-monastery Sacred heritage: The Ascension of Holy Mother is located near the village of Matejce. The Matejce monastery is built high on the Skopska Crna Gora mountain in the distant 1313. Matejce monastery is dedicated to the Dormition of the Ascension of Holy Mother and is located at an altitude of 999 meters above the sea level. Matejce monastery is currently undergoing one of the toughest periods of its formation and is left on the edge of time. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/45/matejce.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/matejce-monastery Matka canyon - Skopje, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/matka-canyon-skopje Natural attractions: The Matka canyon is located in the lower course of river Treska, 15km southwest of Skopje. With it's geological, geomorphologic and hydrological characteristics, and the flora and fauna, it is an exceptional object of nature. The main phenomenon of this natural treasure is the canyon, a distinguished geomorphologic entity with well preserved natural and geographic characteristics in which rare and endemic species find their escape. This outstanding work of nature, with sides 1000m high and step notches of over 250m, was created by vertical erosions of the Treska river during the long geological history. The area of the canyon is characteristic by low mountains. The Osoj hill is the northwest boundary, Suva Gora mountain and Vodno occupy the southeast and the east of the canyon. The north frontier is an entrance to the Skopje valley, following the course of the villages of Matka, Šiševo, Glumovo and Saraj. The caves and abysses as special categories of late geographic forms are mainly concentrated on the right side of the canyon, under the area Visoki Rid (High Hill) on 885m attitude. There are about ten of them, but most known are: Vrelo, Krstalno and Ubava. In the Matka canyon, on the left side of the valley high in the rocks, there is a very interesting phenomenon of a natural bridge, created by the erosive processes in the carbonate rocks. The most interesting object is the Treska river with the Matka accumulation, offering wide opportunities for development of the tourism and recreational activities. The underground spring Koritište with water delivery of 2meters per second should be also mentioned. Besides its enormous scientific phenomenon of the carst hydrography, it s also very important as a future water supply resource for the city of Skopje. The Matka canyon is also a true oasis with various and well preserved autochthonous fauna. A great number of relic and endemic species, as well as typical examples of newly discovered animal species can be found there. The most fascinating is the exclusively great number of various kinds of butterfly species, 84 of which can be found there and nowhere else on the Balkans. A part its natural values, the Matka canyon with its immediate surroundings, is valuable treasury of our cultural heritage, presenting to us antiquities from the different time periods. Remains of many ancient and medieval settlements and fortresses and a great number of well preserved medieval churches and monasteries are discovered. Many of this discoveries are of precious value. Most of them are: the monastery of St. Andrea from the 14th century, the church St. Nikola Šiševski from the 13th-14th century and the medieval town of Matka with the church St. Nedela from the 14th century and St. Bogorodica from the 14th century. The over ground carts forms are located in the wider area of Rudine represented by crevices, funnel-shaped depressions, hollows and small rocks-as special micro forms on the surface carts relief. Some twenty minutes outside if Skopje you can visit the narrow Canyon of Matka, with a lake and a hydrodam. Climbers enjoy a variety of tours of varying diffculty there. A gorge in which a rich complex of medival monasteries and remnants of a fortress remain. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/10/matka-view.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/matka-canyon-skopje Matka monastery - Holy Mother of God - Skopje, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/matka-monastery-holy-mother-of-god Sacred heritage: Near Glumovo, on the left bank of the River Treska at the point where it bursts from a steep and unapproachable canyon into the plain of Skopje is Matka Monastery, dedicated to Holy Mother of God (Virgin Mary). From an inscription of 1497 above the entrance we learn of one Milica who, finding the church roofless, recovered it, frescoed it, erected a portico and bought a vineyard for the monastery. This inscription also mentions a certain Tosnik, his son Nikola, and the Metropolitan Atanasius. Some repairs were carried out at the end of the 19th century. The monastery church has the form of a narrow inscribed cross. Over the central section rises a cupola with four windows and four blind niches supported by pilasters. The altar apse is three-sided on the exterior. The facades of this church are enlivened with leezons while in order to gain more space for painting in the interior, the windows are small and placed high in the walls. The Holy Mother of God monastery in Matka frescoes date from the end of the 15th century and have all the characteristics of painting during the Turkish period and represent a considerable falling off in comparison with the nearby Saint Andrea. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/216/matka-monastery-bogorodica.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/matka-monastery-holy-mother-of-god Mavrovo lake - Mavrovo, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/mavrovo-lake Natural attractions: The Mavrovo lake is settled in the Mavrovo valley, between the Bistra, Šar and Vlainica mountain. The Mavrovo lake lies of an attitude of 1,233 meters above the sea level and has length of 10 km and width of 3 km. The Mavrovo lake covers an area of 13,7 sq km of the Mavrovo national park and it's deepest point is at the flood-gate, 48 meters. The Mavrovo lake was built to use the waters of the Radika and Mavrovo river, in order of production of electrical power. The Mavrovo lake filled the field of Mavrovo with water. Today there are four villages on the shores: Mavrovo, Mavrovi Anovi, Nikiforovo and Leunovo. A power plants were built in the Raven, Vrben village in 1959, north of the lake on the river Radika river and another one in Vrutok, built in 1957. This power plant produces by year, 390 millions kWh. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/134/mavrovo-lake.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/mavrovo-lake Mavrovo National Park - Gostivar, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/mavrovo-national-park Natural attractions: Mavrovo encompasses the most beautiful parts of western Macedonia, the mountains Bistra, Korab, South Šar Massifs, Dešat, the river Radika, Mavrovo Lake and the villages Mavrovi Anovi, Mavrovo, Leunovo, Nikiforovo, Galičnik, Rostuše, Gari, Janče, Tresonče, Bituše and Lazaropole, with total area of 73,088 hectares. In order to preserve the natural wealth of the region, it has been designated as a National Park with the Law passed on March 3rd 1952, on account of "the historical and scientific significance of the forests and wooded areas around the plain of Mavrovo, the specific landscape and the natural beauty of the region, the diverse flora and fauna and ethnological characteristics". In this area nature has created numerous beauties of different character. The relief, the climatic conditions, the hydrological and vegetative features, enhanced by human creativity, all contribute to making this region a particularly special place where the gifts of the nature and the resourcefulness of humans can be admired. The National Park Mavrovo encompasses numerous rivers, which present a real jewel in the crown of beauty for the mountain landscape, with their wild rapids, water-falls and incredible transparency: always full with clear and cold water, the springs never get muddy. One of the most impressive parts of the park are the striking gorges of the river Radika. The most dramatic is the Baric gorge. The horizon in front of the observer completely closes leaving open only the blue sky and the steep ascending rocks, in some places 1,500 m high. The valley of the river Radika is almost completely covered with woods, except for its lower part. The river is rich with river trout, which makes it attractive for the sports fishermen. At the height of 2,300 m the river Ribnica emerges, a real alpine river, with light-green, clear and shiny water. The river valley is covered with woods and usually fresh in temperature, with tame, pleasant and beautiful landscapes. On the mountain slopes at a very great height, there are 17 glacial lakes, as a further ornament of the mountain landscapes. The biggest lake within the national park is the artificial Mavrovo Lake, which with its clear water, surrounded with forest, is one of the special attractions in this part of Macedonia. The National Park Mavrovo is characteristic for its extremely rich flora and fauna. Besides the presence of several floral elements from different climatic regions, the most important feature of the floral-geographical position of the park is the presence of several endemic and relic forms. Of special interest is the presence of the elements from the original tropical vegetation: the tertiary and glacial relics. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/135/mavrovo-national-park.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/mavrovo-national-park Meckin Kamen monument - Krusevo, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/meckin-kamen-krusevo Other attractions: Meckin Kamen is a monument built in honor of the band of the Aromanian rebel, Pitu Guli, who fought bravely for the town and died in the battle with the Ottoman Turks after they entered the surroundings of the town. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/170/meckin-kamen.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/meckin-kamen-krusevo Miladinov brothers memorial house - Struga, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/miladinov-brothers-memorial-house-struga Museums: Where the brothers were born and lived. Today it serves as a museum dedicated to them and their work of art. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/98/house-miladinovci.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/miladinov-brothers-memorial-house-struga Millenium Cross Vodno - Skopje, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/millenium-cross-skopje Other attractions: The Millennium Cross is a 66 metre-high cross situated on the top of the Vodno Mountain in Skopje, Republic of Macedonia. The cross was constructed to commemorate 2,000 years of Christianity in Macedonia and the world. The construction of the cross began in 2002 and was funded by the Macedonian Orthodox Church, the Macedonian government and donations from Macedonians from all over the world. The cross was built on the highest point of the Vodno mountain on a place known since the time of the Ottoman Empire as "Krstovar", meaning "Place of the cross", as there was a smaller cross situated there. On 8 September 2008, the independence day of the Republic of Macedonia, an elevator was installed inside the cross. In 2009, a restaurant and a souvenir shop will be opened next to the cross. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/62/millenium-cross.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/millenium-cross-skopje Mladost lake - Veles lake - Veles, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/mladost-lake-veles Natural attractions: The artificial Mladost lake (Veles lake), situated 8 km north from the town in the surroundings of the Otovica village, represents one of the most visited destinations in the area. The Mladost lake (Veles lake) itself represents very popular tourist destination and it is the main holiday resort for the citizens and tourists. It is strongly recommended for transit-travelers, as a place for a short brake. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/87/mladost-lake.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/mladost-lake-veles Morodvis basilica - Kocani, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/morodvis-basilica-kocani Cultural-historical heritage: Located in the village of Morodvis, which is at the bottom of Plackovica Mountain, 7 km south of Kocani. The ruins of four early Roman basilicas have been found on this site, as well as about 80 necropoli (tombs). Archaeological excavations have also discovered a beautiful church dating from the 5th century. Its abundance of findings and multitude of historic layers are an evidence of an intense and well-developed cultural life throughout the centuries. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/161/morodvis.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/morodvis-basilica-kocani Mother Teresa monument - Skopje, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/mother-teresa-monument-skopje Other attractions: http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/26/mother-teresa-monument.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/mother-teresa-monument-skopje Murat Pasha mosque - Skopje, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/murat-pasha-mosque-skopje Sacred heritage: Built in 1436. The unusual 3 naved basilica shape and the flat ceiling (instead of domes) comes from the fact that it was built (or adjusted) over St. George monastery, the main monastery in Skopje before the coming of the Turks. It stands on a plateau next to the clock tower. The fortifications of the monastery still stand around the plateau. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/1/murat-pasha.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/murat-pasha-mosque-skopje Museum of Contemporary Art - Skopje, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/museum-contemporary-art-skopje Museums: Has two sections: international, reflecting the modern art from almost everywhere in the world, and the national part of the collection will allow you to understand the development of art in Macedonia with all its specific features. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/49/contemporary-art-museum.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/museum-contemporary-art-skopje Museum of Ilinden rebellion and Krusevo republic - Krusevo, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/ilinden-rebellion-krusevo-republic-museum Museums: The museum was founded on 2nd August 1953 on the 50th anneversery of the Ilinden uprising and Krusevo Republic in the ajusted house of the Tomalevski brothers, where the Krusevo Republic was proclaimed in 1903. There have been exibited the most important documents from the foundation of the town and its rebelious spirit, the preparation and the course of the uprising againstthe Turkish empire. Original photographs have been exibited of the temporary Government - the Council of the Republic and the uprising groups, maps, objects used by Nikola Karev, Pitu Guli, texts, the Krusevo Manifesto, the reaction to the Ilinden uprising and the Krusevo Republic in the foreign media, the ciferblat from the church of St.Nikola which had been set on fire when the uprising was put down. You can find data about the enormous human and material damages which had been done to the town by the Turkish army and bandits.the Turkish empire. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/198/ilinden-museum.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/ilinden-rebellion-krusevo-republic-museum Museum of Macedonia - Skopje, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/museum-of-macedonia-skopje Museums: Archaeological, Philological, epigrapical, numismatical, anthropological, ethnological, historial, art history, architectural, artistical and conservational experts. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/51/museum-of-macedonia.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/museum-of-macedonia-skopje Museum of National Liberation war - Krusevo, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/national-liberation-war-museum-krusevo Museums: The museum of the National Liberation war was opened in 1988 and you can find exponents which remind of of the National liberation war from 1941-1945. Starting from the revolutionary traditions from the Ilinden uprising and the Krusevo Republic, the museum follows the revolutionary path of the partisan detached force of "Pitu Guli" through photographs during the war as well as exibiting numerous exponents (original weapons and objects used by the soldiers). One notable exponent is a large fresco, a work of art by the famous painter Borko Lazeski, which expresses the course of the war. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/196/national-liberation-war-museum.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/national-liberation-war-museum-krusevo Museum of Natural History - Skopje, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/museum-natural-history-skopje Museums: Collects the natural treasure of Macedonia. The permanent exhibitions of the Museum comprise about 4.000 original exhibits. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/50/museum-of-nature-skopje.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/museum-natural-history-skopje Mustapha Pasha mosque - Skopje, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/mustapha-pasha-mosque-skopje Sacred heritage: Mustapha Pasha mosque is located in the vicinity of Kuršumli-an, in the old part of the city this monument of the Islamic culture attracts the attention with its size and beauty. The mosque was built by Mustafa Pasha in 1519, the vizier of the Sultan Selim 1st. Particularly attractive part of this building is the tall minaret, made of cut stone, whereas the expanded part is decorated with ornaments. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/3/mustapha-pasha.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/mustapha-pasha-mosque-skopje National museum - Stip, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/national-museum-stip Museums: http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/191/stip-national-museum.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/national-museum-stip National Ohrid museum - Robevci house - Ohrid, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/robevci-house-museum-ohrid Museums: The National Museum is located in the house of Robev family. It stores exponents of history, archaeology, ethnology, from the antique or even the ancient period. The most important is the collection of icons, some of them from the 11th century. The National Museum of Ohrid was first established in 1516 in Saint Clement's Church of Bogorodica Perivleptos, as a museum to the Archbishopric of Ohrid, making it one of the oldest museums in the world. Now the collection is divided into the archaeological part in the Robev Residence (on the picture) and the ethnographic part in the Urania Residence. In the house of Robev family you can see some objects belonging to this family and works of the Ohrid carving school.

Robevi house Ohrid

The Robev House is one of the finest examples of 19th century Macedonian architecture. Robevci house was built in its current state in 1863 - 1864 by Todor Petkov from a village Gari near Debar. Today the house is a protected monument of culture under the Institute for protection of cultural monuments in Ohrid. The house is a protected cultural monument consisted of 3 floors. In the low part of the house are placed the epigraphical monuments from Ohrid, the county, the worth objects "the Milokas" (found on the road Via Egnatia), the two torsos of the goddess Isis and etc. The archeological objects from the ancient times and the medieval period are placed on the second and the third floor. In the upper part of the house are presented parts of objects made by the Ohrid carving school, creations of famous artists from Ohrid and the county. In the eastern part of the house are placed objects from the Robevi family. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/175/robevci-house-ohrid-museum.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/robevci-house-museum-ohrid Negorci spa - Gevgelija, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/negorci-thermal-spa Natural attractions: The thermal spa is located near Gevgelija, close to the village Negorci, at 6 km, from the Greek border. It is located in extremely pleasant surroundings, at the bottom of the mountain Kozhuf, at the height of 22 m, amidst European ash woods, which form a natural park. Within the Negorci spa-resort there are two waters: "Vrela banja"/hot, and "Ladna banja"/cold, or so called "Sukripasina". The waters in the "Vrela banja" have temperature of 400C, and of "Ladna banja" 380C. The spa-water here is believed to heal people of various ailments: all kinds of rheumatic diseases of muscles, ankles and wrists, disturbed menstrual cycles, sterility, gasthro-intestinal diseases, diseases of the cardio-vascular system, inflammations and other diseases of the peripheral nervous system, as well as other kinds of dermatological diseases. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/141/negorci-spa.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/negorci-thermal-spa Negotino museum - Negotino, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/negotino-museum Museums: Negotino museum is located 3km from Negotino entrance, on the Skopje - Gevgelija regional road. The Negotino museum has 3 sections: archeological, historical and the wine museum. The museum organizes etnological, conteporary art and other еxhibitions. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/202/negotino-museum.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/negotino-museum Nikola Martinovski memorial house - Krusevo, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/nikola-martinovski-memorial-house-krusevo Museums: Nikola Martinovski (1903-1973) one of the most important Macedonian contemporary painters was born in Krusevo and to the town he donated 62 paintings which are now exhibited in his birth house. The house itself is excellent example of Krusevo architecture and it is worth exploring. Also a small ethnological museum has been set up inside the house. Visiting the gallery gives you a chance to admire not just Martinovski works, but also the beauty of Krusevo houses. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/174/nikola-martinovski-house.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/nikola-martinovski-memorial-house-krusevo Novo Selo architecture - Stip, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/novo-selo-architecture Cultural-historical heritage: In Novo Selo (a settlement not far from Stip), some houses built in the Old Macedonian style of architecture can still be found. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/145/novo-selo.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/novo-selo-architecture Ohrid bazaar - Ohrid, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/ohrid-bazaar Cultural-historical heritage: The Old Bazaar of Ohrid is one of the most lively parts of Ohrid, especially on the so called market days, where numerous customers, as well as food products, may also buy various handmade items. The Ohrid bazaar is the most lively part of Ohrid. It starts with the farmer’s market and a small square and ends at the main port. A 1,000-year old tree still stands in the middle of the square. You can see the time from the Clock tower that stands above the square. Overlooking the square is the Mezokastro neighborhood, which takes in name from Latin, meaning (military) camp (castrum) between city walls. Especially interesting are the clay products, the old Macedonian musical instruments and the famous Macedonian embroidery. Of particular interest are the hand-made clay products, old musical instruments, embroidery, silver filigree and pearl jewelry. Two families (Talev and Filev) passed on the traditional recipe for Ohrid pearls from generation to generation. Ohrid pearl is created from the fish called Plashica, and is protected with a Designation of Origin. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/74/ohrid-bazaar.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/ohrid-bazaar Ohrid lake - Ohrid, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/ohrid-lake Natural attractions: Lake Ohrid lies in the valley between Ohrid and Struga, in the border region between Macedonia and Albania. Ohrid lake covers an area of 358.2 square kilometers, two thirds of which belong to the Republic of Macedonia, and the rest to the Republic of Albania. The shoreline is 87.5 kilometers long - the maximum length being 30.8 kilometers, and its maximum of 14.8 kilometers. The average depth is 164 meters, and the maximum depth 289 meters. The Ohrid lake is surrounded by mountain ranges of Mount Mokra (Mokra Planina - 1589 m.) and Jablanica (1945 m) on the Albanian side and by the limestone ridge of Mount Galicica (2255m) on the eastern side. The surrounding mountains are extremely carstic. Lake Ohrid is the 7th deepest lake in Europe. Most of the Ohrid lake water bulk comes from numerous surface and underground springs. That is the reason certain researchers consider it unique in the world. Most of the surface springs lie along the southern shore, near the monastery of Saint Naum on the Macedonian side, and near the villages of Tusemiste and Starovo and the town of Pogradec in Albania. There are about 40 rivers and springs that flow into the Lake (23 on Albanian, and 17 on Macedonian territory). During summer, most of them dry out, whereas the rivers Sateska, Koselska, and Serava are the only waters with significant water flow that feed up the Ohrid lake. The water temperature in the deepest layers of Ohrid lake is approximately 6 degrees Centigrade, whereas the surface layers may warm up to 24 degrees, and even to 26 degrees closer to the shore. Ohrid lake tourism Ohrid lake is the No. 1 tourism destination in Macedonia, making Ohrid & Struga - most visited towns. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/212/ohrid-lake.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/ohrid-lake Old railway station - Skopje, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/old-railway-station-skopje Other attractions: It was built in 1938, by a Serbian architect. At a time it was the most beautiful train station on the Balkans, until it was demolished by the earthquake in 1963. ruined in 1963 earthquake. Left ruined, but preserved to keep memories of the past. Today museum of the city of Skopje. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/11/old-railway-station.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/old-railway-station-skopje Painted mosque - Tetovo, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/painted-mosque-tetovo Sacred heritage: The Painted mosque was made in 1459 on the foundation of an older edifice. An example of early Constantinople style, this mosque is adorned with anelaborate painted fasade and interior, making it unique in Macedonia. It is located by the Pena River. In the turbe next to the mosque is the body of the two women who provided money for the mosque to be built in 1459. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/94/sarena-dzamija.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/painted-mosque-tetovo Pelister National Park - Bitola, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/pelister-national-park Natural attractions: The Pelister National Park is located in the southern part of Macedonia, on the Baba mountain. The relief of Pelister National Park is extremely mountainous with alpine characteristics. The mountain range of Baba (Pelister National Park), which belongs to the park possesses 25 peaks with a height above 2,000 m. The highest peak is Pelister, which appears particularly impressive with its 2,601 m. The attention of the tourists and the mountaineers, besides by the high mountain peaks, is also attracted by the other features of the mountain landscape: forests, rocks, springs, etc. Distinctive localities include Begova Česma, Jorgov Kamen and Crveni Steni. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/208/pelister-national-park.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/pelister-national-park Pelister ski resort - Bitola, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/pelister-ski-resort Other attractions: The Pelister ski-resort is located on the mountain Baba, within the Pelister national park. The variable climatic conditions are dependent on height. The higher areas have a continental climate, while above 1,800 m the climate is mountain. Above 2,400 m the mountain climate gains Alpine characteristics. The average air temperature is 1,30C to 2,30C. Because of such a climate, during the entire winter, until April, the slopes of the mountain Baba are covered with deep snow. All this creates ideal conditions for the development of winter tourism. At the height of 1,610 m, the mountaineering house "Kopanki" is situated with the capacity of 100 beds. The ski slopes are 2,000 m long. A two-seater cable car (chairlift) proceeds 680 m to the ski slopes. The centre possesses 4 ski-lifts: * The "Izvidnica", with a starting point at the height of 1,600 m and returning point at 1,800 meters; * The "Pioneer", with a starting point at 1,270 m and returning point at 1,380 meters; * The two "Ciciban" ski lifts, with a starting point at 1,200 m and returning point at 1,20 meters. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/133/pelister-ski-resort.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/pelister-ski-resort Pesna cave - Mak. Brod, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/pesna-cave Natural attractions: The Pesna cave is located on the road between Makedonski Brod and Samokov. People believe that Pesna was one of the sisters of Krale Marko. She used to live in the cave and could from there see her sister Deva, the other sister of Krale Marko that used to live in the Devini Kuli fortress next to Pesna. The cave as described in New York Times, is identical as the imagined caves in the trilogy Lord of the Rings. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/165/pesna-cave.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/pesna-cave Pestani village - Ohrid, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/pestani-village-ohrid Natural attractions: This once quiet fishing village has given up to tourism, with almost every house renting rooms and many restaurants and cafes. Desaret hotel has a good organized beach. If you don't like camping but like to enjoy the great beaches and parties in Gradishte you can stay here. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/77/pestani.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/pestani-village-ohrid Polog monastery - Kavadarci, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/polog-monastery-tikves Sacred heritage: On the shore of the Tikves lake (very close to Pravednik village) is the Monastery Polog and the church St. Gjorgi, a significant monument of culture from 14th century richly decorated with frescoes. Built in the first half of 14th century, 20 km southwest of Kavadarci, in the foothills of Mount Visesnica, nowadays it is on the left bank of Tikves Lake. It is assumed that it dates back to 9th century because the architectural style is very similar to the architectural style of the churches of Ohrid. Church, standing alone in the beautifully arranged rose garden, was built in a shape of naval construction, with a dome on eight-sided tambour and three-apse from outside. The church is made of stone and bricks, with a nave and porch. The interior of the church is entirely picturesque. It is famous for its 14 century frescos, and even more for the church chandeliers carved in wood, dating from 1492, which is the oldest dated woodcut in Macedonia. Very impressive is the large iconostasis cross with crucifixion made of wood carving in 1584. The throne icons of St. Mary (St. Bogorodica) dating from 1649, "Jesus Christ – the Savoir with the apostles”, from the beginning of 16 century, as well as the royal gates originating from the end of the century, are of great value. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/150/polog-monastery.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/polog-monastery-tikves Popova Sapka ski resort - Tetovo, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/popova-sapka-ski-resort Other attractions: Popova Sapka is the ski resort on Mt. Shar, which can be found at an altitude of 1,704 meters. Situated 18 km from Tetovo, high on the Sar Mountain - the third largest mountain in the country. It's one of the most famous winter-recreational and ski resorts in Macedonia. The ski slopes on Popova Sapka are first class, with a total lenght of 10 km. They are connected by 6 ski-lifts and 3 chair-lifts. The total capacity is 8,000 skiers per hour. On average, the snow on Popova Sapka lasts for 135 days. For more detailed info, please go to Popova Sapka. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/13/popova-sapka.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/popova-sapka-ski-resort Prespa Lake - Resen, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/prespa-lake Natural attractions: The Prespa lake is second largest lake in Macedonia. The Prespa lake is settled in the south-western part of the Republic of Macedonia and lies in the Prespa valley, between the Resen field and Baba, Suva Gora and Galicica mountain. South - eastern of the lake Golem Grad is the point that connect the Macedonian - Greek - Albanian border. The lake of Prespa covers and area of 274 sq km, of which 176,8 sq km are in Macedonia, 49,4 sq km are in Albania and 47,8 sq km are in Greece. Prespa lake lies of an attitude of 853 above the sea level. The Prespa lake is contained from Golema Prespa and Mala Prespa and the second one Mala Prespa as a gulf, deeply enters in south-west between the Suva Gora and Galicica mountain. The length of the Prespa lake is 28,6 km and the width is 16,9 km. The approximately depth of the Prespa lake is 18,75 meters and the deepest point is at Golubino depression, 54 meters. On the bottom of the lake there are more depressions like, Nivicka, Konjska and Stenjska. The coast of the western part of the lake is fill of cliffs, while the eastern part of fill of beautiful sand beaches. Prespa lake, as part of Galicica National Park, its rare plant and animal life that have been preserved through the centuries, are strictly protected. Boat trips may be taken around the island, and escorted land trips are available under the auspices of the park authorities. The Prespa lake, most important water sources are, Golema Reka, Brajcinska Reka and Kranska and the Malo Prespa lake, that is 3 meters above the Golemo Prespa lake. So through the place Perovo the water from the Malo Prespa lake flows, in the Golemo Prespa lake. The water of the Prespa lake has it's highest temperature in August, 24,3 degrees, while in the winter is the coldest and sometimes may freeze. The color of the water is variable yellow-green and heavenly blue. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/210/prespa-lake.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/prespa-lake Prosek (Stenae) old town - Demir Kapija, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/prosek-stenae Cultural-historical heritage: Prosek (Stenae) is an ancient town located in the Demir Kapija canyon, which had an excellent strategical and war position. Prosek (Stenae) was discovered in 1948. Some things that have been found here include four towers that remain standing today, many ceramic objects, jewelery, coins, and a few acropoli and neocropolis. Later in the medieval period, Stenae was known under the name Prosek, and was ruled by Dobromir Strez. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/181/prosek.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/prosek-stenae Radozda village - Struga, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/radozda Natural attractions: The rare coastal jewel of Macedonia - Radozda is a place that leaves people breathless, returns the calmness and the ability to become one with the nature. Furthermore bringing smile on your face due to the hospitality offered by the local people. Unlike the highly commercialised, Pestani and Trpejca, Radozda is mentioned only in the more intimate circles of friends who jealously guard this untouched piece of paradise in Macedonia. Centuries-old recipes to which they are still preparing the Ohrid trout, and fresh salad and The Gjomleze are a holiday not only for your eyes but for the stomach as well! When visiting Radozda, a visitor should pay attention to: Saint Archangel Michael cave church and remains of Via Egnatia Radozda - little history Radozda is about 10 centuries old, but written evidence can be found from documents of the “Dushanovata Charter” from 1342 to 1345 under the name Radobuzhda. The village was established in mountain meadows about a mile to the west. But the proximity of the lake as an important source of food has forced villagers to move into the coast line to form the new settlement. If you ask people from Radozda about the name of their village, you will hear many theories, but their favourite one is the one that the name comes from the local dialect that means - birth. And not by accident! If you “early bird”, on the opposite side where you see Ohrid in the distance. In the early morning hours just over Galicica the first sun rays begin to appear, and the lake receives a magical golden-yellow colour that suggests a new day! So take a break, while in Macedonia. Visit the beautiful village of Radozda and enjoy the amalgam of nature and hospitality. (text by: Leon Bakraceski) http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/211/radozda.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/radozda Rajcica monastery - Debar, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/rajcica-monastery-debar Sacred heritage: The monastery is located in the village Rajcica and the church is dedicated to St. George the Victorious (Gjorgjija Pobedonosec). In this all-female monastery, from the 11th century, a piece of the cross of Jesus is kept and a small part of the hand of Saint George the Victorious. The monastery complex was recently rebuilt. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/63/rajcica.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/rajcica-monastery-debar Resen museum - Resen, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/resen-museum Museums: The Resen museum is settled in the Resen castle, which was built in 1908 by Ahmed Niyazi Bey. It would give you the feeling that you were in France, due to the fact that Ahmed Niyazi Bey was educated in Paris and made this castle in French style. This castle now houses the Resen Museum. The museum of Resen contains a great collection of archaeological and ethnological finds from the Resen area. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/195/resen-museum-saraj.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/resen-museum Royal wineries - Demir Kapija, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/royal-wineries-demir-kapija Other attractions: After the second Balkan war, the town of Demir Kapija became home to the royal winery and vineyards of the former Yugoslav King Alexandar Karadjordjevic. Demir Kapija is oldest winery on Balkans, which belonged to King Karadjorjevic Aleksander and his royal family. Completely reconstructed few years before and at the moment one of the most popular winery in Macedonia and around. Until 1995 the Royal Winery was it ownership of Povardarie Winery, and today it's privately owned. The Demir Kapija Royal winery produces 6 different types of wines, which are branded under the name "Villa Marija". All 6 types of wines are made by different type of grapes and one of the most popular is "Villa Marija - rizling". http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/182/demir-kapija-royal-winery.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/royal-wineries-demir-kapija Saint Andrea monastery - Skopje, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/saint-andrea-matka-monastery Sacred heritage: The Saint Andrea monastery in Matka is found at the approach to the picturesque lake on the river Treska. There is a restaurant in its immediate neighborhood. The church of Saint Andrea was erected in 1389 by Andreja, the second son of the king Volkashin. The interior of the Saint Andrea church was frescoed by the metropolitan Jovan and the deacon Grigorije. Althought the deacon Grigorije is a new name, the metropolian Jovan is known as the painter of the frescoes in the monastery in Prilep. The frescoes are stylistically outstanding but are the more so since, iconographically, the differ from the rest of Macedonian medieval monuments. The painters here freed themselves from the Byzantine iconographical tradition and instead of painting the figures of the holy hermits, the miracles of Jesus and scenes from the life of the Virgin they present the full-lenght figures of the Holy Warriors whose life-like faces have tremendous force and apper wordly. The artists, in the compositions, move towards solving the problem of perspective and figure arrangement within a confine space. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/129/saint-andrea-monastery.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/saint-andrea-matka-monastery Saint Archangel Michael cave church - Struga, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/saint-archangel-michael-cave-church-radozda Sacred heritage: The cave church dedicated to the Leader of the Heavenly Forces, Archangel Michael was built in the natural caves high in the rocks in one of the most beautiful areas on the west coast of Lake Ohrid, above the village of Radozda. Saint Archangel Michael cave church got today’s architectural look in the 14th century when also it was decorated inside with fresco painting. Most of the discovered frescos originate from the 14th century But there is a known preserved composition of 13 century, which depicts "The Miracle in Hona" - painted in honour of the patron who is committed to the church. The little church is unique and from locals you will learn that at the time of the first and Second World War, the locals were hiding in the church and thus avoided the bombings, which were often due to village closeness to the Albanian border. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/103/saint-archangel-michael.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/saint-archangel-michael-cave-church-radozda Saint Archangel Michael church - Stip, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/saint-archangel-michael-church-stip Sacred heritage: During the middle ages, churches were built on all four sides of the fortress. The church Saint Archangel Michael is located under the fortress Isar. It was built in 1332 or in 1350. Its exterior presents you with a small, one-nave church without a cupola. The church painting has preserved only fragments which very poorly depict the images of Tzar Constantine and of his wife Elena, as well as the image of a holy warrior. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/139/saint-arhangel-mihael.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/saint-archangel-michael-church-stip Saint Archangel Michael monastery - Berovo, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/saint-archangel-michael-monastery-berovo Sacred heritage: The first monastery in Berovo was built between 1815 until it was consecrated in 1818. Enlightener Joachim Krcovski was among those present at the consecration. Historical data concerning the construction of the church and the monastery is inconclusive, but it is known that circumstances were very difficult. The first female monastery, located at the exit from Berovo leading to the dam and the lake, was built in 1940 in a 19th century architectural opus, twenty years after the construction of the Monastery of the Holy Archangel Michael, and the first nuns were the daughter-in-law and the daughter of Friar Risto, a son-in-law of Friar Peco. They had their monastic tonsure (removal of the hair of the head) with a blessing from the Rila Monastery's abbott. Eugenia I was the first abbess of the monastery, the second – Eugenia 2nd, the third – Eugenia 3rd, and the fourth abbess was Eulampia in 1958 by the first Archbishop of Ohrid, His Beatitude Dositheus. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/158/saint-arhangel-mihael.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/saint-archangel-michael-monastery-berovo Saint Atanasius cave monastery - Struga, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/saint-atanasius-cave-monastery-kalista Sacred heritage: South from the monastery of Kalista, adjacent to the surrounding rocks, quite close to the steep ridge looking toward the lake, is the cave church dedicated to the Archbishop of Alexandria - Athanasius. The cave church is dedicated to the archbishop of Alexandria, who lived in the 4th century, and is celebrated on the January 31 old style. Ancient frescoes in the church of the second half of the 14th or first half of the 15th century. The greatest composition of medieval fine art in the Struga district is preserved inside this church. Although no written sources have been preserved, the stylistic notes of these frescos very clearly indicate their 14-century origin. Observing the overall artwork and its distinctions, the preserved images of the holy characters and the few compositions of the Great Holidays reveal the talent of a skilled artist who knew his trade and who painted the famous characters from the Holy Bible with love. Part of the artwork was painted in 19th century as well. This cave church is about 500 meter south from the monastery Kalista, in a rock above Lake, with an entrance from the southern side, and it can be approached via stone stairs, built recently. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/102/saint-atanasius.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/saint-atanasius-cave-monastery-kalista Saint Clement of Ohrid church - Skopje, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/saint-clement-church-skopje Sacred heritage: After Virgin Mary Cathedral was burned by the fascists on the end of Second World War (1944), and St. Demetrius church was unable to meet the needs of the people, building of the new cathedral started in 1970. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/5/saint-clement-church.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/saint-clement-church-skopje Saint Constantine and Helena church - Ohrid, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/saint-constantine-helena-church-ohrid Sacred heritage: Saint Constantine and Helena church was built and fresco painted in 1477. According to an inscription, Saint Constantine and Helena church was built by the hieromonk Parthenius. A portrait of the builder holding a model of the church in his hands is stationed above the inscription. The model is a perfect replica of the church. Also, there are portraits of his mother and his son, as well as his deceased father. In respect of architecture, Saint Constantine and Helena church is a one-naval with a semi-circled vault ending with a dome. The eastern side ends with a three-sided altar apse. In a later stage a small chapel and porch were adjoined to the church. The interior of Saint Constantine and Helena church contains numerous compositions. Most distinctive is the scene of "Annunciation" in the second section of the altar apse. The best preserved composition is "The Transfiguration of Christ". http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/20/saint-constantine-helena-church.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/saint-constantine-helena-church-ohrid Saint Demetrius church - Bitola, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/saint-demetrius-church-bitola Sacred heritage: Is the cathedral church of Bitola and the most beautiful example of the "revival period" churches in Macedonia. Turks didn't allow building of new churches during their occupation, but as the empire was weakening in the 18th century they started giving permissions for building of churches to keep the population happy. There were many rules to be followed like the exterior had to be without decorations and the floor of the church had to be at least one meter below the ground so the church wouldn’t dominate the skyline of the city. Saint Demetrius church was built in 1830, as a three naved basilica with galleries and five chapels. While they had to keep the exterior modest the enterior is lavishly decorated with woodwork. The huge icon screen was made in 1845. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/107/saint-demetrius-church.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/saint-demetrius-church-bitola Saint Erazmo basilica - Ohrid, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/saint-erazmo-basilica-ohrid Cultural-historical heritage: Saint Erazmo is an old Christian basilica and necropolis, which is located 5 km from Ohrid on the way to the Ohrid airport, in the southern part of Gabovski Rid. Researches made in 1974-1975 and founded three part basilica and necropolis from the middle ages. In the necropolis have been researched 124 graves, from 6th to 12th century. St. Erazmo, Towers (Kulišta): living location from early ancient and Hellenistic time. Located on the highest peak of Gabovski Rid, near the northern coast of the Lake of Ohrid. In the northwestern part of have been kept walls with dimensions 2x2.80 meters. The fortress has been made from stone blocks. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/155/erazmo.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/saint-erazmo-basilica-ohrid Saint Gjorgi church - Struga, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/saint-gjorgi-church-struga Sacred heritage: The church dedicated to Saint Gjorgi is a good example of revival period architecture built in 1835. The church is most famous for the St. George icon painted in 1267, and considered miraculous as it was found in the lake. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/100/saint-gjorgi-church.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/saint-gjorgi-church-struga Saint Gjorgi church - Kumanovo, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/saint-gjorgi-staro-nagoricane-church Sacred heritage: Saint George church in Staro Nagoricane is believed that was built in 1313, although it has been ascertained that it was erected on the fundaments of an older sacral structure dating from the 11th century and built, according to the tradition, by the Byzantine Tzar Roman IV Diogenes (1067-1071). The year 1313 was imprinted on an inscription over the western entrance door and another inscription located on the southwest wall ascertains that the frescoes were painted in 1317-18. The architecture of the church is three-pole (three-pillar) with a shape of a elongated cross. Five domes rise over the basis – a large octahedron dome in the center and four smaller domes. The lower part of the walls was constructed of cut stone and the upper part by alternate layers of stone and brick giving a serene and impressive (effective) tone (chromaticity). The altar apsis is elegantly (elaborately) parted, hemispherical on the inside and pentahedral in the upper part on the outside. What makes this church exceptional is the preserved original altar partition, that is the iconostasis made of stone pillars, parapet plates and ornamented archigraph. This is a unique example of icons painted in fresco technique in our country. St. George and Mother of God Pelagonitisa have been painted in this technique on the left and right side of the Tsar’s (Lord’s) Gates. However, an interminable importance of this cultural and sacred monument rests in the preserved frescoes painted by the renowned fresco-painters Evtichie and Mihailo. The frescoes have been painted in the paleologic (paleo-) style of the 14th century with outstanding expressiveness, but also a remarkable subtleness, delicate stylization and moderate expression. The portraits of the founders (patrons) of the church, King Milutin and his young wife Simonida, are also impressive. They have been portrayed in the lower part of the northern wall. There are plenty of depictions of saints, life scenes, the sufferings and miracles of Jesus Christ ("The Crucifixion"; "The Way to Golgotha"; "Ascending to the Cross"; "The Mocking of Christ", etc.) and illustrations of calendars, as well as portraits of local saints – St. Clement of Ohrid (Ohridski), St. Joachim of Osogovo (Osogovski), St. Prochor Pchinski, who according to the legends, lived in a cave near the church before it was built. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/114/saint-gjorgi-church.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/saint-gjorgi-staro-nagoricane-church Saint Gjorgi monastery - Resen, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/saint-gjorgi-kurbinovo Sacred heritage: In the Prespa region, near the picturesque village of Kurbinovo, embraced by the mountain Pelister there is the church dedicated to St, George. According to the time of its fresco-decoration, it is supposed that the church was built in the year 1191. There are still no other reliable documented data on it. In the 19th century, the church in Kurbinovo was renovated, and in the first decades of the 20th century, a wooden ceiling and the porch were built, and the southern and the northern entrances were closed and transformed into two windows. What impresses and amazes in this church is its fresco-painting, which, coupled by the one in the church Sveti Panteleimon near Skopje, represents an original and a peak of the artistic mastery in the times of the art of Komnens in Macedonia. On the west facade, there are visible remnants of frescoes with depictions of female and male characters in full size, vested in imperial clothes, as well as a figure of a church nobleman. It is most probably a depiction of the people who built the original small church.The fresco-painting in the interior of the church is divided into three zones. The drawing is expressive, dynamic, with accentuated slenderness, vivaciousness and movement of the painted figures. Typical is the depiction of the drapes that are vivacious in baroque style, with a great number of animated folds. The frescoes illustrate scenes from the life of Jesus Christ and Virgin Mary. In the altar apse, the composition Annunciation is painted, that has made this church exclusive and a part of the annals of the peak achievements of the Byzantine fresco-painting. The depiction of the Archangel Gabriel stands out in it. It has almost become a symbol and landmark of the church in Kurbinovo. Interesting and rare are the depictions of Jesus Christ and the patron of the church, St. George, from the north and the south wall, with a monumental size. Outstanding among the frescoes are the portraits of Ana and its daughter Mary, the Mother of God, painted in the lower zone of the south wall of the naos, as well as the portraits of the Macedonian enlighteners Cyril and Methodius, in the altar space. The depiction of St. Methodius is its oldest portrait known in the entire Slavic-Byzantine world. Opposite from them, there is the figure of St. Clement of Ohrid. The fresco-painting in the temple St. George is a synthesis of infusible into a single entity, a junction of its pinnacle elegance and the high expressiveness. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/192/saint-gjorgi-kurbinovo.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/saint-gjorgi-kurbinovo Saint Ilija church - Dojran, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/saint-ilija-church-dojran Sacred heritage: The church of St. Ilija was built in 1874 and unfortunately bombed during the First World War, because of the Macedonian Front (1916-1918). The remains of this church are visible in the north part of Star Dojran. Judging by the remaining walls and the big altar inside, the church was an impressive building. Some of the walls, retain fragments of paintings, which suggests that the church walls were originally covered with frescoes. The church is currently in reconstruction. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/146/saint-ilija.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/saint-ilija-church-dojran Saint Joachim Osogovski - Osogovo monastery - Kriva Palanka, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/saint-joachim-osogovski-monastery Sacred heritage: Located 2 km away from the Kriva Palanka (then a half-hour walk up the mountain road). The nowadays monastery has two churches - the old one, Holy Mother of God, and the new one, St. Joachim Ossogovski. The new church was built between 1847-1851 by Andrea Damjanov. The most impressive wall paintings were done by Dimitar Andonov Papradishki. The remains of Joakim Ossogovski are to the right of the church entry. The both churches from the 13th and the 19th century aren't interesting as others in Macedonia, but the settlement is that, what makes the monastery special. Most people go to church to avoid meeting Satan, but that’s not possible at Osogovo, where the Dark Prince peers out from the frescoes adorning the outside of the church. It’s unusual to see frescoes on the outside walls of churches and monasteries, but even more unusual to see a Judgement Day theme. People were burning in hell, disfigured animals were torturing townfolk and the village was on fire. Here are some gravestones next to the older of the two churches. The 19th century church is filled with 19th century religious frescoes, but pictures are not allowed. That's okay actually as they have been heavily restored. You can take pictures of the frescoes on the walls and roof of the church porticoes. This is one in the small portico dome to the right of the main entrance. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/40/osogovski.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/saint-joachim-osogovski-monastery Saint Jovan Bigorski monastery - Debar, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/saint-jovan-bigorski-monastery Sacred heritage: The Saint Jovan Bigorski monastery is located in the surroudings of Rostuse village very close to Debar. The monastery church is dedicated to St. John the Baptist (Saint John the Forerunner). The Saint Jovan Bigorski monastery complex is comprised of monastery church, ossuary located next to the church, the seymen defense tower, complex of monastery mansions as well as the newly built guest mansion. The Bigorski church most probably is built on the foundations of an older basilica from the 11th century, more precisely from 1021. This is written in the icon-painters record. There is a great probability that the icon of Sveti Jovan Preteca (St. John Forerunner) was painted the same year when the old church was built and fresco-painted. According to the monastery's 1833 chronicle, it was built in 1020 by Archbishop Jovan. The Ottomans destroyed the monastery in the 16th century. The Saint Jovan Bigorski monastery was restored in 1743 by the monk Ilarion, who also built several monk cells. Later, in the period from 1812 to 1825 the monastery was expanded by archimandrite Arsenius. One of the most valuable treasures of the Saint Jovan Bigorski monastery is the iconostasis created by Petre Filipovski - Garkata and Makarie Frckovski, which is done in tiny woodcarving. They did not miss to present in woodcarving their own figures through the scene of the master in contemplation and his associates while working. This scene is present at the iconostasis in both churches where these masters worked. The Bigorski monastery ambient is redeemed with the old mansions with the spacious wooden balconies and the dining room furnished with authentic furniture from the time of construction, late 17th and early 19th century. The special guest mansions offer possibility to each of the visitors, under certain conditions, to stay longer and to enjoy the marvelous sunrise of this heavenly site. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/41/sveti-jovan-bigorski.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/saint-jovan-bigorski-monastery Saint Jovan church - Krusevo, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/saint-jovan-church-krusevo Sacred heritage: Saint Jovan church was built in 1897. The iconscreen was made by Nestor and Lazar Aleksievski. Inside also notice the two large stoves typical for Krusevo houses. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/173/saint-jovan.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/saint-jovan-church-krusevo Saint Jovan Kaneo monastery - Ohrid, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/saint-jovan-kaneo-monastery-ohrid Sacred heritage: Most known for its scenic location, standing on a cliff over Lake Ohrid. Located in the town of Ohrid (near the quarter of Kaneo and not far from Plaosnik) is the church dedicated to St. John Bogoslov, St. Kaneo, one of the most magnificent churches in Macedonia. Significant to the architecture of the church is the exquisite combination of Byzantine and Armenian elements, which creates very favorable space for examining the medieval monuments in Ohrid. This Byzantine church was built during the 13th century on a rectangular stone base. The walls are brick, stone with ceramic decorations. It contains only some fragments of fresco, in particular: the Communion of the Apostles and the portraits of St. Clement. There are only few frescoes left inside, but the feeling of standing in centuries used sanctuary is worth the entrance. There is written record of the time it was built, but it is believed that it originates from the 13th century. The donor and the icon-painter of the church are unknown. Significant to the architecture of the church is the exquisite combination of Byzantine and Armenian elements, which creates very favorable space for examining the medieval monuments in Ohrid. The fresco-painting for the most part is destroyed. Only the fragments of the altar fresco which present "Communition of the Apostles", the portrait of St. Clement, and St. Erazmo and Constantine Kavasilis have been preserved. It may be reached only on foot. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/18/jovan-kaneo.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/saint-jovan-kaneo-monastery-ohrid Saint Jovan Vetersko monastery - Veles, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/saint-jovan-vetersko Sacred heritage: The monastery Saint Jovan the Baptist is situated on the E-75 / M-1 highway (Petrovec-Veles junction), in the vicinity of Vetersko village. Saint Jovan Vetersko is an interesting monastery church, built on a rock and can be seen from the rest area. It is presumed that the Vetersko monastery was built in 1670. According to the writings of the great Macedonian reformer Jordan Hadzi Konstantinov-Dzinot, this sacral building had a big library of scripts and printed books in the middle of the 19th century, which proves that monks have been staying in the monastery, who have been rewriting religious books, collecting scripts which have served to the monks and the local population as a source of enlightenment. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/205/saint-jovan-vetersko.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/saint-jovan-vetersko Saint Naum monastery - Ohrid, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/saint-naum-monastery-ohrid Sacred heritage: Saint Naum monastery is surroundings. It's located only 2 kilometers near the border with Albania, on rocks and 28 km from Ohrid. But we can say that is in the region of Ohrid that's way we mention it here. It was built by the monarch St. Naum of Ohrid, the student of St. Cyril and Methodius and cofounder of the Ohrid literature school. The Byzantine church of the monastery is dedicated to the Holy Archangels Gabriel and Michael (there St. Naum was buried). The monastery has been renovated and enlarged during the 16th and 17th centuries. The wood-carved iconostasis and the icons date 18 century. In particular the icons are considered among the best in the Balkans. Go inside and put your ear on his tomb, you can hear the sound of the water of lake Ohrid, beside you are 30 meters higher than the lake level. Today there is hotel complex Saint Naum on the location. A curiosity: the Saint Naum monastery hosts a flock of peacocks. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/66/sveti-naum.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/saint-naum-monastery-ohrid Saint Nikita monastery - Skopje, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/saint-nikita-monastery-skopje Sacred heritage: On the rising ground between the vilages of Gornjani, Banjani and Chucher the monastery of Nikita is situated. The church and a chapel dedicated to St. Jovan the Baptists were erected by the Serbian King Milutin in 1307-1308. This church is well known for its frescoes - the work of the famous painters Michailo and Eutihie, who also painted the frescoes in the church St. Clement of Ohrid. Whereas at St. Clement's ceratin monumental feeling characteristics of frescoing in earlier periods still predominates, here at St. Nicolaus, tendencies towards a general narrative quality are clearly expressed. The compositions are distinctly less elaborate but the of figures has increased. Here the artists has freed himself from the Byzantine iconographical tradition and has chosen free motifs for characterization. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/128/nikita-monastery.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/saint-nikita-monastery-skopje Saint Nikola Bolnicki church - Ohrid, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/saint-nikola-bolnicki-church-ohrid Sacred heritage: Saint Nikola Bolnicki was built in 1313 with dormitories around them which were used as quarantine stations for visitors of Ohrid. It's located near the shore of the Ohrid lake. After the coming of the Turks the structure of the city changed and they lost their purpose, so they were turned into hospitals. That is where the name Bolnicki comes from (bolnica - hospital). The painting on the walls of the church originate from several periods. Several are particularly noteworthy: "Falling Asleep of the Holy Mother of God", "Transfiguration of Christ", and "Entering into Jerusalem"; also the figures of St. Clement, St. Nikola and St. Pantelejmon, which are represented in life size, as well as the images of the holy warriors Theodor Tiron and Stralitat. The few icons in the church are also of special value, the most significant being the litian (religious procession) icon dedicated to St. Naum. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/22/saint-nikola-bolnicki.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/saint-nikola-bolnicki-church-ohrid Saint Nikola church - Krusevo, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/saint-nikola-church-krusevo Sacred heritage: Saint Nikola church is built in 1905 on the site of an earlier church that was burned after the Ilinden uprising. Saint Nikola church is the cathedral in the town and it is situated in the old bazaar in the central part of this small town. It is a typical orthodox church, probably open on Sundays for service. The iconscreen of the earlier church, that suffered in the fire, was made by the famous woodcarver Petre Filipovski-Garkata. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/172/saint-nikola.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/saint-nikola-church-krusevo Saint Nikola church - Kumanovo, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/saint-nikola-church-kumanovo Sacred heritage: Saint Nikola church is surrounded by arcades and has a rich interior with galleries, frescoes and furniture. According to an inscription on the south entrance, it was built in 1851 on the same site as a prior church (with the same patron) in the Varosh maalo. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/116/saint-nikola-church.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/saint-nikola-church-kumanovo Saint Nikola church - Mavrovo, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/saint-nikola-church-mavrovo Sacred heritage: The local people say that the saint and the God's power do not allow for it to completely disappear in the depths of Mavrovo Lake. The phenomenon of its constant emerging from the waters is explained by them with the impossibility of covering and forgetting about a sacred place. It was built in 1850 by the Mavrovo people, who made it from fine processed stones. Its walls were fresco-painted by an unknown zograph. It was consecrated in the year 1853. But, by forming of the artificial lake and the dam, it was decided that it should be flooded. As its replacement, at only several meters from it, a build of a new monastery church dedicated to the same saint was initiated. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/120/saint-nikola-mavrovo.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/saint-nikola-church-mavrovo Saint Nikola Gerakomija church - Ohrid, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/saint-nikola-gerakomija-church-ohrid Sacred heritage: The church St. Nikola, know also as Gerakomija (by the beginning of this century in the neighborhood of this church there was a nursing home) is located in the immediate environment of the church St. Sofia in Ohrid. For the first time this church was mentioned in the list of Kozma Kitijski in 1694. The current building dates from 19th century and the same is built in a form of three naves basilica with columns. The central nave has three cupola arches and the side naves are arched. In the interior of the church there is an iconostasis dating from 1862, work of woodcarving group from Debar's county villages. The iconostasis is partly gilded and decorated with flora elements and painted with figures of saints. Icons in this church, the throne ones as well as the festive ones that are part of this iconostasis are work of Dico Zograph from village of Tresonce. His deeds are also the frescoes painted in the interior of the church. Here we must mention the rear presentation of St.Virgin Marry in the cupola where she is painted as Queen of Havens with golden crown on the head and with wings. In the church there is a collection of icons dated from 14th to 19th century. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/113/saint-nikola-gerakomija.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/saint-nikola-gerakomija-church-ohrid Saint Nikola monastery - Skopje, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/saint-nikola-monastery-matka Sacred heritage: The Saint Nikola monastery is situated high above lake Treska, on an inaccessible rocky peak which encloses the gorge if the river Treska, is the church of Saint Nikola, which once formed part of the Saint Nikola Shishevski monastery. The high location is spectacular and gives you a wonderful view of Lake Matka and the Monastery of St Andrea (St Andrew) below. Most pictures in guides and postcards of the lake and St. Andrea are taken from this place. No historical details about the origin of the church exist but it was only mentioned first in the 17th century. In the 18th, the monastery was completely deserted and only during the 19th century it was repaired and made fit again for service. The oldest frescoes are covered with a layer of frescoes which date from the 14th century. The west wall was frescoed in 1630, and these frescoes are distinguished by their narrative element which was characteristic of 17th century painting. The church is on the opposite site of the Matka Canyon from the Church of St Andrew, the Monastery of St Bogorodica, the Church of St Spas and the Church of St Nedela. It takes about 1-1:30h to reach Saint Nikola from here, and it is a steep walk. Alternatively, you can cross the lake with a boat at St Andrea and walk very steeply uphill to St Nikola. This climb is about 180 m and takes you about 20-30 min. Make sure you have good shoes. When you take this trail down from St Nikola, you can either scream to the other site of the lake (St Andrea) to be picked up by boat, or use the gong that is attached to a tree. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/130/saint-nikola-matka.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/saint-nikola-monastery-matka Saint Pantelejmon church - Veles, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/saint-pantelejmon-church-veles Sacred heritage: Saint Pantelejmon church of Veles is lLocated high on a hill south of Veles, amidst the graves of a local cemetery, is the Church of St. Pantelejmon. The inside is very beautiful, and the caretaker is very proud of the church! The church is famous for its magnificent acoustics, which is the result of the use of pottery and eggshells incorporated in the stucco. Several modifications were made in 1847 and 1849. It's known as "Macedonian Scalla di Milan". http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/89/saint-pantelejmon.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/saint-pantelejmon-church-veles Saint Pantelejmon church - Plaosnik monastery Ohrid - Ohrid, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/saint-pantelejmon-plaosnik-monastery-ohrid Sacred heritage: The Plaosnik monastery of Ohrid (Saint Pantelejmon) is believed to have been built when Saint Clement arrived in Ohrid. Historical sources claim that, Saint Clement of Ohrid was not satisfied with the size of the church and therefore, built a new one over it and assigned Saint Panteleimon as its patron saint. Saint Clement of Ohrid used his newly created monastery as a liturgical building and a place for teaching his disciples his variation of the Glagolitic alphabet, known as the Cyrillic alphabet. Saint Clement of Ohrid personally built a crypt inside the Plaosnik monastery in which he was buried after his death in 916, and his tomb still exists today (after was secretly kept in other monastery during the Ottoman period). In the 15th Century, Ottoman Turks converted the Saint Clement’s Plaosnik monastery into a mosque but, during the beginning of the 16th century allowed ruined churches and monasteries to be restored, therefore, so was Saint Clement's - Plaosnik monastery. The monastery was again ruined during the end of the 16th century or the beginning of the 17th century and yet another mosque, called Imaret Mosque, which existed until the restoration of the important Ohrid monastery in 1999. Many archaeologists believe that Saint Clement of Ohrid himself designed and constructed the monastery on Plaosnik. Saint Clement, along with Saint Naum would use the monastery as a basis for teaching the Glagolitic and Cyrillic alphabets to Christianized Macedonian Slavs thus making it a university. Yes, the first Slavic University in the world, that hold up 3,500 students at the time. The Plaosnik monastery stands on the famouse Ohrid hill which is now known as Plaosnik overlooking Lake Ohrid. Saint Clement of Ohrid built his monastery on a restored church and a Roman basilica of five parts (the remains of the basilicas can still be seen outside the monastery). Judging by the architectural style and design of the monastery, researchers say that Saint Clement intended for his building to be a literary school for disciples, thus it is believed to be the first and oldest discontinued university in Europe as well in the Slavic world. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/19/plaosnik.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/saint-pantelejmon-plaosnik-monastery-ohrid Saint Pantelejmon monastery - Skopje, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/saint-pantelejmon-monastery-skopje Sacred heritage: The Saint Pantelejmon monastery church was erected by Alexis Comnenus in 1164, during the Byzantine rule of Macedonia which came under the Comnenus dynasty. The frescoes in the Saint Pantelejmon monastery date from the time of the construction of the church but there are others from the 15th, 16th, and 19th centuries. In addition to its beautiful frescoes, the Saint Pantelejmon monastery at Nerezi had a marble iconostasis dating from the 12th century. The iconostasis didn't remain intact when the church was damaged although some fragments have survived. It was reconstructed in 1932. The frescoes found in the Saint Pantelejmon monastery church make it one part of the most remarkable monuments in Macedonia. An important epoch in the history of this church was the period form 1923-1926, when the Russian savant prof. Nikola Okunjev succeeded in uncovering of the old 12th century frescoes in one part of the church. The conservation work which followed from 1954-1957 completed the removal of the late frescoes and the total exposure of the old. The Saint Pantelejmon monastery suffered damage during the 1963 earthquake in Skopje but it was soon repaired. The frescoes in Saint Pantelejmon have an important place not only in our medieval art but in that Byzantine painting of the time. The Nerezi artist, by his virtuosity in drawing and his rich color succeeded in painting a whole gallery of saints and figures. These frescoes represented a break with the contemporary painting because the painter didn't depict the saints in the customary representative-type manner but introduced figures from the real life. The frescoes in the Saint Pantelejmon monastery brought a big changes in the development of the Byzantine art and Macedonian in particular and gave a basis to suppose that local painters, though reared in the tradition of decorative Byzantine painting, could make brave steps even in the 12th and the 13th centuries towards a new art which was later, in the 14th and the 15th centuries known as Renaissance Art. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/64/pantelejmon-monastery.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/saint-pantelejmon-monastery-skopje Saint Sophia church - Ohrid, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/saint-sophia-church-ohrid Sacred heritage: The church Saint Sophia is one of the most important monuments of Macedonia, housing architecture and art from the Middle Ages. This church, was originally the synod church of the Ohrid Archbishop, and later converted to a mosque, has preserved in its interior the traces of several time-period: frescoes from the 11th, 12th and 13th century. For a long time it was the cathedral church ("Great Church") of the Ohrid Archiepiscopate whose ecclesiastical authority covered the territories up to the river Danube to the north, the Albanian coast to the west, and the Bay of Thessalonica to the east. The main part of the Saint Sophia church was built in the 11th century, while external additions were built by Archbishop Grigorie in the 14th century. The date of the construction of that church is uncertain because there are no inscriptions that help reveal it. It is also mentioned that today's church was either built or restored during the period of the Archbishop Leo who was on the throne of the Church in the period between 1035-1056. His esteemed ecclesiastical principal became a donor of the painting decorations in the church of St. Sophia. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/21/saint-sophia-outside.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/saint-sophia-church-ohrid Saint Zaum monastery - Ohrid, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/saint-zaum-monastery-ohrid Sacred heritage: The church of Holy Mother Zahumska (Saint Zaum) is located near the fisherman's village of Trpejca, some 20 km from Ohrid. Zaum church, like the churches of St. Bogorodica Perivlepta (St. Clement) and St. John the Theologian - Kaneo, is in the shape of a cruciform with a dome surmounting the central part. The church represents a memorial of the founder Grgur, who built it in 1361. As a donor the bishop of Devol, Grigorie, is mentioned. Among the frescoes there is also a beautiful portrait of Naum of Ohrid. Although the painting has been damaged, the preserved parts show the excellent painting talent of the unknown painter, especially his sense of natural expression and coloring. The blind arches divide its three-sided apse. The church in its original shape also had a parvis. The frescoes of the church St. Bogorodica Zahumska are highly damaged. In 1898 the Zaum monastery was demolished, and later reconstructed. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/67/sveti-zaum.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/saint-zaum-monastery-ohrid Saints Cyril and Methodius church - Tetovo, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/saints-cyril-methodius-church-tetovo Sacred heritage: Saints Cyril & Methodius church is located in the old town of Tetovo, it is one of the most beautiful orthodox temple in Pollog valley. It was built in the Two Elm Trees district, which is in the old part of the town. This is a three-nave basilica with a single dome and a cruciform basis. The fresco painting on the walls was done by painter Danilo Nestorovski in 1924. The building has started in 1903, finished in 1918 and blessed on June 12th 1925. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/96/sveti-kiril-metodij.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/saints-cyril-methodius-church-tetovo Samoil fortress Ohrid - Ohrid, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/samoil-fortress-ohrid Cultural-historical heritage: From Plaoshnik take a small path through the woods to reach it. The Samoil Fortress is mentioned in descriptions in the chronicles dating from 476. Today's Samoil fortress relates to the name of Tzar Samoil, who probably extended and built the fortress when he chose it for seat of his Macedonian medieval state. Samoil's Fortress is the most monumental construction from this period. The fortress today has 18 towers and 4 gates. The central part of the fortress has wall 10 - 16 meters high and it has strong defensive towers, followed by ramparts in direction of the lake. In the second courtyard there are ancient graves, remains of a round tower and a cistern. Today the Samoil fortress is a major tourist attraction and was renovated in 2003. According to recent excavations by Macedonian archaeologists, it was alleged that this fortress was built on the place of an earlier fortification, dated to 4th century BC, which was probably built by king Phillip 2nd of Macedon. The Samoil fortress offers great views over the lake and Ohrid. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/73/samoil-fortress.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/samoil-fortress-ohrid Sarkova Dupka cave - Mavrovo, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/sarkova-dupka-cave-mavrovo Natural attractions: The cave is open for tourists and completely safe. The cave was discovered three decades ago by local population of Mavrovo who were afraid of going inside it at first. The first one who was brave enough to enter was a man who lived near the cave whose name was Sarko. The cave was named after him. Visitors can go deep down into the cave by semi-circular metal stairs leading 20 meters underground. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/119/sarkova-dupka.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/sarkova-dupka-cave-mavrovo Scupi - ancient town - Skopje, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/scupi Cultural-historical heritage: The Roman ruins at Scupi date from the second century BC and were built upon an earlier, Dardanian settlement. Scupi was designated as Colonia Flavia Aelia Scupi and became the new home for many veterans of the Roman legions. Under the Flavian emperors Scupi was granted municipal status, essentially entitling it to run its own affairs. Scupi prospered and seemed to become a city of some prestige. Although it suffered under the Gothic ravages of the 3rd century. In the 4th century once again the city prospered, - it served briefly as the headquarters of emperor Theodosius. But with the 5th century barbarian raids returned and, alas, in 518 AD a devastating earthquake destroyed it. After Scupi was ruined by the earhtquake of 518, all the building material was used in the building of Justinijana Prima. There is almost nothing left except for part of a street, a bath, and a basilica (newest researches have proven a larger settlement). Published coins from the Scupi excavations include follis of Anastasius minted in Constantinopolis (AD 512 to 517), follis of Justinus I minted in Nicomedia (AD 518 to 522), follis of Justinianus I minted in Constantinopolis (AD 527 to 532), follis of Justinianus I minted in Cyzicus (AD 551 to 552), half-follis of Justinianus I minted in Thessalonica (AD 563 to 564), and a half-follis of Justinus II minted in Thessalonica (AD 574 tp 575). http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/61/colonia-flavia-aelia-scupi.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/scupi Shirok Sokak street - Bitola, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/shirok-sokak-bitola Other attractions: Shirok Sokak is a pedestrian street lined with nice colorful romantic and neo-clasical buildings. It is divided it three parts and even though the first part has the best preserved buildings it is worth walking all the way to the end. The street is very lively and lined with cafes who are excellent for relaxing and people watching, especially since the girls from Bitola are known as the most beautiful in Macedonia and they love to parade up and down the street dressed in their sunday best. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/111/shirok-sokak.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/shirok-sokak-bitola Shpilje lake - Debar lake - Debar, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/shpilje-lake-debar Natural attractions: The artificial Debar lake known as Shpilje, has greatly enhanced the attractiveness of the Debar area. In immediate vicinity of the small town, along the course of the rivers Radika and Crni Drim, travelers may enjoy the vivid scenery. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/70/debar-lake.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/shpilje-lake-debar Skopje Clock tower - Skopje, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/clock-tower-skopje Other attractions: This monument is located on the "Krste Petkov-Misirkov" street, on a hill behind the "Sts. Cyril & Methodius University". It is a Turkish object, built east of the famous and oldest market place of Skopje, Bitpazar. It stands in the forecourt of Hjuncar - the mosque of Sultan Murat 2nd. It has a hexagonal foundation and has a different rooftop which resembles the numerous lateral domes of the new Moscow style of the Russian medieval architecture. This element had been previously employed by Mongolians. The Clock Tower was built between 1566 AD and 1572 AD, most probably on the foundations of an already existing building. Initially, the upper part of the Tower was made of wood and the clock mechanism was brought from the city of Siged in Hungary. Writers that visited Skopje in the 16th and 17th centuries, noted that the Turks even brought a clock-master from Siged for the clock's maintenance. This was of great importance for the accurate performance of the five daily prayers. Many travelers mention the clock tower in their journals, as a large and important building in Skopje and add that its sound can be heard several kilometers away. After the great fire in 1689, when the tower was seriously damaged it had to be repaired. Some alternations were made in 1902/3, a new top (made of Thessaloniki bricks) replaced the original wooden top of the clock, during the reign of Ali-Hivza Pasha. In addition, the clock mechanism was replaced with a new one, this time brought from Switzerland. During the 1963 earthquake, the clock tower was seriously damaged in addition to the Hjunkar mosque. The clock mechanism, was stolen during the 1963 earthquake and was replaced by no one, so far. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/58/clock-tower.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/clock-tower-skopje Skopje Old bazaar - Skopje, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/old-skopje-bazaar Cultural-historical heritage: On the left side of the river Vardar, in the ancient part of Skopje is the old Skopje bazaar. Up to the present time the bazaar has experienced several changes in respect of the appearance and the organization, but it has still kept the spirit of the past. In the small innumerable handicraft shops, the Skopje's handicraftsmen can still be seen, tailors, cobbler, quilt makers, shoe makers, tinsmiths etc. The old market place is still alive and full with a vivid atmosphere which radiates from the small shops, coffee and tea rooms which are always full with tourists which are delighted from the appearance and the life of this part of the city. Today most of these crafts are produced in factories, so only a few of the craftsmen remained keeping their jobs. Most of the shops here are for clothing, shoes, jewelries, restaurants, cafe-bars and tea-bars. The Old Skopje Bazaar as a larger district include several cultural-historical monuments. Most of them are restored like: St. Spas church, Mustapha Pasha mosque, Čifte Amam, Daut Pasha Amam (amam-bath), Kapan An, Suli An, Kuršumli An (An-Inn). This district is one of the oldest in the city. Every corner here, tells his own history. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/57/carsija.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/old-skopje-bazaar Slepce monastery - Demir Hisar, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/slepce-monastery Sacred heritage: The Slepce monastery with the church dedicated to Saint John the Forerunner is located near the village Slepce (Demir Hisar), at an altitude of 914 meters. Slepce monastery is located on the easter foothills of Ilinica mountain, 3,3 km away from Demir Hisar. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/207/slepce-monastery.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/slepce-monastery Sliva monument - Krusevo, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/sliva-monument-krusevo Other attractions: The Sliva monument is located north-western of Krusevo, on the road to the village Cer (on the way to Kicevo). It is a symbol of the bravery and victims of the macedonian rebels during the defense of the Krusevo republic on August 12th, 1903. Here the detachment od the duke Georgi Stojanov and Dime Smugrev held a position for 5 days against the ournumbered Ottoman cavalry. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/200/sliva-monument.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/sliva-monument-krusevo Slivnica monastery - Resen, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/slivnica-monastery-prespa Sacred heritage: Among the treasure of cultural monuments in the region of Prespa is the monastery Mother of God in the vicinity of village Slivnica. The monastery complex comprises the church, the renovated and carefully designed lodgings, situated in the big monastery court. By the church, there is a spring of holy water, of which miraculous and healing properties people speak with admiration. The church Mother of God is positioned on an oblong basis, in the shape of an inscribed cross, with a dome and a semi-circular apse, five-sided from the outside. Above the west entrance from the inner side of the church there is an inscription that says that it was built and fresco-painted in the times of the abbot Nikanur, in the year 1607g. As donors of the church are noted several people, among whom especially prominent is Mihailo Petkov from Bitola, whose son Kupen (who died in 1599), is depicted on the north side of the altar apse, attired in ceremonial clothes. Five years after the church was built, the dome-covered narthex was built and fresco-painted, and in the year 1645 parts of the old fresco-decoration were renovated and repainted, and in the 19th century, the closed porch and the wooden bell-tower were built again. The fresco-decoration in the church is a work of several masters who all have their individual characteristics. Among them, the name of the zograph Nikola is noted in the inscription in the niche over the west entrance, where the composition Mother of God with Christ is painted. Most probably, the frescoes on the west facade is work of this zograph. The Great Cross and the Deisis plate are preserved in this church. The Royal Doors and the throne icons originate from the 16th century. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/193/slivnica-monastery.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/slivnica-monastery-prespa Small Saint Clement church - Ohrid, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/small-saint-clement-church-ohrid Sacred heritage: The Small Saint Clement church is located few steps away from the Bolnicki churches. Just take the small narrow street opposite the Bolnicki churches. The church is historically important since it is here that the bones of St. Clement of Ohrid, were hidden after the Turks conquered the town in the 14th century. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/75/small-saint-clement.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/small-saint-clement-church-ohrid Smilevo village - Demir Hisar, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/smilevo-village Museums: Try to visit this historical village, which is few kilometers south-west of the town. Here, a meeting was held and the decision was made for beginning of the Ilinden uprising in 1903. Memorial Museum was opened at the spot where the famous Smilevo Congress was held. In the ethnology room there is a presentation of the material cultural heritage of the village of Smilevo, such as the national folk dress like bridal dress, older women's attire and man's attire. According to its characteristics these examples of national dress belong to the Mijak-Debar attire and count as the most distinctive folk attires. Another segment of this presentation is the household, presented by the built-in cupboards, fireplace, low table, trunk used in common life. All these presented items are from Smilevo. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/159/smilevo.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/smilevo-village Smolare waterfall - Strumica, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/smorale-waterfall-strumica Natural attractions: The waterfall is part of the Lomnica River and is located deep in the Belasica Mountain at an elevation of 630 metres. Crashing down the smooth, black rock face, and surrounded by 100-year-old beech trees, this waterfall is visited by tourists throughout the year. Smolare Waterfall is the tallest waterfall in the Republic of Macedonia, falling from a height of 39.5 metres (129.5 feet). It is located above the village of Smolare in the Municipality of Novo Selo in the southeastern region of Macedonia. To reach the majestic beauty of the Smolare Waterfall, visitors must wind their way up a nature path which includes 300 stone steps made from natural materials. Once at the site, deep within the forest, tourists can gaze at the waterfall from a wooden bridge constructed in front of the crashing water, enjoying the refreshing spray at the waterfall collides with the rock face and meets the river below. Visitors can also enjoy the picnic and camping areas constructed at the base of the path, as well as a marketplace opened in 2007 for residents to sell locally produced products such as fresh fruits and vegetables, honey, and crafts. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/83/smorale-waterfall.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/smorale-waterfall-strumica Solunska Glava peak - Veles, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/solunska-glava-peak Natural attractions: Not less attractive is one of the highest mountain picks in Republic of Macedonia - Solunska Glava (2,540 meters), as well as the mountain house Ceples, where pleasant accommodation can be found at any time. What might be interesting for newcomers - you can see Solun(Salonica), directly from the peak. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/86/solunska-glava.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/solunska-glava-peak Stip Clock tower - Stip, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/clock-tower-stip Cultural-historical heritage: It was originaly built by a Turkish Bay to protect his land abnd later turned into a clock tower. Part of the tower was demolished in 1934 by the Serbian authorities (as Macedonia was governed by the kingdom of Serbia) of security reasons. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/143/clock-tower.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/clock-tower-stip Stobi - Veles, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/stobi Cultural-historical heritage: Stobi was first mentioned in the year of 197 BC by Livius. According to him, Stobi is located on the flow of river Crna into Vardar, where Philip 5th king of Macedonia, defeated the Dardanians. According the archeologists Stobi was founded during Hellenistic period. In 148BC Macedonia was turned into a Roman province. Stobi develops during the period of Augustus (31 BC-14 AD). Stobi was given a status as municipal sealt in 69 AD and got it’s city coins - Municipium Stobensium. The citizens of Stobi enjoyed Ius Italicum and were citizens of Rome, and belonged to the tribes Aemila and Tromentina. The early and the late Roman period are the best periods of the Stobi history. Findings include: a Grand Palace, which contains beautiful frescoes, as well as the temple of Nemezis in the theatre. Stobi citizens have also respected Higia and Telesfor, Artemida Lohia, Apolon Clarious, Jupiterius, Dionisius and Hera. The most important monument from the Roman time is the theatre, built in the 3rd century AD. In the early Christian period Stobi was, also important town. Stobi was episcopacy seat from 325 AD, when the episcope Budius took part in the Nikeius gathering. Stobi got it’s first churches during the 4th- 5th century known for their interior, featured by mosaics and frescoes. Mosaics can be found also in a private luxury buildings from the late ancient time, such as Palaces of Theodosius, Policharmosius and Peristerius. Later, Stobi became capital of the Roman provice - Macedonia Salutaris. The Roman Emperor Theodosius 1st, stayed in Stobi in 388 AD. Stobi in the 3rd century had a Jewish community, when Policharmosius built sinanoga which was destroyed in the time of Theodosius 1st visiting in 388. In the second half of the 5th century the disasters of Stobi, have begun. In 479 AD, the town was robbed by Theodor the Ostrogothic king. A powerful earthquake struck down in 518 AD. The Avaro-Slavic invasions in the 6th century have totally ruined Stobi. In 1014 Stobi was ruined again, by the Byzantine army of Vasilius 2nd. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/24/stobi.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/stobi Stone bridge - Skopje, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/stone-bridge-skopje Other attractions: According to certain data the Stone Bridge of Skopje was built in the 6th century, whereas in its present form it was raised upon the old foundation in the time of the Sultan Murat 2nd in the first half of the 15th century. It was built of well worked out stone blocks and has 12 semicircular arches. This monumental building has undergone larger repairs through the centuries, but today the bridge has still kept the primary shape and form. The Stone Bridge is accessed from Macedonia and Crvena Opstina squares. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/54/stone-bridge.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/stone-bridge-skopje Stone columns of Konopiste - Kavadarci, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/stone-columns-konopiste Natural attractions: They can be found hidden in the rocky hills of the Kozhuf Mountain, southern of Kavadarci, near the village Konopishte. The stone columns are only 20, high above 20 meters and exist on this region for many centuries. Not everybody has heard for the existence of these stone columns, called by the local population Kanjata or Cucki (Tzutzki). They are protected as a monument of the nature. But anyway nobody pays them any attention, there is not asphalt road leading to them, not even a sign. To approach to this location first you must cross the river Boshavica. After you cross this river as you have entered a whole new world. The entire terrain is fill of trees and bushes. After spending few minutes walking through them, there they are. The locals say: "The view of them is very beautiful in winter and in autumn, period when the trees do not have leaves." According to Goran Todorov, citizen of Konopishte the stone columns have always been helping those who were incapable of having children. The first legends is that everyone who is incapable of having children has to scratch a piece of the columns, then to put into milk, add some honey and drink it. Many people who were having problems have visited this village and the stone columns. The other legend is that the columns are radiating some special energy, so the young couples should have an act of love in front of them, so the columns can help in the production process. Places like this on the Balkans, can be found in Serbia (City of Devils) and in Bulgaria (Pyramids of Melnik). http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/132/stone-columns-konopiste.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/stone-columns-konopiste Stone Columns of Kuklica - Kratovo, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/stone-columns-kuklica Natural attractions: The stone town, is situated by the Kuklica village in the Kratovo district. According to the sources, the stone figures, that are mentioned by the local population as Dolls, are 10 million years old. There are many legends and myths for their existence, but the most famous is the one, according to which, the stone figures are wedding guests (people), that were cursed by the forsaken bride, and turned into a rocks. There are 120 stone figures, one by another, up to 10 meters high in the area. The legends speak that once a upon a time, one boy from the village of Kuklica (that is above the stone town), who cannot decided whom to marry with, asked two girls. The wedding with the both of them was planned in a same day. There used to be a tradition not to have more than one wedding in each day, because the brides must not be seen each other, during their wedding - that was a bad luck. Not knowing for that one of the brides saw that there is another wedding in the same day and run out of her house to see who is getting married. When she saw her boyfriend with another girl, she cursed all of them: "Let God turn all of you into rocks, even me". And in the moment all of people got frozen and turned into rocks. According to another legend, the existence of the stone figures is very different. There used to be a wood in this area, but due to the wars it was burned down. Soon the area became nearly to a desert. When the army passed because of the low temperatures, all of the soldiers frizzed and turned into rocks. But the scientists do not agree with the legends. According to them, they were formed 10 million years ago, by the tectonic erosion, from a minerals that dissolve in water. Over the years, the nature created master pieces. The local population says that on every 5-6 years a new figures appear. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/131/kuklica.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/stone-columns-kuklica Struga Old bazaar - Struga, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/old-struga-bazaar Cultural-historical heritage: Straight street, and today has more cafes than shops. It ends with a lively market. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/99/struga-bazzar.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/old-struga-bazaar Strumica museum - Strumica, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/museum-strumica Museums: The Institute for the Protection of Cultural Heritage and Museum was established as a regional museum in 1952. On 01.01.2005 the institution became a regional conservation center responsible for Strumica, Dojran, Valandovo Bogdanci, Gevgelija and their environments. The first exhibition was organized on May 1st, 1955 and contained materials of history, ethnology and archeology. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/82/strumica-museum.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/museum-strumica Suli An - Skopje, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/suli-an-skopje Cultural-historical heritage: Suli An was built in the first half of the 15th century by Ishak beg. It was badly damaged during 1963 earthquake and today it houses the arts faculty of Skopje University. It also houses the Old Bazaar Museum. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/8/suli-an.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/suli-an-skopje Sveto Preobrazenie monastery - Krusevo, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/sveto-preobrazenie-monastery-krusevo Sacred heritage: The Holy Ascension (Sveto Preobrazenie) is located at Bushava mountain at the area known as Bela Voda, at an altitude of 1,560 meters above the sea level. This is 7km north-wester of the town. The church is being built on the basis of an older church from the middle ages. Tose Proeski - Macedonia's best pop singer (who's actually is from Krusevo) has helped and sponsored its construcion building. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/171/sveto-preobrazenie.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/sveto-preobrazenie-monastery-krusevo Tikves lake - Kavadarci, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/tikvesh-lake Natural attractions: Tikves Lake is located 12km south-west of Kavadarci on the River Crna or 3km from the village Vozarci. Tikves lake was built in 1968 by directing the waters of the river and building a 104m high dam. The dam is built of stones and it is 338m long. Tikves lake is the largest and the oldest artificial lake in Macedonia. Tikves lake covers an area of 14km2 and 29km with a capacity of 475 million m3 water. The water of the Tikves lake is used for irrigation and deriving electricity. The irrigation is performed by the hydro-system Tikves and in the vicinity of the dam the hydroelectric plant Tikvesh is located. The lake is rich with fish. Most dominant is the sheat-fish that can reach the size of 2m. Thanks to the irrigation Tikves Lake made Tikves valley a real oasis with endless vineyards and orchards. Today Tikves Lake with its micro-climate establishes itself as an recreational and tourist resort. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/149/tikvesh-lake.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/tikvesh-lake Tose Proeski Memorial House - Krusevo, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/tose-proeski-memorial-house-krusevo Museums: The Memorial House of Macedonia's late pop star Tose Proeski is located above Krusevo in Gumenje area, near the famous symbol od Krusevo - the Makedonium monument. Important to mention is that, the Tose Proeski Memorial House has won the first place at the global architecture event and features the world's biggest architectural contest – The World Architectural Festival Awards. The Tose Proseki Memorial House was opened on 25 April 2011. It is located in Krusevo on an area of 870 square meters. The concrete and glass facility is built in a form of cross. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/217/tose-proeski-memorial-house.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/tose-proeski-memorial-house-krusevo Towers of Marko fortress - Prilep, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/towers-of-marko-fortress-prilep Cultural-historical heritage: A 30 min hike from Varosh village will take you to the ruins of the medieval fortress known as Markovi kuli. The hike is through a strange bare landscape with huge rocks in different shapes. On the beginning is the Stone elephant work of nature. The remains of the fortress look as if they are growing from the huge rocks and there are striking views over Prilep and the surrounding plain. The remains that can be seen are from the 10th to the 14th c. The fortress can also be reached by much more scenic, but much more rough path from Holy Archangels Monastery. If you are visiting the fortress in summer do it before noon and bring water along since the path has no shades. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/127/towers-of-marko.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/towers-of-marko-fortress-prilep Treskavec monastery - Prilep, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/treskavec-monastery-prilep Sacred heritage: The Treskavec monastery is situated under the peak Zlatovrv (1262 m), about 10 kilometers from the town of Prilep, in a striking mountain landscape, from where you have a great view of the Pelagonia valley. The Treskavec monastery was built during the 13th century on the ruins of an ancient town destroyed in the 7 century. The monastery complex consists of the church "Assumption of the Holy Mother", monastery inns and the dining room. It is thought that the monastery was built in the 13th century and later in the 14th century, King Milutin renovated it. The monastery inventory includes: a Kosmitos cross and the choir, worked in encrustation. The Treskavec monastery’s fasade is made from faded red bricks, with ornamental external niches and – with its uneven roof, it looks like it was created at the same time as the gnarly rocks surrounding it. Before the monastery, there was an early Christian temple here and, according to the excavations, the region was inhabited since at least 2000 BC. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/124/treskavec-monastery.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/treskavec-monastery-prilep Trpejca village - Ohrid, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/trpejca-village-ohrid Natural attractions: Trpejca village is located on the way to Saint Naum. Due to the its setting between the rocks this small fishing village has managed to preserve its charm and escape the overgrow of tourism, which is way is offered referred as Saint Tropez of Macedonia. Trpejca has a great long but narrow beach with the cleanest waters on the lake. Trpejca has couple of good small lakeside fish and barbecue restaurants and a bar on the left side of the beach. If you don't like the beach or it seems crowded take one of the small boats and ask to be taken to one of the isolated beaches around Trpejca and enjoy the lake by yourself, the boat will came back for you at arranged time (50-100 denars). http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/76/trpejca.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/trpejca-village-ohrid Turkish Amam - Dojran, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/turkish-amam-dojran Cultural-historical heritage: The bath is located in the upper part of Dojran, inhabited by the Turkish population, in the past. The time of construction is not known. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/180/turkish-amam.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/turkish-amam-dojran Turkish Amam - Tetovo, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/turkish-amam-tetovo Cultural-historical heritage: The bath (amam) built in the 15th centry. It covers a surface of 335m2. In 1962 it was transformed into an art gallery and in 1984 it was declared cultural heritage. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/95/turkish-amam.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/turkish-amam-tetovo Tzarevi Kuli fortress - Strumica, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/tzarevi-kuli-fortress-strumica Cultural-historical heritage: The fortress was built right near Strumica, and remains are visible today. Tzarevi Kuli is a fortress from the late ancient period. Tzarevi Kuli (Tzar Towers) fortress is located on the southern side of Strumica. It has 100 square meters and is oriented east-west. The Tzar's Towers are located on the hill overlooking Strumica. They are the remains of a medieval fortress from the 11th-12th century, that was extended during the 12th-14th century. There is not much left over from this once so powerful fortress. The only well visible remains are the so-called Pirg Tower, the main tower of the fortress where the commander of the fortress stayed. The lower floor was a water tanker filled with atmospheric water. The other major remains are from the west entrance tower or gate, and another huge water tanker in the middle of the fortressAt the City Hall of Strumica we got an interesting booklet called "One the way of ancestors" describing the Tzar's Towers in very much detail. You can reach to Tzar's Towers via an asphalt road by car, or climb very steeply uphill from the foot path that is close to restaurant Loven Dom to the antenna on top of the hill. We made a detour and took the path from Loven Dom and walked first 2.5 km to the Monastery of St Ilija. From there we walked over a 4x4 track that leads to the asphalt road to the Tzars Tower. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/79/carevi-kuli.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/tzarevi-kuli-fortress-strumica Vangel Kodzoman gallery - Struga, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/vangel-kodzoman-gallery-struga Museums: Vangel Kodzoman was one of the most famous Macedonian painters of the 20th century. Checking out his paintings will show you Struga which unfortunately does not exist any more. The art gallery Vangel Kodzoman within the Dr. Nikola Nezlobinski museum Struga, was founded in 1980, as an exhibition space for the perpetual display of 33 of the author`s paintings. The displayed paintings are interspersed with a unique thread of tradition, heritage, and the spirit of the surrounding. From the profuse artistic opus of Vangel Kodzoman, a meaningful segment and a lasting theme preoccupation are his paintings inspired by his hometown Struga and its surroundings. Numerous of the motives, which as smeared photographic shots are interlaced, converted and transformed into paintings through which the artist experiences and percepts in a strong and sung-about wooden louvers, the winding sandy alleys, the market, the wide fishing spots, the idle cupboards, the blue waters of the lake. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/106/vangel-kodzoman-gallery.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/vangel-kodzoman-gallery-struga Vardarski Rid - Gevgelija, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/vardarski-rid-gevgelija Cultural-historical heritage: An ancient Macedonian town that dates from Early Antiquity. Vardarski Rid is located on a hill, at the E-75 junction. The town center started urbanization in the Balkans. Recent archaeological excavations show part of the architectural layout of the stoa, segments from the settlement and an acropolis. Vardarski Rid is a great spot for picnicking, and camping. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/160/vardarski-rid.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/vardarski-rid-gevgelija Vatasha village - Kavadarci, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/vatasha-village-kavadarci Other attractions: Few kilometers from Kavadarci's settlement of Vatasha, is situated the monument from the Second World War, where 12 young communists & partisans, were brutally killed by the Bulgarian occupator. Straso Pindzur, a National Hero from the World War 2, was born here in Vatasha. If you are getting here, try to visit the memorial house. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/151/vatasha-monument.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/vatasha-village-kavadarci Veles Clock tower - Veles, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/clock-tower-veles Other attractions: The Veles clock tower was built in the end of the 18th and the beginning of the 19th centuries. Once, the bell of the tower denoting the hours could be heard within a radius of 25km. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/91/clock-tower.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/clock-tower-veles Vevcani village - Struga, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/vevcani-village-struga Natural attractions: Vevcani is located at the foot of the Jablanica Mountain, and 14 kilometres away from the Ohrid Lake and the town. You can reach Vevcani by bus or by another vehicle. Check out the famous springs of Vevcani, the local styled architecture. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/104/vevcani-village.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/vevcani-village-struga Via Egnatia road - Struga, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/via-egnatia-radozda Other attractions: If you walk through the village you will see amazing old trees (some well over 7 centuries old) which in summer are pressing with murenki fruits and in their vicinity remains of an old road. These plates are remains of the legendary Roman road - Via Egnatia, which led from the Adriatic Sea up to the Black Sea, telling untold stories about the life of Radozda village in the past. The ancient Roman main road Via Egnatia passed in Macedonia as well. Remains if it, are still visible 300 meters western from Radozda village on the Jablanica mountain. Via Egnatia was made of well decorated blocks with dimensions 2.5 x 3 meters. The Via Egnatia remains are well preserved and have a trace of 100 meters with 5 stops (31-4-19-19-21) and then gets lost in the vegetation. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/122/via-egnatia.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/via-egnatia-radozda Vinica city museum - Vinica, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/vinica-museum Museums: The Vinica city museum is located in the center of the town, next to the Municipality of Vinica. The Teracotta museum offers the story of Vinica... http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/47/vinica-museum.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/vinica-museum Vinicko Kale site - Vinica, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/vinicko-kale-archeological-site-vinica Cultural-historical heritage: Vinicko Kale is a settlement from the late ancient period. It is located south-western of the town, on the left of the Grdečka river, on a hill, and 420 meters above the sea level. All sides are surrounded by high walls except the south-eastern side. It has dimensions 250x150 meters and lies on a 2,5 hectares land. The defensive wall was built of broken stone with cement and is 3 meters fat. The famous terra-cotta icons from the 5th and 6th century, were discovered by these defewalls. They are unique and are listed in teh series of especially valuable world collections of archaeological findings that open spaces to new and creative scientific theories and researches. From here there is an excellent view of the town Vinica and the river Bregalnica. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/85/vinicko-kale.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/vinicko-kale-archeological-site-vinica Virgin Mary church - Skopje, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/virgin-mary-church-skopje Sacred heritage: Sveta Bogorodica (Holy Mother of God/Virgin Mary) church was built in 1835 and was main cathedral church in Skopje. It was also known as the protector of the city. The iconostasis was finished in 1842. On April 7th 1944 the church, was burned down by the Bulgarians. The entire iconostasis was burned, while important subjects were stolen and taken to Bulgaria. The church is located on the Krste Misirkov boulevard, opposite the Macedonian Academy of Science and Arts. Today it's being reconstructed. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/42/sveta-bogorodica.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/virgin-mary-church-skopje Vodoca monastery - Strumica, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/vodoca-monastery-strumica Sacred heritage: Vodoca is the name of the village located 5 kilometers from Strumica. The 5th monastery is dedicated to Saint Leontius. In the Vodoca monastery area are the new church and the ruins of the original church. There are some frescoes from the 11th century. Vodoca is magnificent medieval center of the metropolitans in Strumica. Monastery that holds the remnants of several ancient churches since the 7th century, on whose foundations is built the beautiful temple dedicated to the Saint Leontius in the 11th century, and to Eleusa. This is a site where more than 1.000 medieval tombs were discovered alongside with jewelry and ceramics from the 14th century - one of the richest archaeological sites in Macedonia. The mountain surrounding intensifies its spiritual beauty and makes this church different in every season of the year. Parts of the church were rebuilt in the 11th and 12th centuries with some renovation performed in the 20th century. Frescoes from the 11th century still exist. According to a Hylendar act, this monastery is considered a bishops residency in the Strumica region. It is claimed that in this monastery St. Clement held education and worship. Not far from here, near the local school, is the Struma Tomb. Today, the Vodoca monastery is open to visitors and they have quarters for monks and residential quarters for the visitors. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/39/vodoca-monastery.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/vodoca-monastery-strumica Vrelo cave - Skopje, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/vrelo-cave-matka Natural attractions: Vrelo's entrance is hidden along the Matka canyon (which is comprised of the Matka lake and Treska river), is about 1.5km from the Matka Dam, on the Treska River, and forms a canyon lake covering about 5,000 hectares. There is also a ground section above the cave's entrance, called Suva, which has stalactites and stalagmites. Vrelo Cave has many stalactites including a large one in the middle of the cave is known as the Pine Cone due to its shape. There are two lakes at the end of the cave, with one larger than the other. The smaller lake is 8 metres (26.2 feet) at its longest length and 15 metres (49.2 feet) in depth at its deepest point. The larger lake is 35 metres (114.8 feet) at its longest length, and 18 metres (59 feet) at its deepest point. Though the exact depth of the cave is unknown, some speculate that it could be the deepest underwater cave in the world. The Vrelo cave has been nominated for this year's Seven World Wonders competition and has made it to the semi-finals. In 2007, the cave ranked 77th, after being explored by diver Mark Vandermeulen, on a list of the deepest underwater caves. Vandermeulen was also part of this year's diving team. Vrelo ranks 14th on the list of the deepest caves explored by humans, and some speculate it might be underestimated. The cave is located in the Matka Canyon, near Skopje, which boasts 1,000 plant species, 20% of which are endemic, as well as various butterfly species not found anywhere else in Europe. The canyon is also home to vultures, and occasionally bald eagles, which are protected by law to save them from extinction. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/56/cave-vrelo.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/vrelo-cave-matka Vrutok gorge of Vardar river - Gostivar, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/vrutok-gorge-vardar-river Natural attractions: Vrutok, the spring of the largest river in Macedonia, Vardar is in the wider Gostivar surroundings. There, at an altitude of 683 meters, from the base of the mountain Shar rises the river Vardar. The spring of the river Vardar, is one of the greatest natural beauties of the Gostivar region and one of it's kind in Macedonia. From the spring the riverbed of Vardar widens. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/121/vrutok.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/vrutok-gorge-vardar-river Zare Lazarevski ski resort - Mavrovo, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/zare-lazarevski-ski-resort Other attractions: Zare Lazarevski ski-resort in Mavrovo (Mt. Bistra). Altitude of 1,255 meters. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/32/mavrovo-zare-lazarevski.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/zare-lazarevski-ski-resort Zebrnjak memorial - Kumanovo, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/zebrnjak-memorial-kumanovo Other attractions: Zebrnjak is built during the Serbian occupation of Macedonia (1913-1941). Zebrnjak memorial represents a monument over the Serbian victory against the Ottomans in the First Balkan war in 1912. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/115/zebrnjak.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/zebrnjak-memorial-kumanovo Zrze monastery - Prilep, Macedonia http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/zrze-monastery-prilep Sacred heritage: The monastery Zrze is located near the village Zrze, approx. 25km north-west of Prilep. The numerous remnants of the ancient period-pillars, basilica remains, and other exponents speak of the rich cultural tradition, of this area. Today, Zrze monastery complex consists of the church "St. Petar and Pavle", the inns and several accessory rooms. The church has been renovated several times, and the painting is preserved only in fragments. In the 14th century, the church walls were painted with painting of extraordinary artistic value. Under the monastery are the monk cells, and their high number indicates the rich life of the monks, who belonged to the highest monastical order. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/images/sights/125/zrze-monastery.jpg http://travel2macedonia.com.mk - contact@travel2macedonia.com.mk http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/zrze-monastery-prilep