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Traditional Macedonian Clothes

Always closely linked to their native land, the Macedonian people have mostly lived through centuries of tradition transmitting it from one generation to another, and thus creating an unusually rare material and spiritual culture which bears some patriarchal characteristics. True folklore cannot be bought or sold, but has to be learned through toil, sweat, tears, and, sometimes, even blood. Contrary to some who abuse its name for self-serving interests, it is not mere entertainment to amuse the throngs or to pander to an audience.

Rather, it should, as with all true art, stimulate, educate, irritate, and, hopefully, lead all who are touched by it to a new level of insight. At the same time, by its nature folklore is also accessible, not merely to an artistic elite, but to all who pursue it with passion. It will take all of your concentration, creativity, and passionate effort to capture its essence, to add to its richness, and to transmit it undiluted to the next generation so that they, Macedonians and others may yet know its sublime beauty and glory.

Folk costumes

Particular attention Macedonian had paid to the design and decoration of their clothes, so that national costumes and jewellery are the most expressive and the most numerous examples of the traditional creativity of the Macedonians. The national costumes in Macedonia (created over a long period of time), preserved the traces of old cultural influences, and in their way of development fit the elements of old Balkan, Slav and Oriental culture. Above all the product of domestic textile manufacture, the Macedonian national costumes are characterized by richness and ornamentation. Western Macedonia, especially divided into smaller regional units with different ethnic characteristics is a real mosaic of various beautiful national costumes, where the women's costumes are of special interest.

Decorative Macedonian embroidery, characteristic in the forms, technically complex and of picturesque colours give special expression and distinction to the national costumes. The women's gowns are especially decorative, and are the main bearer of this kind of traditional artistic creation. Embroidery is not only an artistic expression and the essential element but the most characteristic of the costumes of different regions. All of that is an historic heritage that makes Macedonia proud.

Most of Macedonia's colorful folklore consists of folktales and aphorisms (witty sayings). The following are typical aphorisms: "Falsehoods have short legs" (lies are soon found out); and "Begin a task, but always have its conclusion in mind" (finish what you start.) (Link do natinal quotes).

Macedonian folklore music

The ethnic Macedonian traditional music, which can be rural or urban (starogradska muzika), includes: lyric songs, epic songs, labour songs, ritual songs, humorous songs, circle dance ("oro"), the old urban style called Čalgija (not to be confused with chalga) etc.

Popular traditional songs are: Kaleš bre Angjo, Slušam kaj šumat šumite, Biljana platno beleše, Dafino vino crveno, Narode Makedonski, Zemjo Makedonska and many others. Often referenced oro dances are Teškoto from the village of Galičnik, Kalajdžiskoto, Komitskoto (The Dance of the freedom fighters) and others. An internationally acclaimed professional folklore association is the award winning “Tanec”.

Like its people Macedonia’s musical instruments have mixed origins. Many were brought to this land with the various invaders passing through over the centuries, while others are home grown. Playing traditional instruments is seeing a small revival in fusion music and in the revival of ethnic festivities.

Polog Region

Information on the Polog Region

The Polog Region is one of the eight statistical regions of Macedonia. The region is located in the north-western part of the country and is bordered by the Southwest Region and the Skopje Region.

Location of the Polog Region

The Polog region is composed of the Polog valley with the mountain massifs that surround it: Shar Mountain, Zeden, Suva Gora, the Mavrovo plateau, the mountain massif Bistra and the valley of the river Radika, with a total area of 2.416 km2 or 9.7 percent of the territory of Macedonia. The region has 184 settlements, of which 182 are rural and 2 urban settlements (Tetovo and Gostivar). The Polog region is divided into nine municipalities. The administrative centre of the region is Tetovo with 53 000 inhabitants. The valley features a typical plain with an altitude of 400 to 500 meters and steeply elevated picturesque mountains that reach over 2700 meters above sea level. There is a great geological, relief, climatic, floral and anthropogenic diversity. The Polog planning region has a total of 304,125 inhabitants.

Traffic routes in the Polog Region

The region has decent roads and one highway: Skopje–Tetovo–Gostivar, one railway line Skopje-Tetovo-Gostivar-Kicevo, several cable cars and ski lifts at the ski resorts Popova Shapka and Mavrovo. From this region the roads lead towards the Mavrovo - Debar region and towards Kosovo. There are a number of local routes throughout the region.

The Climate in the Polog Region

The Polog region has a typical continental climate with special temperature specificities with hot summers and cold winters, with a sharp transition from winter to summer. The average annual temperature in the Polog region is 11 C in Tetovo, and about 10 C in Gostivar, while in Popova Shapka it is 4.6 C, so that in the mountain massifs in this region a typical mountain climate is dominant. In Polog, the average annual rainfall is 800 mm, and in the mountains 1100 mm. The precipitation is more pronounced during the winter period of the year, and a large percentage of them are snow falls creating conditions for winter sports and tourist activities.

Natural Resources, Flora and Fauna in the Polog region

Korab Mountain

The Polog region is recognizable by the highest mountains in the Republic of Macedonia.The Mountain Korab is a typical Alpine mountain with many peaks higher than 2,500 meters. Here is also the highest peak in the country, which is Golem Korab (2,764 m). This mountainous area abounds with natural beauties, with 12 permanent glacial lakes, with deep and attractive river valleys, with ravines and canyons (the 42 km-long Baricna canyon of the Radika River), with rapids, waves and waterfalls (Korab Waterfall on the river Dlaboka Reka, which is 136m high), with rich vegetation (Korab is part of the National Park Mavrovo), with suitable tracing trails, ski trails, etc.

National Park Mavrovo

In this region is the largest national park in Macedonia — the National Park Mavrovo, on the southern coast of the Mavrovo Lake. The National Park has opened a tourist information center, where tourists can receive all the necessary information related to their stay and the park's offer. Second mountain in height in the Republic of Macedonia, and the first in mountainous areas is Shar Planina. It is a typical mountain with alpine landscapes on high and steep peaks, with mountain lakes, high waterfalls, remains of old plowing valley, but also flattened crests.

Shar Planina

The area of Shar Planina is 912.7 km², it is 80 km long and 10 to 20 km wide. It has 77 peaks higher than 2000 meters. The highest peak of Shar Planina, is Titov Vrv with (2747 m), Sogovo (2.268 m), Bistra (2.163 m). Other high mountains in the Region are: Deshat (2,373 m), Krchin (2,341 m). There are 30 glacial lakes on the mountain Shar Planina. The largest are Bogovinsko Ezero, Crno Ezero, Belo Ezero, Golem Gjol, Mal Gjol, Golemo Ezero, Malo Ezero etc. On the mountain there are numerous attractive sites, such as: Popova Shapka, Leshnica, Jelak, Mazdraca, Tri Vodi, Ljuboten etc. On the site Popova Shapka is the winter ski resort "Popova Shapka" which is a settlement with numerous holiday homes, hotels, restaurants, excellent ski fields, cable cars, ski lifts, mountaineering house and so on.

The region abounds with springs. The most significant are the upper flow of the river Vardar to the Derven Ravine, the picturesque valley of the river Pena, Lakavica and a large number of mountain rivers. Relief dissection, relative height differences, geological diversity. The presence of water and the characteristic climate allow for the development of a diverse floral species represented by a diverse dendroflora (beech, oak, birch, chestnut, hornbeam, pine) and grass vegetation with the presence of endemic species of rare species. In the region there are various types of big and small game: bear, wolf, deer, wild goat, wild boar and various species of birds and reptiles.

Winter-Sports Ski Centres in the Polog region

The Polog Planning Region is abundant with mountainous areas and winter sports centres. These are the Popova Shapka Ski Centre (1.780 m. above the sea level) and the Mavrovo Ski Centre (1.270 m. above the sea level). At both centres several tourism, sports and recreational activities such as: skiing, hiking, mountaineering, paragliding, cycling, hunting, fishing, etc. are actively practiced. Several cable cars and ski slopes are concentrated here, there are also two larger weekend settlements, as well as the largest number of accommodation facilities and high-level catering facilities in the region. At the same time winter events are organized, and especially well-known are the "Shar Planina Ski Cup" and "Mavrovo Memorial", which are visited by thousands of domestic and foreign tourists.

Bistra Mountain

The third high mountain in the region is the mountain Bistra, which is the second most important mountain with winter sports activities. Here is the "Mavrovo Ski Centre". Bistra is part of the Mavrovo National Park. This mountain is lower, and the highest peak is Medenica (2,163 m) and is smaller than the area of Shar Planina (with 572 km²). Bistra has a variety of geomorphological surface and underground relief forms. Such as: the glacial relief, depressions, hollows, karst fields, lost rivers, caves, abysses, river springs, canyons and other.

Rivers in the Polog region

On the Radika River lies the most attractive canyon in the country, the 42 km long canyon Boric, with hundreds of meters high vertical sides. Geologically, in the Polog planning region, a large area belongs to the limestone composition. Thus, there are various karstic areas and underground forms. Of these, the caves are the most attractive. For tourists we recommend the caves Sharkova Dupka on Bistra (a cave that is adapted for visits) and Gjonovica or Ubavica (Beauty) on the Bukovik Mountain, as well as the caves of the Suva Gora Mountain.

The longest river in the Republic of Macedonia has its spring in the Polog region. It is the river Vardar, with a length of 301 km. Other famous rivers are: Pena, Radika, Mavrovska, Bogovinska, Mazdracha, Padalishka and so on. The most famous spring in the region is the karst spring of the river Vardar, known as Vrutok, with a capacity of 1.5 m³ water per second. The village of Vrutok is famous for the spring of Vardar, the hydropower plant holding the same name and the specialized fish restaurants, today Vrutok is a modern village settlement with enormous potential for eco-tourism. The Golden Trout was created for the first time in the Vrutok's fishponds, and later the Silver Trout.

Lakes and waterfalls in the Polog region

The Mavrovo Lake was created in 1947 and it is located at 1 200 m asl. It is 10 km long, 5 km wide, and 50 m deep. Here, in the Polog planning region, there are several mountain lakes, the most numerous of which are on Shar Planina. There are eight on the mountain Korab, the most famous of which are the Korab and Kobilino Lake. On the Deshat Mountain there are five - Sveta Nedela, Lokuf and other, and on Stogovo, there are three - Gorno, Dolno and Marusha..

In the Polog region, is also the highest waterfall in the country, and it is Dlabok Dol, 136 meters high. There are several waterfalls on Shar Planina, the most famous of which is Belovishki Vodopad with a height of about 80 meters. Another famous and visited waterfall from the tourists is Duf, 28 m high, located near the village of Rostusha. The Mavrovo National Park was declared in 1949. It covers an area of 73.088 ha. Within the park are the Mavrovo Lake, the mountains Bistra, Desat and Korab, as well as parts of Shar Planina and Krchin and the mouth of the river Radika.

Natural and cultural-historical heritage in the Polog Region

From the cultural and historical heritage in the Polog region, according to their tourist potential, especially distinguished are the: cultural-historical monuments in Tetovo, the monastery St. Athanasij or the Lesok Monastery (1335), Sharena Dzamija (the Painted Mosque) (1495), the Arababati Baba Tekhe (XVIII), the Tetovo Kale, the cathedral church of St. Cyril and Methodius, the church Bogorodica (Holy Mother of God), the monastery St. Naum on Popova Shapka, the church of St. Nikola. Famous cultural and historical monuments in Gostivar are the: Clock Tower, Church of St. Nikola, the church Uspenie na Bogorodica, etc. In the valley of the river Radika is the famous monastery St. Jovan Bigorski (XVI).

Lesok Monastery

The Lesok monastery in the village of Lesok has two churches: St. Atanasij and Bogorodica. The Church Bogorodica was built in the 13th century. It is mentioned in the decree of Stefan Decanski from 1326. The Church St. Atanasij was built in 1335, by the monk Antonij, who later became the first Polog Bishop Joanakij. The latest archaeological excavations revealed significant data, which testify that the building lies on an old VI century church. In the monastery complex is the tomb and the memorial with the epitaph on the tombstone of Kiril Pejcinovic - one of the most important Macedonian revivalists. Next to the monastery is also the hospital for lung diseases. The monastery complex (along with the lodgings) during the year is visited by many believers and tourists and is suitable for summer monastery tourism.

Sharena- Painted (Aladza) Pasha Mosque

Sharena-Painted (Aladza) Pasha Mosque is located in the old part of Tetovo. The construction of the original mosque dates back to 1495, and its legators are the two sisters Hurshida and Mensure, buried in the eight-sided turbe, in the courtyard of the mosque. In 1833, the mosque was renovated and expanded by Abdurahman Pasha. The mosque is significant for its interior and exterior painting decorations. Architecturally, it is a square building in which the Baroque and neoclassical Ottoman style are reflected.

Arababati Baba Teke

Arababati Baba Teke in Tetovo was built in the XVIII century by Redzep Pasha and his son Abdurahman Pasha. The teke represents a complex of religious buildings, grouped around the turbe (grave) of the sufi Sersem Ali Baba. Nowadays preserved are: the basin, turbe, tower, several fountains, kitchen, dining room, guest accomodation, dervish hane (the deke was used by the dervish order - sufis known for their dervish life), haremlak, lots of greenery, flowers and fruit trees. Today, in this complex of religious buildings, the National Museum of Tetovo is located.

Tetovo Kale – Fortress

Rexhep-Pasha began to be built the fortress and its construction lasted for 20 years and was completed by his son Abdullahman Pasha in 1820, but he also failed to open the building because he was summoned by the sultan and left for Istanbul and never returned to Tetovo. Therefore the fortress was left uninhabited and unused. The archaeological complex consists of five serraglios, large kitchens, a bath and one well in the middle. On the fortress there are remains of a complex of warehouses, kitchen – dining room, towers, an underground prison and three tunnels. From the older remains, there is a medieval church from the 14th century – dedicated to St. Athanasij.

Bigorski Monastery

The monastery St. John the Baptist or Bigorski monastery was built on a limestone rock from limestone, which is why it was named Bigorski monastery. The Bigorski monastery is a monastery complex located on the road between Gostivar and Debar, in the immediate vicinity of the villages Rostushe, Bitushe, Velebrdo and Trebishta, along the river Radika. According to the Bigorski screed, the monastery was founded by the monk Jovan (John) in 1020. In the 16th century the monastery was destroyed by the Ottoman rulers and only one small church remained from the whole complex. The monastery was rebuilt in 1743 by the Hieromonk Ilarion, who was the first abbot of the Bigorski Monastery in recent times.

Additional information about the Polog region

In the region throughout the year, several cultural, sports, entertainment and other events are organized. The most famous are the "Galichnik Wedding" (12 July on Petrovden), "Snowy City" (Children's resort "Bunec" - Mavrovo), "Shar Planina Ski Cup", Tetovo Festival, Lesok Folk Fest, Tetovo Choir Echos, Days of Naim, "Mavrovo Memorial ", “Traditional Korab Mountain Climbing”, “Traditional Titov Vrv Mountain Climbing," “Sheep and Goat Breeders Day" and so on.

Mijaks - a part of the Macedonian people who live in the Mijak Region or the Dolna Reka Region beside the river Radika. They are known for their culture, architecture, customs and cultural and national heritage. The traditional Mijak costumes are widely known.

More information on the Polog region can be found in: Centre for development of the Polog planning region.

Skopje

Basic information about Skopje

The capital of Macedonia is the city of Skopje. It is the largest city in the country and at the same time it represents an administrative-political, economic, cultural and educational-scientific centre. It is located in the northern part of the country, divided into two parts by the river Vardar. The city in the course of its existence, depending on the historical circumstances, was named by different names, and its ancient name is Skupi.

General data on the City of Skopje

Skopje is a city in the central part of the Balkan Peninsula. It communicates easily with the Mediterranean region to the south and the area of Central and Northern Europe to the north. Through the Kacanicka Ravine it connects with the Adriatic Sea. To the east, through Kumanovo and Kriva Palanka it connects with the Republic of Bulgaria, to the west it connects with Polog, Kicevo valley, the Ohrid-Prespa region and the Republic of Albania.

Skopje dates from the pre-ancient period. This city had a strategic significance in the ancient period, when it was known as Skupi. Excavations from the ancient town of Skupi are located in the area of Zajcev Reid above the mouth of the Lepenec River in Vardar, near today's village of Zlokukani. At that time Skupi was the capital of Dardania.

Skopje’s History

In the Byzantine documents, the city of Skopje was called Skopia, and the Slavs also referred to it as Skopie, Skopje or Skoplje. During the reign of the emperor Samoil, the city belonged to the Samoil's kingdom, while in the later period it was under Byzantine, Bulgarian and Serbian rule. In 1392, the city was captured by the Ottomans and it was named Uskup (Üsküp).

In 1962 due to heavy rains, the river Vardar flooded Skopje. The flood was an indication of the largest earthquake the city experienced. On July 26, 1963, at 5:17 am, the city was devastated by an earthquake measuring 9 degrees on the Mercalli scale (6.1 according to the Richter seismic scale). Due to the earthquake, 1,070 people have lost their lives, 90% of the city buildings have been demolished, and over 20,000 people have been left homeless. After the earthquake, the city began to be built on a model of the designs of Kenzo Tange and Adolf Ciborovski. The old railway station, today is a museum of the city of Skopje and a symbol of the great earthquake. The clock of the station has forever stopped at the fatal 05.17 hrs. in the morning.

Today, Skopje is considered a city of solidarity due to the fact that specifically with solidarity, the city managed to renew itself. The initial assistance to the citizens came from all Yugoslav republics at that period, and a few days after the earthquake aid and rescue crews from all over the world arrived. Exactly 87 nations in the world provided assistance and helped for the city to be built again.

Geographic characteristics

Skopje is located at 21° 26′ geographic longitude and 42° north geographic latitude. The altitude in the centre of the city is 240 m, it extends on an area of 1,818 km2, with 9 km in width and 23 km in length. The city's climate is characterized by an average annual temperature of about 12.4°C. The summers are long, dry and hot, and the winters are cold, with many misty days. The River Vardar flows through the valley of Skopje with its tributaries: Treska, Pchinja, Markova Reka, Lepenec and Kadina Reka. The Skopje valley is surrounded by the mountains: Vodno, Karadzica, Osoj, Zheden and Skopska Crna Gora.

Main features of Skopje

Places of interest for tourist sightseeing tours are:

The Stone Bridge, on the river Vardar is a symbol of Skopje. It was reconstructed in the 15th century and represents a connection between the new and the old part.
Fortress Kale - The first walls were built at the beginning of the 6th century. The fortress dominates the left bank of the river Vardar overlooking the old part of the city.

Kale – Fortress of Justinian I

It is thought that the area of the fortress Kale, known as the Skopje Kale, was inhabited as early as in the Neolithic period and early Bronze Age, as witnessed by numerous archaeological findings. The fortress itself dates back to the time of Emperor Justinian I (535). Due to its strategic position and role, the fortress throughout history had often been attacked and used by various warriors. After the collapse of Samoil's empire (1018), the city was captured by the rebels of Peter Deljan (1014-1041). It was then attacked by the Kumanians, the Scythians, the Pecheneses, and so on. Various archaeological remains were found at the Kale. Today the fortress Kale is one of the most remarkable buildings in Skopje with the presence of a number of different cultural and tourist motifs.

Stone Bridge as a symbol of Skopje from the 15th century

The stone bridge on the river Vardar was built in the first half of the 15th century. The bridge connects the old with the new part of the city. Side walkways were built in 1905, and in the last decade of the 20th century it was completely renovated. On the left side of the river on the bridge there is a memorial plaque of the shot citizens of Skopje in 1944 during the fascist occupation.

In its original form, the bridge had 13 arches, with a total length of 215 metres and a width of six metres. In order to restore the original appearance of the Stone Bridge, in 1992, new interventions started, whereby the initial width of the bridge was achieved.

Church St. Spas in SKopje

The Orthodox Church "St. Spas ", in the old part of the city was built in the XIX century. The iconostasis contains beautiful wooden carvings, carved by the mijak carvers Petre and Marko Filipovski and Makarie Frchkovski. In the courtyard of the church is the tomb of the greatest Macedonian revolutionary of the 20th century - Goce Delcev, and next to it is the Old Turkish Bazaar, where there are old crafts, Bezisten, Chihte-amam and other important facilities.

Porta Makedonija (Gate Macedonia)

It was built in 2011 and was put into operation at Christmas 2012. The building has dimensions of 20 to 10 meters and a height of 21 meters. The facade is decorated by 32 reliefs in deep carving with a total area of 193 m2.

The reliefs depict images from the prehistoric period through the pile-dwelling in the Bay of Bones, from the antique with Philip II and Alexander III of Macedonia, from the Roman period to Justinian I, from the Middle Ages with Tsar Samuil, King Marko and Karpos, and until the XX century with Ilinden, ASNOM, the Exodus from Aegean Macedonia and September 8, 1991 - the proclamation of an independent Macedonia.

There are also reliefs of the monastery St. Jovan Bigorski, an Ohrid house, Daut Pasha Amam, the Poetry Bridge in Struga have also been represented. Inside there is a souvenir shop and gallery space on two levels, and at the top an observation platform.

Warrior on a horse

The monument is a composition of several elements. Alexander's bronze monument has a height of 14.5 metres and weighs 30 tons. In the middle of the ten-meter-high pillar is the warrior Alexander II of Macedonia, known as Alexander the Great, looking in the direction of the sunrise. On that pedestal there are three rings with mounted plates, representing three battles. Among them there are three rings of bronze, with decoration and ornamental reliefs. Around the pillar is a fountain complemented by eight bronze soldiers that are three metres tall and eight lions, two and a half metres high, four of which are facing the fountain. The monument is a work of Valentina Karanfilova - Stefanova.

Macedonia Square

Macedonia Square in Skopje was more fully formed in the period between the two world wars, more precisely from 1920 to 1940. It is located in the context of the Stone Bridge, as the basic link of the city units from the left and the right side of Vardar. Important facilities were located around it: the National Bank, the Post Office, Officer's Building, Na-Ma Department Store, Hotel Macedonia, Ristic Palace. However, after the Second World War, and especially after the 1963 disastrous earthquake, part of the buildings were demolished, so that today the square in Skopje has a somewhat different arrangement, but there are still important administrative, cultural, shopping, banking, catering - tourism, and other facilities in its immediate vicinity. In its immediate vicinity is also the Pella Square with the Gate Macedonia, as a real gateway for an entrance to the square.

Monuments in the central city area

In the period from 2010 to 2012, Macedonia Square was enriched with several monuments of the famous Macedonian revolutionaries from the time of Ilinden 1903 and ASNOM 1944. Immediately beside the Stone Bridge, the monuments of the Macedonian revolutionaries Goce Delchev and Dame Gruev rise. Opposite them is the monument of the first president of the Presidium of the National Assembly of the People's Republic of Macedonia, Metodija Andonov-Cento. Opposite, and next to the grandiose Warrior on a horse, the five meter marble statue of Tsar Samuil rises, set on a pedestal in the height of 3.5 meters. On the square itself is the monument of Dimitrija Cupovski, and in the park "Zena Borec" opposite the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia, a memorial - sign of the First Session of ASNOM was placed.

On the quay of Vardar are the monument of Justinian I, five meters high, placed on a pedestal of 3.5 meters. Against him, the figures of the bronze Gemidzii are placed. Near the Stone Bridge on the side of the Old Bazaar, the bronze monuments of the Aidut military duke Peter Karposh and Gjorgjija Pulevski are placed, as well as the monuments of Ss. Cyril and Methodius and Ss. Clement and Naum of Ohrid.

Memorial house of Mother Theresa

The memorial house and the memorial of Mother Teresa (1910 - 1997) are located on the street Macedonia, in the centre of the city of Skopje. It is dedicated to the great humanist Agnesa Gondza Bojadziu - Mother Teresa, born in Skopje, winner of the 1979 Nobel Peace Prize. Today, Mother Teresa’s missionaries of charity include over 3,000 sisters and over 500 brothers in many countries around the world.

Mother Teresa was proclaimed an honoured citizen of her hometown of Skopje, which from her departure for a humanitarian mission to help the hungry and desolate people she visited four times: in 1970, 1978, 1980 and 1986.

Cathedral St. Kliment Ohridski (Clement of Ohrid)

The cathedral St. Kliment Ohridski is a facility from the recent history of the Macedonian church building. Its construction dates back to the seventies and eighties of the 20th century. It was consecrated in 1990. It is the seat of the Macedonian Orthodox Church - Ohrid Archbishopric. It is located in the centre of Skopje.

Old Bazaar

In Skopje, on the left side of Vardar, through the Stone Bridge is the Old Skopje Bazaar. Part of the city with diverse and rich history, tradition, culture and architecture, today with a blend between the old and the new, the economy and trade, culture and tradition. In the spirit of the historical temporal and developmental circumstances, the culture of organization and tradition of living, the Old Skopje Bazaar has preserved numerous functional facilities from the Ottoman period, and new buildings have been built as a feature of modern times. These include the Skopje Bezisten, Kapan An, Suli An, Kurshumli An, Daut - Pasha Amam, Cifte Amam, the church St. Spas, the church St. Dimitrij, the complex of museums of Macedonia (historical, archeological, ethnological museum).

The Old Skopje Bazaar, dating from the 12th century, most actively developing from the 15th to the 19th century, is a complex economic - trade, architectural and cultural - traditional assembly. It was built in oriental style, with several wider and more narrow and cobblestone paved streets. Along them, blinded to each other, there are various craft and trade shops. Here, you can find various traditional crafts, blacksmiths, goldsmiths, potters, shoemakers, tailors, watchmakers, tinsmiths, saddle-makers with various production and service activities. There are also various shops for modern industrial goods and products that can be found only here. The Old Bazaar is complemented by the largest green market in Skopje. The Bazaar is the centre of the most attractive catering shops with a variety of traditional dishes.

Daut - Pasha Amam, an impressive monument of Islamic architecture and art gallery

Daut Pasha Amam is a bath built during the 15th century by the great Vizier of Rumelia. It was probably built by masters of the famous Debar bricklayers’ school. Built in the centre of Skopje, in about hundred metres from the Stone Bridge, the Amam was fully restored in 1948. The most striking part is the roof, composed of 13 unequally distributed domes. Inside there are 15 rooms, different in size, interconnected with vaulted ornaments decorated with oriental ornaments. Besides Cifte Amam and Mala Stanica, today it is part of the National Gallery of Macedonia. Daut Pasha Amam has a collection from the 15th and 16th century, with a rich collection of paintings from the 18th and 19th century, as well as from the contemporary Macedonian painting.

Kurshumli an is a recognizable historical heritage of Skopje

It is assumed that Kurshumli An (lead an) was built in the middle of the 16th century. It consisted of two parts - one for the placement of merchants and goods, and the other included the barn, the auxiliary rooms, and the rooms for the servants. For a long time it served as a gathering place for merchants and their caravans and played an important role in the development of the city's commercial life. It retained the role of a lodging until the end of the 19th century, and then it was converted into a prison. It is believed that it obtained its name during the 19th century, due to the roof that was made of lead. Impressive are the semi-circular walls on the second floor and the fountain in the middle of the an. Today in the an there is a lapidarium of the Archaeological Museum, located in the cells of the ground floor. Each cell contains monuments originating from the same area and from the same period, when Macedonia was a Roman province.

The City Konak Sully An is today a gallery and museum

Suli an is a 15th century building, built by Ishak Bey. In the 16th century it was upgraded, so that the upper floors became trade shops. During the earthquake it was severely destroyed, but it was restored acquiring its original appearance. Today it is the seat of the Gallery of Contemporary Art and the Faculty of Arts, and since 1983 the Museum of the Old Skopje Bazaar has also been located there.

Mustafa - Pasha Mosque one of the most magnificent buildings of the Ottoman period of Skopje

The Mustafa - Pasha Mosque was built by the Skopje commander Mustafa Pasha in 1492. It is located opposite the entrance of the Skopje Fortress. The mosque is basically a quarterly architectural pedestal built of marble blocks decorated with various ornaments. The minaret is built of beam blocks. In this mosque is the richly decorated sarcophagus of Uma - the daughter of the builder of the mosque, then the fountain, the remnants of the former imarets, the madrasa, and more. Today it is an important monument of culture and a place for the spiritual confession of members of the Muslim faith.

The Clock Tower is the first tower in the Ottoman Empire

The Clock Tower in the Old Skopje Bazaar dates from the middle of the 16th century, more precisely from the period from 1566 to 1572. It is considered to be the first clock tower in the Ottoman Empire, as part of the Sultan Murat’s Mosque. It is 40 meters high and consists of several parts ending with a dome. The clock was lost during the 1963 earthquake in Skopje, when the tower was seriously damaged. Today it attracts noticeable attention with its striking features.

Skender Bey’s Monument

Gjergj Kastriot - Skender Bey (1405-1468) is a national hero from Albania, a fighter for freedom from the Ottoman slavery. As a work of the sculptor Toma Tomai Dema Bekir from Albania, the Skender Bey's monument was set in 2006. Skender Bey is considered a great leader who protected and defended the values of medieval Europe during the Ottoman conquests in the Balkans. The installation of the monument in Skopje is a confirmation of the traditional city spirit of unity.

St. Spas one of the most beautiful Mijak carving works

The church St. Spas was built in the late 17th century and is one of the most important cultural monuments in Skopje. It is located right from the Kale fortress. It seems small and insignificant, but has great importance. Especially valuable is the iconostasis, which was created in a period of five years and was completed in 1824. It was made by the brothers Petre and Marko Filipovski from the village of Gari and Makarie Frchkovski from Galichnik. Although relatively modest in size, the iconostasis impresses with the craftsmanship of the performance, with the high artistic quality and richness of content, which puts it in the ranks of the top achievements of carving art. As a cultural monument protected by law, the church performs worship and religious rituals only for the patron’s holiday Spasovden.

Museum of Macedonia

It is located in the Old Bazaar, near the Skopje Fortress. The first Archaeological Museum in Macedonia was established in 1924, and in 1945 the National Museum of Macedonia was established. In 1949 the special departments at the National Museum were transferred into the Archaeological Museum and the Ethnological Museum. The beginnings of the Historical Department date back to 1952. Today's museum complex was built in 1976. On an area of over 10,000 m2, one can see systematic collections of the cultural and historical heritage of Macedonia from the prehistory to the present.

Museum of the City of Skopje - from the Neolithic to the present

The museum is housed in the adapted part of the Old Railway Station, destroyed in the 1963 earthquake. The relatively-preserved part of the building today is in function of the museum, which has a space of 4,500 m2, of which 2,000 m2 is exposing space. The museum owns a fund of about 22,000 museum objects from the Skopje region, distributed in segments of archaeology, history, ethnology and art history. "Walk through the past" is a permanent feature of the museum, which covers the period from the prehistory to the beginning of the 20th century for Skopje with its surroundings.

Museum of the Macedonian Struggle

It is located next to the Stone Bridge, on the left bank of Vardar. It was built in the period from 2008 to 2011, and officially opened on September 8, 2011. It consists of 13 units, in which chronologically presents the history of the Macedonian people from the period of the aidutstvo to the period of socialism. At the very entrance to the Museum, the original Macedonian Declaration of Independence is placed. The museum contains 109 wax figures of personalities from Macedonian history, a large number of samples of original weapons and furniture, mass scenes, documents.

Memorial centre of the Holocaust of the Jews from Macedonia

The Holocaust Museum is a newly built facility on the site of the former Jewish neighbourhood, near the Stone Bridge, as one of the four such museums in the world, despite the museums in Jerusalem, Washington and Berlin. It is dedicated to Macedonian Jews (7,148 people) deported to the Treblinka death camp in Poland during the Second World War. There is a permanent exhibition of the life of the Jews in Macedonia and wider in the Balkans in this museum.

Museum of Contemporary Art in Skopje

The Museum of Contemporary Art is located in Skopje's Kale. It was built in 1970 as a donation from the Polish government, following the 1963 earthquake in Skopje. It covers an area of 5,000 m2 in three interconnected wings. They include the space for the permanent exhibition, temporary exhibition halls, lecture hall, film and video projections, library and archive, conservation workshop, depots, administration and other auxiliary services. It possesses a valuable international collection and provides a representative insight into the Macedonian contemporary art.

Vodno

Vodno is a mountain site that rises above Skopje to 1,061 metres above sea level. There is the Millennium Cross, the monastery Complex St. Pantelejmon, and Vodno also has a park - forest, mountaineering homes, several catering facilities with arranged hiking trails, car parks and wide panoramic views. From Vodno, you can see almost the entire Skopje valley and the city of Skopje. Therefore, Vodno is one of the most visited sites in the vicinity of Skopje.

In June 2011, a cable car from Sredno Vodno to the Millennium Cross was put into operation, the alignment of which is 1,750 meters long and climbs from 570 to 1,068 metres above sea level. The cable car has 28 cabins with a load of 640 kg and capacity for eight people, as well as two cabins for four people. The gondolas on the outside are fitted with bicycle holders.

Millennium Cross

With a height of 66 metres this is the highest facility in Macedonia. The Millennium Cross was built in 2000 at the peak Krstovar (1,061 metres above sea level) in Vodno, in the immediate vicinity of Skopje, on the occasion of the passage of the second in the third millennium.

Monastery St. Pantelejmon, Gorno Nerezi (12th century)

This monastery possesses the most important fresco-paint value in Macedonia and one of the most valuable works of European church painting. In this monastery, the Renaissance in the fresco painting begins, almost a century and a half before the appearance of the renaissance in Italy of Giotto. The monastery was built in 1164, during the Byzantine Komnenos dynasty’s rule. This was written on the marble plate, placed above the front door. The best masters and painters of their time have done their best work. It was built with stone and brick, in the form of an inscribed cross in a rectangular space and five domes.

The monastery survived a fire, earthquake, ruin and robbery, but remained a witness to the rich church and cultural life in the 12th century and a church metropolitan centre in Skopje. This monastery is part of all the significant encyclopaedias for culture and art in the world. The 12th century frescoes represent the holy warriors and hermits (first zone), the great holidays (the second zone), and the most important are the frescoes of the Lamentation of Christ and the removal from the cross. The compositions of the Assumption of the Mother of God, The Sorrow, the Mother of God with Christ and Saint Panteleimon are also delightful.

Matka

It is the valley of the butterflies, it is a very characteristic locality in the immediate vicinity of Skopje. It is located northwest of Skopje, at the exit of the river Treska from the long Sishevska Ravine. Matka is a complex of deep, incised canyon, in which the first artificial accumulation on the Balkan Peninsula was built in 1938. There are several caves, an alpine training centre, a regulated flow of Treska for rafting, a complex of several monasteries, a mountain lodge, restaurants, catering facilities, a picturesque nature with rich vegetation and animal life. The accumulation itself covers an area of 0.25 km2. It is 5.9 km long, with a useful volume of 2.6 million m3. It is intended for the production of electricity in Skopje.

Monastery St. Andrej, Matka ( 1389 )

It was built on the canyon of the river Treska. It was built by Andreja, the second son of King Volkashin, in 1389. It has the form of an elongated trikonhos, with a central dome. Metropolitan Jovan and monk Gregorij, who worked in the monastery Sveto Preobrazenie in Zrze, are also fresco-painters of the monastery.

The frescoes in St. Andrej are a novelty in the Macedonian medieval painting and a mark of the new style at that time with the emergence of hesychasm in monastic life. In three zones, frescoes of the holy warriors Gjorgi, Dimitrij, Teodor, Tiron and Teodor Stratilat are presented in full size, as well as frescoes with scenes from the life of the Lord Jesus Christ. The inscriptions are written in Greek and in the Church Slavonic script.

Neolithic village Tumba Madzari

The site is located in the current settlement of Chento and is the most important settlement in the Skopje valley from the Neolithic period - the early stone age. Life here existed continuously between 6000 and 4300 BC, economic prosperity and cultural prosperity in the Middle Neolithic (5800-500 BC). A number of ceramic findings, exhibited at the Museum of Macedonia, have been found here.

From 2008 to 2010, several houses were built in the spirit of Neolithic architecture, featuring a different inventory, in order to reconstruct the life of the Neolithic human. The houses are made of timber, cane, straw, clad with mud and built according to Neolithic traditions. The layout of the discovered objects on the site indicates a meaningful organization, closely related to the significance and role of the sanctuary.

The great mother - goddess of fertility

In Tumba Madzari, for the first time a terracotta presentation of the Great Mother was discovered, represented in an unknown way among the Neolithic cultures from other Balkan regions. The impressive dimensions of 39 centimetres height, a classical calm posture of vigilance over the house hearth, make this terracotta exquisite. The lower part of the figure represents the home protected by her. The Macedonian Neolith is characterized by a cult towards the Great Mother. Such types of figures are found in all Neolithic sites in Macedonia, but perhaps the most beautiful is the Great Mother of Tumba Madzari.

Skupi - a city of Roman and late-ancient times

Archaeological site, located five kilometres northwest of Skopje, in the immediate vicinity of the village of Zlokukani. Archaeological researches from 1966 to the present day are carried out by the Museum of the City of Skopje. So far, the walls, the theatre, the civil basilica, the city villa, the city bath, the cardo street, the Christian basilica, and parts of the eastern and western necropolis have been explored.

This Roman city was probably established in the period from the 12th to the 11th century BC. During the 2nd century Skupi received a representative character, with the monumental theatre occupying a central place. In 518, Skupi was demolished by a devastating earthquake, after which its urban life ceased, although there are indications that life in the form of a small Slavic rural settlement continued until the 10th and 11th century.

Aqueduct in SKopje

It is located two kilometres north of Skopje. It was built of stone and bricks and today it has 55 arcs leaning on massive columns. Although connected with Skupi, due to the similarity of the construction with Kursumli an, it is thought to have been built in the 15th century, when Skopje began to increase with the new Islamic buildings, for the construction and operation of which large quantities of pure water were needed. The quantity of water was constant and with guaranteed supply throughout the year.

Katlanovo Spa

The spa is located about 25 km from Skopje, in the vicinity of Katlanovo, on the right bank of the Pchinja River, at 230 metres above sea level. There are many sources. The main source is with 15l/sec. The water temperature is around 50 C. According to the chemical composition, the waters are alkaline, earth alkaline and sulfur hyperthermal. They are suitable for the treatment of the liver and gall bladder system, the nasal system of metabolism, abdominal bowel tract, heart-blood disease, and the like. The spa complex is equipped with tourist-catering and health facilities, with features for combined tourism types: healing, recreational, sports, fishing, hunting.

Marko’s monastery - St. Dimitrij, v. Sushica (14th century)

At about 20 km from Skopje, near Markova Reka in the vicinity of the village of Susica, there is Marko's monastery, named after the founders - King Vukashin and his son Marko. The data on the construction of the monastery church (1345) and the monastery's patrons are provided in the inscription of the south entrance, inside the church. The church is in the form of an inscribed cross, built of stone and brick. The frescoes are from the 14th century. These are rich illustrations from the Virgin Akathist, the miracles of Christ, the great feasts, and several individual figures of saints, angels, prophets, hermits and warriors. The most famous fresco of this monastery is the Lamentation of Rahil, where a heavy human drama presented through the killing of children in Bethlehem.

The monastery has a great church and cultural-historical treasure: icons, manuscripts and books, church objects and relics. An intense monastic life, copying and educational activity took place here. In the 19th century the abbot of the monastery was the Macedonian revivalist and writer Kiril Pejcinovic, who founded a school in the monastery, and here he also wrote his famous book Mirror.

Sports Centre Boris Trajkovski

The most complex sports facility in Macedonia. The larger hall has a capacity of 8,000 spectators for basketball competitions and 10,000 for concerts and other cultural events. It has a swimming pool, a hall for hockey, table tennis, a fitness room, a bowling alley, a sauna. The 2008 European Women Handball Championship was held here.

National Arena Philip II of Macedonia

A multi-purpose stadium, most commonly used for football competitions, with a maximum capacity of 36,400 spectators. It is used by the football clubs Rabotnicki and Vardar, as well as the football team of Macedonia. The construction of the City Stadium began in 1978 with the construction of the southern platform. In 2008, the old northern platform was demolished and a new one, according to the highest FIFA standards, was built. After the reconstruction of the south in 2011, the eastern and western platform were put into operation.

Manifestations

Skopsko Leto (21 June – 31 July, Skopje)

Since 1980, the conception of the manifestation includes music concerts, opera, ballet and drama performances, art and photo exhibitions, film programmes, performances and multimedia projects, as well as its own production and numerous visits from abroad. Open stages at the Skopje Fortress, the Old Bazaar, Kurshumli an, Vardar Quay, the City Park, the halls of the Skopje theatres and the art galleries pulsate at thirty different localities of Skopsko Leto.

Majski Operski Veceri (May Opera Evenings) 9 – 31 May, Skopje

With a tradition since 1972, the festival is one of the most visited events in Skopje. The stage of the Macedonian Opera and Ballet is a host of the programme, which consists of opera performances, but also ballet, concert and symphonic performances. Regular participants at the May Opera Evenings are opera and ballet artists from the neighbouring countries and the world, as well as the ensembles of the Macedonian Opera and Ballet.

Baskerfest (May – June, Skopje)

International Street Artist Festival, held at several locations in Skopje. This is a free festival for the whole family, which does not charge tickets - the only price is a contribution put in the artists' hats. Spectacular carnival parade composed of numerous acrobats, clowns, comedians, stilt walkers, magicians, jugglers, breakers, puppeteers, caricaturists, pantomimists, national dancers, musicians, complemented by various masks, costumes and music.

Pivolend in September

With about 300,000 visitors, the festival is the destination of quality entertainment and presentation of beer producers, accompanied by fantastic foods from local restaurants, animation of visitors with music.

More information about Skopje can be found on this website.

Brajcino

The centuries-old village of Brajcino

You will never find out how crystal clear, fresh, and easy can be the air until you visit the centuries-old village of Brajcino. You are accommodated in the bosom of Mount Baba, at an altitude of 1000 meters, along the valley of the pure Brajcino River. The river covers the landscape of the village and divides it into two picturesque parts, which abound with rich flora and fauna. The forest and the shy diverse wildlife hidden in it are around you. Above you rise several mountain peaks, and from a distance you see the tranquil blueness of Prespa Lake. Due to the proximity to Lake Prespa, for lovers of water and birds, interesting destinations are the island Golem Grad and the ornithological reserve Ezerani, as well as Podmocani, where the museum with the most numerous collection of folk costumes is located.

Mountain beauty in the village Brajcino which offers recreation

Breathe in and fill your chest with the tempting scent of forest fruits, get to know the beautiful surroundings through hiking, mountain and biking trails, and realize that you've come to a place where silence rests, as well. You feel the freedom that can only be understood by migratory birds that choose Brajcino each year as a station for rest and food. The village abounds with springs and rapid watercourses. In Brajcino River one of the oldest trout species is found, and the fir forest has the highest annual growth rate in Europe.

The mountain slopes around Brajcino are abundant with thick beech and oak forests, and from the village itself, starting from the width of the playground in front of the upper Maalo, there are several marked mountain paths. Through the thick beech, oak and walnut forest rich in springs, the paths lead to the peak Pelister (3 hours) and the Great Lake from the Pelister Eyes (6 hours); they continue to the mountaineering homes Neolica and Kopanki and the village Nizhepole in the Bitola region, which are marked with road sign boards and mountain marking.

The charm of traditional living in Brajcino

The old village houses are decorated with authentic architecture dating from the 19th century, but there are also many modern homes. Many people can say that Brajcino is an urban village with regard to the style of living and the appearance of the buildings. It is not surprising, since at the beginning of the 20th century there were balls in this village and in the surrounding area. At the end of the long walk, it is inevitable that you taste the irresistibly delicious marmalade, confiture or stewed fruit, prepared by the inhabitants of the village Brajcino, who are top masters of the culinary arts, and you can warm your soul with a few sips of the unique forest fruit liqueur. Be sure to take a walk to the monastery St. Petka and the five churches in the village - St. Nikola, H. Mother of God, St. Ilija, St. Arangel and St. Atanas. Brajcino is officially listed among the tourist destinations that foster ecological tourism.

More information about Brajcino can be found on this website.

Galicnik

"If Macedonia is a biblical country, then Galichnik is its last relic!" - Petre M. Andreevski

Galichnik is a tourist attraction because of its authentic architecture, rich cultural heritage and admirable landscapes, and is one of the most beautiful mountain villages, famous for its rich pastures, beautiful yellow cheese and white cheese, as well as for its outstanding constructors and builders.

It is located about 10 km to the Mavrovo Lake and the ski center Zare Lazareski. It lies on the slopes of Bistra, in the heart of the Miyak district. The interesting location of Galichnik, at an altitude of about 1400 meters, is complemented by the authentic appearance of the houses. The building skill of the inhabitants from this region is also known in European metropolises, where the masters proved their craft. The village archetypation in Galichnik is preserved, the old stone houses are restored, and new buildings are built in the spirit of tradition. The houses consist of two and three storey heights, and their present appearance dates back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Historically, the oldest information about Galichnik dates back to the 10th century. It is thought that it was formerly a settlement made by cattle-breeders. It was precisely the livestock production that was the main activity in the village. However, today Galichnik is filled with people only during the summer days, when displaced inhabitants return to avoid summer heat. In July the traditional Galicnik wedding is held. The Galichnik Wedding is held every year on Petrovden (the second week of July). Today, the wedding has a great cultural significance and is a kind of traditional cultural manifestation.

Galicnik folk costume

The Galicnik folk costume, especially the female Galicnik costume, is one of the most famous in Macedonia. It features an unusual wealth of detail. It is extremely similar to other Miyak costumes from the Reka region (Lazaropole, Tresonce, Susica, Gari, etc.). In the female folk costume the white (yellowish) and red prevail. White fabric clothes, decorated with black cords, are the main features of the male costume. This is conditioned by the climate and economic conditions in which they lived (live), as cattle-breeders in the mountainous regions of Mount Bistra, Stogovo, Krchin and Korab.

More information about Galicnik can be found on this website.

Krklino

Krklino for fans of riding sports

In the western part of Pelagonia, 5 km from Bitola, is the village of Krklino. In the east there is a flat plateau, and the Oblakovska Mountain rises to the west of the village. According to one legend, the name of Krklino comes from the beautiful girl Ilina, who in the surrounding villages was known under the name Krklina. In the village of Krklino, there is a church dedicated to St. Todor, the church Holy Mother of God, and especially interesting is the monastery St. Ilija, situated on a hill next to the village. It is a favorite location for visiting by the locals, primarily because of the wonderful panoramas, which from this place open to Pelagonija and Pelister.

If you are a fan of riding sports, you can visit the Hippodrome in the village where there is a paddock of bred horses. This complex offers beautiful conditions for a true enjoyment of horse riding in nature.

The auto-ethno museum in Krklino

Krklino is the only village in Macedonia that owns a "motor show" - more precisely a collection of repaired vehicles and motorcycles. It is an auto-ethno museum in private ownership, which consists of two floors. In the first one there are several old-timers and several motorcycle models. The oldest car is Citroen since 1925. On the upper floor of the museum there are several rooms: village, city, Jewish room and antique shop. In every room you can see objects from the past, from the everyday utensils, to weapons, such as an Austrian short rifle, swords or knives, but also musical instruments, including organs over 200 years old, as well as Bitola folk costumes.

The auto-ethno museum is a unique place with a rare treasure in a traditional rural setting - an unusual contrast that you must feel. In the village there is an archaeological site called Krklino. The site is a lone iron-time finding. In 1957 a bronze sword of the type "Erbbenhein" was purchased, which originated from a site in the area of the village.

More information about Krklino can be found on this website.

Manastir and Vitolista

Mariovo one of the most picturesque areas in Macedonia

Mariovo is a historically, culturally and naturally rich region. It is one of the most picturesque areas in Macedonia. Rural region with incredible landscapes of priceless natural beauty. The most famous is the Mariovo (female) costume, which is among the colorfully richest Macedonian folk costumes. Interesting is the fact that the bride’s Mariovo costume weighs 48 kilograms! Mariovo as an area abounds with folk arts especially with folk songs, myths, legends and tales. A great number of them are recorded in the books of Marko Cepenkov. Mariovo is also a tourist attraction, which attracts with the great abundance of myths in which it is described. Mariovo is an area that is famous for folk tales. According to folk tales allegedly in Mariovo lived Itar Pejo, a great wise man. It is the work of the Macedonian writer Marko Cepenkov.

Manastir and Vitolista

The village of Vitolista is located at a distance of 46 km from the city of Prilep. It is at a height of 830 meters. This village was described by one of the most famous Macedonian writers, Stale Popov, who was born in this village. Vitolista is located on the mountain Kozjak. It is distinguished by numerous cultural and historical monuments, churches and monasteries rich in frescoes and rich cultural tradition. The church "St. Ilija" within the monastery church of the Vitolishte Monastery, built in 1872, is characterized by an extremely rich fresco painting created by the famous painter Avram Dichov, the son of Dicho Zograf. The village is recognizable even after the famous Mariovo beaten and white cheese.

Manastir is located in the central part of Mariovo, along the valley on the right side of Crna Reka. The village is hilly and is located at an altitude of 690 meters. Most of the area belongs to the pastures, and there are almost no forests. Near the picturesque canyons of Crna Reka, there is the monastery "St. Nikola ", dating back to the end of the 11th century. The Mariovo Rural Region is one of the most specific in the country - it deserves that you see why it is the case.

More information about Manastir and Vitolista in Mariovo can be found on this website.

Ethno city festival

The "Krushevo ethno city" festival is one of Macedonia's prime tourist attractions. It is held every summer in July-August, in celebration of the traditions and customs of Krushevo. The "Krushevo ethno city" festival held for 10 days every summer is great way to preserve many old customs and traditions by the natives of Krushevo.

In the middle of the summer, this unique event includes hundreds of participants dressed in traditional costumes as insurgents and Ottomans, parading around Krushevo, in commemoration of the anniversary of the Ilinden uprising that took place on 2nd of August, 1903. Apart from the main procession, there's also other events happening at the same time during this unique festival, such as art exhibitions, concerts and other cultural and sport performances.

Ethno city festival

Memorial house of Petar Pop Arsov

Permanent Еthnological Exhibition in the Memorial House of Petar Pop Arsov - Municipality of Caska

A memorial house in the village of Bogomila is the birthplace of the Macedonian revolutionary Petar Pop Arsov, one of the founders of the Macedonian Revolutionary Organization. The house was donated to the Republic of Macedonia by Stamen Pop-Arsov. In 1986 the house was declared a cultural heritage of Macedonia. Over several decades, this memorial house has been visited by thousands of visitors.

This ethnological display is composed of ethnological objects that represent the material and spiritual culture of the population from the Azot area, Chaska Municipality. The objects are made of wood, ceramics, textiles, glass, metal.

On display are traditional metal, wooden, textile and ceramic household items that were used in the household, such as cauldrons, jugs, pitchers, mudguards, pots, troughs, coffins, looms, etc. Traditional wooden and metal objects and tools that were used in the folk economy such as plow, plow, yoke, drill, pitchfork, sickle, basket, etc. Traditional textile items such as folk costume, bovchi (skutina), carpets, etc. All these ethnological items are one of the most representative items from the Azot region, through which the ethnic situation of the population is shown.

This ethnological exhibition was made in order to present the fund of ethnological objects to the wider domestic and international public, and also for the visitors to get acquainted with the traditional way of living of the population of the Azot region, through the objects that were used to perform various customs. , traditions and rituals that are the hallmark of Azot.

mac+1 day Macedonian Evening tour

Macedonia has five significant features that make it known to tourists – long history, beautiful nature, hospitality, food/drinks and folklore. The purpose of this program is to introduce the guests to the traditions of the Macedonian population, particularly from the perspective of gastronomy, old dances and music. In a wonderful ambiance, surrounded by nature, entertained by the ensemble members, you will have a unique opportunity to learn some basics of the dance, known by every citizen of this small country. Above all, the Macedonian evening will offer you an opportunity to taste the delicious specialties of the old cuisine.

Macedonia is the land of peppers – with approximately 2,000 recipes including peppers, beans, cabbage, water melon, grapes, cherries and apples. Macedonia is proud to have the best eggplant in the world and the purest, ecological yellow cheese. In addition, Macedonia has a renowned wine region, which provides the guests with an opportunity to taste various sorts of wine and rakija (grape brandy). The guests will also be able to enjoy in and learn about instruments typically played in this region – zurla, drum, bagpipe, accordion, violin, flute, tambourine. Members of the folk dances ensemble, dressedin traditional costumes will perform dances to the well-known Macedonian measure 7/8, 9/8, 11/8, 13/8. At the end, the dancers will offer assistance to every guest to take the opportunity and learn the oro – Macedonian dance, or the so called crab walk (three steps forward, one backward).

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