2,500 years of history... More than thousands of reasons to...
Discover Macedonia The legacy of Alexander the Great And much more...
Republic of Macedonia Macedonia offers an intriguing variety of tourism opportunities. Explore its pristine great outdoors, and enjoy local hospitality in traditional villages. Marvel at the country’s sheer wealth of historic sites and remarkable, varied architecture. At the same time, vibrant festivals and nightlife, urban amenities and luxury are also easy to find in Macedonia. Macedonia (the Republic of) is a landlocked country in the heart of the Balkan Peninsula, population 2 million. With a total area of 25,333 km², the Republic of Macedonia is a country in Southeastern Europe with geographic coordinates 41°50′N 22°00′E. The Republic has some 748 km of boundaries, shared with Serbia (62 km) to the North, Kosovo (159 km) to the northwest, Bulgaria (148 km) to the east, Greece (228 km) to the south, and Albania (151 km) to the west. The country represents a major transportation corridor from Western and Central Europe to Aegean Sea and Southern Europe to Western Europe. It is a landlocked country, but has three natural lakes: Ohrid Lake, Prespa Lake and Dojran Lake. Therefore, it has a water area of 477 km². The land area is 24,856 km². The Republic of Macedonia lies in the northwestern third of the wider geographical region of Macedonia, with about 40% of the region's population. The capital is Skopje, with 506,926 inhabitants according to a 2004 census, and there are a number of smaller cities, notably Bitola, Kumanovo, Prilep, Tetovo, Ohrid, Veles, Štip, Kočani, Gostivar and Strumica. It has more than 50 lakes and sixteen mountains higher than 2,000 meters (6,550 ft).
Macedonia
Macedonia is ideal for Balkan bus tours starting from Serbia which could continue to Macedonia, Albania, Bulgaria and Greece. Or for Balkan bus tours starting from Croatia which could continue to Monte Negro, Albania, Macedonia, Serbia, Bulgaria and Greece. Getting to Macedonia By air: International airports in Skopje and Ohrid connect Macedonia with several major European cities. Close regional airports in Belgrade, Sofia and Thessaloniki can also be used, as they are all within a few hours’ drive from Macedonia. By train: An international train, operating twice daily, connects Ljubljana, Slovenia and Thessaloniki, Greece by way of Macedonia. Stops include Tabanovce (the Macedonia-Serbia border crossing point), Kumanovo, Skopje, Veles, Gradsko, Negotino, Demir Kapija, and Gevgelija (Greek border crossing point), as well as a few small villages. An east-west railway to connect Bulgaria with Macedonia is at present under construction. By car: The international highway E-75 runs north-south from Serbia to Greece, bisecting Macedonia. This is the most common route for overland tourists to take for entering Macedonia. There are also good roads connecting the country with Bulgaria to the east and Albania to the west. By bus: A number of bus lines connect Macedonia with all neighboring countries and other European cities. Buses are frequent, and offer relatively inexpensive fares and professional service.
Republic of Macedonia
Ohrid - the city and the lake Ohrid, immortal Ohrid – a kingdom of light and water, a repository of ancient ruins from Macedonia’s earlier kingdoms – is the sublime lakeside town that for many represents the culmination of the Macedonian experience. Ohrid’s major attractions are all located within a remarkably concentrated and eminently walkable area, among and above the narrow streets of the Old Town, itself lined with restaurants and cafes perfectly suited for relaxing on cool summer evenings. Ohrid’s many café bars and nightclubs also make for vibrant nightlife. Ohrid is notable for having once had 365 churches, one for each day of the year, and is referred to as the Macedonian Jerusalem. The city is rich in picturesque houses and monuments, and tourism is predominant. It is located southwest of Skopje, west of Resen and Bitola, and east of Elbasan and Tirana in Albania. The Cyrillic alphabet, official in Macedonia, is based on the alphabet developed by two Macedonian brothers, St Cyril (thus Cyrillic) and St Methodius, in the 9th century. It was taught by their disciples at a monastery in Ohrid, from whence it spread across the eastern Slavic world. Czar Samoil’s fortress in Ohrid Czar Samoil fought the Byzantines for control of Macedonia in the 10th Century. After the initial success, he lost a fateful battle at Belasica (in the southeast of today's Republic of Macedonia). He got away, but 14,000 of his soldiers didn't. The Byzantines had all 14,000 blinded. All, but every one hundredth prisoner, who were spared an eye each so that they could lead the blinded army back to Samoil, who - according to legend - died upon seeing the horrifying sight.
Republic of Macedonia
Although easily accessible in the heart of southeastern Europe, Macedonia’s ancient sites and natural beauty remain largely undiscovered. Lake Ohrid Lake Ohrid is the largest and most beautiful of Macedonia’s three tectonic lakes. Its astonishingly clean, clear waters together with the serene stillness of its mountain setting have captivated visitors since prehistoric times. The lake is enormous, at some 30 kilometers (18 miles) long and up to 288 meters (945 feet) deep.While the lake is fed by water from three rivers, most of Ohrid’s water comes from another lake- Prespa, on the other side of the Galicica Mountain. Being at a higher elevation, Prespa spills its water down to Ohrid through mountain springs, the most important being Ostrovo near the monastery of St Naum, and Biljana near Ohrid town. With its unique flora and fauna characteristic of the tertiary period (2-4 million years ago), Ohrid is one of Europe’s great biological reserves. Most of the lake’s plant and animal species are endemic and unique to Ohrid. The most famous among these are two types of Ohrid Trout (letnica and belvica, in Macedonian). Other unique Ohrid creatures include two types of eel as well as the bleak, whose scales are used for making the wellknown Ohrid pearl. This treasured jewel is produced according to a secret method passed down from generation to generation. Sport fishing attracts many passionate fishermen from Macedonia, Europe and the world.
In 1980 Lake Ohrid was proclaimed a place of world cultural and natural inheritance by UNESCO.
Republic of Macedonia Mountains & National Parks
The country is situated on a mountainous territory covered with deep basins and valleys; three large lakes, each divided by a frontier line. The Republic of Macedonia is bisected by the Vardar River. The Republic's terrain is mostly rugged, located between the Šar Mountains and Osogovo, which frame the valley of the Vardar river. Three large lakes — Lake Ohrid, Lake Prespa and Dojran Lake — lie on the southern borders of the Republic, bisected by the frontiers with Albania and Greece. Ohrid is considered to be one of the oldest lakes and bitopes in the world. The Macedonian scenic mountain belong to two different ranges: Dinarska and Rodopska. The Dinarska range is the oldest with subsequent erosion; the Rodopska range is younger offering rugged, alpine scenery. The ten highest mountains in the Republic of Macedonia are: Mount Korab 2,764 m 9,396 ft Šar Mountains 2,747 m 9,012 ft Baba Mountain 2,601 m 8,533 ft Jakupica 2,540 m 8,333 ft Nidze 2,521 m 8,271 ft Deshat 2,373 m 7,785 ft Galichica 2,288 m 7,507 ft Stogovo 2,273 m 7,457 ft Jablanica 2,257 m 7,405 ft
Lose yourself in Macedonia’s myths and its untouched mountains, feel the warmth of its people, enjoy fine accommodation and exotic food, hear new rhythms, dive in to centuries of unbroken tradition.
Republic of Macedonia Archeological sites
Churches and Monasteries
There are between two and three thousand documented archeological sites in Macedonia. What an adventure this would be, to be part of their discovery! The Megalithic Observatory Kokino,a special mountain sanctuary from the Bronze Age. The “stone town”, is situated by Cave churches the Kuklica village in the Kratovo These very specific area.The stone figures that are monuments of art and called Dolls by the local history, rare in the world, population are 10 million years but numerous on the old. Number of neolithic shores of Lake Ohrid, (Trebenista near Ohrid - ancient present an exceptional graves loaded with gold and silver, burial gifts fit for a king) and c h a l l e n g e f o r a r t other significant archaeological h i s t o r i a n s a n d f o r sites such as Bargala (Shtip), admirers of ancient Heraclea Lyncestis (Bitola), culture. Built on high Scupi (Skopje), the Samuil’s inaccessible spots, near Fortress and Plaoshnik (Ohrid), caves, far from human Vardarski Rid (Gevgelija) and settlements, isolated in silence... much more...
Tradition
Most of the Macedonian monasteries, built in various periods, and particularly those built between the 11th and 15th 16th centuries, have been completely preserved until today. The most significant churches are in the Ohrid area.
Macedonian Icons The world-famous icon collection in the Ohrid church of St. Clement comprises some thirty medieval icons, the oldest from the 12th century. The collection is the property of the National Museum in Ohrid. On one day every July, St. Peter’s Day, locals and tourists alike are invited to attend the traditional Macedonian wedding celebrations at Galicnik, a legendary old village in the western mountains near Mavrovo. There are also several traditional carnivals taking place in Macedonia, among which the most famous is the Vevchani carnival. Some well-preserved houses in the picturesque local architectural style can be seen in the town of Ohrid. Built in the 19th century, these dwellings hang over the street, each successive story projecting further than the one below.
Republic of Macedonia
Interesting facts about Macedonia Macedonia's Lake Ohrid is one of the deepest and oldest in Europe. Ohrid Lake, lakes at mountain Pelister called "Pelister Eyes", and caves "Vrelo" at Matka are the three natural beauties that citizens have selected to represent Macedonia at the global campaign on the new seven wonders of nature. These three natural beauties will be proposed by the Macedonian supporting committee, which is supported by the Ministry of Economy. King Perdica founded the Macedonian Kingdom in the year 653 B.C. Macedonia has literally thousands of sites where relics can be found going back 3800 years. All fruits and vegetables are grown organically in Macedonia; tomatoes and peppers are legendary. The reign on Alexander the great is in the period 336 323 B.C. Tresca River canyon at Matka features almost perpendicular scarps that rival the monoliths at major US and Australian national parks. The brothers Cyril and Methodius created the first Slavonic alphabet in the year 855. The mountain town of Galicnik, halfway between Skopje and Ohrid, features a worldwide wedding festival every July, where couples travel as mutual “chosen ones” to tie the knot in colorful traditional garb amid festival joy and celebration There are 346 registered caves in Macedonia - a heaven for adventurers and high-adrenaline lovers. The resting place of the famous Greek Zorba is in the city graveyards of Butel - Skopje. Mother Theresa was born in Skopje (1910).
And much more.... Links: http://www.historyofmacedonia.org http://www.360macedonia.com http://www.unet.com.mk/ancient-macedonians/neolithic.htm http://www.unet.com.mk/ancient-macedonians/neolithic.htm Http://www.balkantravellers.com/en/read/article/608 http://www.see-heritage.org/macedonia.htm http://www.mpc.org.mk/English/vGal.asp?kw=Churches&Page=1 http://www.ethnologue.com/show_country.asp?name=Macedonia http://photo.macedonia.org/ http://www.soros.org.mk/konkurs/008/cave.htm