The Republic of Macedonia is a land of sunshine, lakes, valleys and mountains, a country of great history and tradition.
It is situated in the southern part of the Balkan Peninsula and covers an area of 25,713 square kilometres, and it has around 2 000 000 inhabitants.
Mostly of a country of hills and mountains, Macedonia has a continental Mediterranean climate, characterized by long, dry and hot summers, but short and hot winters.
The territory of the Republic of Macedonia is distinguished by particularly characteristic and tourist natural factors which are reflected in terms of heterogeneous mosaic of the relief, which like on a chess board, is expressed through diverse geomorphologic forms consisting of mountains, valleys, fields, ravines and gorges.
Macedonia is a historical and geographical area whose name originates from the classical period. The name of Macedonia was permanent established at the time of Alexander the great and his empire.
The Republic of Macedonia has an exceptional geographic location, at the cross-roads of trade routes that have connected Europe, Asia and Africa for thousands of years. The most important of these is the road/railway running through the River Vardar valley, connecting Central Europe with the Aegean cost. Today, tourism is making rapid progress in Macedonia, with a variety of factors making it attractive to tourist.
FOOD
The cuisine of a nation depends on its climate, geographical position and the tradition of its country and citizens.
Macedonia is a mountainous country with rivers, lakes and fertile soil, yielding every kind of food. Accordingly, the western part of Macedonia provides cattle farming and production of milk and dairy products. The most popular are GALICKO SIRENJE and KASKAVAL (types of cheese) and of course, lamb, at any time of the year.
The eastern part of the country is largely rich in grain-crops, contributing to the production of bread and pasta.
On the other hand, the climate is also suitable for various kind of vegetables and fruits. Hence, at every time of year you will find typical Macedonian salads such: SOPSKA, TARATUR, ZELENA SALATA.
Although Macedonia is a land-locked country, it possesses lakes Am Rivers in abundance, which make it rich with fish specialties, particularly, the OHRID TROUT – a unique fish offering an unforgettable taste.
Macedonia, as a crossroads to the many routs connecting the Middle East and Western Europe, has naturally adopted some dishes from other nations. Therefore, the period of Turkish rule left some oriental specialties, most popularly the KEBAP, a special grilled sausage.
Typical Macedonian national meals include: TURLTAVA, TAVCE GRAVCE, SELSKO MESO PASTRMAJLIJA, ZELNIK and many others. Constant sunshine throughout the year contributes to a high-quality grape, from which various sorts of wine are produced such as: ALEXANDRIA, TEMIANIKA, TGA ZA JUG etc.
MONUMENTS
CHURCH OF ST. SPAS (Skopje, the old bazaar)
Dates from XVI-XX century. Famous for its walnuts iconostasis and intricate wood carving from 1812-1824. In 1964 he grave of Goce Delcev was placed in the churchyard.
MONASTERY OF ST. PANTELEIMON (Skopje, v. Nerezi)
Dates from Byzantine period. The church dates form 1164 and it vas memorial church of Aleksej Komnin.
CHURCH ST. ANDREA (Skopje, v. Matka)
Dates from XIV century, built in the time of the son of the king Volkasin, Andrea. Famous because of the fresco, made by Metropolitan Jovan.
CHURCH ST. BOGORODICA (Skopje, v. Susica)
Located beside the complex of the monastery of St. Marko, in the valley of the river Markova Reka. A one domed church, built and fresco painted around the end of the XIII century.
ALADZA MOSQUE
The mosque is situated at Bit Pazar (green Market) in Skopje and belongs among the first edifices built by the ottomans. The information on the year of its building and its builder comes from the inscription in stone above the main entrance to the mosque. Written in Arabic, it states that the mosque was built in 1438-39 and that its patron was Ishak Bey.
MUSTAFA PASHA MOSQUE
Was built toward the end of the XV century, as a memorial mosque of Mustapha pasha. In the earthquake of 1963 it was seriously damaged. The building has since been completely restored In the interior came be found several layers of decoration.
STONE BRIDGE
An impressive sight in the central part of Skopje. Dating form VI century, it has been repaired many times, most recently this century.
SARENA DZAMIJA (Tetovo)
Build in 1495 in early Constantinopolitan stile. Especially interesting are painted ornaments on the facade and the interior wales of the worship area.
THE CHURCH OF ST. GEORGE (v. Kurbinovo, Prespa Lake)
Built in the late XII century. The frescoes in the church are arranged in three zones. The Holy Hearlers, Constantine and Elena and Joakim and Ana are in in the upper zone.
MONASTYRY OF ST. JOVAN BIGORSKI (Gostivar, v.Rostuse)
The church vas consecrated in 1800 and the monastery vas built by the monk Ilarion on the foundation of the earlier church. It is famous because of a splendid iconostasis carved in wood between 1830 and 1840.
ARCHEOLOGICAL LOCALITY STOBI (Veles)
An important settlement of ILIyrian Peonia and the town laeges in northwern Macedonia in the Roman period. Famous because of its amphitheater, mosaic, water conduit etc.
CHURC OF ST. JOVAN KANEO (Ohrid)
Built in XVI century and famous because of the hagiography, the octagon cupola and the Cross. Its frescues and rather damaged and more information on them is missing.
CHURCH OF ST. SOFIA (Ohrid)
The church was built in the time of Emperor Samoilo. It was the cathedral church of Ohrid for a long time. Today the interior of this church has transformed into a concert hall. The Ohrid summer music festival held there.
CHURCH OF ST. BOGORODICA PERILVEPTA (Ohrid)
Built at the end of XIII century and adorned with frescoes in 1294/95. Its interior contains the representations. Its interior contains representations of the double icon of the Vergin Hodegetria, the icon of St. Matthew, as well as the icons of the Doubtting of Thomas, St. Clement and Christ Baptizam.
ARCHEOLOGICAL LOCALITY HERAKLEA LINCESSTIS (Bitola)
A classical town founded by Philip II of Macedon in the middle of the IV century B.C. In Christian time it become an episcopal seat and important economic center.
NATIONAL PARKS
NATIONAL PARK PELISTER
Situated in the southern part of the country, about 10 miles from Bitola. It is proclaimed as a National park in 1948, because of the rare national wealth’s in it: Molika forests- relict from tercier flora, granite stones and their morphologic relief, especially glacial relief in the alpic part of the mountain. Pelister National Park is filled with exquisite flora and fauna. Among flora elements, the presence is especially significant of the five-needle pine molica (Pinus peuce)- a unique species of tertiary age being present on only a few mountains in the Balkan Peninsula. The beauty of the landscape is enhanced by the diversified wildlife: bears, roe deer, wolves, chamois, deer, wild boars, rabbits, several species of eagles, partridges, redbilled jackdaws, and the endemic Macedonian Pelagonia trout.
NATIONAL PARK GALICICA
The National Park Galicica is situated on Mount Galicica, that is a part of the mountain range of Sara-Pind. Due to its exceptional natural beauty and extremely opulent and endemic flora and fauna, in 1958 the Macedonian section of the mountain was proclaimed a National Park. The Park covers an area of 227 km2 between the Lakes of Ohrid and Prespa, and it stretches in a meridian direction. Ther is varietri of wild animals: bears, foxes, deer, boar and unusual kind of birds sush as falcons, eagles and partridges. Tourist can take advantage of organized trips into the mountainside.
NATIONAL PARK MAVROVO
The gorges, pine forests, karst fields and waterfalls of Mavrovo National Park offer a breath of fresh, rarefied air for visitors travelling between Skopje and Ohrid. Beautiful vistas abound, and the park is home to Macedonia's highest peak, Mt Korab (2764m). Locally the park is best known for its ski resort (the country’s biggest) near Mavrovo town, but by international standards the skiing is fairly average. In summertime, it's glorious.
MUSEUMS
MEMORIAL HOUSE MOTHER TERESA
The Mother Teresa Memorial is dedicated to the humanitarian and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Mother Teresa and is located in her hometown Skopje, Working hours Monday – Friday 09:00 – 20:00 Saturday – Sunday 09:00 – 14:00 Free entrance. Tour guiding is free of charge.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM OF MACEDONIA
This centrally located museum is in a beautiful reconstructed building. The inside has an amazing curved marble staircase. But the best is the exhibits. There are artefacts from the Stone and Bronze Age through the ages. Working hours Thursday – Sunday 10:00 – 18:00.
MUSEUM OF MACEDONIAN STRUGGLE
The Museum of the Macedonian Struggle, being a specialized museum of historical exhibitions, was originally aimed to present the historical, cultural and revolutionary traditions of Macedonia and the Macedonian people in their perennial struggle to create a national state on the Balkans. Opening hours: Every day from 10:00 to 18:00. Closed on the first Monday of each month.
THE CONTEMPORARY ART MUSEUM OF MACEDONIA
The Contemporary Art Museum of Macedonia is one of the largest and most complete national institution of the Republic of Macedonia. Located in the capital city of Skopje, the museum was founded in 1963 following the disastrous earthquake that hit the city. The building project was donated by the Polish Government. Working hours:
Tuesday - Saturday 09:00 - 17:00
Sunday 09:00 - 13:00
