Veles

Located in the very center of Macedonia, Veles is a predominantly industrial town, containing factories for porcelain, silk and lead. Veles’ old town, with its steep and winding lanes flanked by traditional wooden houses, makes for an enjoyable afternoon jaunt. In addition, the city’s central location and nearby historical and natural attractions make it well worth a visit. Veles has always been an important trading center. Located on the all-important commercial road that connected the northern parts of the Balkan Peninsula with the Aegean Sea, it reached its peak in the 19th century, when the river Vardar was used as a transport highway. The city of Veles is surrounded by forested mountains to the west, perfect for hiking or camping. The tranquil mountain village of Bogomilija, thirty minutes west of the city by car, was named after a heretical Christian sect that enjoyed widespread popularity in this part of Macedonia during the 10th and 11th centuries and became a thorn in the side of the Byzantines. As the birthplace of Koco Racin, founder of modern Macedonian literature, Veles holds an annual festival in his honor. In general, Macedonians from Veles are reputed to speak the purest quality of the traditional Macedonian language, untainted by regional dialects.