STOBI

The ancient town of particular importance even before the Roman conquest) was constructed at an extraordinarily strategic place. It was destroyed by a massive earthquake in 518 A.D, but had still succeeded in preserving itself until the fourteenth century. The great part of Stobi has been excavated and has yielded very important archaeological findings. The most attractive and important for tourists include: the Bishop's church the Partenius palace, the Peristerij palace, Poliharmos and Amphitheatre. Evaluating the remains, it can be said that the Bishop's church had a monumental view and was richly decorated in mosaics. Today, besides the mosaics discovered in nartex, some fresco fragments have been found there on the northern and western walls of the church, thought to have originated from the fifth and sixth century A.D. One of the most representative buildings in Stobi is the Pertenius palace, built in the fifth century. Its rich decoration arrangement of rooms and great space, give evidence of the wealth and comfortable life led by some citizens of this town. What contributed to the value of this building distinguishing it from the others, are the decorations of mosaic and white marble and ornamental tiles. The Peristerij palace is also famous as a palace with double doors and two aspes placed one besides the other. Some mosaics made in the fifth century with different figures and ornaments from animal and plant life were preserved there. The remains of the town drinking fountain and town bath are close to that place. There are different opinions on the period of construction of the amphitheatre in Stobi. Some say that it was constructed in the second century A.D, others thought it was built in the third century. However, this theatre was renovated and enlarged several times and part of that construction material was used in a later period of construction in Stobi and its surroundings. The archaeological site of Stobi also has a restaurant.

HERAKLEA

Heraklea, the capital of the Linkestisa was built in ancient times, and is two kilometres from today's Bitola. It was an important military and strategic centre, located on the well known route of the Via Ignatia. It is thought that Heraklea was founded by Philip II. The archaeological excavations of that town started in 1938 when significant objects were found, giving important historical information. Like all other towns Heraklea was protected by big town walls. Numerous basilicas with preserved mosaics were found there. One of the archaeological finds is preserved today in the British Museum in London.

MARKO'S FORTRESS

Marko's fortress is near Prilep, but no one knows exactly when it was built. In terms of walled area, the fortress is one of the largest in the Balkans. Built of mortar-bound undressed stone, the citadel had several towers and four circuits of walls. Archaeological diggings suggest a possible fifth circle of walls. This is one of the best preserved medieval castle's in Macedonia.

SAMUEL'S FORTRESS

Samuel's fortress stands on a hill above the town of Ohrid. It is divided into two sections, each with a separate entrance. The main gateway facing the town, is flanked by two high round towers. The fortress on this site is known to have withstood the attacks of Theodoric's Goths in 479. The Byzantines repaired and extended the fortifications, the walls of which are up to 16m thick. Its present appearance dates from the time of Emperor Samuel, though it was repaired on several occasions after its downfall by the Byzantines and then the Turks, right down to the 19th century, when Dzeladin Bey made use of cruel forced labour for work on the fortifications. From the hilltop fortress two walls run down to the lake shore, enclosing the urban settlement below the citadel. One descends in a westerly direction towards the settlement of Labino, while the other runs eastward. All the walls are rough stone, with the exception of the upper gateway (Gorna porta), for which stone blocks from Greco-Roman buildings were used, as can be seen from the inscriptions on them.
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MECKIN KAMEN

Not faraway from the city of the first Republic on the Balkan - Krusevo, exits a popular hill known as "Meckin Kamen". There is a legend behind the name of the hill: A long time ago in a small suburb besides the pear orchids lived a number of brothers. They occupied their time with agriculture and life stock. One day the brothers were returning from the hill when they were confronted by a big bear. The brave Krusevcani did not get afraid, instead they attached the bear. The bear rolled a rock down the hill towards the brothers, but then they killed the bear with a couple of hits from their axes. The rock which was rolled by the bear was known as Meckin Kamen (Bear's Rock) by the people. On the same spot, the duke Pitu Guli heroically battled and protected the nest of the Krusevo Republic. This was in 1903 when the Turkish army destroyed Krusevo and choked the peoples Uprising. A monument was placed on Meckin Kamen where the legendary duke Pitu Guli was killed. This is a real legend of our time.

Prilep

Prilep is situated in the northern part of Pelagonia Plain. It is often called "the city under Marko's Towers" since the town is located on the skirts of the Towers of the legendary hero King Marko, who is common in Macedonian folk songs and tales as a powerful, wise ruler, and fighter against the Turks.
There are several ancient sites in the immediate vicinity including one at Markovi Kuli. A large Roman necropolis is known there and parts of numerous walls have been found; the settlement was probably the ancient Ceramiae mentioned in the Peutinger Table. Roman remains are also known in the vicinity of the Varosh monastery, built on the steep slopes of the hill, which was later inhabited by a mediaeval community. A large number of early Roman funeral monuments, some with sculpted reliefs of the deceased or of the Thracian Rider and other inscribed monuments of an official nature, are in the courtyard of the church below the southern slope of Varosh. Some of the larger of those monuments were built into the walls of the church.
A statue of boy Dyonisius from StyberraThe most important ancient monument is the old city of Styberra. It is situated on Bedem hill near Cepigovo, in the central region of Pelagonia. As early as the time of the Roman - Macedonian wars, this city was known as a base from which the Macedonian king Perseus set out to conquer the Penestian cities. Its location on a relatively small hill where the Diagonal Way from Heraclea to Stobi met the road that led along the River Erigon from the mining district of Demir Hisar, was conducive to its transformation into a significant conurbation during the Roman era. The activity of the city gymnasium particularly increased. The temple which has been excavated and which was dedicated to Tyche, the patron deity of the city, was partly "privatized" by sponsors who refurbished it in 127.
Styberra did not manage to survive the assaults of the Goths in 268. The city was never rebuilt, which is confirmed by the undamaged state of the objects found during archaeological excavations. Numerous marble statues, left behind by the Goths after they had ravaged the city, were found at this site. Because of its state of preservation, the city of Styberra became known as the Macedonian Pompeii. Analysis of the marble sculpture supports the theory that there was a local workshop which was active in the 2nd century and the first half of the 3rd. The products were of such quality that it challenged the dominance of the Stobi artists and craftsmen.
An important site in the vicinity is Bela Crkva, some 6 km west of Styberra, where the town of Alkomenai was probably located. Rebuilt in the Early Roman period, it was a stronghold of the Macedonian kings, perhaps from the time of Alexander the Great, and was at the Pelagonian entrance to a pass leading to Illyria. Part of the city wall, a gate, and a few buildings of the Roman period were uncovered here in excavations. All recent finds from these sites are in the Museum of the City of Prilep.

The Citadel of King Marko - Marko's Towers (Markovi Kuli) in Prilep
The monastery of Treskavec, in the mountains about 10 km north of Prilep, is probably the site of the early Roman town of Kolobaise. The site, at the edge of a small upland plain, is at a height of over 1100 m above sea level and is a natural citadel. The name of the early town is recorded on a long inscription on stone which deals with a local cult of Ephesian Artemis. The inscription was reused as a base for a cross on top of one of the church domes. Other inscriptions at Treskavec include several 1st century Roman dedications to Apollo.
The old fortress was used by the Romans, and later the Byzantines. During the Middle Ages, King Marko rebuilt the citadel extensively, making it an important military stronghold. After all, even Tsar Samoil came here after the defeat on Belasica in 1014. Samoil died in Prilep from a heart attack after encountering his blind soldiers.

PELLA

Transferring the capital of the kingdom from Aegae to Pella in around 400 B. C., King Archelaus made it the greatest of all Macedonian cities. Grandiosity characterized the whole structure of the city. The palace complex alone, situated on the hill dominating the city, occupied 60.000 sq. meters.
For 250 years Pella was the cultural center of the Greek world and a pole of attraction for famous artists of the age (Zeuxis. Apelles, Lysippos, Leocharis), It experienced its greatest prosperity during the reign of Alexander the Great, when it came to be called "Metropolis of the Macedonians - Homeland of Philip and Alexander". Thanks to archaeological excavations, luxurious private houses with the famous mosaic floors were uncovered. as well as sanctuaries. an agora covering an area of 70.000 sq. m., cemeteries and finds which visitors may now view in the local museum.

ANCIENT CAPITALS OF MACEDONIA

Vergina, identified as Aegae - the first capital of the Macedonians - with its numerous archaeological finds of exquisite art, the royal tombs, the grave steles, the majestic palace, the theater, the houses and the city walls, gives a complete picture of the high standard of civilization typical of a Macedonian city. Only in Vergina does the art of the 4th century B. C. unfold in all its splendid manifestations: architecture, sculpture, painting, metalwork and jewelry. This is due to the fact that , as the ancient capital of Macedonia, Vergina possessed numerous workshops where able and experienced craftsmen created works of art that vied in quality with those of Attica. The majority of these finds are now on display in the Thessaloniki museum.
The sensations experienced by the visitor to Vergina are unique. Here history is no longer a dull science, but it comes to life right in front of one's eyes. The unplundered tomb of Philip II King of the Macedonians, dating from 335 B. C., gave us the golden larnax with the star symbol of the Macedonian kings, known from Macedonian shields and coins, decorating its cover: sixteen rays of different length around a central rosette. Inside the larnax were found the bones of the dead king covered with a golden wreath of oak leaves. The other finds in the chamber, such as the iron breastplate, the ceremonial shield, the iron Macedonian helmet, the royal diadem, the graves and the weapons fully bring back to life the portrait of Philip II, the great general who succeeded in distinguishing Macedonia as the greatest power in Europe and who was assassinated at the age of 47 in the theater nearby. In this same theater his son, Alexander the Great, was proclaimed king and launched his campaign to the East. which was to change the course of history.
Besides the finds mentioned above, the royal tombs at Vergina also preserve the most important examples of large-scale classical painting, as well as many carved and painted steles of ordinary citizens, whose mere names prove the Greek identity of the Macedonians.

History of the city of Struga

Struga is an ancient settlement where traces of an old civilization dating from the Neolithic period can be found. The archaelogical records demonstrate that there was a community in this area in prehistoris times, when on the shores of the lake were built the first Neolithic settlements dated from the year 3000 BC. The first Neolithic settlement, which is assumed to have been a fishing area, was built on the place where the river Crn Drim flows out of the Lake Ohrid. It is a pile dweller, an ancient fisherman community. Many archaelogical objects were found there that date from the early stone age, such as different tools made of stone and bones as well as weapons.It is considered, according to some relevant sources, that the first inhabitants of this area were the Briges and the Enheleians, and later came the Desarets. With the passing of the centuries this fishing settlement grew into a town-like village which was called Enhalon (eel). The name is accidental. Namely, here on the outflow of the river Crn Drim from the Lake Ohrid, the longest journey of the eel starts, which leads to the Sargasso Sea in the Caribean region of the Atlantic ocean where the fish satisfies its biological needs for continuing its kind. The ancient historian Polibius says that in the year 334 BC, king Philip II of Macedon, conquered Enhalon in addition to Lihnidos and the other towns on the shores of Lake Ohrid. There is an important monument from that period with inscription in classical Greek, discovered by the monastery of St. Bogoroditsa (the Virgin Mary). Enhalon was part of the Macedonian state until the year 148 BC when it was conquered by the Romans. The connection of this area and Rome grew closer with the construction of the strategic road Via Ignatia, which connected Rome, through the town known today as Drach and through Thessalonica, to Istanbul and Asia Minor. The road was passing close to Enhalon.

Ohrid

Ohrid (native: Охрид) is located on the northeastern shore of Lake Ohrid. Agriculture, fishing, and tourism provide a livelihood for the population. Among the churches in the town are St. Sophia's, with 11th-14th-century frescoes, and St. Clement's (1295), also with medieval frescoes uncovered in the 1950s. On a nearby hilltop is a quadrangular building, the Imaret, a Turkish mosque and inn, built on the foundations of the Monastery of St. Panteleimon (9th century), associated with St. Clement, the first Macedonian bishop of Ohrid. St. Clement opened the first Macedonian school of higher learning, wrote the earliest works of Macedonian literature, and, with St. Naum, translated the Scriptures from Greek into Macedonian. The 10th-century monastery of St. Naum, about 19 miles (31 km) south, crowns a prominent crag on the Macedonia-Albania frontier and overlooks Lake Ohrid.

Krusevo

Krusevo (native: Крушево) is a small but picturesque town. It resembles a magic painting by an old master. Situated at an altitude of 1350m, Krusevo is the highest town in the Balkans. The chance guest will not be wrong if they style Krusevo as a museum of old architecture. The town is full of old and more recent houses built in the style of old Macedonian architecture. Krushevo proudly preserves the memory of the renowned Ilinden Uprising of the Macedonian people on 2nd August, 1903. In this town, the Ilinden insurrectionists established the Krusevo Republic which only ten days later was suppressed in blood by the Turks. A few kilometres away from the town is the historical site of Meckin Kamen. In the surrounding's there is also an artificial lake, and Krusevo continues to be a well known centre and a climatic health resort.

History of the city of Negotino

This beautiful town in the Vardar valley has rich and interesting past. The settlement existed and developed in the antique period, about the third century BC, under the name of Antigonia or Antigonea. It was founded by the Macedonian king Antigon Gonat, in the period between 278-242 BC. After conquering Peonia, he conquered the setlments araound the middle part of the river Vardar. In his name, the settlment that he founded was called Antigonia (Antigonea).The material data and the legends say that Antigonia, predecessor of Negotino, was situated 12 Roman miles south from the antique town Stobi, on the road to Thesaloniki, at the today's place of Gradiste, by the railway station of Negotino. At this place coins with faces of Roman smperors were found, as well as precious jewelry and other archeological findings from the period of Roman and Byzantium reign. The ancient town existed until the VI century when it was destroyed by a disastrous earthquake which hit almost all of the territory of Macedonia. It was then the other antique towns were also destroyed by the catastrophe: Skupi, Stobi, Heraklea, Astibo, Idomena...In X and XI century Negotino was part of the First Macedonian independent country - country of Tsar Samuil.(Click on the thumbnail to see a larger image)

Architecture of Saint Panteleimon, Ohrid

Many archaeologists believe that Clement himself designed and constructed the monastery. Clement, along with Naum of Preslav would use the monastery as a basis for teaching the Glagolitic and Cyrillic alphabets to Christianised Slavs thus making it a university.
The monastery stands on a hill which is now known as Plaošnik overlooking Lake Ohrid. Clement 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.

Mosaic floor of the early Christian basilica
The exterior of the monastery contains a large number of finely detailed mosaics not far from a stone Baptismal font used to baptise his disciples.

History of Saint Panteleimon, Ohrid

The monastery is believed to have been built when Saint Clement arrived in Ohrid, at the request of Boris I of Bulgaria and restored an old church. Sources say that Saint Clement 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 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. Clement personally built a crypt inside the monastery in which he was buried after his death in 916, his tomb still exists today.
In the 15th century, Ottoman Turks converted the 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 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, was erected by the Ottomans, this mosque still exists to this day.[1]

Saint Panteleimon, Ohrid

Saint Panteleimon (Macedonian: Свети Пантелејмон, transliterated Sveti Pantelejmon, pronounced /pantɛlɛjmɔn/) is a monastery in Ohrid, Republic of Macedonia situated on Plaošnik. It is attributed to Clement of Ohrid, a disciple of Saint Cyril and Saint Methodius. Archaeologists have come to believe that the monastery was the site where the first students of the Glagolitic alphabet (used to translate the Bible into Old Church Slavonic) were taught. Saint Panteleimon is the most sacred and holiest site among ethnic Macedonians.

Bargala

Bargala was a fortified town constructed between the 4th and 6th century A.D., a period spanning Late Antiquity and Early Byzantium. It is located 20 km northeast of the modern city of Štip, Republic of Macedonia on the lower slopes of the Plachkovica mountain. Archaeological excavations have uncovered a basilica, trade quarters, a water tank, a bath, and a fortification system with an impressive main gate and infrastructure.

Church of St. John at Kaneo History

The church was built into the shape of a cruciform with a rectangular base. The architect of the church is unknown but it is believed that he was influenced by the architecture of Armenian churches. Reconstruction work was carried out on the church in the 14th century, shortly before the arrival of Ottoman Turks in Macedonia. A wooden iconostasis was constructed within the church and by the 20th century numerous saints along with the Virgin Mary have been portrayed on the apse. A fresco of Christ Pantocrator can be seen on the dome of the church. A fresco of Saint Clement of Ohrid (whose monastery, Saint Panteleimon, is located close to the church) accompanied by Saint Erasmus of Ohrid can also be seen on a wall of the church.[1]

Church of St. John at Kaneo

Saint John the Theologian, Kaneo (Macedonian: Свети Јован Канео, Latinic: Sveti Jovan Kaneo) or simply Saint John at Kaneo is a Macedonian Orthodox church situated on Kaneo overlooking Lake Ohrid in the city of Ohrid, Republic of Macedonia. The church is attributed to the author of the Gospel of John, John the Theologian. The construction date of the church remains unknown but documents detailing the church property suggests that it was built before the year 1447. Archaeologists believe that the church was constructed some time before the rise of the Ottoman Empire very likely in the 13th century. Restoration work in 1964 led to the discovery of frescoes in its dome

Strumica

Strumica (Macedonian: Струмица, [ˈstrumitsa] (help·info)) is a town situated in the south-east of the Republic of Macedonia (close to the Novo Selo-Petrich border crossing with Bulgaria). The population is close to 55,000 with an absolute Macedonian majority (90%). There are all together about 150,000 people living in the region surrounding the city. The city is named after the Strumica river which runs through it. The city of Strumica is the seat of Strumica Municipality.In the IX century the town became part of the First Bulgarian Empire and it remained Bulgarian until 1014. After the Battle of Kleidon Strumica was seized by the Byzantine empire.
In 1395 after another two centuries of Bulgarian control it fell under the Ottoman rule. During the National awakening in the second half of the XIX century a Bulgarian school and church opened their doors in the town. According to the 1878 Ottoman census the Strumica had 2,400 households with 3,300 Muslim and 2,120 Bulgarian citizens.[1] In 1895 a IMARO committee was founded in the town by revolutionary leader d-r Hristo Tatarchev. In 1897 Strumica became part of the Bulgarian Exarchate. The census three years later showed that the population consisted of 6,100 Bulgarians, 3,100 Turks, and 700 Jews.[2] The majority of the Christian Bulgarians though sympathised the Constantinopole Greek Patriarchy.

Strumica in the end of the XIX century
During the First Balkan War the city was liberated from the Turks and for some six years became part of Bulgaria. Following Bulgaria's defeat in World War I, under the 1919 Treaty of Neuilly-sur-Seine Bulgaria was forced to cede Strumica to the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, later to be called Yugoslavia. Strumica was occupied by Bulgarians in World War II. Following the World War II, Strumica remained in Yugoslavia and in 1945 became a part of the newly established Federative People's Republic of Macedonia. This federal republic remained in Yugoslavia until 1991, when it declared its independence as The Republic of Macedonia.

Stobi

The ancient city of Stobi, lying in a fertile valley just a few minutes off the central north-south highway that connects Macedonia with Greece, was a vital trade route in its day. This crossroad of ancient civilizations has left a rich legacy of antique theaters, palace ruins, brightly-colored mosaics and religious relics for visitors today to enjoy.

As a city, Stobi is first mentioned in documents from the 2nd century B.C.E. However, archaeologists believe that the town had been inhabited from at least 400 years earlier. Stobi became a rich and prosperous city due to its location on the crossroads of important trade routes. It experienced its biggest period of growth from the 3rd-4th centuries C.E.
The archaeological site (located just 3 km or 1.8 miles from the Gradsko exit on Highway E-75) offers sweeping views of the central Macedonian plain and contains buildings such as the 2nd century amphitheatre, the Theodosia palace, and early Christian ruins with extensive and ornate mosaic floors.

Historical buildings

Clock Tower. It is unknown when Bitola's clock tower was built. Written sources from the 16th century mention a clock tower, but it is not clear if it is the same one. Some believe it was built at the same time as St. Dimitrija Church, in 1830. Legend says that the Ottoman authorities collected around 60,000 eggs from nearby villages and mixed them in the mortar to make the walls stronger.

The clock tower in Bitola.
The tower has a rectangular base and is about 30 meters high. Near the top is a rectangular terrace with an iron fence. On each side of the fence is an iron console construction which holds the lamps for lighting the clock. The clock is on the highest of three levels. The original clock was replaced during World War II with a working one, given by the Nazis because the city had maintained German graves from World War I.
The massive tower is composed of walls, massive spiral stairs, wooden mezzanine constructions, pendentives (triangular pass from square to cupola) and cupola. During the construction of the tower, the facade was simultaneously decorated with simple stone plastic.
St. Dimitrija Church was built in 1830 with voluntary contributions of local merchants and craftsmen. It is plain on the outside, as all churches in the Ottoman Empire had to be, but of rare beauty inside, lavishly decorated with chandeliers, a carved bishop throne and an engraved iconostasis. According to some theories, the iconostasis is a work of the Miyak engravers. Its most impressive feature is the arc above the imperial quarters with modeled figures of Jesus and the apostles.
Other engraved wood items include the bishop’s throne made in the spirit of Miyak engravers, several icon frames and five more-recent pillars shaped like thrones. The frescos originate from two periods: the end of the 19th century, and the end of World War I to the present. The icons and frescos were created thanks to voluntary contributions of local businessmen and citizens. The authors of many of the icons had a vast knowledge of iconography schemes of the New Testament. The icons show a great sense of color, dominated by red, green and ochra shades. The abundance of golden ornaments is noticeable and points to the presence of late-Byzantine artwork and baroque style. The icon of St. Dimitrij is signed with the initials "D. A. Z.", showing that it was made by iconographer Dimitar Andonov the zograph in 1889. There are many other items, including the putiri made by local masters, a darohranilka of Russian origin, and several paintings of scenes from the New Testament, brought from Jerusalem by pilgrims.
The opening scenes of the film The Peacemaker were shot in the "St. Dimitrija" church in Bitola, as well as some Welcome to Sarajevo scenes.

Ottoman rule

From 1382 to 1912, Manastır (now Bitola) was part of the Ottoman Empire. Strong battles took place near the city during the arrival of Turkish forces. Turkish rule was completely established after the death of Prince Marko in 1395. For several centuries, Turks were a majority in this city, while the villages were populated mostly with Slavs. Evliya Çelebi says in his Book of Travels that the city had 70 mosques, several coffee-tea rooms, a bazaar (market) with iron gates and 900 shops. Manastır became a sanjak centre in the Rumeli eyalet (Ottoman province).
After the Austro-Ottoman wars, the trade development and the overall thriving of the city was stifled. But in late 19th century, it again it became the second-biggest city in the wider southern Balkan region after Salonica. The city is also known as "city of consuls", because 12 diplomatic consuls resided here during the period 1878–1913.
In 1864, Manastır became the center of Monastir eyalet which included the sanjaks of Debre, Serfiçe, Elbasan, Manastır (Bitola), Görice and towns of Kırcaova, Pirlepe, Florina, Kesriye and Grevena.
There is opposing ethnographic data from that period, but it appears that no specific ethnic or religious group could claim an absolute majority of the population. According to the 1911 Ottoman census, Greeks were the largest Christian population in the vilayet, with 740,000 Greeks, 517,000 Bulgarians and 1,061,000 Muslims in the vilayets of Selanik (Thessaloniki) and Manastır. However it should be noted that basis of Ottoman censuses was the millet system. People were assigned to ethicity according which religion they belonged. So all Sunni Muslims were categorised as Turks, all members of Greek Orthodox church as Greeks although it included vaste majority of Aromanians and certain number of Macedonian Slavs, while rest being divided between Bulgarian and Serb Orthodox churches[6]. But the Ottoman register of Bedel-I Askeriye Tax of 1873 says the Manastır vilayet had about 150 000 Bulgarian men (heads of households), 40 000 Muslim and only 700 Greek. Ottoman population data from 1901 counts 566 000 Slavs, 363 000 Turks and 260 000 Greeks in the Thessaloniki and Manastır vilayets.[1].
In 1894, Manastır was connected with Selanik by train. The first motion picture made in the Balkans was recorded by the Aromanian Manakis brothers in Manastır in 1903. In their honour, the annual Manaki Brothers International Film Camera Festival is held in modern Bitola. The Manastır congress of 1908 which defined the modern Albanian alphabet was held in the city.

The Old Town - Skopje

The Old Town - Skopje
Skopje’s Old Town (or Stara Charsija, as the locals call it) is located on the eastern bank of the River Vardar, opposite the modern city center. Today it is a vibrant quarter filled with winding streets of cobblestone and narrow archways, of centuries-old mosques and a Turkish bath.
Even before the arrival of the Ottomans, Stara Charsija had been the city’s commercial hub, with documented history dating it back to at least the 12th century. With its mix of Byzantine and Ottoman architecture, and hundreds of little shops, it remains one of the biggest and the most colorful centers of its kind in Europe.
Here, age-old traditions are kept alive by goldsmiths, shoemakers, coppersmiths and other skilled craftspeople.
At the far end of the Old Town is the covered market (Bit Pazar), which originates in the Turkish period. Here everything from vegetables to textiles to bric-a-brac are bought and sold. Numerous tea rooms, pastry shops and exchange offices line the adjacent alleys.
Among the Old Town’s finest attractions are several Islamic buildings from the 15th century. The Daut Pasha Hamam, one of the largest Turkish baths in the Balkans dating from 1466, today hosts the National Art Gallery’s special collection. The Chifte Hamam, which once operated as a bath with separate rooms for women and men, also today serves as a gallery for contemporary art. The unique Kursumli Han is a former caravansaray, or inn, used by traders during the Turkish period. Finally, the ornate Mustafa Pasha Mosque, with its high minaret and impressive marble interior, stands as Skopje’s most important monument to the Turkish Islamic tradition.

Prosek

Prosek (Macedonian alphabet: Просек), also known as Stenae, is an archaeological site located in the Demir Kapija Canyon, in Republic of Macedonia. This ancient settlement had an excellent strategical and war position. It was discovered in 1948. Some things that have been found here include four towers that remain standing today, many ceramic objects, jewellery, coins, and a few acropoli and neocropoli.

Kokino

Kokino (Macedonian: Кокино) is an important archaeological site and a megalithic observatory discovered in 2001 by archeologist Jovica Stankovski in the northeastern Republic of Macedonia, approximately 30 km from the town of Kumanovo, near the village of Staro Nagoričane Latitude: 42.260000N Longitude: 21.850000E. It is situated 1030 m above sea level on the Tativec Kamen Summit and covers an area of a 100-meter radius. The site is more than 3800 years old.[1] The oldest archaeological finds date from the Early Bronze Age. Finds from the Middle Bronze Age are the most numerous (mainly ceramic vessels, stone-mills and a few molds). An agglomeration from the Iron Age has also been discovered. The archaeo-astronomical research was carried out by the Bulgarian astro-physicians A. Stoev and M. Mulgova and continued in 2002 by G. Cenev from the Republic of Macedonia.
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 the method of stationary observation, marking positions of the Sun at the winter and summer solstice, as well as the equinox.

Heraclea Lyncestis

Heraclea Lyncestis also spelled Herakleia Lynkestis, (Greek: Ἡράκλεια Λυγκηστίς) was an ancient Greek[1][2] city in the north-western region of the ancient kingdom of Macedon. The time of the foundation of the town and its founder are argued, but most of the historians agree that it was founded by the ancient Greek[3] ruler Philip II of Macedon in the middle of the 4th century BC in Lynkestis, after its conquest, rather than by Philip V of Macedon in 2nd century BC. The town was named in honor of the mythological Greek hero Heracles. The epithet Lyncestis means "the Land of the Lynx" in Greek. During the Roman period it got the name Heraclea Lyncestis in Latin, from which the English name is derived.
Today its ruins fall within the borders of the Republic of Macedonia, 2 km south of the modern town of Bitola (formerly Monastir)[4] . It is in charge of the local institution "Museum and Gallery of Bitola".
It was an important strategical town during the Hellenistic period as it was at the edge of Macedon's border with Epirus to the west, and to the non-Greek world to the north, until the middle of the 2nd century BC, when the Romans conquered Macedon and destroyed its political power. The Romans divided Macedonia into 4 regions and Heraclea was in the fourth region. The main Roman road in the area, Via Egnatia went through Heraclea, and Heraclea was an important stop. The prosperity of the city was maintained mainly due to this road. Objects discovered from the time of Roman rule in Heraclea are: Votive monuments, a portico, thermae (baths), an amphitheatre and town walls. In the early Christian period, Heraclea was an important Episcopal seat. Some of its bishops are mentioned in synods in Serdica and other nearby towns. From this period are the ensembles of the Small and Great (Large, Big) basilica. The Grave (Funeral) basilica with a necropolis is located east of the theatre.

Bylazora

Bylazora or Vylazora was a Paionian city from the period of early classic antiquity. It is located in Ovče Pole, a valley in the Republic of Macedonia, on a locality called Gradište. It was a large city, with an area of about 19 hectares.
The geographic dominance over the surrounding valley has determined the communications significance of the city in ancient times. It was situated between the states (or sometimes provinces) of Dardani, Thrace and Macedonia. Antic Bylazora was the biggest and most significant city of Paionia, mentioned in the records of Polybius and Titus Livius. They emphasize its strategic geographic position as a frontier of the northern border of Macedonia against the Dardanians.
According to experts, there are two significant dates related to the relations between ancient Macedonia and Bylazora: The first is 217 B.C. when king Philip V of Macedonia reconstructed its fortifications; The second is 168 B.C. when king Perseus of Macedonia, during the Third Macedonian War, arranged military support from the Gauls who were camping nearby, in defending the city against the Romans.[1]

Markovi Kuli

Markovi Kuli or Marko's Towers (Macedonian: Маркови Кули) are situated to the north-west of the Prilep, Macedonia just above the suburb Varoš. The locality of Marko's towers is located in one of the most picturesque medieval citadels in Macedonia. It is a 120-180 m high hill, surrounded by steep slopes covered with minute granite stones. One can reach the upper part of the former settlement from its north and south side.
During the four-decade archaeological research, remnants indicating the existence of an early antique settlement - Keramija, were found. In the Roman period, this small village settlement expanded into the southwest area, which is suggested by the several marble ornaments of an early Christian basilica.
The rampart on this terrain dates from the 13th and 14th centuries and is in good condition. The walls are about one meter thick and were built of weaker limestone mortar and rest upon the large limestone rocks.
Internal walls separated the acropolis into smaller areas. The palace of Volkašin and Marko was also situated here. Its north gate has a compound foundation, which speaks of numerous addings and reconstructions of the space. According to some historical findings, until the second part of the 14th century and even later, this fortress was defended by only 40 soldiers.
The settlement was situated south of the acropolis on a surface of some 3,6 hectares. On its north side, there is a double gate, as well as a large guardhouse between the entrances. On the south wall there are three well-preserved towers.
The lowest zone of the rampart consists of a row of short walls drawn in a broken line. In the west side, there are graves inserted into the rock. In the 14th century, this part served as a temporary refuge of the local population from the Turk invasion.
After the death of King Marko, in 1395, this settlement was taken by the Turk guards, and because of that, life in it completely perished. The inhabitants of the former settlement looked for refuge in the near regions. Consequently, at the foot of Marko's towers, a settlement with a rarefied structure developed. It was separated into several quarters and each had its own church. This new settlement from the 14th century took the name of Varoš, a name under which it still exists today.

Golem Grad

Golem Grad (Macedonian: Голем Град), meaning Big Town, also known as Snake Island, is the only island in the landlocked nation of the Republic of Macedonia. The island covers an area of 18 hectares.[1] It is located in Lake Prespa, a few kilometers from Greek and Albanian territory. Golem Grad is home to several ancient ruins and churches. It is also home to several different communities of animals, especially snakes.[2] In August 2008, the island opened to tourists.[

The Stone Bridge - Skopje

The Stone Bridge, dating back to the 15th century, is the most prominent landmark of Skopje; the bridge connects the old and the new parts of the city.
Although the guardhouse on the highest point of the bridge was damaged on several occasions, modern restoration is underway to bring the bridge closer to its original condition.

Skopje Fortress "Kale"

On a high cliff overlooking the River Vardar, Skopje’s fortress (dubbed ‘Kale’ from the Turkish) has kept a watchful eye on things for centuries.
As the highest point in Skopje, Kale has always been prized by local inhabitants. Long before the Turks created the extensive castle walls that survive today, settlements had existed here. The earliest traces of life date back to the Neolithic period and early Bronze Age, or some 4,000 years before Christ.
The present fortress was originally built by the Byzantines in the 6th century C.E., with stone walls some 121 meters (400 feet) long. According to archaeologists, the stone blocks used in this construction were taken from the destroyed city of Skupi nearby.
Due to its strategic location, the fortress was built, destroyed and rebuilt many times by different conquerors. After the 1963 earthquake, Kale’s circular, rectangular and square towers were conserved and restored.
Kale today is one of Skopje’s best sightseeing spots, offering a fantastic view of the city and proximity to the sites of the city’s Ottoman old town. It also hosts outdoor theatrical performances in summer.

Skopje Fortress

Skopje Fortress (Macedonian: Скопско Кале, transliterated Skopsko Kale), commonly referred to as Kale Fortress, or simply Kale (from the Turkish word for 'fortress'), is a historic fortress located in Skopje, Republic of Macedonia situated on the highest point in the city overlooking the Vardar River.The first fortress, according to research and available data, is believed to have been built amidst the 6th century A.D., on land that had been inhabited during the Neolithic and Bronze ages or roughly 4000 B.C. It was constructed with yellow limestone and travertine and along with fragments of Latin inscriptions, assert the idea that the fortress originated from the Roman city of Skupi, which was completely destroyed by an earthquake in 518.
The fortress is thought to have been reconstructed during the rule of emperor Justinian I and constructed further during the 10th and 11th centuries over the remains of emperor Justinian's Byzantine fortress which may have been destroyed due to a number of wars and battles in the region, such as that of the uprising of the Bulgarian Empire against the Byzantine Empire under the rule of Peter Delyan. Not much is known about the Medieval fortress apart from a few documents which outline minor characteristics in the fortress' appearance.
In 1660, Evliya Çelebi, a chronicler of the Ottoman Empire, wrote an in-depth account on the appearance of the fortress while traveling through countries occupied by the Ottoman Empire:
“
It is a fortified city, a very strong and sturdy fortress with double walls. The city gate and the walls are built from chipped stone that shines as if it were polished. One can not see so much refinement and art in the construction of any other city. The city lies in the middle of Skopje. It is a tall city, of a shedadovska construction and five-sided shape. The walls, that surround the city from all sides, reach the height of around fifty arshini. The city is protected by seventy bastions and three demir gates on its southeast side, and there are many guards in the entrance hall. The door and walls of the entrance hall are decorated with different arms and tools needed for the arms.
There is no site or location that can dominate the city. It lies on tall rocks, so that one can see the whole plain.
The river Vardar flows on its western side. On the same side of the city, there is a road that leads through the caves towards the water tower located at the riverbank. Since there is an abyss at this side of the city, as scary as the depths of hell, there are no trenches, nor there can be one. On the east, southeast and north side of the city, there are deep trenches. On that side, in front of the gate, there is a wooden bridge that lies over the trench. The guards used to lift the bridge using a windlass, which provided for defense of the gate. Above the gate, there is an inscription, giving more information about the reparations of the gate that took place in the past. The inscription reads: The wise son of Mehmed-han in the year 1446.
”
The fortress was partially destroyed yet again by an earthquake in 1963 but was not reconstructed until recently

Tauresium

Tauresium is a fortified settlement from the Early Byzantine period[citation needed]. The ancient town was the birthplace of Emperor Justinian I. It is located near Skopje, Macedonia and it was later renamed "Justiniana Prima" in his honor.

Bargala

Bargala was a fortified town constructed between the 4th and 6th century A.D., a period spanning Late Antiquity and Early Byzantium. It is located 20 km northeast of the modern city of Štip, Republic of Macedonia on the lower slopes of the Plachkovica mountain. Archaeological excavations have uncovered a basilica, trade quarters, a water tank, a bath, and a fortification system with an impressive main gate and infrastructure.

ASTIBO

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.
There are different theories about the exact location of this settlement: I.Venedikov locates it under the Ezovo mount, in the proximity of the village of Cardaklija; F. Papazoglu locates it in the city of Stip itself; Blaga Aleksova mentions the locality Kale in the village of Krupiste, and V. Sanev offers the theory that Astibo stood at the location of present district Star Konak in Stip, on the eastern foot of mount Isar. This theory is supported by Z. Beldedovski who discovered a series of archeological findings at this location: water supply installations, mining dugouts, a necropolis, marble workshop, also extending its location to Tuzlija and Gorno district.
At present, the collections at the Archeology museum of Republic of Macedonia, Institute and museum in Stip, as well as in the National museum in Belgrade, contain many items of rich findings of marble sculpture, discovered at the locality of Star Konak: a head of young Epheb, torso of naked Aphrodite, man’s portrait head, statue of Nike, statue of Aphrodite, and a large number of statue fragments portraying horses and horsemen, compositions of lions etc.
There is no information about the time when life ceased in this city.

Antique Theater – Ohrid

The builders of Ohrid’s ancient theater calculated carefully when they put the building in the very center of the elevated old town. The open theater has a perfect location, as the two hills (Gorni Saraj and Deboj) keep it protected from winds that could interfere with acoustics during performances.

Discovered by accident and later completely excavated, this four-thousand square meter monument to Antique Greco-Roman culture is today used during the Ohrid Summer Festival for performances of ancient tragedies and comedies. It offers a wonderful view of the lake and Mt. Galicica to the southeast

TETOVO

Tetovo has become a center of private businesses and trade. Countless small shops have been opened where one can buy almost everything, "from a needle to a locomotive". The well known ski resort of Popova Šapka lies above Tetovo in the Šar Mountains. It is linked to the city by an asphalt road and a cable railway (out of order-vandalized in 2001 by Albanian terrorists).
Some of the mosques in the city are old and date back to the 17th century, but there are some even older. Among them is the most beautiful mosque in Macedonia, the Painted Mosque (Šarena Dzamija) built in 1459 by the Ottoman Turks. In the vicinity of the town there is the Arabati Baba Tekje dervish monastery. There are the churches of Saint Nikola and to one dedicated to the Holy Mother of God.
The Monastery of Lešok with the churches of St. Atanasius and of the Holy Virgin, from the 14th century, is situated near Tetovo. In honor of the educator Kiril Pejčinović, who is buried in its yard, this monastery hosts an International Meeting of Literary Translators. This church was bombed by the Albanian guerillas in the terrorist actions in august, 2001 during the military conflict between the Macedonian Army and the Albanian terrorists (this days is in reconstruction). Tetovo is also host to the Festival of Macedonian Choirs.

VINIČKO KALE

In the middle of this locality are kept ruins of a little middle ages church, before dug out by wild gold miners. Around the church was discovered a big number of samples of architectonic plastic, and in columns, bases, capitels... There was discovered one rich woman's tomb from XII century, in which were 9 glass 4 bronze, golded jewelry, 11 bronze rings and one subject from bone.
"Jošua and Caleb - terra-cotta icon, 5th - 6th century"
The researches that were made proves the temporary falls of this living area. Of course big part in all of that had the main road that leaded to Stobi - Viničko Kale - Serdika - Pautaliya. On this road by the archeologists were located a couple of towns. And by that can be mentioned that the ancient towns of Aemonia and Kalenidin can be located on Viničko Kale.