Macedonia is located in southeastern Europe and it impresses particularly because of its beautiful natural landscapes. In addition, the country has many cultural treasures. Tourism is by far not as developed as in many other parts of Europe.
Hospitality is written in capital letter
Macedonia is an Orthodox Christian-oriented country. Throughout the country the Christianity elements are visible. On a total area of 25,713 km˛ over 2000 churches and monasteries are found. Macedonians are known primarily for their hospitality and their kind and courteous attitude.
Skopje - the cultural center
Located at the foot of the mountains Vodno the capital, Skopje, can be reached by car. Above the town to a height of 1040 m is the Millennium Cross, which was built from an impressive steel structure. With the clock tower and the statue of Mother Teresa and 500,000 residents, the city offers even more interesting sightseeing spots. Skopje is the capital of Macedonian culture, education, science and economy. As a result of its tumultuous history, many nations live in Skopje for centuries, and the majority of the population makes Macedonians (86%) of Orthodox persuasion. The official language is Macedonian, while to foreigners it is recommended to use English in communication.
Lake Ohrid - one of the oldest lakes in the world
A true tourist magnet is the world famous Lake Ohrid, which is considered one of the oldest lakes in the world. Ohrid Lake, with his old aged between 4 and 10 million years, is the oldest lake in Europe and it is among the oldest in the world. According to depth, it is the seventh deepest lake in Europe.
Its shores are lined with many Byzantine monuments and more than 2,000 years old archaeological sites. The shores of Lake Ohrid hold many hotels and pensions for holiday seekers, and they also provide camping facilities. In the restaurants one can discover many culinary delights from varied fish dishes to the specialties of the traditional Macedonian cuisine.
Ohrid Balkan Jerusalem
Ohrid is an eternal town, a magical hill whose primordial pulsation links ancient and modern times forever because: Ohrid has been a living town for two thousand and four hundred years. It is the legitimate descendant of the shining Lychnidos, a town whose achievements were woven into the tapestry of a powerful ancient civilization: The town of Ohrid is indeed the cultural history of the Republic of Macedonia in miniature. As an Episcopal centre in ancient times, and likewise through the widely renowned Ohrid archibishopic, through the centuries the town has represented the entire ecclesiastical history of Macedonia. It bears the name "The Balkan Jerusalem". Through the activity of St. Clement of Ohrid, the first pan-Slavonic university on Europe was situated here. Ohrid was the most important official capital of the first Slav Macedonian State, of Samuel's empire. And Ohrid was the centre of Macedonia's nineteenth century revival. Today Ohrid is a cultural, spiritual and tourist centre. And finally, as the crowning glory of its values, Ohrid and Lake Ohrid have been named a world cultural and natural heritage listed city under the protection of UNESCO since 1980.
A paradise for water sports
With the Matka Canyon, which is ideal for rafting and kayaking, and the Prespa Lake, the country has to offer a lot for water sports. Worth visiting are the cities of Bitola, Kavadarci, Kumanovo, Prilep and Tetovo, with their hotels which in the meantime are in accordance with Central European standards.
Nature tourism meets world cultural heritage
Lovers of nature tourism can entirely be satisfied in Macedonia. In particular the excellent areas, assigned by UNESCO as world cultural heritage, around Lake Ohrid and Prespa, and the intervening Galicica Mountains offer something for nature lovers. Whether hiking, climbing, mountain biking, swimming, kite boarding - in an unspoiled natural landscape, there are many enjoyable activities.
National Park Galicica
Because of the extraordinary beauty of nature and characteristic flora and fauna of forests and woodlands of the mountain Galicica, a larger part of them with an area of 22 750 hectares in 1958 was declared a National Park.
Cultural Monuments
The park has many monuments of a great historical and artistic importance. This is one of the great reasons to visit the park. As part of the geographical space, cultural heritage is a picture of the time in which it was created. The monuments in the park, despite the numbers, which are characterized by diversity, are therefore divided into several groups: the archaeological sites, churches, monasteries, caves, churches and monuments.
One of the monuments in the park, which according to its meaning is one of the most important of its kind, not only in the park and the region but also beyond, belong to the strictly protected areas- the island of "Golem Grad".
The groups of churches, monasteries and churches in the cave area of the park, the following monuments have been registered: of the monuments with the Byzantine-style paintings of European importance is the church "Ss is Virgin Zaumska from 1361. The church celebrated the conservation interventions and it is in a good condition for visitors. In the village Velestovo, the church "Virgin Mary" is from the 15th century.
Cave churches put under protection are: the Church of the Virgin Mary in the village Peshtani from the fourteenth century, the church, "Mary" in Gradiste, and the Church of St. Stephen with conservated paintings from the 19th century.
An experience for bird watchers
The area is also an attraction for birdwatchers. Particularly recommended are the deserted coves of Lake Ohrid, where the fascinating kingfishers can be observed at close distance. Those more interested in birds of prey, should visit the eagle in Galicia Mountains. Also recommended is a trip to Lake Prespa, where one can study the habits of pelicans excellently.
Unique natural spectacle: the spring Drim
Not really known, but a natural phenomenon that does not exist in the world for a second time, the Drim spring that is directly next to the monastery of St. Naum, a 10th century building. Here the water of Prespa breaks in many under-and water-spring pots through the rock of the mountains Galicica to eventually flow into the Lake Ohrid. The springs’ area, which can be explored as part of guided tours, reveals itself as an intact natural environment, in which a large variety of fish, birds and dragonflies find their home.
Kruševo
Kruševo (also spelled Krushevo) is the highest town in Macedonia, situated at an altitude of over 4,000 feet (1250 m) above sea level. The town of Kruševo is the seat of Kruševo Municipality.
History
Mentioned in documents from the 15th century, Kruševo is a living museum, famous for its traditional architecture, cultural sites, and legacy as the site of the great 1903 Ilinden uprising against Ottoman domination. The rebellion failed, but its memory is cherished in Macedonia even today, as a symbol of the national struggle for freedom and democracy. While it lasted only 10 days, the Kruševo Republic of revolutionary leader Nikola Karev represented a desire for self-rule under a modern European political system. Today an enormous monument on the hill above Kruševo marks the elusive dream of the Ilinden revolutionaries.
Kruševo is known for its 19th century domestic architecture. The town has old and more recent houses built in the style of old Macedonian architecture. It is home to Me?kin Kamen, a historical landmark which marks the spot of the uprising of 1903. On August 2 every year, it is the site of the traditional Macedonian Independence Day celebrations, which are attended by the President of Macedonia and other Macedonian political leaders.
Kruševo also hosts the Makedonium monument to the Ilinden Uprising and a number of museums of the Ilinden Uprising. The towns galleries include an exhibit of 19th century icons and a memorial to Macedonian painting Nikola Martinovski who was born in this town. Because of its elevation, Kruševo is one of Macedonia’s winter sports destinations.
The "Ethno-Town Project"
There is a project called "Kruševo ethno-town", supported by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Macedonia, developed by few enthusiasts. According to that project, Kruševo shall look like a town from the beginning of the 20th century, while it was the center of the Ilinden Uprising in 1903, leading to the creation of the first Republic on the Balkans, The Krusevo Republic. People will be dressed like Ottoman Turks and Macedonian revolutionary freedom fighters. The project wants to make Kruševo a main tourist destination in five years.