Where
in the world can you find - all within the boundaries of one country
- lakes and mountains , vast plains and virgin forests, monasteries
and mosques, relicts of ancient time and colourful living folklore traditions?
The answer is - in Macedonia. No, this is not a commercial. This is
... REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA - small land , but great opportunities.
A
view of the Ohrid lake and the Sv. Kaneo Monastery
Bordering with
four countries, Macedonia is a Balkan land. From very ancient times
this land at the crossroads of Europe and Asia lay in the path of countless
roving tribes and armies of conquest heading East or West alongs its
river valleys and across the its plains.
Getting here and
travelling about the country presents no problem. International airports
are located in Skopje (the capital of Macedonia) and in Ohrid. The rail
services run also direct to Macedonia from many European cities.
Roads have been greatly improved in recent years. There are plenty
of petrol stations and maintenance and repair garages in all towns and
along main roads.
Having arrived ,
you can be sure of a warm welcome. There is, off course, plenty to do
as well as see.
SOME HISTORICAL
FACTS .
Alexander
the Great
of Macedonia |
The name Macedonia
is world-wide associated first with the name of the emperor who succeded
in making the first world empire - Alexander the Great of Macedonia.
Streching on three continents : Europe, Africa and Asia, ancient Macedonia
is the second largest empire in the history of the world. From the 8th
century B.C. to the fall of the Roman Empire is the period of Ancient
Macedonia, of which the Macedonians are particularly proud. The Romans,
indefatigable builders, left aboundant evidence of their culture, which
by the 2nd century A.D.covered this territory. Remains of the cities
of the time can be seen in Heraclea Lyncestis near Bitola, Stobi in
the Vardar valley and Scupi near Skopje.
The Slavs began
to inhabit Macedonia at the end of the 6th century and converted to
Christianity. The Mission of the Brothers Saints Cyril and Methodius
(founders of Slavonic literacy and promoters of Christianity among the
Slavonic people) began in the 9th century from Macedonia. The first
Slavonic University was open in Ohrid, founded by the Slavonic Apostles
St Clement and St Naum. In this period was also the beginning of the
Macedonian Orthodox Church. The first Macedonian Slav state was the
Kingdom of Samuel (976-1018). In Macedonia (as well as Serbia and Montenegro
) Byzantine architectural influence was dominant (the dome churches
are world-famous for the splended frescoes covering their entire interior
; some rank among the finest Europian paintings of the period ). Closest
to the "pure" Byzantine style of Constantinople are the earlier churches
in Macedonia, such as Sveta Sofija in Ohrid and Sveti Pantelejmon near
Skopje.
At the end of the
14th century Macedonia fell under Turkish Ottoman rule, which lasted
for five centuries. Ottoman rulers left their mark, among other things
with their mosques, bazaars, caravansarays, baths, clocktowers... The
19th century is a period of growth of national awareness among the Macedonian
people. From 1943 Macedonia was one of the constituent republics of
Federative Democratic Yugoslavia. In April 1945 was formed the first
Macedonian government. After the collapse of the Yugoslav federation
in 1991, through the plebiscite, the Republic of Macedonia was declared
an independent and sovereign state .
NATIONAL CURRENCY
The national currency of Macedonia is the DENAR. (for
exchage rates click here).
TOURISM
OHRID LAKE
is beyond doubt one of the loveliest and most popular tourist areas
in Macedonia. Apart from its delightful climate, which makes it a favourite
health resort as well as bathing place, the lake is renowned for the
ancient town of Ohrid, featured on UNESCO's world heritage list for
the beauty of its architecture and many medieval treasures. Outstanding
among its many churches are St Clement's with its magnificent frescoes
and icon collection and the 11th century church of Holy Wisdom (Sveta
Sofija) , where concerts are held during the Ohrid summer music festival.
Samuel's Fortress on the hill above the town Ohrid recalls the time
when Ohrid was the capital of the Macedonian state under Emperor Samuel.
|
PRESPA LAKE is another place for bathing, boating and
fishing The RIVERS are popular for fishing, bathing (some of them) and
canoeing. Macedonia has also outstanding conditions for skiing.
POPOVA SHAPKA on Mt Shara is 21 km from the town of Tetovo,
with which is linked by cablecar. For the ski-fans another interesting
places are:
MAVROVO (near Gostivar) , KRUSHEVO and
PELISTER . There is a well-connected ski-lift system and
long season ( from November till the end of April ). Macedonia has also
mineral, thermal and radio-active SPRINGS and SPAS
with special medical facilities. SKOPJE , the capital
of Macedonia , is a ancient town with an eventful history. Besides the
churches , museums and galleries in the city, some outstanding works
of art can be seen in the surroundings. GALICHNIK- where
on the 14th of July is the traditional Galichnik Wedding.
A multi-national
country has a multi-national cuisine: in other words, something for
all tastes. A particular delicacy is the Ohrid trout, stuffed with peppers
and onions. There are also many international restaurants. And don't
worry about the bill- eating out is considerabely cheaper here than
in most European countries. We produce both red and white wine and off
course, beer ( by the way some people-particulary young, are coming
back in Macedonia just for this macedonian beer ).
A
view of the Sv. Kaneo Monastery from the Ohrid lake
You can find more
information about Macedonia on these pages:
Macedonia
versus Greece, the Real Struggle Behind the Name Dispute
http://www.macedon.org
http://www.macedonia.org
http://faq.macedonia.org
Sasha
Simitrova