Skopje
The capital of the Republic of Macedonia. Pictures taken on Tuesday 4th May 2010.
Map of central Skopje – click image to enlarge.
Tony in the garden of City Hostel.
Tony at Saint Panteleimon Monastery. The present church was built on the foundations of an older church that dated back to 1164. It is located at Gorno Nerezi on the slope of Mount Vodno, about 4 km from Skopje.
Tony at St. Panteleimon Monastery.
Tony at St. Panteleimon Monastery.
The grounds of St. Panteleimon Monastery.
Nice views of Skopje from Mount Vodno.
Tony at a café in grounds of St. Panteleimon with good views down the mountain towards Skopje City.
A cow wondering through a village on Mount Vodno.
View of the huge 217 ft (66 m) high Millennium Cross on the peak of Mount Vodno. It was erected to celebrate the Millennium and 2000 years of Christianity. It is made of steel and is illuminated at night and can be seen 19 miles (30 km) away. Allegedly, it is the biggest cross in the world.
A village on the slopes of Mount Vodno.
The old railway station, now the City Museum of Skopje. The building was badly damaged by an earthquake in 1963. The large railway clock is stopped at 5:17 am since the morning of 26 July 1963, due to a massive earthquake in Skopje. The earthquake measured 6.1 on the Richter Scale and the grand Modernist station was one of the few buildings to survive. Its shattered facade is a perpetual reminder of the earthquake.
A portrait and bust of Marshal Josip Brod Tito (Secretary-General later President of Yugoslavia, from 1939 until his death, 4th May 1980) near the old railway station.
Tony in front of a strange fish statue. Taken near the Old Railway station-Skopje City Museum.
Tony and Hayo (from near Frankfort, Germany) outside the historical Hotel Bristol. It is located down a street across from the Old Railway station, near the statue of the unusual fish.
Tony outside the Hotel Bristol.
Tony next to a bull. It is located on Boulevard Makedonija, the main shopping street, which becomes pedestrianised as it leads towards Macedonia Square through a gauntlet of cafés and restaurants.
Tony beside a new statue of a sexy, young lady talking on a mobile phone (Boulevard Makedonija).
Man playing a flute on Boulevard Makedonija in downtown Skopje.
Statue of Mother Teresa, who was born in Skopje (24th August 1910, died 5th September 1997). She was a religious-humanitarian figure throughout the world. The statue is located in a small square off Boulevard Makedonija.
Tony and a view of the Old Stone bridge (Kameni Most) over the river Vardar. It was originally built in the 6th century AD under Byzantine rule. However, the bridge seen today is of Ottoman design from the early 15th Century. Construction started in 1444 under the reign of Sultan Nurad and was completed in 1456 during the reign of Nehmet II, the Conqueror!
The Stone Bridge is an arch bridge. It is 702 feet (214 metres) long and has a width of 20 ft (6 m). It is made of stone blocks supported by firm columns connected with 13 arcs.
The bridge is a main crossing point on the Vardar River, the bridge connects Macedonia Square with the Old Bazaar. It is the symbol of Skopje City and is the main element in their coat of arms.
Another view of the Stone Bridge.
Building under construction on the north bank of the Vardar River.
Macedonia Square (Plostad Makedonija). This is the largest and most significant square in Skopje, a central meeting place with cafes and shops, benches and flower pots lining its edges. To the left can be seen a 22-metre high statue of Alexander the Great riding his horse, Bucephalus. It is under construction and was begun in June 2009.
Tony by a guard tower on the Stone Bridge.
Tony and Hayo, behind them is Daud Pasha Baths. A 15th century bath house, which is now an art gallery. One of the most prominent monuments of the Islamic profane architecture.
Another view of Daud Pasha Baths.
A duel-carriageway that cuts along the edge of Skopje’s old town.
A street in Carsija (the old trading district or bazaar). The old town is situated on the north side of the Vardar River where the population is mostly Albanian Muslim. It is located in an area between the Stone Bridge and Stara Carsija (Old Bazaar) and between the Kale Fortress and the tree-lined river. Between the 16-17th century, this area reached its urban and economic zenith, becoming one of the largest and most significant oriental old bazaars in the Balkans.
Arabic script on a building in Carsija.
Another street in Carsija.
View of Mount Vodno from Skopje’s old town.
Outside the Kale, Skopje Fortress, on a hill overlooking the city and the Vardar River. It had settlements before the Ottomans arrived and built the massive walls in the 15th century of stone block taken from the ancient nearby city of Scupi. Originally built by the Byzantines in the 6th Century AD.
Tony on the steps leading to the Kale fortress.
Tony inside the Kale. Circular, rectangular and square towers were preserved and restored after the 1963 earthquake, as well as the outer walls. There are plans to restore more of the fortress.
Tony inside the Kale.
Tony inside the Kale.
Tony inside the Kale.
View of the Vardar river from the Kale.
Mustafa Pasha Mosque, built in 1492, currently undergoing restoration. It is the largest mosque in Skopje with beautiful Ottoman architecture with arabesque wall design and a strikingly tall minaret made from cut stone. Built by Mustafa Pasha, it is located in the vicinity of Kursumli An, a 16th century attractive Ottoman caravanserai, on a hill facing Kale Fortress in the old town.
Tony and Hayo outside Mustafa Pasha Mosque.
Dome of Mustafa Pasha Mosque.
Tony about to eat a pizza. Four Seasons Pizza Cafe, Skopje.
Four Seasons Pizza Cafe, Skopje.
Matka
Lake and town of Matka, Matka canyon, near Skopje. Wednesday, 5th May 2010.
Lake Matka. This man-made lake is surrounded by mountains, natural rock and trees, very peaceful.
View of Lake Matka.
View of Lake Matka.
View of Lake Matka with the vertical cliffs of Treska canyon behind.
The Treska canyon is vertically cut into the massive of Suva Mountain. The geological features of the park reflect in the hard carst ground in the area. The different carst formations in the canyon, such as the karrens, flutes, valleys, cracks, crevices and caves, have been formed by long term impact of the mountain rivers, as well as great temperature oscillations.
In the surroundings of the Treska Canyon one can find dozens of caves. The most beautiful ones are the caves Vrelo (The Spring), Krshtalna (The Baptistery), and Ubava (The Beautiful One). Some of the caves are illuminated, and visiting is organised by an official guide. The diversity of dripstone adornments has been captured by well deployed illumination. The caves are filled with numerous stalagmites, stalactites, and dripstone pillars.
Stone building, Lake Matka.
Lake Matka.
Tony at St. Andrew’s Monastery, built 1389. Located on Lake Matka, 17 km away from Skopje.
St. Andrew’s Monastery.
St. Andrew’s Monastery.
Tony, edge of Lake Matka.
Tony about to go to his next destination.
Tony at Matka Monastery (Monastery of the Holy Mother of God), dates from the 14th century. The monastery is located on the left side of river Treska, about 12 km from Skopje.
Matka Monastery.
Matka Monastery.
Ohrid
Tony visited Ohrid between 7th and 9th May 2010. Pictures taken on Saturday, 8th May. The lake and town of Ohrid are 69 Miles (111 km) west of Skopje in the south-west of Macedonia. The lake shares the border with Albania. Ohrid town was made a UNESCO heritage site in 1980.
Tony in a small square that contains a large oak tree which is said to be 1000 years old. There is also a nice fountain and a clock tower above the square. It is located at the beginning of the Old Bazaar, a single street, which ends at the main square that used to be the food market.
Tiny church of Saint Bogorodica viewed from a boat on Lake Ohrid. The larger 13th century church of Saint John the Theologian (Jovan Kaneo) is just visible on the cliff above.
Small tour boat on Lake Ohrid.
View of Ohrid town from a small boat on Lake Ohrid.
Boat about to go under a bridge near Biljana springs.
Tony at Biljana springs.
Tony at Biljana springs.
Tony near Biljana springs.
Tony back in small boat at Biljana springs.
Boat heading back into Lake Ohrid from Biljana springs.
View of Tony in a small boat on Lake Ohrid.
Tony in boat, heading back towards Ohrid town.
Tony back on dry land with the boat’s local skipper.
Statue of St. Clement. He helped to spread Christianity and writing in the Cyrillic alphabet throughout the region in the 9-10th centuries. He is one of the Seven Apostles of Bulgaria, Disciple of St. Cyril and St. Methodius. Born c. 840, died July 17, 916.
A narrow street in Ohrid’s old town. Traditional houses with the upper stories hanging over the street. Houses in interesting style, stone on wood no cement!
Tony by a large doorway. This is the lower gate of the ancient fortified city of Ohrid
View of Robevci and Uranija houses. Well-preserved traditional 18th Century houses built by rich families.
Narrow street in the old town.
Narrow street in the old town.
Tony in a park area in front of Saint Sofia Church.
The church of St. Sofia is one of the largest medieval churches on this territory. For a long time it was the cathedral church (“Great Church”) of the Ohrid Archiepiscopate. The present church was built in 1035 by archbishop Lav. The front facade with the towers and the open galleries was built in 1317 by archbishop Gregory. The side porch was added when the church was turned into a mosque by the Turks. Inside is the biggest composition of 11th century frescoes preserved in the world.
Tony outside St. Sofia Church.
Tony by a model of St. Sofia Church.
Tony by a column in a portico area at the side of St. Sofia Church.
Columns outside St. Sofia Church.
Tony outside Kukata na Kanevcevci – the House of the Kanevce family. This house of modest size stands near the marvellous 11th century Church of Saint Sophia. It is another example of traditional Ohrid architecture and also an example of how they built on small locations!
Anticki Teatar. An ancient Greek theatre of the Hellenistic period. It was built in 200 BC and is the only Greek style theatre in the Republic of Macedonia.
Tony sitting at the top of the theatre.
View down to the stage of the Anticki theatre.
Tony inside the Anticki theatre. Rows of stone seating behind him.
Upper gate of 10th century Byzantine King Samual’s fortified city, gate was connected to the theatre by a portico in ancient times, well preserved.
Tony at the entrance to the late 13th-century Saint Bogorodica Perivleptos church.
Tony outside St. Bogorodica Perivleptos church.
St. Bogorodica Perivleptos church.
View towards the ruins of King Samoil Fortress.
Tony on a road near the city wall’s Upper gate. Heading towards King Samoil Fortress.
View of Lake Ohrid. The lake is judged to be four million years old and contains unique life forms.
Entrance gate to King Samoil Fortress. The fortress can be reached up a path through woods from Plaosmik, an area that begins at St. Sofia Church.
Tony inside King Samoil Fortress.
King Samoil Fortress.
King Samoil Fortress.
View of Plaosnik Archeological site with Lake Ohrid in the distance.
Plaosnik Archaeological site.
Tony at Plaosnik Archeological site with St. Clement (St. Panteleimon) monastery church behind.
Tony outside St. Clement (St. Panteleimon) monastery church. The church was built in the 10th century, however, this is a reconstruction as the original was destroyed by the Ottomans.
Pleasant view of Lake Ohrid from near St. Clement (St. Panteleimon) church.
Statue of Saints Cyril and Metodi. Brothers who brought and created the gospel of Christianity in the Cyrillic language during the 9th century.
Ohrid links:
Around Lake Ohrid
Pictures taken on Sunday 9th May 2010.
Garden of Antonio’s Guesthouse.
Tony and Antonio in the garden of Antonio’s Guesthouse.
Tony at St. Naum monastery with a view of Lake Ohrid behind him. The village and monastery of St. Naum are located on the shore Lake Ohrid in western Macedonia, very close to the Albanian border.
View across Lake Ohrid towards Albania.
A statue of St Naum, whom the monastery is named after. He was a monk who introduced the people to Christianity in a more simple language.
A multi-coloured peacock in the monastery grounds.
Tony outside the Byzantine St. Naum monastery Church.
Tony tasting freshwater from a drinking fountain in front of the monastery.
Tony by old wooden doors in the St. Naum monastery grounds.
Tony by a cannon stand, St. Naum.
Tony on a bridge over the life-giving springs of the Crn Drin, which flows into Lake Ohrid.
Tony on another bridge overlooking the springs.
Tony holding a trout fresh from Lake Ohrid! The lake contains two kinds of trout, letnica and belvica – which can not be found anywhere else.
Tony with fishermen behind.
View towards Mount Galicica National Park.
Tony by a cold war era military bunker, protection against invasion by Albanian military!
Tony by a sign and information board for the Mount Galicica National Park.
View of reconstructed prehistoric houses on the shore of Lake Ohrid, known as the Bay of the Bones.
Tony by a sign for the Museum on Water, Bay of the Bones.
Tony outside a reconstructed prehistoric dwelling made of wood, mud and straw.
Tony with Ilija his taxi driver and guide for the day.
Pelister National Park
Pelister National Park is located near Bitola, south-west Macedonia. Baba mountain and its peak Pelister is the second highest in Macedonia and it was the sixth highest in the former Yugoslavia. Pelister is the most southern mountain of Alpine type, so the flora is mainly alpine and the trees growing there are fir trees of the endemic kind Molika (Pinus peuce). Pictures taken Tuesday 11th May 2010.
Tony and bear in Pelister National Park.
Tony and bear.
Information board about World War I troops who fought in the area.
Pine forest.
Tony with pleasant view of pine forest behind.
Tony on a forest track.
Pine forest with a valley in the distance.
Steep slope with boulders and loose rock.
Tony sitting in a stone shelter.
Tony and his guide Petar.
Tony with a huskey called Sofia.
Picnic table and food in a forest clearing.
Bitola
Bitola is Macedonia’s second city. It is a historic city, located in the south-west of the country surrounded by the Baba and Kajmakchalan mountains. Pictures taken on Wednesday 12th and Thursday 13th May 2010.
Tony by the Dragor River at Stara Charshija-Old Bazaar, Bitola city centre.
Ottoman clock tower, the symbol of Bitola. It is located in the centre of town, at the beginning of the main street (Sirok Sokak). The rectangular tower is 33 meters high. The clock at the top is still working.
City park located at the other end of the main street (Sirok Sokak) from the clock tower.
Tony outside Ishak Çelebi mosque. The mosque is still used by the local Muslim Albanian population in the city centre. It is located near the clock tower.
Tony in Magnolia Square.
Fountain near the clock tower.
Inside St. Dimitrija Church. The largest church in Bitola, built in the 1830s, it has three altars and a large icon gallery screen.
Tony outside St. Dimitrija Church.
Tony outside the Catholic Cathedral “Sacred Heart” on Sirok Sokak (Marshal Tito Street).
Tony outside the Catholic Cathedral.
Tony sitting outside a café with the Australian-Macedonian owner Sash.
The Bitola Museum and Visiting Institute is one of the main cultural attractions of Bitola. It includes an Archaeology Museum and the Mostafa Kemal Ataturk Memorial Hall. The building used to serve as a military school and barracks in Ottoman times. Mustafa Kemal Ataturk got his military training here. This picture shows Tony and Pece in the Archaeology Museum.
Tony and Pece with the head of a Greek god, Archaeology Museum.
Bitola Museum and Visiting Institute.
Tony and Pece in the Old City Room, Bitola Museum and Visiting Institute.
Bitola Museum and Visiting Institute.
Model of a Turkish soldier from WWI. Bitola Museum and Visiting Institute.
The balcony where Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, later first leader of modern Turkey, met a young local girl, who fell in love with the then dashing Ottoman military officer. This is a famous building in the centre of Bitola.
Tony at the remains of the ancient city of Heraclea. Built in the mid-4th Century BC by King Philip II. Contains ancient mosaics, Roman baths, theatre, Byzantine Episcopal Church and Baptistery, Jewish Temple and a portico, all in good condition.
Ancient city of Heraclea, Bitola.
Ancient city of Heraclea, Bitola.
Ancient city of Heraclea, Bitola.
Mosaic floor made from 27 different coloured small stones. It is called Universe! Considered one of the world’s most beautiful floor mosaics. Ancient city of Heraclea, Bitola.
Tony and tourists, ancient city of Heraclea, Bitola.
Ancient city of Heraclea, Bitola.
Ancient city of Heraclea, Bitola.
Ancient city of Heraclea, Bitola.
Ancient city of Heraclea, Bitola.
Roman Amphitheatre, 148 BC, made from marble from nearby Prilep. Part of the ancient city of Heraclea, Bitola.
Pece’s living room. Tony with Pece and his daughter Metea.
Dining room table at Pece’s family home. Around the table are Tony, Hakan from America with his girlfriend Elaine, Pece and his wife Reneta.
Prilep
Prilep is a small town surrounded by mountains in western Macedonia. Pictures taken 13th May 2010.
Tony at the clifftop monastery of St Archangel Michael, which incorporates a 12th century Byzantine Church. The monastery and fortress overlook an old village named Varos, now part of Prilep.
Tony with the monastery of St Archangel Michael behind him.
Tony near St Archangel Michael monastery, Varos village below.
Tony near St Archangel Michael monastery.
Tony with rocky outcrops behind him.
Tony on the road to St Archangel Michael monastery.
Tony at Markovi Kuli Fortress towers and ruins, from 10-14th Century AD.
Tony at Markovi Kuli Fortress.
Tony near Markovi Kuli Fortress, interestingly shaped rocky outcrops in the distance.
Tony sat by a statue of Itar Pejo, a figure in Macedonian folklore, known for his wit and wisdom. The statue is by a 200 year old drinking tap that Pejo is reputed to have visited.
Tony with clock tower built in 1858 behind him.
Remains of Carshi Mosque, built in 1475, the only one in Europe with two balconies on its minaret.
Monument Mogila. A monument to the soldiers from Prilep who died during World War II.
Tony by a memorial statue at Monument Mogila.
Tony on the back of a 750cc motorbike. Breza Hotel, Prilep.
Krusevo
Krusevo is located in south-central Macedonia, it’s a historic city and the highest in the country. Pictures taken on Friday 14th May 2010.
Tony and Petar on a grassy hillside near Krusevo city. It is known locally as Meckin Kamen (Bear’s Rock). Good views and fresh air.
Tony with a nice view of mountains behind him.
Tony in front of a monument to national hero Pitu Guli. A resistance fighter against the Ottoman Turks.
Tony with a view of Krusevo town behind him.
Tony by a drinking fountain in the forest.
Tony in the forest, Krusevo region.
Path through the forest.
Tony in the forest.
Tony and his guide Petar in the Krusevo hills.
Flowers, Krusevo hills.
A small chapel.
A drinking fountain at the chapel.
Outside the chapel.
Sheep on the hills, Krusevo.
Tony and sheep.
Chairlift above Krusevo town.
Tony at the top of the chairlift.
A ski slope in the hills above Krusevo.
Tony at the Makedonium-Ilinden Memorial, which remembers soldiers who died in the 1903 Ilinden Uprising against the Ottoman Turks, who then controlled the region.
The Makedonium-Ilinden Memorial.
The Makedonium-Ilinden Memorial.
Tony at the Makedonium-Ilinden Memorial.
A view of Krusevo town.
A sign post in Krusevo town.
A street in Krusevo.
The rooftops of Krusevo.
St. Dimitry church, Krusevo.
St. Dimitry church, Krusevo.
Dihovo village
Dihovo village, near Bitola. Pictures taken 10th-15th May 2010.
Villa Dihovo guesthouse where Tony stayed.
Villa Dihovo guesthouse.
Tony on a sun bed in the guesthouse garden.
Guesthouse garden.
Tony inside Villa Dihovo guesthouse.
Inside guesthouse.
Wooden table inside guesthouse.
Tony walking along a track near Dihovo village.
Tony near Dihovo village.
Tony by Dragus River, Dihovo village.
Dragus River.
Tony with a view of Mt. Baba in the distance. Snow on Pelister Peak.
Dragus river.
Dragus river.
Tony sitting by the Dragus river.
Small waterfall on the Dragus river.
Tony sitting by the Dragus river.
Tony sitting by the Dragus river.
Waterfall on the Dragus river.
Strumica
The Strumica region is in eastern Macedonia. Pictures taken on 19th May 2010.
Trail leading to Smolar Waterfall.
Tony in the forest near Smolar Waterfall.
Tony at Smolar Waterfall.
Tony and Stephen at Smolar Waterfall.
Tony and Sashka at Smolar Waterfall.
Tony in Strumica National Park near Kolosino Waterfall.
Wooden bridge near Kolosino Waterfall.
Tony at Kolosino Waterfall.
Tony outside Vodoca Monastery (St. Leontius). The monastery is close to Strumica City and is significant in Macedonian religious and military history.
Tony in the grounds of Vodoca Monastery.
Tony in the grounds of Vodoca Monastery.
View of Vodoca Monastery.
View of Vodoca Monastery.
Garden of Vodoca Monastery.
Garden of Vodoca Monastery.
Tony at Veljusa Monastery. The monastery incorporates a large Macedonian Orthodox Church and is surrounded by gardens. The church dates from 1080 AD. Veljusa is a countryside mountain village, with the sound of chickens and the smell of wood fires.
Veljusa Monastery.
Garden of Veljusa Monastery.