The official name of Macedonia. The capital of Macedonia is Skopje. Natural beauties of Macedonia
Over the past 20-30 years, the world has changed a lot, people have become more literate and are more actively fighting for their interests, rights and freedoms. And in this regard, borders are increasingly being adjusted various states or completely new countries appear, such as the Republic of Macedonia.
A little about the countryThe state has become known to the world since September 1991, when the former republic of Yugoslavia declared its independence and became the parliamentary Republic of Macedonia. total area new country– 25,713 km², this is approximately 36% of the area of historical Macedonia. And the capital modern country is the city. Official language Macedonian is considered the language of the Republic; it is spoken by more than 70% of the total population, but thanks to trade and tourism, English is also actively spreading in Macedonia.
Over the past decade, Macedonia has invested great effort in development tourism business, it is believed that this country is very comfortable and attractive for tourists. And it will become truly unforgettable, because here beautiful nature, a lot and enough offers for active rest.
Where is Macedonia?
The state of Macedonia is located in the northern part of the Balkan Peninsula, has a common southern border with Greece, northern with Yugoslavia, the western border is common with, and the eastern - with Bulgaria. The only Balkan country without access to the sea is the Republic of Macedonia, although it has a very favorable location: in the depths of the country there are accessible mineral resources, even precious metals have been discovered, but their extraction has so far been postponed due to the small reserves of the deposit. In Macedonia, winemaking, textile and tobacco industries have been actively developing for more than a century.
What's in a name?
The word “Macedonia” has very ancient roots, and the territory of the state has repeatedly changed its borders. In this regard, at the insistence of the Greek government, the UN and official international documents consider the correct name to be the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, but it is often called simply: the Republic of Macedonia or Macedonia.
It should be taken into account that historical region Macedonia, the region in Greece Aegean Macedonia or part of Bulgaria, Pirin Macedonia are completely different territories.
Climate and weather in Macedonia
The northern part of the Balkan Peninsula has a temperate continental mountain climate, but the southern part of the country boasts warmer climates. climatic conditions: Affected by the proximity of the Mediterranean.
In summer, as a rule, it is hot and dry, average daily temperatures fluctuate around +22 degrees, closer to the northern border it is always cooler - up to +15 degrees. In Macedonia, the winter weather is very comfortable. At night the thermometer drops to an average of -7, but during the day it becomes much warmer - +5 degrees. As a rule, precipitation in winter ranges from 500 mm on average across the country and up to 1700-2000 mm in the mountains; here snow can lie from November to March.
The tourist season is considered to be the period from May to September, when there is practically no precipitation and air temperatures are guaranteed to stay above zero degrees.
Population of Macedonia and religion
Today, the country is home to more than 2.1 million citizens of different nationalities, mostly Slavic. Most of the country's population are Macedonians, according to the census they are about 64%, Albanians live about 26%. The remaining 10% includes Serbs, Turks, Roma and other nationalities.
Slavic roots also make themselves felt in religious matters: about 67-68% of Macedonians consider themselves Orthodox Christians; we can say that this is the state religion of the Republic of Macedonia. A little less than 30% of the inhabitants are Muslims, mostly Albanians who live in this country.
History of Macedonia
Territory small state Macedonia first appeared in the distant 5th century BC, and in different time was part of or belonged to various empires and states: the Roman and Byzantine empires, the Serbian kingdom, Ottoman Empire, Ancient Macedonia and Paionia.
In the 14th century, all the lands of modern Eastern Europe were enslaved by the Ottoman Empire. In the 19th century, Bulgarians began to fight for their national rights. During the Balkan Wars, the borders of many states constantly changed, merged into one and were divided again, until finally the territory of ancient Macedonia was divided between Greece, Bulgaria and Serbia, the latter in 1929 becoming part of the newly formed Kingdom of Yugoslavia. In 1991, the Republic of Macedonia acquired sovereignty and independence.
Natural beauties of Macedonia
The nature of Macedonia includes high and smooth lakes and plains. For a long time this country has been called “the country of mountains and lakes.” The territory of the Republic is crossed by two mountain systems: on the western side of the Pindus Mountains, and from the east to the center of the Rhodope Mountains. Height local mountains on average 2500 meters. Macedonia is an area of seismic activity, with significant strong earthquakes sometimes occurring. The most famous happened in 1963, as a result of which the capital of Macedonia, Skopje, was badly damaged.
Two mountain ranges separated large rivers Strumica and Vardar, they cross the whole of Macedonia and are considered the largest and deepest. And here legendary lakes are located mainly in the southwest of the Republic, the largest of them are lakes and. The local landscapes are charming and incomparable. Near the lakes are open National parks to preserve the flora and fauna of the country. The vegetation is represented by true forests, consisting of deciduous and coniferous species, but in the western part of Macedonia the mountain slopes are more often covered with dense shrubs than trees.
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Sights of Macedonia
The historically rich territory of ancient Macedonia could not help but leave sights of different eras and directions. The most famous and dearest place in memory is considered to be in the city, which since 1980, together with the city and the lake, has been one of the objects World Heritage UNESCO.
About the capital Skopje, we can say that it is the largest and most diverse attraction in the country. It preserves unique architectural monuments from antiquity to the Middle Ages. Particularly popular among historians and tourists are the modest 18th-century Orthodox Church of the Holy Savior, leading directly to it, and two Muslim mosques created in 1492: the Sultan Murat Mosque and a mosque near one of the oldest - and many others memorable places and buildings.
Partially preserved near the capital antique city Skupi, and near the city there is another ancient heritage - the city of Heraclea Lyncestis, it is believed that its founder in the 4th century BC. was Philip II of Macedon himself. Archaeological excavations and scientists work periodically around both sites.
As if by order, the city has preserved many architectural masterpieces: the gates of Gorna Porta, the ruins of a Christian basilica with ancient mosaics and others. Lake Ohrid is a real treasure of Macedonia; it is located at an altitude of about 700 meters above sea level and is considered one of the cleanest lakes on the planet. Ohrid is a wonderful resort in Macedonia: many beautiful health resorts and hotels have been built here, offering a full range of services for a good holiday.
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Recreation and entertainment in Macedonia
In addition to visiting unique ancient monuments and walking through museums and parks, Macedonia has developed many tourist routes for walking and mountain tourism, lovers of active recreation will be offered rafting, and the most fearless ones will be able to walk along the cave paths of speleologists.
Local lakes are especially attractive for avid fishermen, and the mountain slopes are always ready to receive a tourist landing of skiers and snowboarders. , for example, Krushevo and Popova Shapka, in addition to basic services, often offer horse riding or a sightseeing bike ride in the surrounding area. Another famous snow resort in Macedonia, Mavrovo, is famous not only for the largest one located on its territory, but also for its hotels, which are built in the traditional style of the country. The authorities of the Republic actively support the development of such recreational areas; moreover, not all people who love snow are ready to ski.
In the capital and major cities Nightclubs are open from late evening until morning. And in addition to the usual New Year and Christmas, among the unusual ones popular with tourists, May 24 (Day of Saints Cyril and Methodius) and October 11 (Partisan Day) are especially loved.
Where to eat in Macedonia?
There is a modern mix of the culinary masterpieces of all neighbors on the Balkan Peninsula, but most of all the influence of Turkish motifs is felt. A distinctive feature of the classic menu is a large number of fruits and vegetables, which are added to almost every dish, as well as feta cheese. When it comes to meat, Macedonians prefer lamb and beef; their neighbors from Greece have also instilled a love of seafood.
A local delicacy is Ohrid trout; it is enjoyed baked, fried, and salted. Perhaps one of the most delicious dishes is trout baked in a pot with prunes in a sauce of beaten eggs, garlic and various herbs - “pastrma”. All the abundance of local cuisine can be tasted in the excellent Kaj Kanevche restaurant in Ohrid.
We recommend tasting all the traditions of delicious Mediterranean cuisine in the capital’s Vodenica Mulino restaurant. This cubby, where you will always be offered fresh meat, fish, classic Macedonian dishes and snacks.
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Macedonia Hotels
They are becoming increasingly popular every year, so we recommend taking care of pressing housing issues in advance. Throughout the country there are various star ratings, from simple hostels where you can rent a bed to executive apartments.
For example, popular with family tourists Hotel Villa Mesokastro 4* has only 14 cozy comfortable rooms with balconies and views of Lake Orchid, guests are provided with bicycle and boat rental services, and the Internet. Always high quality service and an excellent restaurant. And in the capital Skopje, not far from the center, it is famous Hotel Hotel Monaco Skopje 3*, designed for 11 rooms. There is a good bar for guests, breakfast is served in the room, discreet service, and car rental is available.
For independent travelers Macedonia has a well-developed camping service. The most popular temporary camp is the Autocamp Gradište camping site in the Ohrid Lake area. You can live in your own tent or rent a small tourist house. In addition, modern campsites provide services telephone communication, Internet and even saunas.
ShoppingMacedonia is one of the most profitable EU countries for shopping; there are quite a lot of low prices relatively neighboring countries(often 40-50% lower). IN big cities There are many different souvenir shops and craft shops, so you are unlikely to be faced with the question. Perhaps the most popular purchase among foreigners is considered to be “opantsi” - national leather shoes with a toe turned up.
Macedonians handcraft amazing wooden paintings: although this is an expensive purchase, it is very durable and practical. Freshwater Ohrid pearls and products made from them are a rare gift, but, alas, you will never be able to accurately determine that they are not fake. As a rule, shops in the Republic of Macedonia are open to customers from 8:00 in the morning until 8 in the evening, on Saturdays usually until 15:00. Sunday is widely considered a day off.
On the territory of little Macedonia there are two international ones - in the capital Skopje and tourist center Ohrid, all flights are served by two airlines. In view of small area There are no domestic flights in the country, but bus service is well developed.
Bus transport is relatively inexpensive and connects all major cities. If you are used to planning your vacation and all your movements in advance, we recommend that you also take care of bus tickets. This is very popular look transport like local population, and so do most visitors.
Urban transport major cities – shuttle buses, but the vehicle fleet is quite outdated compared to intercity routes. In addition, taxi services are well developed in the cities, and several large companies provide cars for rent.
Do you need a visa to Macedonia?
Until March 15, 2016, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan are lightweight. Those. for the purpose of visiting relatives or traveling as a tourist, registration is not required, provided that the visit does not exceed 90 days in a six-month period. In this case, you do not need to provide invitations, hotel reservation certificates and other mandatory documents, only a passport and medical insurance. For residents of Ukraine, the visa-free regime is valid until 2018.
If you are going for a total period of more than 90 days, you must apply for a visa at the Macedonian Embassy. A valid Schengen visa also allows you to enter the country without issuing a separate Macedonian visa, but in this case, a single stay should not exceed 15 days, and the total period of visiting the country should not exceed 90 days over six months.
How to get to Macedonia?
It is more convenient to get to Macedonia from most countries in Europe, Russia, Ukraine and the CIS countries by plane by direct flight or with a transfer in Belgrade and then to the airport in Skopje or Ohrid. There are no direct flights from Moscow, but besides Belgrade there are connecting flights via Rome, Vienna, Dubai, previously via Istanbul.
A train trip can only be planned if you are not limited in time. This pleasure is not cheap, and every year part international destinations is gradually being cancelled. Today there are two main routes: Moscow – Budapest – Belgrade – Skopje or Kyiv – Sofia – Nis – Skopje. There are direct routes from Greece and Serbia to Macedonia; train schedules must be checked with the operator.
I started reporting on the capital of Macedonia at least 4 times. All this time, the words did not fall on paper and did not line up into sentences. To write the report, I lacked the thoughts that I intended to express. What can I even tell you about the city in which I spent half a day? My opinion about Skopje was formed under the impression of noise: from chaotic traffic, from dusty bazaars, broken sidewalks, construction sites and the only McDonald's in the city. The dream of the Japanese architect, who created Skopje practically from scratch in the 1970s, died out somewhere at the beginning of the journey, and the modern generation of Macedonians decided to finish off Japanese minimalism with a new vision of their own history, creating a disgusting mixture of kitsch and propaganda of ancient Greek history on the urban scale of the capital.
Macedonia Square is the main square of Skopje. In the center of the square there is a huge monument to Alexander the Great.
I didn't like the capital of Macedonia. I remember the city as dusty, dirty, poor and unfriendly. On main square Skopje men played thimbles, and super-sized statues of Macedonian kings looked at me from all sides. Coincidentally, these same kings were the kings of Bulgaria, so, as a result, relations with their northern neighbor are tense, especially at the everyday level. With its southern neighbor, things are even gloomier: Greece forbade Macedonia to be called that way, since its northern part with its capital in Thessaloniki is also called. Macedonia had to be called F.Y.R.O.M., "Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" Humiliating, isn't it?
The domes of the Dayut Pasha hammam are very reminiscent of the outlines of a woman’s breast. This was probably how it was originally intended. To the left of the hammam is one of the oldest churches Skopje, Church of St. Demetrius.
Macedonia is an atypical Slavic country. Being closer to Istanbul than other ex-Yugoslav republics, Macedonia was more imbued with the Turkish flavor than others, being part of the Ottoman Empire. The main attractions of the capital of Macedonia also testify to the Muslim past of the city:Mustafa Pasha Mosque,
Hammam Dayut Pasha(pictured above) and the Turkish quarterCharshie(in other sources the nameCharshiesometimes translated literally asOld Bazaar). On the streets of the old city I met many women in headscarves leading children by the hand, and numerous minarets tower over the city, especially over the old part. It seemed to me that Skopje is a truly eastern capital. It's noisy and very dusty everywhere. The dust obscured all my memories so much that now it seems to me that I saw nothing more in Skopje except dust.
The streets of Skopje are very noisy. By the way, until 1918 Skopje was called Uskup ( Üsküp), in the Turkish manner.
We will start our walk around Skopje from the main square. Macedonia Square gave me my first mixed feelings. Firstly, Macedonia Square is striking in its size. Kharkiv residents can sleep peacefully: their area is still the largest in Europe. But in second place after Kharkov’s Freedom Square, I would place Macedonia Square. The statue of Alexander the Great, sitting on horseback, seems insignificant against the background of this square, although, believe me, the statue is far from small. Create large area allowed by the earthquake, which in 1963 destroyed several ancient buildings that stood on the site of the current square.
Giant Alexander.
For Macedonia, Alexander the Great is a national hero. Whether Alexander can be used as a tourist symbol of modern Macedonia is a controversial issue. First, Alexander the Great was not a Slav, and he did not speak modern Macedonian. Console "Macedonian"went to the commander because he was from the northern part Ancient Greece, Macedonia. The northern region of Greece, with its capital in Thessaloniki, is still called Macedonia. By the way, the Greeks also use Alexander the Great as a tourist magnet and there is a statue of the commander on the Thessaloniki embankment in the park of the same name.
The pedestal of the column is made in an equally massive style.
Macedonia Square is replete with statues of ancient kings, generals and saints, which should become a symbol of the state that first appeared on maps in 1991. Until 1944, the toponym Macedonia was not even applied to the territory of the current country: the region of the future Macedonia was called Southern Serbia or the province of Vardar after the name of the river flowing through Skopje. Many heroes from the past, such as Tsar Samuil, whose marble statue of three human sizes adorns Macedonia Square, are also heroes for Bulgarian history, hence the friction between the two neighboring countries.
Tsar Samuil is also the Bulgarian Tsar.
Mother Teresa is one of the symbols of the “new” Macedonia. The Museum of Catholic Albanian Origin is located at main street Skopje.
From the 15th to the 20th centuries, the territory of what is now Macedonia was part of the Ottoman Empire. The Turks left a deep mark on Skopje: the oldest surviving district of the city is calledCharshie, which means bazaar in Turkish. A network of twisting streets (why did the Turks so despise right angles?) wrapped around the hill on the left bank of the Vardar River.
Charshie area (Old Bazaar).
From Macedonia Square to the opposite bank of the river leadsKameni Bridge. Sultan Mehmed II "Conqueror"built this bridge in the middle of the 15th century. Constructed from large stone blocks, the bridge has withstood five hundred years of history and, unlike the rest of Skopje, was not even destroyed by the 1963 earthquake. During the reign of the Ottoman Turks, public executions were carried out on the bridge, among other things.
Kameni Bridge is one of the ancient buildings Skopje.
On Kameni Most I met thimble players who threatened me with force if I did not stop filming. I had to take it off my stomach.
One of the most famous attractions of Skopje is the fortress with the simple name “Calais» («
kale"in Turkish means fortress). "Calais" turned out to be closed. After walking a few hundred meters uphill in the heat, I literally kissed the closed castle. The sign on the gate read clearly: “The fortress is closed" I never found out whether the Macedonian researchers are telling the truth when they estimate the age of the fortress at 1500 years. The fortress was partially damaged by the 1963 earthquake and was soon restored to its original appearance. Since the early 2000s, archaeological excavations have been carried out on the territory of the fortress. Recently, the largest burial of Byzantine coins in Macedonia was discovered here.
Several large multi-lane highways cross Skopje in all directions. There is a pedestrian shopping bridge over the road. The bridge leads to the Skopje fortress.
In the garden in front of the Mustafa Pasha Mosque.
Decoration of the entrance portal of the mosque.
Near the fortress there is the Mustafa Pasha Mosque, significant for all European Muslims. It was built in 1492 - the same year Columbus "opened"America! 
Interior of the Mustafa Pasha Mosque.
Dome of the mosque.
Between the rows of shops selling everything from gold to fur coats and, especially, jeans, here and there you can turn into a cozy courtyard of a city estate. The minarets of ancient mosques rise above your head everywhere, and only the language on the signs reminds you that you are in a Slavic country.
Muslims (Turks and Albanians who practice Islam) make up 22% of Skopje's population. Albanians enjoy privileged rights in Macedonia, especially after the 2004 uprising. Above is one of the area's many shopping streets. Charshie.
On the streets of old Skopje they sell absolutely everything!
A little away from the tourist routes is the Skopje Museum of Contemporary Art. A rectangular building with panoramic windows in a functional style crowns the mountain, which offers views of the entire city and the valley of the Vardar River. A wide two-flight staircase leads to the platform in front of the building. The museum building was built according to the style of European architecture of the 1960s. Initially, it was planned to invite the famous European functionalist architect Le Corbusier to build the museum, but cooperation with him did not work out. The competition, to which 89 works were submitted, was won by a group of three Polish architects. The museum was built in a year and a half and opened its doors on November 13, 1970.
Arena of Philip II. View from the site in front of the Skopje Museum of Contemporary Art.
From the platform in front of the Museum of Modern Art you can see the whole of Skopje. From here you can see the city football stadium, now named after Philip II. For reference: Philip II was the father of Alexander the Great. Against the background of the Macedonian passion for extremely ancient names, the extremeness of some Ukrainian scientists who claim that all Europeans descended from Trypillians should not be surprising. The former City Stadium was renamed in honor of the father of the great commander in 2009, after the completion of the last reconstruction of the stadium.
The Turkish Quarter is the main attraction of the capital of Macedonia.
On a mountain in the distance outside the city rises the Millennium Cross - the largest cross on our planet. The construction of the cross was timed to coincide with the 2000th anniversary of Christianity, although its construction began only in 2002 and lasted 6 years. Unfortunately, I did not have enough time to climb Mount Krstovar, on which the Millennium Cross rises, and eat at the newly opened restaurant next to the cross.
The entire right bank part of Skopje was built after the 1963 earthquake, when 80% of the city's houses were destroyed in 20 seconds. On the horizon you can see Mount Krstovar and the world's largest cross.
I think you have already noticed that in Macedonia there is an extraordinary passion for pretentious names and gigantic sizes. How could it be otherwise in a country that is fighting for its national identity, where every national hero is already a hero of another people?
Tourist map of Skopje (left) and a sign with the old name of the street from Yugoslav times.
On the question of size: in Macedonia everything is the largest, starting with national flags. I have never seen a flag as big as the Macedonian one. Whether at bus stops in the mountains in the interior of the country, in main squares or in the ruins of Byzantine fortresses, I was greeted everywhere by flags of unprecedented size. It’s probably good that the Macedonians love their flag so much, it’s really beautiful.
Skopje is one of the least densely populated capitals in the world. Most The city's territory consists of parks.
Near the Church of the Holy Savior in the area Old Bazaar.
In one of the hidden courtyards in the Charshie district there is amazing church. Built in the 17th century, the Church of the Holy Savior is buried in the ground with half of its volume. Only a narrow row of windows extends above the ground, and a small dome crowns the entire building. This is quite unusual solution for construction Orthodox church was caused by a law that limited the height of churches. This was done in order to remove churches from the city panorama. This is probably why there are still no churches visible in the old district of Skopje - they were all buried in the ground at one time!
Church of the Holy Savior. Photography was prohibited inside.
The old district of Skopje is located on the left bank of the Vardar River. On the opposite bank of the river, practically not a single house older than 50 years has survived. On July 26, 1963, at five o'clock in the morning, Skopje was destroyed by an earthquake. The force of the tremors was 6.9 on the Richter scale. 80% of Skopje was destroyed, 200,000 people lost their homes. The city urgently needed to be restored from scratch.
An important transport artery of Skopje. There is a bazaar nearby.
A dilapidated building in the Charshie area.
The prominent Japanese architect and urban planner Kenzo Tange was involved in the restoration of the city. The UN instructed him to draw up a plan for the restoration of 60% of the damaged city; the reconstruction of the remaining 40% of the ruins fell to the share of Yugoslav architects.
Since there is no metro in Skopje, the role of underground passages where they would sell “ lard from asphalt"and top-up cards, play car interchanges. The photo above shows a small “ push" The dust in the image is due to a six-lane highway passing nearby.
As often happens in states with a centralized control system, very little of Kenzo Tange's plans was implemented. In particular, Skopje received a new railway station, built on pillars one level above the ground. Under train station Skopje's central bus station was built a few years ago.
Modern construction activity in the capital of Macedonia does not stand up to any criticism. A mongrel mixture of historicism and propaganda creates new scars on the face of the city, already distorted by socialism and increased seismic activity.
I have been convinced many times that it is impossible to draw conclusions about a country based on its capital. The luxury (or, as quite often happens, the filth) of the capital often gives a false impression of the entire country. This is the case in Albania, where the dirtiness of the capital Tirana is rivaled only by the port city of Durres. The rest of the country looks much more tidy and calm. The same can be said about Macedonia, the capital of which made, to put it mildly, an unpleasant impression on me. Macedonia suffers from gigantomania caused by a small nation complex.
The land of Macedonia is the birthplace of a proud people and the ancient Macedonian civilization, the birthplace of Orthodox writing and one of the purest countries in Europe. Tourism here is rather poorly developed, but nevertheless Macedonia is one of the most interesting Balkan states. In all cities of the country, many monuments of antiquity and the Middle Ages are carefully preserved, and the amazing nature makes Macedonia a center of active recreation - mountain and hiking, sport fishing and rafting.
The city of Skopje, which is the capital of the country, has been known since the period of the Roman Empire. Now it is divided into two parts: the New “beyond the river” city, inhabited by Macedonians, and the Old, in which mainly Muslim Albanians live. After a strong earthquake about half a century ago, the city was destroyed by almost seventy percent, and its architectural appearance has changed noticeably: brought back to life under the leadership of the architect Tange, it still has unrestored neighborhoods that are surrounded by ultra-modern houses towering over winding narrow streets of old districts. From the former capital, only the central part has survived, which is adjacent to the Kale fortress, built in the eleventh century. It is called Charshiya and is now a very interesting market area, which is rightfully considered one of the best oriental bazaars in Europe. Also popular are the traditional Turkish baths built in the second half of the fifteenth century, the Temple of Saint Spas, the stone bridge built in the fifteenth century, the Mustafa Pasha Mosque, the Clock Tower and various museums.
In the New Town, attractions include orthodox cathedral, located at the intersection of Arm and Paritzanski Odredi boulevards, Concert hall, City Museum, Parliament House, Historical Museum and Museum of Art, Historical Archive, Art gallery, a gypsy suburb and a cultural gallery. Not far from the capital you can see the ruins of the Roman settlement of Scupi, and on picturesque mountain The temple of St. Panteleimon, built in the twelfth century, rises above the water. It is decorated with frescoes of exceptional artistic value. The monasteries of Matka, Sveti Andrei, Marko and Sveti Nikita are also located here.
In the southern part of the country there is another large city - Bitola. Its main attraction is the ruins of ancient Heraclea Lyncestis, which was founded in the fourth century BC. Also of great interest are Dojran Lake, the surroundings of which are rightfully considered one of the most beautiful places Macedonia, thermal springs Debara, the magnificent canyon - Radika Gorge, as well as the waterfall of the same name, the largest on the Balkan Peninsula, the picturesque canyons of the Treska and Matka rivers, the incredibly beautiful Bistra cave area, the Ubava, Krštalnja and Vrelo caves and, in addition, many monasteries.
The real pearl of Macedonia is Lake Ohrid, the depth of which reaches 285 meters. This is one of the cleanest and most beautiful reservoirs in Europe, as well as one of the most ancient lakes in the whole world. The entire coastline is occupied by a variety of hotels and resorts that offer a wide range of entertainment. In terms of the composition of the ecosystem, the lake is quite close to the famous Baikal, so a reserve of the same name was created on the nearby mountain slopes.
Macedonia is a country with truly countless riches - historical, natural and cultural.
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| Macedonia |
Description
The Republic of Macedonia is located in southeastern Europe, in the southern part of the Balkan Peninsula. It borders Yugoslavia, Bulgaria, Greece and Albania. The total area is 25.7 thousand sq. km. Macedonia is sometimes called the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. 80% of the territory is occupied by medium-high mountains with flat tops and steep slopes. It is landlocked and borders Albania in the west, Serbia in the north, Bulgaria in the east and Greece in the south.
Geography
The geographical region of Macedonia is now located on the territory of three countries - its southern part is Aegean Macedonia, part of Greece; the eastern lands - Pirin Macedonia - are part of Bulgaria, and the Republic of Macedonia is located in the north and west, in the valley of the Vardar River. Macedonia is divided into two main mountain systems: the Pindus Mountains, which are a continuation of the Dinaric Mountains, on far west and the Rhodope Mountains in the center and east. Tops of many mountain ranges reach heights of 2100-2700 m. In the eastern part of the Rhodope Mountains there are many deciduous and coniferous forests. Such forests are also found in the west, although the western mountainous zone is more covered with bushes. Between the forests in the east and west there are depressions, basins and arid mountainous areas. Part of the arid region (Babun Mountains), located west of the middle reaches of the river. Vardar, separates the fertile plain of Bitola (Pelagonia) in the south from the plain of Skopje in the north and from the fertile areas of the southeast.
Time
It is 2 hours behind Moscow.
Climate
Mediterranean. Summers are hot and dry, winters are mild and rainy. average temperature January - 11-12 °C, July + 21-23 °C. Annual precipitation is 500–700 mm in the north. The tourist season here begins in May and lasts until September.
Language
The official language of the country is Macedonian.
Religion
Most believers are Orthodox Christians; Islam is also widespread (mainly among Albanians). About 67% of the country's inhabitants belong to the Macedonian Orthodox Church. In 1967, the church declared its independence from the Serbian Orthodox Church, but its autocephaly is not recognized by other Orthodox churches. Muslims make up 30% of the total number of believers, adherents of other faiths - 3%. Total in Macedonia 1200 Orthodox churches and monasteries and 425 mosques.
Population
Population 2 million 043 thousand people, 59.4% are city dwellers. Of these, 21.5% are under 15 years of age, 67.8% are between 15 and 64 years of age, and 10.7% are 65 years of age and older. The average age of the population is 32.8 years, the average life expectancy is 74.73 years. Population growth in 2004 was 0.39%. The birth rate is estimated at 13.14 per 1000, mortality at 7.83 per 1000. The emigration rate is 1.46 per 1000. Infant mortality is 11.74 per 1000 births. 64% of the population speaks Macedonian, a South Slavic group of languages. 25% of the population speaks Albanian, 4% Turkish, 2% Serbian.
Electricity
Mains voltage: 220 V
Current frequency: 50Hz
Emergency numbers
Police - 92
Fire protection - 93
Ambulance - 94
Roadside assistance - 987
Macedonian Car Enthusiasts Club (Skopje) - 116-011
Tourist Information Office (Skopje) - 116-854
Skopje Airport - 389-91, 148-300
Ohrid Airport - 389-96, 31-656
Russian representative offices in Macedonia:
Embassy: Skopje, st. Pirinska, 44,
tel. 117-160, fax 117-808.
Connection
Cellular communication is represented by the GSM-900 standard. The coverage in cities is quite dense, in mountainous areas There are large areas where cellular coverage is unavailable. Local SIM cards can be purchased at the offices of Makedonski Telekomunikacii (MobiMak, network code 294-01). To make calls from a street pay phone, including abroad, telephone cards are used (sold at post offices and kiosks). Calls from hotels are significantly more expensive, and call quality is usually lower than from a pay phone. International code Macedonia - 389. To call from Russia to Macedonia, dial 8 - 10 - 389 - area code. For international calls, the international outgoing code 99 is dialed before the number. Some city codes: Skopje - 23, Ohrid - 96, Bitola - 97, Kichevo - 95. For long-distance calls within the country, a zero is added before the city code.
Currency exchange
Currency: Denar of the Republic of Macedonia (written MKD).
Banknotes in denominations of 10, 50, 100, 500, 1000 and 5000 denars of two series are in circulation, as well as coins of 1, 2, 5 denars and 50 denars (due to denomination they are being withdrawn from circulation).
The working day of Macedonian banks usually lasts from 7.00 to 13.00 on weekdays, some large banks (Stopanska Banka) are open until 19.00 on weekdays and until 13.00 on Saturdays (Sundays are a day off). Exchange offices Usually open from 7.00 to 19.00. The only legal tender in the country is the denar. Currency can be exchanged at banks and numerous exchange offices.
Credit cards are not very common in the country; they can be used almost only in expensive hotels and shops in the capital, but you can withdraw cash from a bank without any problems. Preference is given to means of payment in euros and US dollars.
Visa
Citizens Russian Federation may enter the territory of the Republic of Macedonia without a visa if they have an original invitation certified by the relevant authorities in Macedonia, or an original tourist voucher, confirming the fact of payment for the hotel and other services for the entire period of stay in the country, or a valid Schengen visa category "C". In all other cases, a visa must be issued in advance at the consular section of the Macedonian Embassy in Moscow.
Practical experience shows that if you arrive at the border without a pre-issued visa, the issue of entry is decided individually by the border service officer on duty.
Visa-free entry into the territory of Macedonia is not possible if the tourist’s passport has a “cancelled” Schengen visa (there are stamps about entry and exit from the Schengen zone) or, instead of the original voucher or invitation, there is only a fax copy or a printout of the hotel reservation from the Internet.
Customs regulations
The import and export of foreign currency is not limited. Export and import national currency formally prohibited. The transit of explosives and toxic substances, drugs, gold bars, plates and coins, objects of historical and cultural value is prohibited. Duty-free import of cigarettes is allowed in quantities of up to 200 pcs. and alcoholic drinks - up to 1 liter. Duty-free import of food, perfumes, and clothing is allowed within the limits of personal needs. The import of household appliances into Macedonia as gifts is permitted with the payment of customs duties; for personal needs - no more than one item, which is included in the customs declaration and must be exported from the country.
Holidays and non-working days
March-April - Orthodox Easter
A folk song and dance festival is held in Orchid at the beginning of July, and at this time folk groups from many Balkan countries. The summer festival, which takes place in Orchid from mid-July to mid-August, is famous for its classical music concerts. Poets gather in Struga at the end of August for the International Poetry Festival.
Transport
Well developed in Macedonia bus transport, especially routes linking Skopje, Bitola and Ohrid. Always book bus tickets to and from Ohrid in advance.
Rail transport is not particularly developed here. There is a local train from Skopje to Bitola, which covers a distance of 230 km in four hours.
Tourists and travelers can be given advice - if you intend to visit Ohrid, then book bus tickets to and from Ohrid in advance. For those who want to move around the country on their own, car rental is always available. You can rent a car just like in offices international companies, located, for example, at the airports of Ohrid and Skopje, as well as in small private garages. In order to rent, you must have an international driver's license and paid insurance. Instead of insurance, you can pay a cash deposit, the amount of which will depend on the price group of the car. In addition, you will have to pay local rental taxes (up to 15%) and an insurance fee.
Tips
Tips in restaurants and taxis are generally 10% of the bill.
The shops
Most stores are open on weekdays from 8.00 to 20.00 and on Saturdays from 8.00 to 15.00. Shops in Macedonia offer a large selection of goods, both local and imported. Duty free shops are usually located at the airport. Wednesday to Friday from 8:00 to 20:00 or until 21:00 in summer. Saturday shops are open longer on tourist areas. In shops in Macedonia you can pay in Macedonian dinars, as well as most credit cards(Diners, American Express, Visa and MasterCard/EuroCard) and euro checks, which are accepted for payment in most hotels, shops and restaurants.
National cuisine
The national cuisine of Macedonia will surely appeal to true gourmets. In numerous Macedonian restaurants and cafes you can try Turkish-style fried minced meat.
In the Charshija area there is also a special women's cafe "Baghdad". All other cafes are predominantly men's territory.
Local cuisine is formed as a result of a mixture of culinary traditions of different peoples. Bulgarian, Serbian, Turkish and Greek traditions had a great influence.
The country has long been famous for its simple but very tasty dishes of vegetables, meat and spices. Meat dishes prepared mainly from lamb and pork, while, as in neighboring Serbia and Montenegro, a characteristic feature is the widespread use of specially fermented milk - “kajmak” (served as a cold appetizer). It is recommended to try fried minced meat in Turkish style, layer cake with meat or cheese "burek", beans in a frying pan "tavce gravce", minced meat sausages "cevapcici", various versions of "kebab", eggplants, potatoes and tomatoes with layers of meat - “moussaka”, tomato salad with paprika and beans “ajvar”, Ohrid trout “pastrmka”, Shopska salad “shopska salata”, traditional “tarator” and “muchkalitsa”, meat stewed with rice and vegetables “djuvech” or “guvech” , meatballs "koftinya", cabbage rolls "sarma", stuffed peppers "polneti piperki", meat stew "selsko meso", smoked meat, "kebapchinya", meat baked with vegetables and spices "turli tava", vegetable stew "zarzavat", chicken in mustard sauce or kajmak, the famous dried ham "prosciutto" and dozens of other original dishes.
There is always fresh leb bread, herbs and cheese on the table. For sweets they serve “baklava”, rice pudding “sutliyash”, jams “slatko”, “burek” or “zelnik”. Black coffee "Hollandse Koffie" or in Turkish - "Tursko Koffie", teas with herbs, honey and various mousses and juices are very popular. Local wines, although poorly known in international markets, but have excellent data and low cost. Among the strong drinks, “rakija” moonshine (grape, plum, pear, herbal, etc.) is popular, and comes in two types - “white” and “yellow”.
Attractions
This is a country where you can relax and touch the origins of Orthodox culture. It's safe and inexpensive, environmentally friendly and sunny. The capital of the country is Skopje, as the city has been known since the times of the Roman Empire, an early Byzantine fortress, Turkish mosques and other buildings of the XV-XX centuries. (destroyed by the 1963 earthquake; architectural monuments have been restored since the 1960s). A new city center is being built (designed by Japanese architect K. Tange). Near Skopje are the ruins of the ancient city of Skupi. A real gem of this region is Lake Ohrid, located at an altitude of 695 m (area 348 sq. km, depth up to 285 m), and apparently connected by underground karst cavities with the lake. Prespa. This is one of the most beautiful and cleanest lakes in Europe, a popular resort area. The city of Ohrid, located on the shore of the lake, is famous for its architectural monuments - the Basilica of St. Sophia from the 11th century and the Church of St. Clement from the 13th century, in which Byzantine frescoes have been preserved, are also interesting National Museum and the castle of King Samuel (XI century). One of the monasteries in the city is the place where the enlighteners Cyril and Methodius created the Slavic alphabet and first began teaching it to their students. In all major cities - Bitola (formerly Monastir), Prilep, Kumanovo, Skopje, many architectural monuments of the Middle Ages and antiquity have been preserved, and the carefully preserved natural environment allows us to consider the country one of the best European centers active species recreation - hiking and mountain tourism, rafting and sport fishing.
Bitola- the second largest city in the country, located in the very south, near the border with Greece. The main attraction of the city is the ruins of ancient Heraclea Lyncestis, founded by Philip II of Macedon in the 4th century. BC e. No less interesting is Lake Dojran in the east of the country, whose surroundings can be considered one of the most beautiful in the countries. mineral springs Debara, the picturesque canyons of the Matka and Treska rivers, the most beautiful canyon in Europe - the Radika gorge and the waterfall of the same name - the highest in the Balkans, the most beautiful cave area in the Bistra mountains, the caves of Vrelo ("spring"), Krštalnja and Ubava ("beautiful") in the canyon Treska, Lake Matka and the nearby monasteries of Matka (XIV century), St. Andrew (1389) and St. Nikola Shishovsky (XIV century), the monastery of St. Jovan Bigorski with its unique wooden iconostasis, the capital of winemaking Kavadarchi, Lake Prespa (274 sq. km.) with the island of Golem Grad, the picturesque area of Tsarev Dvor, the Church of St. George (1191) in the village of Kurbinovo, the capital of ceramics Oteshevo (located under the auspices of UNESCO), etc.
Resorts
Macedonia is surrounded on all sides by mountains, so all resort opportunities in Macedonia are directly related to the mountains.
In first place is Lake Ohrid, which has the properties of a mountain resort. It is located at an altitude of 695 m above sea level near the border with Albania. The lake is considered the cleanest in Europe and offers tourists a swimming season from May to September (the water warms up to +24 °C). The entire coast of the lake is built up with sanatoriums and hotels offering a full range of entertainment.
You can have a great time in Macedonia and ski resorts. Popova-Shapka is considered the most famous and most popular. The resort is located at an altitude of 1845 m above sea level near the town of Tetovo. The weakness of this resort so far is the lack of infrastructure. Although work on its creation is actively underway.
The energetic, progressive, changeable twentieth century contributed not only to the development of science and technology. He touched and political map peace, completely demolishing some states and settling others. After Soviet Union Yugoslavia also sank into oblivion, in the place of which Macedonia arose. You can learn more about where Macedonia is located from our article.
Where is Macedonia located?
One of the parts of the former Yugoslavia, and now the independent Republic of Macedonia, should be found in the center of the Balkan Peninsula, in the south-east of the European continent. This beautiful mountainous country does not have direct access to the sea and neighbors Serbia, Kosovo, Bulgaria and Greece. By the way, Macedonia has been arguing with the latter for two decades over the name, which the Greeks consider their property. The Macedonians categorically disagree with this. At the moment, the question of the ownership of the name remains open. Despite this, Macedonia maintains good relations with Greece, as well as with other neighbors on the mainland, conducting active trade activities with them. The country is famous for its mountain resorts, on the tracks of which European and world-level competitions are held.
How to get to Macedonia?
Anyone who wants to see all the beauties of Macedonia with their own eyes should be prepared for a fairly long journey with several transfers. Unfortunately, there is simply no way to get from the CIS countries to Macedonia without transfers.
You can get from Moscow to Macedonia by plane in this way:
