Our Home Country
Newly named North Macedonia, once part of the former Yugoslavia, has some of the most beautiful scenery on the Balkan Peninsula. It has an intriguing culture, with beautiful architecture and nature. This is our home country, and we love it so much, so we wanted to share our top reasons to come and visit.
5 Facts about North Macedonia
- Old astronomic observatories
According to NASA, Kokino is the fourth oldest astronomic observatory in the world; with the oldest three beingAbu Simbel, Egypt; Stonehenge, Great Britain; and Angkor Wat, Cambodia. It is a 4,000-year-old Megalithic Observatory (megalith – big rock) used in the Bronze Age for studying the sun and moon.
- Old lakes
Ohrid Lake is the oldest and one of the deepest lakes in Europe (max depth 288m or 940ft). It is estimated 4 million years old and has 200 endemic species that haven’t been found at any other place in the world. It was declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1979.
- Mother Theresa was Macedonian
Mother Teresa of Calcutta was born in Skopje. You can see the museum house dedicated to her in the center of the capital city of Skopje. Today, she is considered to be one of the most famous Macedonians. She was Beatified in 2003 by Pope John Paul II and Canonized in 2016 by Pope Francis. She also won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979.
- Most mountain peaks in the world
Another interesting feature is that it has a higher number of mountains and mountain peaks than any other country in the world. There are 34 mountain peaks, each with a height of more than 2,000 meters above sea level; with Golem Korab being the highest at 2,764 meters (9,068 feet) above sea level.
- Middle Earth in North Macedonia
The cave Peshna in Makedonski Brod was described by the New York Times as looking “exactly like Helm’s Deep from Lord of the Rings”.
Rich History and Culture
The country has a long history, rich with customs and traditions. Archeological evidence shows that civilizations existed as early as 7000 years BC. If you like history, you’ll love the many archaeological sites, Byzantine churches and monasteries. Also, on the amateur historian’s checklist has to be the country’s extraordinary Ottoman heritage.
After 15 years spend abroad, Maja is now based in Skopje, underrated European capital, which lies at the heart of the Balkans. Dating back to the Byzantine rulers of the 6th century, Kale Fortress should certainly be on your sightseeing list. A walk up the fortress’s ancient walls guarantees beautiful views over the entire city. Meanwhile, the Old Bazaar (or Carsija) has been the city’s centre of trade and commerce since the 12thcentury. Here you can visit the area’s mosques, tombs, bathhouses and churches. Or simply walk around the shops, looking for souvenirs, folk costumes and traditional jewellery. In addition, look out for Skopje’s Stone Bridge. This stunningly photogenic bridge spans the Vardar River.
A massive earthquake destroyed most of the city’s historic monuments in 1963 (in fact, about 80% of the city was destroyed). About 40 years later, the government repopulated the city with statues. The result is a largely weird and unique collection of statues. There are almost 300! You might not spot them all, but you can have fun trying.
Another landmark is the Millennium Cross at top of Vodno Mountain. Just 15 minutes outside of the city, it dominates Skopje’s skyline. Active travellers can follow well-marked trails over the slopes. The two-hour hike goes past homes and monasteries to the top of the mountain. Alternatively, a scenic cable car trip will get you to the top, for Insta-worthy shots of the Millennium Cross (at 66 metres high, it is one of the largest Christian crosses in the world) and panoramic views of Skopje.
Skopje is very affordable. If you ever needed an excuse to visit Skopje, it is officially the cheapest city in Europe. You can explore the unique attractions, including the Old Bazaar, Fortress and Stone Bridge without breaking the bank.
Skopje is also a wonderful stepping off point to the region’s mountains, villages and lakes, including the oldest lake in Europe, Ohrid Lake. Ohrid Lake is only 120 km from Skopje, and visitors can take a sightseeing boat cruise on the lake to soak up the incredible natural scenery or enjoy paddling and diving excursions. Scientists believe it was established 1.4 million years ago.
Another reason to visit North Macedonia is food and wine
Traditional Macedonian dishes are a mixture of Mediterranean, Baltic and Middle Eastern cuisine. Think grilled meat, fresh fruit and vegetables, stuffed peppers, moussaka and pot-baked beans. And Skopje has a wonderful selection of kafanas (traditional Macedonian restaurants) to sample it. Beyond Skopje’s fabulous food, you’ll be seduced by its rich wine scene. Did you know locals have been growing grapes in this part of the world since the 13th century BC?
This country has so much history, delicious cuisine and out-of-the-ordinary sightseeing attractions. If it’s not on your radar, it really should be.
Have you already visited North Macedonia? What are your favorite sightseeing attractions? Let us know in the comments below.
