The former home of the Byzantines, Macedonia is a land that offers insights into earlier times while moving forward into the modern world with a youthful exuberance. Come here to experience not only Mother Nature’s wonders such as the deepest lake in the Balkans, but also to see ancient sites and modern man-made structures – such as the largest cross in the world, which will leave you gasping in awe. Macedonia is a traveller’s delight.
10. Bay of the Bones Museum
flickr/Marjan Tanevski
Set on the shores of Lake Ohrid – one of the oldest known lakes on earth, at a site known as The Bay of Bones is a unique Macedonian tourist attraction. This museum is built on stilts 1.5 m above the lake’s surface and is a reconstruction of a Bronze-Age settlement from over 3000 years ago which was discovered underneath the lake’s waters on this shoreline. The area’s official name is Plocha Michov Grad Prehistoric Palafitte settlement, but thankfully it became popularly known as the Bay of Bones – because of the large number of animal bones that were brought to the surface during the under-water excavations which began in 1997.
Along with the bones were thousands of artifacts, some complete, which date from the late Bronze-Age and early Iron-Age – so about 1300 to 700 BC. The dwellings which form the ‘living’ museum are made much as they would have been constructed at this time, from wattle and daub (mud and straw mixed together) with timbers, reed roofs and also using animal skins. For as close an experience to living in the bronze-age as anyone can nowadays expect, this interesting museum makes for a great day out.
9. Plaoshnik
flickr/Alex Spasov
This historical site in Ohrid is where the Macedonian Orthodox Christian Faith was first founded in the 9th century AD by Saint Clement the first Bishop of Macedonia who died in 916 AD and is actually buried inside the tomb he himself built here. In the country’s turbulent past, the original church has been destroyed, replaced with an Islamic Mosque, which in turn was destroyed, rebuilt, then allowed to fall into disrepair during the country’s 20th century communist rule, and finally – some ten years after Macedonia gained its independence -rebuilt with the aid of state funding. Local builders were extremely careful to use the same type of stones to rebuild as the original foundations and the restoration is superb. Also in this area are mosaics discovered during the restoration which date back to the 4th century AD. Beautiful architecture and history are combined here.
8. Millennium Cross, Mount Vodno – Skopje
flickr/Joao Seixas
Whatever your religious beliefs, no trip to Macedonia would be complete without a trip to see the millennium Cross. This cross, the largest in the world at 66 m tall (that’s a 20- storey skyscraper height to you and me) is set on top of Mount Vodno, overlooking the Macedonian city of Skopje and offers incredible almost 360˚ scenic vistas of the surrounding countryside and Skopje. If you feel energetic then get on your hiking boots and take the hard way up – several strenuous hours later, you’ll arrive – alternatively, do what most sensible folk do – take advantage of the cheap local travel system and take a bus to the base of the mountain, then an 8 minute cable car (built by Austrians so you know its reliable!) to the base of the cross, for a view unlike any other!
7. Heraclea
flickr/kpmst7
Named in honor of the Greek hero Heracles this attraction (actually called Heraclea Lyncestis) is one of the finest preserved examples of architecture from the Ancient Macedon Empire (4th century BC to 2nd century BC) and is well worth a visit. This city was founded by the Macedonian king Phillip the 2nd and here you will find Roman baths, an open air theatre (still used today for performances), a Jewish temple, an Episcopal Church and baptistery, all beautifully intact. The Roman theatre, which stands on a hill was uncovered in the 1960’s, was built during the 20 year reign of Emperor Hadrian (117-138 AD). There is also a small museum at the site as well should you want to learn more facts about this wonderful site.
6. Sveti (Saint) Naum Monastery
flickr/bill williams
Yet another historical attraction close to the city of Ohrid is this Eastern Orthodox monastery, named after Saint Naum who established the monastery himself in 905 AD, and whose remains are interred in the church. This monastery sits on the shores of beautiful Lake Ohrid and for a while (1912-1925) was on land belonging to Albania (it is only 0.6 kilometres from the border) until it was ceded back to the former Yugoslavia as an act of goodwill during negotiations between the two countries. The monastery sits on a high rocky outcrop overlooking the lake and forest, and is a wonderful example of Byzantine architecture. Enjoy the tranquility as you walk here, surround by lush greenery near where the River Crn Drim spills into the lake.
5. Memorial House of Mother Teresa
flickr/AchimF
One of Macedonia and Skopje’s newest landmarks, this memorial house to Mother Teresa (whose hometown was Skopje) is built on the site of what was once ‘The Sacred Heart of Jesus’ Roman Catholic Church, which was where Mother Teresa was baptized. In its first three weeks of opening in 2009, the building received 12,000 visitors. It is a very modern looking building, but inside are many interesting pictures and religious relics which belonged to Mother Teresa as well as details regarding her family. Outside is a statue – also dedicated to the woman who made such a difference to the lives of so many.
4. Warrior on a Horse
flickr/Jeroen Mul
This very modern addition to Skopje city centre stands a whopping 22 m high and is even now causing controversy. Greece, Macedonia’s neighbour is very unhappy about the erection of this statue as they believe the ‘warrior’ being represented by this statue is none other than Alexander the Great – who the Greeks revere as a national hero and believe, originated from Greece – not Macedonia!
The Macedonian’s are keeping ‘mum’ about who it is supposed to represent – though secretly it is believed the Greek’s gripe is correct! Certainly it is something to behold, having cost a great deal of Euros – and with unemployment running at close to 35% in Skopje, not all of the locals are impressed. However, as part of a much larger on-going refurbishment of Skopje city centre (which was largely leveled during an earthquake in 1963) this statue is certainly eye-catching and worth a look.
3. Lake Matka and Matka Canyons
flickr/Jaime Pérez
Lake Matka is actually a man-made ‘lake’ formed from a deep canyon for the purposes of generating hydro-electric power for the city of Skopje – but don’t let that put you off from visiting here. In the summer in Macedonia when temperatures in the city centre can reach a sweltering 40˚Celsius, the cool walks and hiking area around Lake Matka and the Matka Canyons is where many locals go to find nature, peace, tranquility and to escape the heat of the ‘concrete jungle’.
There are 10 ‘cool’ caves here to explore as well – ranging from 20 metres long to 176 metres long, as well as two vertical ‘pits’ each about 35 metres deep. The area is renowned for its hiking trails, as well as for an Olympic-standard white-water kayaking course down the Treska River. The area also has many historic churches and monasteries which you can visit – including Matka, St Andrew’s and St Nicholas monasteries. For a great day out, this area can’t be beat.
2. Church of St Jovan (John), Kaneo
flickr/MatHelium
The church of St Jovan in Kaneo (also on the shores of Lake Ohrid) is yet another wonderful example of Byzantine architecture from this region – however in this particular case it is also combined with Armenian architecture – resulting in a stunning cruciform shape. This church (or monastery as it is often referred) was built in the 13th century and a few of the original frescoes from this period have survived. The outside is constructed from brick and stone with ceramic decorations, and the frescoes inside are of the Virgin Mary and several of The Apostles, as well as a picture of Jesus Christ surrounded by eight flying Angels in the main church dome. There is also a life-sized fresco of St Jovan the Theologian – the saint to whom the church is dedicated. Considered one of the most beautiful churches in all of Macedonia, the church sits on a rocky outcrop and can only be reached on foot.
1. Lake Ohrid
flickr/Emilijan Sekulovski
It is hardly surprising that Lake Ohrid should top the list of Macedonia’s tourist attractions given the preceding places of interest that are either on its shores or within a short distance, but the Lake does have a claim to fame all of its own. This lake is one of the oldest lakes in the world and has over 200 endemic species within its waters. It plays host to a unique aquatic eco-system and its importance has been recognized enough for the lake to be considered an UNESCO world-heritage site – gaining this status in 1979.
The lake is 358 km² in area and is the deepest lake in The Balkans being 288 metres deep at its deepest point. The lake is on the Macedonian-Albanian border and is shared equally between these two countries.The water in the lake is exceptionally clear and visibility up to 22 metres down has been recorded.
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