Remarkable Things About Macedonia

9/8/2016 25 remarkable things you didn't know about Macedonia
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25 remarkable things you did not know about

Macedonia
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Lake Ohrid, Macedonia's sole Unesco World Heritage site CREDIT: FOTOLIA/AP
By Hugh Morris
8 SEPTEMBER 2016 • 5:30PM
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/macedonia/articles/amazingfactsaboutmacedonia/ 1/32
t was 25 years ago today that Macedonia celebrated independence from the failed state of
Yugoslavia. To mark the occasion, here are 25 things you did not know about the Balkan
I country.
1. That’s the 'Republic of Macedonia' to you

The country has had some controversy around its name, with Greece also laying claim to
the title of Macedonia for one of its northern regions, much of which fell within the
ancient Greek kingdom of Macedon. The dispute is still a hot potato, which is why
Macedonia is officially known as the Republic of Macedonia and was entered into the EU
and Nato as the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia – or FYROM for short.
Lake Kozjak, set high in the mountains CREDIT: FOTOLIA/AP
2. It’s high
There are more than 50 lakes and 34 mountains higher than 2,000 metres. It has the fifth
highest average elevation of any country in Europe (741m), behind Andorra (highest),
Switzerland, Austria and Turkey.
3. And old
3. And old
Without being drawn on where Greece begins and Macedonia ends, the ancient kingdom
of Macedon dates back to 808BC and was ruled mostly by the founding dynasty of the
Argeads. Skopje, the capital, is said to be seven thousand years old.
Skopje, the Macedonian capital, is really old CREDIT: © JOHN KELLERMAN / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO/JOHN KELLERMAN / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO
4. So old in fact, that...

There are said to be parts of the cross on which Jesus was crucified in the foundations of
three monasteries in the country – St Bogodorica Prechista in Kichevo and St Jovan
Bigorski and St Georgij Pobedonosec in Debar. Across the country there are nearly 1,000
churches and monasteries, while the city of Ohrid was once notable for having 365
churches, one for each day of the year. It has been accordingly nicknamed the Jerusalem
of the Balkans.
5. But it has just one Unesco site

Ohrid is the country’s only Unesco World Heritage site. The city and its lake (Lake Ohrid)
are counted as both cultural and natural inclusions, one of only 28 sites around the world
to be marked as both.
Map created by The Telegraph
6. NASA is a fan
Kokino, to the north of the country, is one of the world’s oldest observatories, as
recognised by NASA and dating back to the 19th century BC. It is inscribed on a Unesco
“tentative” list of protection.
7. It has a saintly daughter...

Mother Teresa of Calcutta, recently made a saint by Pope Francis, was born in Skopje in
1910, though she was Albanian by ethnicity at the time of her birth. Today, there is both a
statue of her and museum dedicated to her life.
Mother Teresa, better associated with India but born in Macedonia CREDIT: AFP OR LICENSORS/DIBYANGSHU SARKAR
8. ...and a great son

Alexander the Great, the once-king of the Kingdom of Macedonia was the world’s first
conqueror, who extended an empire across Greece and Persia to India and Egypt. On an
awkward note, his legacy is also claimed by Greece, which is why…
the_roaming_renegades • 3 months ago Follow
9. This giant statue is slightly mysterious

The hugely controversial statue in Skopje's central square is officially named 'Warrior on a
Horse' though most observers believe it is meant to depict Alexander the Great. Whatever
it is called, it is monumental at 28 metres (92-foot) high, weighing 30 tons and costing an
estimated €9.4 million. And it is hard not to feel its size is disproportionate.
10. It has its own St Tropez

“Trpejca, a small sleepy town on the banks of Lake Ohrid, is known as the St Tropez of
Macedonia,” writes Telegraph Travel’s Adrian Bridge, who visited in July. “God knows
why, but it is very pretty.”
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heard of
11. And prides itself on its peacocks

At the southern tip of Lake Ohrid, the St Naum Monastery visited by Adrian on his trip,
which dates back to 910AD, also had the unexpected bonus of a pride of peacocks roaming
the grounds.
12. It has a country within

“The village of Vevčani high in the hills to the north of Lake Ohrid is famous for its springs,
its appeal to artists - and for the fact that briefly following the break-up of Yugoslavia it
declared itself the independent Republic of Vevčani,” writes Adrian. “The village -
population 2,500 - still likes to think of itself as a separate entity, with its own passports
and currency. And if you drink enough Vevčani wine, you can become an honorary
citizen.”
13. Macedonia Two Flags

That’s what the other European states call it in the playground. The country’s current flag
has been in use since 1995 and displays a golden yellow sun with eight rays extending to
the edges, but in 1992-1995 a smaller sun occupied only the centre of the fabric. It will be
of little surprise to learn that the flag change came about due to the usage of a symbol that
annoyed the Greeks, as they claimed it was “historically Greek”.
Macedonia's new flag CREDIT: FOTOLIA/AP
14. It kept the peace

Macedonia was one of the only countries during the break up of Yugoslavia to remain at
peace throughout.
15. No need for a visa

British passport holders do not need a visa to visit (for up to three months). The Foreign
Office says that most visits to the country are trouble-free.
Our guide to visa application processes around

the world
16. Its capital has been shaken up

Capital Skopje has been hit by at least two devastating earthquakes in its history, the most
recent of which was in 1963. The magnitude 6.1 quake destroyed 80 per cent of the city and
killed more than 1,070 people.
17. It boasts cave behemoths

Cave Peshna is said to have one of the biggest entries in the Balkan region and resemble
Helm's Deep from Lord of the Rings.
pecemilosevski • 7 months ago Follow
18. And a gigantic cross

Skopje is home to the world’s fifth biggest cross, in the 66-metre high Millennium Cross,
built to mark 2,000 years of Christianity in Macedonia. It sits atop Vodno Mountain in the
city and can be reached by cable car.
ilejankov • 2 weeks ago Follow
19. Poets love to hang out there

Struga is the site of the annual Struga Poetry Evenings where, since 1961, one of the
world’s largest gatherings of poets takes place each year. Its own award, the Golden
Wreath, has been bestowed upon the likes of W H Auden, Ted Hughes and Allen Ginsberg.
20. It has its own Elvis Presley

Toše Proeski, dubbed the “Elvis Presley of the Balkans”, was one of the regions most
successful pop stars. He was killed at the age of 26 in a car crash in Croatia, but his spirit
lives on in his home town of Kruševo, still visited today by his fans.
21. And a wedding party of sorts

This bizarre array of stones is said by legend to be a petrified wedding party – formed some
50,000 years ago. Found in Kuklici near the city of Kratovo, one can make out (at a push)
the bride, the groom, the best man and the maid of honour.
galjaa • 28 months ago Follow
22. The Ottomans left behind some pretty neat history
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/macedonia/articles/amazingfactsaboutmacedonia/ th 12/32
Thanks to its membership of the Ottoman Empire from the 14th century, there are a
number of remarkable mosques, including the multi-coloured Painted Mosque, built in
1495 and said to be one of the most resplendent specimens of Islamic architecture in the
world.
23. It has three national parks

Macedonia boasts three national parks, of which Mavrovo is the largest. It was founded in
1949 and takes in the artificial Lake Mavrovo, as well as the highest mountain peaks in the
country, allowing for skiing and snowboarding in the winter. “Mavrovo’s impressive
forests contain more than 100 rare species of trees, and its rugged hilltops are rich in wild
herbs and teas that can be easily collected by hand,” says the tourist board.
Macedonia vs Serbia, the ultimate grudge match CREDIT: GETTY
24. Football’s alright...

But handball is where it’s at for Macedonian sports fans (NB. not actually as popular as
football). In 2002 Skopje’s Kometal team won the EHF Women’s Champions League
European Cup. The national team is still yet to qualify for an Olympics, but apparently it's
real popular.
25. No one knows what flavour its national drink is

25. No one knows what flavour its national drink is

The Macedonian cuisine, owing to its geographical position, is inspired by Mediterranean,
Turkish, and to a lesser extent, Italain, German and Eastern European. Tavče gravče, a
multi-beaned stew, is seen as the national dish, while mastika, a liqueur seasoned with
mastic, otherwise known as “Arabic gum” is its national drink.
Mmmm Tavce Gravce, with added sausage CREDIT: FOTOLIA/AP
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9/8/2016 25 remarkable things you didn't know about Macedonia

Travel Destinations More 

 › Travel › Destin… › Europe › Maced… › Articles

25 remarkable things you did not know about

1. That’s the 'Republic of Macedonia' to you

Lake Kozjak, set high in the mountains CREDIT: FOTOLIA/AP

4. So old in fact, that...

5. But it has just one Unesco site

7. It has a saintly daughter...

8. ...and a great son

the_roaming_renegades • 3 months ago Follow

9. This giant statue is slightly mysterious

10. It has its own St Tropez

10 Ryanair destinations you've never

11. And prides itself on its peacocks

12. It has a country within

13. Macedonia Two Flags

Macedonia's new ﬂag CREDIT: FOTOLIA/AP

14. It kept the peace

15. No need for a visa

Our guide to visa application processes around

16. Its capital has been shaken up

17. It boasts cave behemoths

pecemilosevski • 7 months ago Follow

18. And a gigantic cross

ilejankov • 2 weeks ago Follow

19. Poets love to hang out there

20. It has its own Elvis Presley

21. And a wedding party of sorts

galjaa • 28 months ago Follow

22. The Ottomans left behind some pretty neat history

23. It has three national parks

Macedonia vs Serbia, the ultimate grudge match CREDIT: GETTY

24. Football’s alright...

25. No one knows what ﬂavour its national drink is

25. No one knows what ﬂavour its national drink is

Mmmm Tavce Gravce, with added sausage CREDIT: FOTOLIA/AP

Read more fanastic facts

25 amazing facts about Moldova

25 amazing facts about Latvia

25 amazing facts about Ukraine

25 amazing facts about Kyrgyzstan

Follow Telegraph Travel

READ MORE ABOUT:

4 Is this the world's greatest steam train?

5 Is this Europe's most underrated museum?

Calais disruption: here are the alternative ways of getting to France

How to ﬁnd the best trip to see Father Christmas in Lapland

16 of the best Christmas markets in Europe

20 amazing British campsites beside the sea

The 10 best beach holidays in Italy

Three of the best books about Germany

The 12 best books about Portugal

15 books to read if you want to understand the Irish

15 books to read if you want to understand the Irish

12 books to read if you want to understand the Dutch

The 31 best books about Italy

21 books to read if you want to understand the French

The 12 best books about Greece

The 20 best books about Spain

Britain's best beach cafes and restaurants

Britain's 10 best islands

Britain's 10 best islands

The 20 best hidden beaches in the UK