Despite the fact that North Macedonia is one of the smallest countries in the Balkans, it is listed as one of the top destinations to visit due to its combination of mountains, forests, lakes and history. From the glory of Greek marbleto Alexander the Great, from the invasions and Rome’s settlements to the early and late Ottoman influence to the Yugoslav period—all these time periods are now part of the North Macedonian gift to the world. Because it is a small country with many beauties, North Macedonia can easily be fully visited. There you can find many attractions: world-class skiing resorts; mountains and lakes like Ohrid Lake, a natural reserve and a UNESCCO World Heritage Site; historic towns like Skopje (the capital) and Bitola; special architecture like the houses in Ohrid; archaeological sites such as Heraclea and Stobi, etc.
With all these, you might think that the tagline of North Macedonian tourism, “Macedonia Timeless,” is quite catchy, but believe me, you must try it yourself in tours in North Macedonia. Eternal memories will be with you!
Facts
Population: 2.07 million | Capital: Skopje | Language: North Macedonian language | Surface: 25,713 km²
Remains have been found in Skopje that prove that it has been inhabited since Neolithic times, but the settlements inside the fortress are from the 6thcentury B.C.Previous small habitations were turned into a Roman military camp in the 1st century A.D. Until the late 14th century,the Bulgar kingdoms and empires and Byzantium fought over it until it was finally invaded by the Ottoman Empire. It developed as an administrative centre until the beginning of the 20th century whenit was invaded by Serbia. Later, it was part of Yugoslavia as the capital of the Republic of North Macedonia.
Ohrid, the so-called Jerusalem of the Balkans, is in the Republic of North Macedonia located on Lake Ohrid’s eastern shores. It has had continuous inhabitation since its first settlements in the 4th century B.C. from the Illyrian tribes of Enchelai and Dassaretae, when it was known as Lychnidos. Since Christianity’s first centuries, the faith set roots so firmly that it once had 365 churches, one for each day of the year. The city and the area were colonized by the Slavs, but the city continued to prosper under many Empires. Due to its vast cultural inheritance and its state of preservation, Ohrid and the lake in 1978 were included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Today Ohrid is the jewel of North Macedonia and the pearl of Lake Ohrid.
Bitola is the largest economic centre in the Pelagonian Valley. The area has been inhabited since the Bronze Age. It has been part of the lands of the Lyncestis since ancient times. Heraklea Lynkestis was located close to the modern city.Founded in the mid-4th century B.C. by Philip II, its importance was due to being on the Roman Empire’s Via Egnatia. Because of its rich antiquity there are many objects from Greek and Roman cultures. During the Byzantine Empire, it was an important Episcopal centre but was raided by the Slavic tribes during their marches. During the Middle Ages, the Slavic tribes settled in the area and in the late 14th century Bitola became part of Ottoman Empire under the name Manastir and prospered until 1912 when it became part of North Macedonia.
Paeonia, an ancient town now called Stobi, is one of the many archaeological sites in North Macedonia that have inherited this small country’s rich history. Located in the middle of routes that lead from the Danube to the Aegean Sea, the town used to be an important oneon the road from the north Balkans to Thessaloniki and the Aegean. Archaeological excavations have discovered that used to be a settlement before the Roman Empire invaded the area. This small town was later developed and grew in importance due to its position in the middle of the trade routes.
