Places in Macedonia that should have World Heritage Site status
The World Heritage Committee of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) began inscribing locations as World Heritage Sites at its first annual session in 1978. In 1979, Ohrid was inscribed on the list. Things were off to a great start for Macedonia. Unfortunately, the Macedonian republic still has yet to see a second site join Ohrid on the list. While Ohrid is indeed probably the country’s most significant location, there are several other places in Macedonia that are deserving of World Heritage Site status, whether for cultural reasons, natural reasons, or mixed reasons.
Here are my humble nominations:
Medieval Monuments of Prilep (mixed)
Prilep was an important city during the Byzantine, Bulgarian, and Serbian empires. It became home to several churches and monasteries, and to fortifications atop the city’s rocky hills. Marko’s Towers (Markovi Kuli) have been on Macedonia’s tentative list of World Heritage Sites since 2004 for natural criteria. This site should be expanded to include the pre-Ottoman churches and monasteries in Prilep’s Varoš district, as well as Treskavec Monastery further out from the city-center.
The ruins of Marko’s Towers cap the steep, treeless mountains immediately overlooking Prilep. It is a combination of cultural and natural wonder. The site is completely open to trespass — no signs informing visitors of the history of the place. Most visitors can often expect to be completely alone to explore the man-made ruins and the natural rock formations, while enjoying the sweeping views of the Pelagonia valley below.
Just under Marko’s Towers is the formerly independent village of Varoš, which has been absorbed by Prilep. This district was once home to 77 churches. About one-tenth of these remain today, with Varoš Monastery standing atop them all, appearing as if it grew out of its rocky surroundings. These churches date from the 12th through 15th centuries, with many frescoes within them in well-preserved condition.
Treskavec Monastery became well-known for being one of the most inaccessible monasteries in the country atop the rocky Mount Zlatovrv. A paved road has been constructed in recent years, but the secluded feeling visitors get at this 12th-century Byzantine monastery remains. The oldest frescoes within the monastery church, dedicated to the Holy Mother of God, date from the 15th century.
Prilep remains underrated even by Macedonian standards. No doubt it is special to visit places like Marko’s Towers and not be subject to many other tourists. Being inscribed on the World Heritage Site list will change that. However, this status will force preservation of these precious locations and it will generate tourism revenue for the hard-working, tobacco farming communities of Prilep.
Mavrovo National Park and its Mijak Heritage (mixed)
Macedonia’s oldest national park contains some of its most important cultural and natural landmarks. Golem Korab is the highest peak of Macedonia and Albania, reaching a height over 9,000 feet above sea level. There are also beech forests, waterfalls, caves, and glacial lakes within Mavrovo.
Mavrovo National Park is not only a place of natural wonder, but also a place of important Macedonian cultural history. The Monastery of Saint John Bigorski was established in 1020 and is one of the most important spiritual locations of the Macedonian Orthodox Church. The main church is noted for its wooden iconostasis and its icon collection, which contains some pieces dating from the 11th century. The convent counterpart of the monastery is Rajčica Monastery, closer to Debar. Saint John Bigorski sits perched above a valley, near some Mijak villages. Mijaks are a subgroup of ethnic Macedonians known for their rich traditions in ecclesiastical architecture, woodworking, and iconography. The two best-known Mijak villages are Galičnik and Lazaropole. In addition to its architecture and mountainous location, the former is known for its historic annual wedding festival.
Extension of the Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe (natural)
The “Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe” was inscribed on the World Heritage Site list in 2007. It has been extended twice, now covering sites in 12 European countries. In 2019, Macedonia submitted on its tentative list a proposed extension of this site to include the beech forest of Dlaboka Reka above the village of Žužnje within Mavrovo National Park.
This is a no-brainer addition. However, as stated above, Mavrovo National Park in its entirety should be inscribed as a World Heritage Site anyway.
Church of Saint George, Kurbinovo (cultural)
The most recent addition to Macedonia’s tentative list, the Church of Saint George was added in 2020. Built above the village of Kurbinovo in 1191, it overlooks Lake Prespa from the east. This is the largest aisleless church in the country and is primarily noted for its well-preserved rare frescoes from the Macedonian Renaissance period of Byzantine art. The fresco depicting Saint Gabriel the Archangel is used on the Macedonian 50 denar banknote.
Prespa Lakes (mixed)
If this one were to be inscribed, then the Church of Saint George in Kurbinovo would be included along with it. In 2014, Greece submitted on its tentative list as a mixed site the portion of the Prespa region that it occupies. Naturally, the Prespa Lakes are important ornithologically, home to a large Dalmatian pelican breeding colony. Ezerani Bird Sanctuary exists at the northern shore of the Great Prespa Lake. Culturally, the region is home to Byzantine-era and post-Byzantine churches, such as Saint George described above and the Church of Saint Mary on the island of Mal Grad in Albania’s portion of Prespa. The island of Golem Grad on the Macedonian side is home to the Church of Saint Peter, built in 1360 under Serbian King Vukašin.
The Prespa Lakes site should cover the region in its entirety across Macedonia, Greece, and Albania.
Caves of Poreče (natural)
The historical region of Poreče consists of about 50 villages around the Treska River. Today, the region more or less falls within Makedonski Brod Municipality. In addition to the rural charm here, Poreče boasts several significant caves. Slatinski Izvor has been on Macedonia’s tentative list since 2004. This is the country’s largest cave, extending nearly 2.5 miles in length, most of which has yet to be explored. It also features a subterranean river.
Macedonia should have submitted other caves in this region along with Slatinski Izvor. Pešna has been described in The New York Times as something out of The Lord of the Rings. It supposedly has the largest cave opening in the Balkans. There are also archaeological findings in and around the cave.
The other significant caves of this area include Zmejovica, Puralo, Golubarnica, and Laparnica.
Matka Canyon, Skopje (mixed)
The rocks towering above the dammed Treska River on the outskirts of Skopje are peppered with medieval churches and monasteries. Some, like the Church of Saint Andrew, are easily accessible at the foot of the rocky canyon walls. Others, like Šiševo Monastery, require more of a hike.
The striking natural setting of the canyon is home to caves, including Vrelo Cave which is purportedly one of the deepest caves in Europe with an explored depth of 755 feet.
Veljusa Monastery (cultural)
This Byzantine monastery was built in 1080. Emperor Alexios I Komnenos expressed a strong admiration of it upon visiting several years after its construction. The exterior features three domes, including two atop the church and one atop the exonarthex. The church, dedicated to the Holy Mother of God, contains many frescoes in good condition from its original painting in 1085. A unique cross emblem on the walls within the church has become a major symbol of the Macedonian Orthodox Church.
Lesnovo Monastery (cultural)
One of the best-preserved monasteries in Macedonia. It is believed to have been established by Saint Gabriel of Lesnovo in the 11th century. The magnate of Serbian Emperor Dušan, Jovan Oliver, began construction of the monastery church in 1341. Dedicated to Saint Michael the Archangel, it features two prominent domes. The original frescoes are excellently preserved, making Lesnovo Monastery perhaps the best-preserved endowment of a Serbian noble of the 14th century.
Church of Saint George, Staro Nagoričane (cultural)
An architectural landmark, the frescoes within the Church of Saint George are considered a masterpiece of the Palaiologan Renaissance. Founded in 1071, the church in its current form was built from 1313 to 1318 under Serbian Emperor Stefan Milutin. The lower section of the church is built of limestone blocks, while the upper section is made of stone and bricks. The church is capped by one main dome and four smaller ones.
Old Bazaar, Skopje (cultural)
Skopje’s old town is characterized by narrow cobblestone streets and alleys dominated by Ottoman structures and by Skopje’s fortress. Despite earthquakes, fires, and wars, the Old Bazaar is still home to numerous mosques, three caravanserais (inns), two hamams (bathhouses), a covered market, and a clock tower, among other Ottoman structures.
Sultan Murat Mosque, built in 1436, may be the oldest surviving mosque in the Balkans. It was built with funds donated by Sultan Murat II himself. Its maintenance was always paid for by subsequent sultans. Mustafa Pasha Mosque, built in 1492, stands prominent above the bazaar. Of the three inns, the Kurşumli Han is the most elegant, built of stone with arches lining the main courtyard. The two hamams, Çifte and Daut Pasha, both serve as museums today but most of their exteriors and some of the interior details are preserved. Turkish government funds have helped preserve these historic structures.
Aside from the Ottoman monuments, there is also a major Christian site in the old town. Due to strict Ottoman rules, the Church of the Holy Savior could not be built elaborately on the exterior. The interior, however, is famous for its intricate wood carvings. The iconostasis was done from 1819 to 1824 by the best woodworking artists of Macedonia at the time.
So, about a dozen World Heritage Sites in a landlocked country the size of Vermont? Wishful thinking indeed and, admittedly, a bit excessive. But there really are that many places of high importance in this mountainous wonderland. I bet some readers may even think I left out a couple places.
