General information
| Destination |
|---|
| Skopje, Macedonia |
Program details
Gathering at and leaving from hotel upon time agreed, transport with modern air-conditioned vehicles, accompanied by a professional tourist guide. Drive along Treska recreation center and Treska River Canyon to the monastery and church of Virgin Mary. Short walk through the picturesque narrow stone paths surrounding Lake Matka with impressive views of the dam as well as different geological formations along the canyon (flutes, valleys, cracks, crevices, caves…). Visit the church of St. Andrea, built in the XIV century. Short tea or coffee break. Proceed to the 12th century (Byzantine period) monastery of St. Pantalejmon located on the southern slopes of Vodno Mountain, with panoramic views over the capital city. Apart from viewing the frescoes and iconostasis, the church guide will provide you with the main stories and most important early-renaissance paintings, one of which is the “Lamnation of Jesus”.
Supplied with water by natural springs, the monastery complex is also valued for the rare natural beauty of its setting as well as the traditional-cuisine restaurant nested in the monastery’s gardens, where lunch will be served. Visit the Markov Monastery, located at only 20 km away from the city amidst flowering woods in the ambience of the Markova Sushica Village. The construction of the church, dedicated to the martyr St.Demetrius, began during the reign of King Volkashin (1346/47) but was painted and completed some 30 years later.
Unlike many monasteries affected by the Ottoman rule,Markov has retained its original structure and form. The complex comprises dormitories, richly decorated dining rooms, a bell tower, an old mill, a “wish well” full of cold spring water, and storerooms. Head off to Skopje and visit the church of St. Spas, located next to the old part of the city – the Old Bazaar. The church is characterized by an unusual design as half of it was constructed underground, which resembles the 17th century edict of the Turkish Sultan prohibition of Christian structures from being higher than (or levelled with) the mosques. The church contains impressive wooden iconostases hand-carved in the 19th century. The sarcophagus of Goce Delchev – the greatest Macedonian revolutionary and founder of the Macedonian liberation movement (1903) is located in the courtyard of the church.
Meeting/pick-up point: Pick up at the hotel.
Duration: 6 hours.
Start/opening time: At 9am.
Languages: English.
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