MAVROVO NATIONAL PARK

The National Park Mavrovo is located in the western part of Macedonia, one hour drive from the capital Skopje (120 km). Settled in one of the most beautiful valleys surrounded by the mountains of Sara, Deshat and Bistra, also sheltered by the high hills of the mountain Korab (2,764 meters or 9,069 feet high), the mysterious and romantic Mavrovo region was famous during centuries by the hospitality of its well-known inns. Today Mavrovo is the second large ski center in Macedonia and a whole team takes care of the quality of the trails. The total area of the national park is 73.088 hectares. As a result of its long geological history, about 40% of the flora and fauna are endemic and there are relicts from the tertiary and glacial epochs. One third of the park is covered with forests in which there are 1000 species of plants and 100 rare species of trees. The fauna consists of 140 bird species, 11 amphibian species, 12 reptile species and 38 mammal species. Among the mammals, the bear, the lynx, the chamois and the wild cat are the most significant. 

Mavorvo National Park houses numerous villages (Galichnik, Rostushe, Bitushe, Lazaropole, Tresonche), caves (Alilica, kalian Dupka) and cultural and historical monuments, such as churches and monasteries (St. Jovan Bigorski, Monastery St. Gjorgji).
Mavrovo is famous for its rich diversity of flora and fauna, mountain flowers, healthy tea, herbs and mushrooms, green slopes, fabulous landscapes, transparent mountainous rivers, a lake, ski tracks, monasteries and caves. This region offers the tourists walking, hiking, mount biking, mountain climbing, fishing, hunting, horse riding, visiting the caves, springs and walking tours and picnics in the quiet picaresque villages of the surrounding mountains as well as tour of the old Byzantine monasteries. This natural treasure provides additional space for pleasant stay, fun, holiday, sport, recreation and relaxation to every visitor.

The National Park Mavrovo is located in the western part of Macedonia, one hour drive from the capital Skopje (120 km). Settled in one of the most beautiful valleys surrounded by the mountains of Sara, Deshat and Bistra, also sheltered by the high hills of the mountain Korab (2,764 meters or 9,069 feet high), the mysterious and romantic Mavrovo region was famous during centuries by the hospitality of its well-known inns. Today Mavrovo is the second large ski center in Macedonia and a whole team takes care of the quality of the trails. The total area of the national park is 73.088 hectares. As a result of its long geological history, about 40% of the flora and fauna are endemic and there are relicts from the tertiary and glacial epochs. One third of the park is covered with forests in which there are 1000 species of plants and 100 rare species of trees. The fauna consists of 140 bird species, 11 amphibian species, 12 reptile species and 38 mammal species. Among the mammals, the bear, the lynx, the chamois and the wild cat are the most significant. 

Mavorvo National Park houses numerous villages (Galichnik, Rostushe, Bitushe, Lazaropole, Tresonche), caves (Alilica, kalian Dupka) and cultural and historical monuments, such as churches and monasteries (St. Jovan Bigorski, Monastery St. Gjorgji).
Mavrovo is famous for its rich diversity of flora and fauna, mountain flowers, healthy tea, herbs and mushrooms, green slopes, fabulous landscapes, transparent mountainous rivers, a lake, ski tracks, monasteries and caves. This region offers the tourists walking, hiking, mount biking, mountain climbing, fishing, hunting, horse riding, visiting the caves, springs and walking tours and picnics in the quiet picaresque villages of the surrounding mountains as well as tour of the old Byzantine monasteries. This natural treasure provides additional space for pleasant stay, fun, holiday, sport, recreation and relaxation to every visitor.

Monastery St. John the Baptist - Bigorski rises among the beautiful slopes of Mount Bistra, in the valley of the river Radika. It is located on the road between Gostivar and Debar and according to historical documents it was established around 1020/21 A.D. The actual church dedicated to St. Jovan the Baptist - Bigorski and the fresco paintings originate from the 19th century and they were made by several master fresco painters (Mihail and Danail, Vasilie Ginoski, and a master painter from Tresonce Dico Zograf) in different periods. The iconostasis represents a masterpiece of woodcarving which is not over passed by now in the orthodox world, performed by the woodcarvers of the Mijak region.

The monastery of St. George the Conqueror is situated by the beautiful and peacefull Debar lake, in the village of Rajchica. The church within the complex was built in 1835 and it is belived that it is built on top of an older church from the 11th century. Since 1999 after a complete restoration it became women’s monastery. A piece of the cross of Jesus is kept there and a small part of the hand of St. John (in Macedonian Свети Јован).

The flooded church of Saint Nicholas, about which the local people say that the saint and God's power do not allow for it to completely disappear in the depths of Mavrovo Lake. The phenomenon of its constant emerging from the waters is explained by them as an impossibility for a sacred place to be covered and forgotten. It was built in 1850 by the people of Mavrovo, who made it from fine processed stones. Its walls were fresco-painted by an unknown fresco painter. It was consecrated in the year of 1853. But, by forming of the artificial lake and the dam, it was decided that it should be flooded. As a replacement for it, only several meters from it, a construction of a new monastery church dedicated to the same saint was initiated.

The village Galicnik is located 10 km from Mavrovo Lake where visitors can see extrodinary examples of preserved traditional architecture. Since 1963 this village has been famous for the “Galichka Svadba”, a traditional and public summer wedding, on the day of the village feast of the Patron Saint – Petrovden (St. Peter’s day) on 12th of July. This is an event to commemorate the traditional wedding customs and show tribute to the Macedonian cultural heritage. The tour includes the main ceremonies, which take place at the center of this village including the sightseeing of the vicinity. Here the visitors can see a lot of old traditional Macedonian customs and taste first-class cheese, yoghurt, lamb, and trout from Lake Mavrovo.

Lazaropole ia a village situated on the plateau of Mount Bistra surrounded by beech and oak forest. Settled at 1.350 altitudes it is one of the highest settlements in the country. In Lazaropole there are 400 houses and the oldest ones reveal the traces of the Mijach highland building style. Lazaropole is the birthplace of numerous authors, educators, carvers, teachers, fresco and icon painters as well as constructors. The village church St.Gjorgi built in 1838 and the small churches in the forests near the village are especially picturesque. The epic folk dance Teshkoto Oro (The difficult dance), is from the area of Lazaropole. The region offers unique pleasure for mounting bike and visiting the villages Rosushe, Birushe and Tresonce in the same region.

Alilica Cave is situated on Bistra Mountain, near Tresonechka River. This is a two cave opening system which consists of Gorna and Dolna Alilica. They are connected with a vertical sloping canal. The length of the cave Dolna Alilica is approximately 600 m. This is space rich with beautiful stalactites, stalagmites, a small river dividing the main hall into two parts finishing with a waterfall inside the cave and small lakes.

Sharkova Dupka Cave is the cave discovered three decades ago by local population who were afraid of going inside it at first. The first one who was brave enough to enter was a man who lived near the cave whose name was Sarko. The cave was named after him. Visitors can go deep down into the cave by semi-circular metal stairs leading 20 meters underground.