SOUTH-EAST REGION

TOURISM

According to the number of beds, South-East region with 6.088 beds is ranked third after the South-West and Pelagonia region. In 2014 in the South-Eastern region 74.071 domestic tourists have been registered (23, 8%) and 50.636 foreign tourists (11, 9%). The South-Eastern with total number of 401.065 overnights participates with 18, 2% in the total amount of overnights in the Republic of Macedonia and is ranked third after the South-West and Skopje regions.

Table: Tourism

Source: State Statistical Office, The Regions in the Republic of Macedonia, 2015

LAKE TOURISM

The South-Eastern region is rich in water resources. There are natural and artificial lakes, waterfalls and many natural springs, which provide excellent conditions for development of sports, recreation and fishing tourism.

Dojran Lake is one of the most beautiful natural resources of Macedonia. Its eco-system is home to over 80 different types of birds, most of which are endemic species. The artificial lake “Mantovo”, situated in the municipality of Konche, makes the region attractve for fishing tourism. The reservoir lakes “Turija” and “Vodocha”, in the municipality of Strumica, and the lake “Paljurci” in the municipality of Bogdanci attract the attention of a great number of visitors, fishing enthusiasts and recreational tourism.

SPA AND RURAL TOURISM

The South-Eastern region is rich with thermo-mineral potential, especially with regard to geothermal energy, which provides excellent conditions for relaxation and health recovery. In Strumica micro-region, in about 12 km south-east of the city of Strumica, is the village of Bansko and in its immediate vicinity are the thermo-mineral springs of Bansko spa, and remnants from the Roman thermae. This Roman spa is thermo-mineral health recovery source place dating from ancient times, and is one of such rarely preserved Roman monuments in Europe. On a surface of 1,000 m2 ten rooms have been discovered, whose walls with height of 2 to 6.7 meters are preserved. The thermae had rooms for changing of clothes, a sauna, and swimming pools with hot and cold water. It used the thermo-mineral waters from Parilo spring 50 meter south of the thermae. The Roman thermae most probably dates from the third century, from the time of the Roman emperor Karakala, famous for constructing and reconstructing thermaes throughout the empire.

The spa at Bansko is located 250 meters above sea level; it has changing continental climate, and represents the most significant location in the region for spa tourism. Out of the total five thermomineral springs, only the biggest one is professionally piped. It flows into the main bath, so called “Turkish bath”, while the other four flow out freely without any tapping. The temperature of the water in the main spring which supplies the “Turkish bath” is around 71°C and does not vary throughout the year, proving that the water originates deep under the ground without any atmosphere influence. The waters in the spa are considered healing for different types of diseases, mainly rheumatic.

In Gevgelija micro-region, 5 km south-west of Gevgelija, with 59 meters above the sea level Negorski spa (Negorski banji) are found. This is the lowest spa in the region. The spa has two springs – Vrela Banja with temperature of 40°С and Studena Banja with temperature of 38°С. The water contains calcium, magnesium, rubidium, caesium, radon and other minerals. The collection of data about the therapeutic power of the mineral waters from Negorski Banji date from 1864. Compared to most spas in Macedonia (which originate from the Roman period), this spa is considered to have been exploited for the first time by Shukri Pasha, who was the first to build two swimming pools. Proofs of the therapeutic power of the water date from 1950, when the spa recovery department was constructed. As part of Negotinski Banji, in fashionably equipped rooms, there is a center for various rehabilitative and physical therapies. The capacity of the complex is 336 beds, and as part of the complex there are also two covered swimming pools and couple of open ones.

Situated in the base of Kozuf mountain, Negorski Banji is also surrounded by 36 hectares of ashen forest that creates a natural park. With their clean environment and rich waters, the region , attract the attention of visitors, and this mainly applied to the Smolare and Koleshino waterfalls, situated in the municipality of Novo Selo. Smolare waterfall is located in the lower basin of the Smolarska River, which is a right tributary of the River Struma, at 600 meters above sea level in the region of the village of Smolari. The total height of the Smolare waterfall is 39.5 meters. At the bottom, a long plunge pool is formed, 5 meters long and 11 meters wide with a depth of between 0.5 and 0.7 meters. Koleshino waterfall is located in the lower basin of the River Baba, at 500 meters above sea level. With height of 15 meters, it is one of the highest waterfalls in Macedonia, with width of around 6 meters. It is a tectonic waterfall that was created in granite stones. Opposite the Kolesino waterfall, at a distance of around 100 meters, there are several smaller waterfalls spread in a line at heights of about two to four meters, belonging to his central drainage- basin.

MOUNTAIN AND HUNTING TOURISM

The South-Eastern region has an abundance of original natural beauties with a basic potential for development of tourism. The mountain regions of Plachkovica, Ograzden, and Kozuf mountain offer extraordinary conditions for the development of winter, hunting, sport and recreational tourism. Plachkovica mountain is full of endemic plants as well as medicinal plants and spices. The great surfaces covered with forest, the diversity of the flora and the fauna, the diverse types of wild animals and birds attract many fans of hunting, and safari tourism. In Strumica hunting area, precisely in the region of Radovish, there are few hunting centres: “Smiljanci”, “Prnalija” and “Podaresh”.

At the territory of the municipality of Bogdanci there are hunting centers rich with wild animals, such as wild boar and rabbits, as well as and birds of the following types: partridge, pheasant, doves, and quails which attract many hunters from Europe. Every year in the municipality of Bogdanci, there is an International grand prix clay-pigeon shooting tournament.

Kozuf mountain is located at the border between Macedonia and Greece, and its peak, Zelenbreg, is 2,200 meters high. The visitors of Kozuf admire the clean air, the sun and the natural. With the newest ski center in Macedonia and it is located only 210 km from Skopje, and 130 km from Thessaloniki, on a territory of 2,000 ha. The center is equipped according to highest standards, and has excellent skiing conditions. At the moment, it has two ski lifts with the capacity for 3000 skiers/per hour, one six seater, a restaurant, a sheepfold, 16 apartments, and 16 km-long ski tracks. This is the only ski center in Macedonia that has equipment for artificial snow. The well-built and broad ski terrains, the location, and the natural resources of Kozuf mountain have great potential for the mountain’s development as a new attractive winter tourist destination in Macedonia.

Except for the winter period, Kozuf is also attractive for the other seasons of the year. The mountain Kozuf offers great conditions for historical tourism, mountain biking, horse riding, paragliding, walking and hunting, and the damp at Tochnica River is planned to be used for fishing and kayaking.

CULTURAL TOURISM

The geological, geographical, climactic and natural characteristics of South-Eastern region of the Republic of Macedonia have provided the existence of different civilizations and cultures throughout the centuries, starting from the pre-historic period, the ancient period of Macedonia, the Roman Kingdom, Byzantine, up to the middle-age Christian culture.

In the South-Eastern region there are numerous famous historical sites and objects that need to be visited. In the municipality of Valandovo there are: the archaeological site Isar in the village of Marvinci, than “Idomena” – the underground cultural monument originating from the Roman period, somewhere from the end of IV century or the beginning of V century bc, also Stakina cheshma which dates from the Roman period (III or IV century ad). In the municipality of Vasilevo, there is a prehistoric settlement dating back to the late neolith period that can be found in the archaeological site Stranata, near the village of Angelci, as well as the church “Sv. Petka” in the village of Trebichino, which originates from 1875 and represents a cultural monument with special historical and artistic values. The archaeological site Vardarski Rid (Vardar Hill) at the municipality of Gevgelija is multi-layered and dates from the Bronze Age up to the establishment of the Roman domination in the region. The numerous findings, material goods, construction and objects speak about the development of the Vardar valley, which was most likely named Gortinija. The archaeological findings from the locality Vardarski Rid are preserved at the museums in Gevgelija and Skopje. The monastery “Sveti Stefan” in the municipality of Konche dates from the year 1366. The icons and the iconostasis in the monastery were made by the famous zoographer Dimitar Andonov Papradishki. In the municipality of Novo Selo is the archaeological site “Crveno pole” located near the village of Barbarevo, with a settlement from the Roman and late classical periods with architectonic and sacral remnants which portray life from first till sixth century ad. In the village of Mokrino, a necropolis “Kjeramidarka” is found dating from the 11th century, which contains around 20 tombs with unique jewellery. In Radovish, the church “Sveta Troica” can be visited which was sanctified in 2003. The church can hold 600 worshipers and it represents one of the most beautiful, modern, and richest orthodox churches in the Balkans and beyond. Seven kilometers from Strumica is the village of Veljusa, where the monk Manuil built the monastery in 1078 and dedicated it to the Virgin Mary. The monastery “Sveta Bogorodica Milostiva” has preserved its original architecture until today. The depiction of the church’s life is portrayed in three time periods. The events depicted at the altar, the space below the cupola in the pillars and the walls, the architecture and the chapel date from 1085, the porch dates from 1164, and the naos from 19th century.

The complex of churches “Sv. Leontij” is located in the village of Vodocha, 4 km from Strumica. Three churches are preserved at the site (Eastern, Western, and Central), depicting with three phases in the interior, the architectural remnants, the joint objects, the monastery complex, the living room, the trade objects, two bathrooms, and the multi-layered Christian necropolis dating from between 7th till 9th century. The frescoes from Vodocha, dating to 1018 and 1037, are among the masterpieces of middle-age and Byzantine art in general.

The famous site Carevi kuli, located above Strumica, with its thick walls, represents a monument for the fall of the middle-age Macedonian country of Tsar Samoil in 1018. Lately, an archaeological site has been discovered, dating back from pre-historic time until the middle ages. According to some opinion, this could be remains from the ancient city of Astraion, which was mentioned first in 183 bc and represents a predecessor of the early Christian Tiveriopol and today’s city of Strumica. All findings, along with the discovered pre-historic settlement, point out that this site was occupied by different civilizations in period of around 7000 years.