This year Gjorce Petrov Municipality Mayor Sokol Mitrevski is to initiate a project to develop rural tourism in the villages of Kisela Jabuka, Novo Selo, Stopanski Dvor, Volkovo, Orman, Kuckovo, and Nikistane.
  Old stone houses, vine orchards, fast-flowing brooks and streams, pastures, oak forests, and many churches and monasteries are located only a dozen of kilometers away from downtown Skopje. Over 20,000 people inhabit Novo Selo, Kisela Jabuka, Stopanski Dvor, Volkovo, Orman, Kuckovo, and Nikistane, which are part of Skopje's Gjorce Petrov Municipality. In this heavenly, but neglected countryside the residents of these villages try to make their lives as enjoyable as they can. They say that this region's countryside is ideal for tourists, but that poverty prevents them from doing anything more about it.
"When it gets warmer, taking a walk here is pure bliss. At night one can only hear nightingales and when the summer heat hits the town, here it is cool and pleasant. There are beautiful forests and pastures, streams and brooks -- ideal for picnics and vacations,” villagers say.
 Some of these villages resemble urban settlements, while others have maintained the spirit of country life of the past. High-rise buildings, modern houses, and shops can be seen in the villages that are closer to the city, such as Novo Selo, Kisela Jabuka, and Volkovo, unlike the villages of Kuckovo, Orman, and Nikistane, which are in the vicinity of Mt. Zeden and have generally preserved the old architecture of houses, built of natural stone, although there are modern villas, as well.
The residents of these villages welcome Mayor Mitrevski’s idea to develop rural tourism. He plans to attract foreign tourists by promoting the old way of life in the Macedonian villages. Mitrevski says that Gjorce Petrov villages intend to draw foreigners who want a peaceful vacation, far from the world’s posh tourist destinations.
"Every village has its customs and habits. Moreover, there are many archeological sites and at least a dozen of churches and monasteries. We wish to preserve this tradition and show it to the world," Mayor Mitrevski says.
"Why wouldn’t we accept visitors? It is an excellent idea, but its implementation requires reconstruction of the village, a new water supply system, better pastures, and cleaner environment," Kuckovo residents have said.
Mayor Mitrevski has promised activities on the construction of the necessary infrastructure in these villages this year. In his opinion, building a water supply facility in Kuckovo and Nikistane will create the minimum conditions for decent life and for the development of tourism.
 "Another advantage of these villages is the Skopje roundabout, which will provide good road infrastructure and faster access to the villages for the tourists. One of the junctions is before Orman and the other one before the village of Stopanski Dvor. I want to raise the people's awareness about this idea. They will have to realize that we cannot build industrial plants here, but -- like Switzerland -- we should rather attract people who prefer recreation in the country," Mitrevski adds.
Professor Viktor Lilcic of the Art History and Architecture Institute at Skopje's School of Philosophy says that the northern part of Gjorce Petrov, where these villages are located, abounds in archeological sites that are of enormous significance to our culture. He explains that a 5th-century tomb of the late ancient age has been discovered in the yard of the St. 40 Martyrs Church between Kuckovo and Orman villages. Lilcic says that the tomb is under an arch and that there are some 30 tombs of this kind in Macedonia. It is now protected by a small shack, which was closed during our visit, since the clergymen come to the church only on holidays. On the right-hand side of the road, right opposite the church, is the archeological site of Konjusnica, which is usually flooded and covered with reed and silt. Here archeologists have found an early Christian basilica from the 6th century. The monastery of St. Gjorgji (George), the central part of which was built in 1346, is in the area of Kuckovo village. A belfry and lodgings were built in the last 20 years, and each year there are some renovations and extensions to the building.
"The archeological site of Golema Kula is about 1.5km from Kuckovo, towards the village of Gorno Svilare. It used to be a fortress from which traffic on the old caravan road to Kosovo used to be controlled,” Professor Lilcic adds.
The most significant archeological site in Gjorce Petrov, Devinata Kula, is on the boundary between the villages of Orman and Cucer. It is a genuine ancient town of the 3rd century, inhabited by Romans in the 6th century. Two early Christian churches, a basilica, and a tablet of Jupiter and Junona have also been found.
"This is an exceptional locality, which is yet to be discovered. A protective fence should be put up, the churches should be opened, and the area should be tidied. We can build a whole museum in Gjorce Petrov, bring tourists, and make money. Hundreds of people pass here and have no idea that there is a first-class ancient town only 200 metres away from the Kosovo-Skopje highway," Lilcic says.
Author: Elica Angelovska
Source: Vest |