Mariovo (Macedonian Cyrillic: ) is a historic region in the southern part of Republic of

Macedonia (area of 1,390 square km, elevation 1,050 m), situated between the
mountains Seleka (highest peak - Visoka 1,471 m) on the west, Nide (highest peak -
Kajmakalan 2,520 m) and Kouf (highest peak - Zelenbeg 2,171 m) on the
south, Kozjak (highest peak - Baltova uka 1,822 m) on the east and Dren mountain (highest
peak - Studenica 1,663 m) on the north. The river Crna flows across the whole area of Mariovo,
creating the largest canyon in Macedonia which is around 100 km long.
The region is divided into three sub-regions, Bitolsko Mariovo (with its center Staravina),
Prilepsko Mariovo (with its center Vitolite) and Tikveko Mariovo (consisted of the western parts
of the former municipality Konopite with the villages of Roden, Majdan, Ranovo and Klinovo).
Nowadays, administratively it is divided among three
municipalities: Prilep, Novaci and Kavadarci.
The river Crna also divides the region into two sub-regions, Small Mariovo (Malo Mariovo) on the
left side of the river, and Old (Large) Mariovo (Staro Mariovo) on the right side of the river.
The specific position and natural condition of this geomorphological entity have contributed
towards creation of a distinct local climate which differs from the other parts of the country. The
mountains Dren and Seleka (mk) shield Mariovo from the continental northern winds. On the
south-east the basin of the river Crna enables Mediterranean influences from Aegean Sea, while
in the area of Skoivir Ravine the moderate continental clime makes its way from the Pelagonian
plains. The influence of three climate zones can be felt in this area.
More people lived there, but due to migration there are fewer than 1,000 inhabitants left in the 28
settlements: Vitolite, Beite, Veprani, Vrpsko, Dunje, ivovo, Kalen, Kokre, Kruevica,
Manastir, Polite, Petani, anite, Brnik, Budimirci, Gradenica, Grunita, Zovi,
Iveni, Makovo, Orle, Rape, Staravina, Ranovo, Roden, Galite, Klinovo and Majden.

Contents
[hide]

1Polita
2Staravina
3Peta
4Alar
5Monasteries
o 5.1Monastery St. George, Polog
o 5.2The ebren Monastery
o 5.3Gradenica and church of St. Demetrios (Sv. Dimitrija)
6References
7External links

Polita[edit]
The site of Polita dates from the time of ancient Macedonian kings (4th century BC) and is
located between villages of Staravina and Polita. Standing in the center of Polita, one can
notice the outlines of a fortress on the horizon. There also used to be a town in the vicinity, which
the villagers consider to be the birthplace of King Philip because historical dates claim that he
descended from the mountains and built and elezna Porta and Pela . The closest mountain to
the north-west of Pela is exactly this one in Mariovo.

Staravina[edit]
The village Staravina was once the center of the municipality Staravina. It is located in the
southern part of Mariovo, 50 km away from Bitola. The trip starts in Bitola. From there it goes to
the village Novaci, past the power plant REK Bitola and then up the mountain to the village
Makovo. From there the road leads to the village Rape. The asphalt road ends after that village
and from there it is a bumpy ride on a dirt road until Staravina. A permit is required to go there
because the region is near the southern border of the country. There is a mountain hut located in
Staravina, near the church. Its owner is PD Medikus from Bitola. To stay there is free, but
donations can be left.

Peta[edit]
The site of Peta dates from the time of ancient Macedonian kings (4th century BC) and is
located between villages of Staravina and Gradenica. Standing in the center of Staravina, one
can notice the outlines of a fortress on the horizon. There also used to be a town in the vicinity,
which the villagers consider to be the birthplace of King Philip because historical dates claim that
he descended from the mountains and built Pela. The closest mountain to the north-west of Pela
is exactly this one in Mariovo.

Alar[edit]

Landscape near the village Vitolite in Mariovo

Alar, an ancient mine located in the southern Balkans, in Macedonia, is said to contain minerals
that are found nowhere else on the planet. The rarest of them allthe lorandite, a crystal
of thallium. The lorandite is thought to have the potential to unravel the so-called "neutrino
puzzle". By serving as a geochemical detector of the neuron, the lorandite could validate or
disprove the theory of the standard solar system. In simple termsit would let us understand the
work of the Sun. The Ottomans, who ruled the peninsula until the beginning of the 20th century,
called it Majdan (the word for "mine" in Turkish). This was also the name given to the nearest
village. They explored for gold. But they were not the first ones at the mine. According to some,
the mine has existed for over 5,000 years. It has eight entrances, two of which lead through
corridors that extend up to 6 kilometers and have cobblestone pathways, placed there by the
Ottomans. The mine has been closed for decades. According to experts, many world scientists
are very interested in exploring Alar. The lorandite from the mine can register in a chemical and
physical way the so-called neutrino flux coming from the Sun and it is the only known substance
that has this power. If the neutrino could be explored, science could understand the processes
that go on inside the Sun. Some say with awe that it could lead to an understanding of the past
but also of the future of our galaxy. Despite all the mystery, the fact is undisputed that Alar is the
only known place on the planet that contains the lorandite, a mineral of potentially huge
significance in physics. According to rough estimates, the mine could have reserves of up to 40
tons of lorandite. A few grams of lorandite for lab research is said to cost about 5-6 euros.
You can reach there from the village Konopite.

Monasteries[edit]
Monastery St. George, Polog[edit]
This monastery is located in south-east Macedonia, near Kavadarci, on the border between
Mariovo and Tikve. It can be reached only by boat across man-made Tikve Lake. One can
start this unique experience from three places: by the dam near the village of Vozarci, from the
village of Resava near Kamen Dol and from Kamenica near the village of Begnite. It is now
situated in an inaccessible area, but in the past the monastery rose high above the canyon of the
river Crna, on the foothills of Vienica. Nowadays it is secluded by the lake and completely
isolated. The church, as a lonely representative of its time, honorably watches over the
invaluable medieval art from the time of Czar Duan. According to the latest research, the
building of the monastery dates before 1340 AD, and the frescoes were painted in 1343-1345.
During its existence the monastery had been abandoned on several occasions, but its activity
never ceased completely. In the 16th century it had an active monastic brotherhood and was a
powerful spiritual center. The large gold-plated wooden cross was carved in this period (1584). At
the beginning of 19th century the lodgings on the eastern and on the southern side were built,
the bell tower and several other buildings of practical character. Only the monastery church of St.
George has survived within the walls of the monastery until today. Only fragments of the 17th
century iconostasis, the icon of St. George depicting his life, the wood-carved chandelier (17th
century) and three wood carved double doors (17th century) is all that has remained from the
wealth of the religious object with great artistic value which once adorned the interior of the
church.

The ebren Monastery[edit]

To reach the monastery you first need to go to the village Zovik which can be reached from
Staravina or just by following the dirt road from Rapes. Then from Zovik just head towards the
river Crna and you will reach the monastery.
The ebren Monastery with the Church of St. Demetrios (Sv. Dimitrija), together with the small
church of Holy Saviour (Sv. Spas) located nearby, are centres of exceptional spiritual and
archeological value. The Monastery belongs to the village of Zovic and is situated on the eastern
bank of river Crna, where it mingles with the picturesque landscape of meadows, trees and
rocks.
The church of St. Demetrios is a three-naval basilica with marble columns. Its iconostasis dates
from the 15th century, but was renovated in the 19th century. Southeast from the monastery, on
the hill which rises over the river is the small church of the Holy Saviour, probably built in the 14th
century. It is a single-naval stone church with wooden roof structure covered with stone tiles
(preserved only on the apse and eastern wall).The interior is completely fresco-painted and a
great deal of the frescos can still be seen.

Gradenica and church of St. Demetrios (Sv. Dimitrija)[edit]

The villag of Gradenica is located down the slope toward the Gradeska River and its canyon,
whose natural beauty enriches the view of the village when approached from that side. The
church of St. Demetrios, a cultural monument from the 15th century, is located in this village,
situated by the road at the very entrance. This church is sometimes mentioned as the church of
St. Nicholas, but also known as St. Demetrios among the local population. It is a small, single-
nave church covered with a semi-cylindrical vault. The massive stone iconostasis separates the
space towards the altar apse. The preserved frescoes on the central part (naos) and on the
iconostasis differ from those in the altar apse. According to their style, they belong to the 14th
century, while those in the altar apse indicate the style of the 15th century. You can reach
Gradenica from Staravina; there is an asphalt road leading there.

References[edit]
Ilija Risteski, Vesna Kochankovska, Cvetanka Hadzi Pecova, Konstantin Dimitrovski, Ivana
Petkanovska (2009). Discovering the architectural heritage of Mariovo. Skopje, CeProSARD,
2009. Milan Vrgleski - Mariovo
External links[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has
media related
to Mariovo.

Mariovo - Photo Gallery

Website dedicated to Office web page Mariovo
Website dedicated to Office web page Mariovo
Website dedicated to Office web page Cheese
Website dedicated to Mariovo
Website www.besiste.com is dedicated to Mariovo