Kičevo

Understand

Kičevo is situated in a valley on the southeastern slopes of Mount Bistra in the central western part of the country. The city has roughly 27,000 residents, while the municipality as a whole has over 56,000 residents. The largest ethnic group in the city is the ethnic Macedonians, with a large Albanian minority. There are also sizable minorities of Turks and Roma (Gypsies). Kičevo contains some of the historical Železnik region, primarily within neighboring Demir Hisar today. It also contains the entirety of the historical Kopčka region. Both are dotted with traditional Macedonian villages. On 11 September 1943, during World War II, Kičevo became the first city in Macedonia to be liberated by the partisans.

Getting there

By bus Buses operating between Skopje and Ohrid stop at the Kičevo bus station, which is located adjacent to the train station, west of the city centre across the highway. Skopje is about two-and-a-half to three hours away, while Ohrid an hour.

By car The road connection of the Kičevo municipality with the other regions in the Republic is satisfactory, despite the mountainous surrounding of the region. The region is linked to Skopje through the regional highway Kicevo – Gostivar – Tetovo – Skopje. In the south of Kicevo there is a road intersection which goes in three directions. The first leads to the Ohrid and Struga region, the second leads to Bitola through Sopotnica and Demir Hisar, and the third towards Prilep through Makedonski Brod and Porece.

See

1 Kitino Kale (Китино Кале). Kičevo's fortress ruins. Located on a prominent hill in the city center, not much remains of the fortress and the area is now a park. It dates to the Bronze and Iron ages and was used until around 1850 during Ottoman rule when it ceased to be used by authorities and locals were allowed to use the stone from the fortress to build buildings elsewhere. Its elevated location provides a good view above the city. There is also a memorial ossuary on Kitino Kale as well as other small monuments. (updated Mar 2019) 2 Museum of Western Macedonia in the National Liberation War (Музеј „Западна Македонија во НОБ“), Blvd Osloboduvanje. This museum showcases the history of western Macedonia in the 19th century, the Ilinden Uprising, and the National Liberation War of World War II. It opened in 1980 in a historic building dating from 1892 that was used by partisans in the National Liberation War. The collection includes authentic weapons, flags, and more. (updated Mar 2019) 3 Church of Saints Peter and Paul (Црква „Св. Петар и Павле“). The main church of the city, Saints Peter and Paul was built in 1907 atop foundations of an older church. The front of the church has a prominent bell tower. (updated Apr 2019)

Neighboring villages Following a merger with three neighboring municipalities, Kičevo has a total of 79 villages. The former Drugovo Municipality, now the southwest portion of Kičevo Municipality, has a large concentration of old villages with traditional Macedonian architecture.

Churches and monasteries 4 Kičevo Monastery (Кичевски манастир), village of Manastirsko Dolenci, 10 km south of Kičevo. This monastery, dedicated to the Immaculate Mother of God (Sveta Bogorodica Prečista), was established in 1316, though most of the present monastery dates to the 19th century. One of the best-known sites of Kičevo, it is the spiritual center of this region and a notable Macedonian monastery. Within the village of Manastirsko Dolenci, it is situated

Eat

1 Restaurant Merak, s.Popolzhani, ☏ +389 71 904 032. (updated Jan 2020) 2 Fish Restaurant Dobrenoec, s.Dobrenoec, ☏ +389 78 328 296, [email protected]. (updated Jan 2020) 3 Restaurant Furna, s.Dobrenoec, ☏ +389 70 324 137. (updated Jan 2020)

Sleep

Atva Residence Hotel, s.Dobrenoec, ☏ +389 45 287 414, [email protected]. (updated Dec 2019) 1 Nora’s Ranch, Belica, Vraneshnica, ☏ +389 71 933 135. (updated Dec 2019) 2 House of Art, village of Knezhino, ☏ +389 72 639 639. (updated Jan 2020)

Go next

1 Bitola (Битола) (S 80 km). — one of the most European-flavoured cities in the country, Bitola is known for its colourful neo-classical architecture and the Ancient Macedon ruins of Heraclea Lyncestis nearby 2 Brajčino (Брајчино) (S 140 km). 3 Debar (Дебар, Dibër, Debre) (W 40 km). 4 Demir Hisar (Демир Хисар) (S 58 km). 5 Galičica National Park (S 92 km). Between Ohrid and Prespa Lakes 6 Gostivar (Гостивар, Gostivari) (N 44 km). 7 Mavrovo National Park (NW 40 km). 8 Kruševo (Крушево) (S 64 km). 9 Makedonski Brod (Македонски Брод) (E 33 km). 10 Ohrid (Охрид) (S 66 km). — with ancient churches and flower-filled balconies in the hillside old city, and beach life down below on the lake coast, this is no doubt the "Macedonian Riviera" 11 Pelister National Park (S 100 km). located in the Baba Mountain massif, near to Bitola 12 Prilep (Прилеп) (E 68 km). 13 Resen (Ресен) (S 100 km via Ohrid). 14 Struga (Струга) (SW 66 km). — on the northern shore of the lake, Struga is a smaller, quieter, cheaper, but less fun alternative to Ohrid. 15 Tetovo (Тетово, Tetova, Tetovë) (N 67 km). — unofficial capital of the Albanians of Macedonia, Tetovo is the site of the one of the most unique mosques in the world, the Painted Mosque 16 Vevčani (Вевчани) (SW 77 km via Struga).