The famous traveler Evlija Chelebija once wrote:
“The climate, the water and the air are so pleasant, they are the reason why there are so many beautiful girls here”.
“Here’s something about Valandovo! The best town. Actually not, there are better, but it’s not so bad in here, too. We got everything we need, so I don’t miss a thing. Actually, if only we had a sea… I’m waiting you to come to taste some pomegranates or fig jam! Come to Valandovo, to feel what air is, to taste sweet water. Don’t poison yourself over there in Skopje… We even got olives here! And who has the olives, has the money.” There it is, the invitation to go there.
Valandovo is a town with a population of 6000. It is located in the south-eastern part of Macedonia, in the region called Bojmija, and it is the main town of the municipality of Valandovo, which has a population of around 12 000. Valandovo is set on the southern downhill of mount Plavush, in the Gevhelija-Valandovo basin, near the Greek and Bulgarian borders. The river Anska, which flows into the river Vardar, is flowing through the town.
Many important roads, leading to Greece south, Bulgaria east, Turkey through Gevgelija, Dojran and Strumica, are crossing here, as well as the Skopje-Gevgelija-Thessaloniki highway. There are three border crossings nearby: “Dojran” and “Bogorodica” with Greece, 26 and 30 km away, respectively, and “Novo Selo” with Bulgaria, 48 km away. The port of Thessaloniki is only 80 km away.
This location makes the industrial zone “Rabrovo” very attractive, and the first two factories have already been opened there, which will aid the development of this region. According to information given by the Mayor of Valandovo, Nikolche Churlinovski, all of the 48 parcels in the zone have been sold. The construction of eight news objects in the industrial zone is expected to be completed soon.
The region of Valandovo has a Mediterranean climate because of the proximity of the Aegean Sea. There are 268 sunny days a year in average. The mild winters are the reason why you can see pomegranate, fig, Japanese apple, olives and kiwi plantations, as well as tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, radishes, carrots, turnips, etc.
The number of people who grow olives is increasing. “The profit is far bigger than by growing Japanese apple or pomegranates. Considering that the olive tree can live over 1000 years, and the constant growth in fruit, those who grow olives don’t have to worry about a thing in the next 1000 years” a smiling local manufacturer said.
But above all, this is the place where the highest quality grapes and wine have been made, ever since the pre-roman period. Diggings at the archaeological site Isar-Marvinci are a testament to that. This is where Alexander the Great treated himself with wine, and where Saint Peter was welcomed with wine and bread during his mission in Macedonia.
Just recently, the Serbian president, Nikolic, and his host, the Macedonian president, Ivanov who, by the way is from Valandovo, visited the region to attend the annual Festival of brandy. They talked with the locals a for a bit, and they were feasted with brandy and specialties from Valandovo. The festival of brandy is an event that is being held in Valandovo every year since 2000. The participants compete in traditional making of brandy. It has been a tourist attraction year in, year out, as part of cultural events in the region. I wasn’t invited this year, but I plan on going uninvited next year.
Forty archaeological sites have been found in the area of the municipality of Valandovo. Near the town, at the hill called Isar near the village of Marvinci, an archaeological site has been found which many experts believe to be the ancient city of Idomena, from the so-called territory Amfaksitida, where the ancient Macedonian state started developing with the cities of Idomena, Gortinija and Atalanta.
In the archaeological complex “Valandovo” remnants of the peonic civilization have been found, as well as from Hellenic, Roman and early Byzantine period. In the north-western part of the town, a 200 square meter mosaic surface has been found, and other mosaics were found at the region “Rasadnik” in the southern part of the town, near the spring “Saints Peter and Paul”, and near the “Saint George” monastery.
“Idomena” is an underground cultural monument, dating from the pre-roman period, 4-5 century BC. According to the ancient helmet and armour that were found in the necropolis, it is assumed that this is where the grave of the legendary Macedonian king, Alexander the Great is located, which puts this area in the center of attention of the world cultural public.
The necropolis near the village of Dedeli dates back from peonic times, it is enclosed with stone, grave-like plates, and spans across 1000 square meters. The fossils found at Bashibos, in the region of Jolburun, belong to animals from the family of mastodons. They are a special attraction. These sites should be visited, there is a lot to be seen. They are constantly becoming more and more interesting for the foreign tourists.
The people from Valandovo like to brag that during the Roman Empire, their town was called The little Constantinople, and during the medieval period, the place of the towers of Marko.
The town is first mentioned in a written document from the 10th century using the name Valander. The name derived from “the beautiful site of the town in the valley”. “Valjan dol” (Valandol) meant Beautiful or Good valley in the ancient Slavic language. The beautiful valley of Valandovo was also called “golden valley” and “green valley”.
In the medieval period, the town was first mentioned with the name “Alavandovo” (city of flowers) in a church document from Tsar Dushan on 12th June 1349. During the 14th century 70s, the village of Alavandovo was part of the Principality of Dragashi and was under the jurisdiction of the “Saint Pantelejmon” monastery on Mount Athos. In the middle of the 17th century, the Ottoman traveller Evlija Chelebija passed through Valandovo. He wrote that the real name of “the city under Plavush” was Valandovo, and that it was located in the base of a hilly region, rich with vineyards and forests. He also wrote: “The climate, the water and the air are so pleasant, they are the reason why there are so many beautiful girls here”.
On mount Plavush near Valandovo, is the “Saint George” monastery which was originally a church from 1349. During the Ottoman empire, the church was turned into a monastery and walls were built around it.
In his travelogue, Chelebija wrote: “I went inside, took a good look and I curiously watched. It is an artistically built monastery in a mountainous place, enclosed with high and thick walls and an iron gate like a fortress. All of the domes of the church have been covered with lead. Those who understand architecture are amazed by this monastery. The festive bowls are artistically made, and the hanging lamps, the pillars, the marble floors and the beautiful frescos painted on the walls, were all made like precious stones and are so interesting, there is no such monastery even in the lands of monasteries”. The monastery is rich with cold and curative water springs. According to the locals, the water is used to cure all kinds of diseases, and it is most useful for those who have eye problems. It is worth coming here!
The municipality of Valandovo is one of the oldest urban municipalities in the Republic of Macedonia. It has its own traditions, customs and rich cultural life. A “museum collection” can be found in the Centre of culture, and it is something that should be seen.
Valandovo is also famous for its folk festival which is being held every year since 1985. A lot of hits and famous singers have come up from the festival. In 1989, a 1200-seat hall was built, which points to the great interest the festival causes. It is being held every year on the 23rd, 24th and the 25th May and the town is full of participants and guests at that time. People even go to hotels in towns nearby, even in Dojran.
Also, worth mentioning is “Hid-bah sent fest”, the Festival of spring festivities, which is being held every year since 1992 in the beginning of May, in the village of Chalakli. It is a celebration of the spring holidays as part of the tradition of the Turkish people and promotion of the Turkish culture and tradition. This festival draws many tourists, primarily from the neighbourhood and from the Republic of Turkey.
Agriculture is the main economic branch. Most of the people in the region of Valandovo work in viticulture or stockbreeding.
According to the register of restaurant service from 2008, there were 26 such objects (restaurants, cafe bars) and only one hotel, “Anska reka” in the municipality. But the situation is improving. Today, the main attractions are the summer discotheque and swimming pool “Exit” and the recreational centre “Izvor” which attract more and more visitors.
The recreational centre “Izvor” is located at the hills of mount Plavush. There is an asphalt road leading to it, and it continues towards the “Saint George” monastery which is a five minute walk away from the centre. You have a nicely settled 300-car capacity parking place at your disposal. The table by the fire place and the table with a glass floor from which you can see the fishpond, are especially attractive.
There are two pools, children’s and adults’ for recreational purposes, and a big, 65-metre toboggan slide. The accommodation is at a hotel made of wood and built inside the rocks. The place and the structure of the complex enable a part of the restaurant to have a natural spring of pure water in the rock itself.
It is an ideal place if you want to have a good rest and escape from the urban, stressful environment, at least for a moment. The smell of maple trees, figs and pomegranates will help you relax and enjoy the beauties of this part of our country. His setting is such that you can take a walk to Dojran, which is 17 km away, or go to Strumica, the monasteries in Veljusa and Vodocha, the Smolare, or Koleshino waterfalls.
Snezana Shuntova wrote: “Hey Valandovo! Hey beauty! When is it that you are more beautiful? Is iti in winter, when swans land on Plavush for a moment; or in spring when pomegranates grow; or in summer when corn grows under the blue sky; or in autumn, when the pomegranates are ripe, when every neighbourhood smells like fig jam, when the wine is poured, when the brandy is made? Hey Valandovo, hey beauty!”.
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