The northeast region with its location that covers 6 municipalities: Kratovo, KrivaPalanka, Kumanovo, Lipkovo, Rankovce and Staro Nagorichane, borders N. Macedonia with Kosovo, Serbia and Bulgaria. It is position on two natural routes that connect Europe and the Balkans and the 2.000 localities and archaeological sights show us the significance of the region through the history.
The newest discoveries in the XXI c. revealed a secret that this region is probably the home of one the oldest civilization in Europe. If you are attracted to mystical and mysterious places, then Kokino -the megalithic observatory in the Kumanovo area is real choice for you. Astronomical observations of the sky through the use of precise physical signs were made by an ancient civilization, IV millenniaogo.The Megalithic observatory of Kokino was proclaimed by NASA as the forth oldest in the world in 2005.
The later medieval period in terms of cultural artefacts was even richer. A local legend tells us of the origin of beautiful churches and monasteries dedicated to local saints. One of them is about ProhorPcinski a hermit who lived close to Monastery at the border with Serbia and the church of St. George in Staro Nagoricane. Beside the church of St.George in Staro Nagorichane there is a small cave where the anchorite spent his ascetic days and where he fortolled a Byzantium soldier to become an emperor. In his honor, the emperor Roman IV Diogenes (1067-1071) built a magnificent church to St. George which was later restored and fresco painted in the XIV c. With most impressive fresco painting compositions created by the distinguished Macedonian masters Mihail and Evtihij still preserved in the church walls.
The second legend is about Joakim Osogovski and his Monastery in KrivaPlanka. According to the hagiography, the hermit spent his ascetic life in fast and prayer in a cave at the locality of Babin Dol. In the reign of the Byzantine emperor Manoil Komnen (1143-1180), the monk Teofan erected the first temple dedicated to Mother Mary, where he brought and buried saint’s relics. At his monastery on 28 august every year, many people come to celebrate the birth of Mother Mary and give gratitude to their saint like their ancestors have done for centuries.
In the Lesnovo village, the anchorite Gavril built a monastery to Holy Archangel Michael. The church was restored several times through the centuries and has beautiful frescoes from the period of despot Jovan Oliver – XIV c., and iconostasis done by the best Macedonian woodcarvers from the XIX c.
Kratvo another medieval site, in the XII become a mining center thanks to the experienced Saxon, miners who came to activate the mine of gold and silver. In the past, on both sides of Tabacka River that flows through Kratovo, there have been 12 towers and 17 bridges. When in Kratovo you must try its slow food product – Kcana Sol.
