Mount Pelister

Mount Pelister and Malovišta
Mount Pelister (called by the locals Mount Baba) is the local Olympus, rising sharply to a height of 2,600 meters, dominating the view of the Pelagonia Valley, Bitola, and Lake Prespa. The mountain is famous for the two lakes at its summit, called “The Eyes of Pelister,” which can only be reached by jeep. The park around the peaks has a rich forest with bears and wolves. Hidden around the mountain are valleys where picturesque villages lie between forests and streams, the most beautiful of which is Malovišta.

The turnoff to Malovišta is halfway between Resen and Bitola. Driving 4 km through a wonderful valley brings one to a forgotten world, which is also an architectural reserve. At the end of the 19th century, it was a large settlement of Wallachian people in Macedonia, where 3,000 people lived, engaged in sheep and goat grazing, cattle breeding, trade, and handicrafts.

At its center stands a large and impressive church dedicated to the mother of the Balkans, Sveti Petka. The village suffered greatly during the First World War and lost its sources of livelihood in the years that followed due to geopolitical changes. Today, fewer than a hundred people live there, but most of the original houses have survived, making it one of the best examples of 19th-century architecture. Great efforts are being made to preserve the village in its original state. The church is a true work of art, featuring a stunning carved iconostasis, interesting frescoes, and an important collection of icons.