Prilep

Prilep is a city of 65,000 people, situated in the heart of the fertile Pelagonian Plain, one of the world’s most significant tobacco-growing regions. Evidence of tobacco cultivation and drying can be seen in the houses of the city and surrounding villages, as well as in the Tobacco Growing Museum, located 2 km northwest of the city. In the nearby mountains, the world’s whitest marble, known as Sivak, can be found. This exceptional marble was used in the construction of the American Statue of Liberty and the White House.

Prilep was once the capital of a small medieval principality, which explains its numerous monasteries and churches. It was ruled by Kings Volkashin and Marko, who fought against the Ottomans in the 14th century in an attempt to halt their advance. For this reason, Prilep is also known as the city under Marko’s Tower. In the Prilep suburb of Voros stands one of Macedonia’s most beautiful churches, St. Demetrius, dating back to this period.

On a rocky hill overlooking the city stand the ruins of a medieval castle, while at the foot of the hill lies the beautiful Monastery of Archangel Michael. Founded by a student of St. Clement as early as the 10th century, the monastery houses important frescoes dating from the 12th to 14th centuries. Today, five nuns reside there, dedicating themselves to the art of icon painting.

About 10 km north of Prilep, in a stunning natural setting, lies the Treskavec Monastery at the foot of Zlatovrv Peak. At sunrise, the peak’s rock formations glisten in the sunlight, creating a breathtaking sight. The monastery, an ancient spiritual center, has its own guesthouse and has long been a place of worship. In antiquity, it was a sacred site dedicated to Apollo and Artemis. Later, it was built by King Stefan Dušan and renovated during the Ottoman period. Recently, it has been reconstructed, with a paved road now providing easier access.