Štip

An hour’s drive east of Veles lies Štip, a city similar in size, with a population of about 50,000, and known as a center of industry and economy. Both Veles and Štip once had ancient and significant Jewish communities that were destroyed during the Holocaust, though Štip’s was larger and more influential. In the heart of the city stands a monument dedicated to the victims, while on the outskirts, a cemetery with Hebrew inscriptions serves as a testament to this lost community.

Above the city of Štip rises Tsar Hill, crowned by the ruins of an ancient fortress. Below it stand several historic churches, including the Church of Archangel Michael, dating back to the 14th century. The old part of the city, known as Novo Selo, features museums from the Ottoman period and a covered market. Nearby, the Kežovica hot springs offer a natural thermal site.