Kumanovo Things to Do

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This church stands at the foot of the rock formation Kostoperska Karpa in the village Mlado Nagorichane.

Is is located on the other site of the rock compared to the Church of St Petka.

I read somewhere that it dates back to the 11th century!

The church was in scaffolds and closed when we were there.

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This church stands at the foot of the rock formation Kostoperska Karpa in the village Mlado Nagorichane.

It is located along the road from Kumanovo to Kriva Palanka.

I believe it dates back to the 17th century.

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Along the way from Kumanovo to Kriva Palanka, at the turn-off for Prohor Pcinjski, you can see this strange rock formation.

There was a prehistoric settlement on or near this rock formation, which may have been used for ritual purposes.

There are two churches next to this big rock, the Church of St Petka and the Church of St George.

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Batko Gjorgjija is a typical figure and character of Kumanovo. He was a great mocker and bohemian, who preferred leading a loose life rather than working.

The text on the statue says: "He wants to have all pretty things that he sees".

The Days of Comedy take place every year in honor of Batko Gjorgjija.

This monument is located on the central square of Kumanovo.

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The Church of St Trojca (Holy Trinity) is relatively young, being built in 1902.

It has a very interesting floor!

The original color allegedly was a less obvious tint of pink. When they re-painted it, they decided the church had to be more cheerful!

And cheerful it is! What a difference compared with the grumpy idiot who almost started a fist fight with me at the Church of St Nikola for taking a picture of the outside of the church!

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Small but interesting museum, with artifacts from the region, e.g. from the ancient observatory Kokino.

There's an exposition about Macedonia during the last wars as well, in addition to ethnological clothing and replica's of old Macedonian and Turkish living rooms.

Although we arrived at a time that the museum should have been open, it was not. A while after contacting the museum by phone, one of the archeologists came to open it. He really took his time for us and gave a detailed description of almost every item in the museum. He only spoke Macedonian, but could understand some English.

Opening times 2011:
Tuesday-Friday 10.00-16.00
Saturdays 09.00-13.00

Prices:
Macedonians: 60 MKD
Foreigners: 100 MKD (about 1.70 euro)
School kids and students: 40 MKD
Groups: 20 MKD

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The Kokino archeological site and megalithic observatory is located about 30 kilometers northeast of Kumanovo, near the villages Staro Nagoricane and Kokino.

Artefacts found on the site have been dated to 1800 BC, so the site is more than 3800 years old.

Kokino is on the U.S. Space Organization NASA's list of ancient observatories, together with e.g. Stonehenge in Great Britain. Not surprisingly, Kokino is also referred to as the Stonehenge of Macedonia.

According to specialists, the site was used to follow the movements of sun and moon. An obvious structure on the site is called "The Throne", and resembles a big couch. This throne is faced to a rock formation in the east, over which the sun will rise. Certain (man-made?) stone markers in the rock formation mark the positions of the sun at the summer and winter solstice and spring and fall equinox.

Besides its function as an observatory, the site was likely used for ritual purposes as well. Figurine objects of humans and animals have been found here. Also ceramic vessels were found, some of them are on display in the museum of Kumanovo.

When we arrived at the site, a man was sitting at the picnic table below the rock formation, and he was selling a small flyer with some information about the site (30 MKD, about 50 eurocents). Since he may not be there all the time, it may be useful for you to get some information about Kokino before you go there. Especially information about how the rock formation was used as an observatory, because you will probably not be able to determine the position of the solar markers by yourself. You can find a copy of the flyer in the link to my travelogue below, or contact me and I will send it to you by email.

Whether or you understand and believe the role of this observatory or not, it is a cool rock formation to walk around, to enjoy the view and to imagine the ancient civilization that once used this place.

To get there, take the exit to the Monastery of Prohor Pcinjski and Staro Nagoricane to the left along the road from Kumanovo to Kriva Palanka. Kokino is signposted from there, there is a parking with information panel below the rock formation.

Another interesting Megalithic Observatory in Macedonia is Cocev Kamen near Kratovo.

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The Stone Dolls, or Kameni Kukli, are strange stone pillars that have been formed 10 million years ago by erosion.

They are near the village of Kuklica, south of the road from Kumanovo to Kriva Palanka, and close to Kratovo.

We went here by car together with a guide from the Municipal Center of Rock Art of Kratovo.

One bridge close to the Stone Dolls was damaged and/or in repair, but could be crossed, otherwise it was easy to get there. This is in contrast to what is written in the Bradt Travel Guide Macedonia (second edition), where it is stated that a 4x4 vehicle is necessary. The road nowadays is asphalted.

Follow the link below to my Kuklica page for more information and pictures.