Veles Travel Guide

 Pijlmans Says:  The ruins of a fortress ("kale" in Macedonian) are located on a hill about 2 km south of the center of Veles, on the right (west) bank of the river Vardar.I found some information that this place has been inhabited since 2500 BC, also was used in Roman times and was a... 

 Pijlmans Says:  The Church of St Nedela (St Sunday) is located less than 2 km south of the center of Veles, on the right (west) bank of the Vardar River.It was closed when we were there. I read that the church is from the 14th century.Close to the church is one of the strangest toilets I... 

 Pijlmans Says:  The Chapel dedicated to St Ana (St Anna) is located less than 2 km south of the center of Veles, on the right (west) bank of the Vardar River.It is right next to the road and is built around a water tap.Although this chapel is located a bit out of the center, it is worth... 

 Pijlmans Says:  The Church of St Nikola (St Nicholas) is located less than 2 km south of the center of Veles, on the right (west) bank of the Vardar River.The church is from the 14th century.Above the church is a grave monument. The caretaker of the church told us that there are the remains... 

 Pijlmans Says:  The Monastery of St Dimitrija (St Demetrius or St Dimitri) is located less than 2 km south of the center of Veles, on the right (west) bank of the Vardar River.The monastery is from the 14th century, but was buried for almost 500 years during the Ottoman period. Its actual... 

 Pijlmans Says:  There is a small parking on the road from Skopje to Veles near Vetersko, with a little shop selling religious items, a water source and some small chapels. The shop belongs to the Monastery of St Jovan, which is located a 5-10 minutes steep walk uphill on the other side of... 

 Pijlmans Says:  This new church was not finished yet when we were there in 2010.I do not know to which saint it will be dedicated... 

 Pijlmans Says:  Koco Racin (1908-1943) was a Macedonian revolutionary and poet, who is considered a founder of modern Macedonian literature. He was born in Veles. 

 Pijlmans Says:  This monument is for the rebels of Veles, who participated in the liberation of Krusevo, during the Ilinden uprising in August 1903. 

 Pijlmans Says:  The 12 pipes symbolize the 12 dynamiters who bombed Western companies in Thessaloniki in April 1903. The Thessaloniki bombings were an attempt to draw Europe's attention to the Macedonian issue. Macedonia was occupied by the Ottomans in that time.Ironically, the Turks... 

 Pijlmans Says:  Some pictures of the inside of the Church of St Pantelejmon.The frescoes and icons were created by Gjorgji Damjanov and Gjorgji Jakov Zografski. 

 Pijlmans Says:  The Church of St Pantelejmon was built in 1840 by the master-builder Andreja Damjanov, who also built the Church of St Bogorodica in Stip.For Macedonian standards, it is a surprisingly large and high church, with thee floors.The frescoes and icons were created by Gjorgji... 

 Pijlmans Says:  More pictures of the Monastery of St Bogorodica near Vetersko. 

 Pijlmans Says:  There is a small parking on the road from Skopje to Veles near Vetersko, with a little shop selling religious items, a water source and some small chapels. The shop belongs to the Monastery of St Jovan Veterski, which is located a 5-10 minutes steep walk uphill on the left... 

 Pijlmans Says:  Some more pictures of the Monastery of St Jovan Veterski near Veles 

 Pijlmans Says:  On our way from Skopje to Veles, we saw this castle on a hill on the right side of the road and we stopped on the small parking in front of it. It was not mentioned in any of the guidebooks we had. The site was closed off with a fence, but it was not hard to get in anyway.... 

 Pijlmans Says:  This monument is to commemorate the fighters from the area of Veles, who perished for the liberation of the Macedonian people during WWII.The monument looks like a poppy flower and inside the monument a blossoming tree symbolizes liberty. 

 Pijlmans Says:  The tower was constructed in the 16th century as an observatory post for the Ottomans. In the 18th century it was transformed into a clock tower.It is the landmark of Veles, and depicted both on the flag and the coat of arms of Veles. 

 Pijlmans Says:  The City Park of Veles has some nice fountains.Ideal place to sit on one of the benches in the shadow of the large trees on a hot day.