Europe

[Visited: July 2020]

After the heat of the North Macedonian plains, it was a pleasure to drive up the mountain road to Kruševo. I drive steep and winding cobble-stone streets up the mountain, and find accommodation close to the Makedonium, one of the main sights of town. It is the first thing I want to see: built in commemoration of the Ilinden uprising of 1903, a concerted effort against the Ottoman empire. It led to the short-lived Kruševo republic which was defeated after just ten days. The president of that republic is buried inside the Makedonium. The monument also commemorates those who fought to liberate their country in World War II. Before I reach the monument, I come across modern art symbolising chains, and a broken chain for the freedom gained. There is a crypt, with names of people who played a role in the fight for freedom.
When I come to the top of the hill, I see an amphitheatre, flanked by two walls with colourful mosaics. Ahead of me is the futuristic Makedonium itself: a strangely shaped building with large windows jutting out of it. The top windows have stained glass. I walk around it, and when I am back at the amphitheatre, there is a very dark sky looming below in the plains, contrasting nicely with the brightly coloured mosaics. I wait too long to enjoy the views, and by the time I am back in my room, I am soaked. The next day. I am up early to first walk to the small lake to the north of Kruševo, and from there literally walk down town to explore the steep streets of the pleasant city. Some of the buildings are very beautiful, but I also like the stacks of firewood that I often see. Winters must be pretty cold here: in summer, the temperature is pleasant. Criss-crossing the streets, squares, I soak up the atmosphere of the city.
Armed with a bunch of cherries, I drive to Mečkin kamen, a mountain to the south, from which paragliders depart, but also with a monument for the battle that was fought here, as part of the Ilinden uprising. At the end of the afternoon, after a visit to Bitola, I drive up Vrsnik, the mountain to the north, which has such good views all around that I am back the next morning for sunrise. There are great views over Kruševo and the plains beyond, and I can already see the hill near Prilep that i am going to climb later that day. I still want to see the Makedonium from the inside, but when I arrive, I find it closed like it was the days before; the disadvantage of traveling in pandemic times. It is time to say goodbye, and for the last time, I drive down the mountain road, passing the skilift, leaving this proud city, its friendly folk, and the comfortable temperatures behind.

Around the World in 80 Clicks

Personal travel impressions both in words and images from Kruševo (North Macedonia). Clicking on the pictures enlarges them and enables you to send the picture as a free e-card or download it for personal use, for instance, on your weblog. Or click on the map above to visit more places close to Kruševo.
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Kruševo > North Macedonia > Europe

[Visited: July 2020]

Around the World in 80 Clicks

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