Kumanovo is the third largest city in the Republic of Macedonia
Located in the middle of a long valley 35 km (21 m) to the northeast of Skopje, Kumanovo is one of Macedonia’s larger cities and a place well known for its unique blend of Serbian and Macedonian culture, something which is evidenced by the feisty, fun-loving Kumanovci (as the residents are called). The city and its outlying villages exemplify Macedonia’s unique multi-ethnic blend, containing as they do Albanian, Roma, Serbian and Turkish minorities.
An example of Kumanovo joviality is the traditional appearance of the dzamalari, masked revelers from the village of Orashec, every 14th of January in the Kumanovo city square. This raucous winter celebration is believed to be more than ten centuries old.
Kumanovo today is a modernizing town, where new offices, houses and restaurants are constantly being built. It is well-outfitted with sports grounds, theatres, internet cafes and eateries, and is especially famous throughout the country for its nightlife.
Aside from these modern touches, however, Kumanovo also contains many features from earlier times. Some 19th century stone houses remain, and even the very center of the town is filled with labyrinthine alleyways connecting little homes covered by the trademark terra cotta tiled Macedonian roofs. The city square, as well as some restaurants and other buildings, also bear the stamp of the old Yugoslavia.
Another unique aspect of the Kumanovo experience is the city’s mineral water springs, located on the southern edge of the town. People come here regularly to fill up bottles of the mineral-rich water, which is good not only for drinking but also for cleaning the eyes and skin. In its carbonated form, this water is sold throughout Macedonia under the name ‘Kumanovka.’
Beljakovo monastery – Village of Beljakovce On the location of today’s monastery, dedicated to St. Gjorgjija, an old church and a spring of water with healing power were located. Today the church is very well preserved, while the monastic quarters are almost destroyed. The locals claim that the church was built in Roman times, and was restored more than 100 years ago. The elderly remember that the monastic life was renewed by a Russian monk Anatolij, who retreated in Macedonia after the October Revolution. The rites related to Christian holidays Mala Bogorodica, Gjurgjovden, Holy Trinity and Duhovden are performed even today in the yard of the monastery. A large congregation was held here where people from all surrounding villages would join up to 30 years ago. The village people tell the story of the church restoration: “It was a Roman church, and later restored. The Turks wouldn’t let us build a church. ‘What are you building’? ‘A pen, for livestock”. And later, it was renovated. In the past century, there was an old man, Stamen, who moved from village Rudare and he healed the people who would come for remedy with the healing water. The people from the village also donated money for restoration of the church. It was finished in 1894
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