Mount Vodno
Mount Vodno keeps on its slopes several villages, ancient monasteries and temples, rivers and in general is the epitome of beautiful Balkan nature. From afar, Mount Vodno appears as a shapeless block of earth looming over the Macedonian capital Skopje.
Highlights
In reality, it is a small world living a life of its own. On the slopes of Mount Vodno, mottled with hiking trails, there are several villages, ancient churches and monasteries, rivers and waterfalls. At the very top of Mount Vodno stands a huge metal Millennium Cross, which the Orthodox Church of Macedonia erected and consecrated in 2002 in honor of the 2000th anniversary of Christianity. The cross, which is 66 meters high, flashes hundreds of lights at night and is visible from almost anywhere within a radius of several kilometers. Just below the cross, a pole with a Macedonian flag is stuck in the ground, marking the military base located here.
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However, the most important attraction of Mount Vodno is the Church of St. Panteleimon, located in the village of Nerezi on the mountainside. This cross-domed church was founded in 1164 by Alexius Comnenus. The main decoration of the church is the marvelous Byzantine frescoes, which are of great historical value. The biblical subjects on the frescoes, expressive and imbued with drama, touch the soul and cause a flurry of emotions. However, the drama of the scenes and the expression of the images did not break the harmony: the figures of the monks on the walls have ideal proportions, their poses are natural and graceful, and the image of St. Panteleimon strikes with grace and elegance. When climbing to the top of Mount Vodno, tourists visit this church not only to admire its decoration, but also to rest and regain their strength. It is believed that St. Panteleimon in the heavenly office is responsible for the health of the flock. In addition, the panoramic view from the church is simply magnificent. In our time, the church is one of the oldest monuments of Byzantine culture in the Balkans.
.Also interesting is the monastery of St. Nikita, located at an altitude of 565 meters above sea level. The frescoes of this monastery are made by the famous icon painters of the time, Eutychius and Michael.At a distance of about half a kilometer from the monastery of St. Andrew, whose frescoes date back to the XV century, is a convent built in the XIV century.
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At the foot of Mount Vodno there is a kind of elite cottage village, where the residence of the American ambassador is now located. Here you can also easily find several hotels for every taste. Hotel Villa Vodno, for example, is not too luxurious, but it is considered the most cozy and hospitable hotel in the vicinity of Skopje and is famous for its excellent cuisine. The unique interior of the truly royal Imperial Hotel is strikingly luxurious and beautiful. Built in 1995, the Marble Hotel is an ideal place for those who appreciate comfort, silence and clean air.
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In local restaurants, tourists can try many simple but very tasty meat and vegetable dishes with spices. Those with a sweet tooth are offered “baklava”, “sutliyash”, “bureki” and various jams. In numerous souvenir stores and stores near Vodno you can buy dishes, crosses and icons, CDs with ethnic music, books about the culture and history of the country and copies of various ancient artifacts found during excavations in the form of figurines of gods, people and animals.
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