Kicevo

(Macedonian: Кичево)

Kicevo is a city in the western part of the Republic of Macedonia, located in a valley in the south-eastern slopes of Mount Bistra, between the cities of Ohrid and Gostivar. The capital Skopje is 112 km away. The city of Kicevo is a seat of the Kicevo municipality.

According to the last census data from 2002, the municipality of Kičevo has 30,138 inhabitants. Macedonians constitute for 16,140 people, followed by Albanians with about 13,500 people, and Turks with a small number.

The name of the city in Macedonian is Kichevo, in Albanian: Kërçovë/Kërçova and in Turkish: Kırçova. Kicevo was first mentioned as Uskana in the reign of Perseus, king of Macedon during the Third Macedonian War (171-169 BC). The next written record of the town did not come until 1018, under the name of Kicavis, noted in one of the documents of the Byzantine emperor Basil II. It is presumed that the today's name of the town originates from the name of this settlement populated by the Slavic Brsjaci tribe.

• Number of inhabitants: 30.138
• Area: 48 sq. km
• Geographic position: 41° 31' 04 N, 20° 57' 56 E
• Climate: Continental
• Average temperature: 10,7oC
• Time zone: Central European Time (GMT +1)
• Postal Code:
• Local area code:

Kicevo was noted in one of the documents of the Byzantine emperor Basil II in 1018, and also mentioned by the Ohrid archbishop Theophilact in XI century.

When the region was conquered by the Ottoman Empire, Kicevo was turned into the military and administrative center of the region. Notable monument of that period is a clock tower built in the foothills of the nearby hill called Kichevsko Kale.

The activities of the IMRO (Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization) in the region of Ki?evo were initiated by the priest Josif from the monastery of Bogorodica Precista near the city, supported by many teachers from the neighbouring villages. Priest Josif and Pere Tosev formed the first armed detachment in Kicevo in 1878, led by Duko Tasev. On August 2nd, 1903, the citizens of Kicevo joined the struggle for Macedonian independence, led by Arso Vojvoda and Jordan Piperkata. In 1919 Ki?evo and the whole region were incorporated in the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes. During World War II, Kicevo was occupied by forces from Fascist Italy. On September 11th, 1943, Kicevo became the first liberated city in Macedonia.

• By car: 110 km far from Skopje South-west, on the road to Ohrid, 2 – 2.5 hours of easy drive
• By plane: www.airports.com.mk (Skopje)
• By bus: www.sas.com.mk (Skopje)
• By train: Railway line Kicevo – Skopje, via Gostivar and Tetovo

Saint Bogorodica Precista Monastery (Monastery of Immaculate Mother of God) is a significant monastery near Kicevo. Dedicated to the Virgin Mary, Mother of God, the feast day of this monastery is "Mala Bogorodica", (Birthday of the Virgin Mary on the 21st of September). The monastery, dedicated to the Annunciation and lodgings for devout monks, represents a medieval monastery that was known under the name Krninski monastery in the past.

Another important monument is the monastery of St. George located in the vicinity of Kicevo.