Prilep

(Macedonian: Прилеп)

Prilep, other forms: Parleap, Turkish: Pirlepe and Perlepe, Greek: Perlepes or Prilapo is a city of 73,925 citizens in the Republic of Macedonia. Prilep is known as "the city under Marko's Towers" because of its proximity to the towers of the legendary hero King Marko.

Prilep covers 1.675 square kilometers and is located in the northern Pelagonia Plain, in southern Macedonia. Prilep is the seat of a municipality with the same name (Prilep municipality) and is accessed by the M5/E65 road. It is only 128 km (airline) from the capital Skopje, 44 km from Bitola, and 32 km from Krusevo.

• Number of inhabitants: 73.925
• Area: 1.194,44 sq. km
• Geographic position: 41°52′″N 41.35°21.55′″E
• Climate: Continental
• Average temperature: Annual lows 6,1oC, annual highs 39,4oC
• Time zone: Central European Time (GMT +1)
• Postal Code: 7500
• Local area code: 048

If you are ready to enjoy in typical and rich Macedonian kitchen, don’t avoid Prilep and so many restaurants that they offer. Makedonska Kuca (Macedonian House) is one of the best on the Balkans, some others like Marko Cepenkov and a dozen of pizzerias in the centre will surely be quiet enough to be satisfied.

In the history data, Prilep is mentioned in 1014 for the first time. The area of the town and its countryside were one of the most important strategic, political and military places in this part of the Balkans. Many important crossroads, passing from Greece to Adriatic Sea, were crossing through Pelagonija.

The vital ancient roads "Via Egnatia" and "Via Militaries" were the most natural connection with the whole Balkans, crossing Prilep. The shortest road that connects Venice and Dubrovnik businessmen with the ones in Thessaloniki was crossing through Prilep, too. Through the centuries many cultures have lived in this area, like Hellenics, Romans, Byzantines, Slavs and many others.

The most authentic monument complexes from the ancient period are: Bedem in Cepigovo, Bezisten between Prilepec and Volkovo, and some sightseeing’s within the town.

There are many archeological sites in ancient cities like: Stibera, Alcomena, Keramia, Colobansa etc.

It is of great significance to bear in mind the percent of the cultural and historical monuments dated from Middle Age, as following: St. Nicola’s church from XIII century, St. Uspenie church in Bogorodica as a part of Treskavec monastery with XV, XVI and XIX century frescos and icons, and monastery (included St. Preobrazdenie church) situated in the village of Zrze.

The most important cultural and historical place is the town itself. It was the center of the largest political and regional organization, crucial political and military place as well as a temporary residence of Tzar Samuil (between the Marco’s Hills Fortress and the round space within the Under Fortress place, Varos and Zagrad). One of the five largest Balkans that is composed of three defense levels and many buildings and gates is a part of Marko's Hills Fortress.

The most remarkable development of Prilep is in the last quarter of the XIII and the first half of the XIV century. Results of that development are the important monuments from that period such as: The only researching site (represented with a living place) dating from the Slavic period (X century), St. Arahangel Michael church with FRESKOES from XI century. The town business center with the famous Old Bazaar was built in the XV century.

In the period of Macedonian cultural and national revival, Prilep is very important centre of the Slavic literacy, literature and culture. Educational activities from this period have an extarordinary meaning. They are promoted by the Macedonian teachers Jordan Konstantinov (Dzinot), Dimitar Miladinov, Rajko Zinzifov and Kuzman Sapkarev. Please note the influence of the famous collector of Macedonian folk music, stories, legends and myths, riddles, Marko Cepenkov.

Within the Ilinden period, the town was a centre of the Macedonian national movement for freedom. 50 revolutionaries like: Pere Toshev, Gorche Petrov, Petre Acev and many more, were members of the National Liberation Army and what is more important they came from Prilep. On October, 11 1941 with the attack over Police station the uprising against fascism started. Macedonian people fought for their national freedom and independence. The Park of Revolution as a historical monument and in the same time the holy joint graveyard in memoriam of over 650 fighters for freedom, is an evidence for the mass and self-sacrificing citizens' participation in the Second World War.

Prilep has its essential growth in the after war free development period. Then it became respectably well known political, administrative, cultural, educational, scientific and commercial centre of Macedonia. Prilep has "invested" more than 25 excellent writers in the literature, more than 20 painters and sculptures in the art, and numerous famous scientists in Macedonia and the world. This obvious development has resulted with the establishment of the Faculty of Economy, and the first scientific institutions: Tobacco Institute and the Institute for research and examination of the former Slavic culture. We can see the business life through many industrial branches like: Tobacco industry, Metal industry, Industry for NEMETALI, Chemical, Textile and Wood Industry. Prilep is famous world center for tobacco production. Its tobacco is especially wanted all around the world. Prilep is proud of its high-quality marble dug from the numerous mines in the area. It has a rich cultural heritage and history, represents our national proud, it is a cosmopolitan town often called The Hero Town.

The City of Tobacco will offer you a lot of possibilities to sport. But, as you’re here the best for you will be top test your mountain walking skills and visit Trskavec monastery, monasteries in Zrze and Varos, the Marko’s towers and a lot of monuments around which will take your breath many times, something that you will surely remember for good.

• By car: 145 km far from Skopje south-west on the road to Bitola and Ohrid
• By plane: www.airports.com.mk (Skopje)
• By bus: www.sas.com.mk (Skopje)
• By train:

There are several ancient sites in Prilep including one at Markovi Kuli, St. Nicola’s church from XIII century, St. Uspenie church in Bogorodica, St. Preobrazenie church and the Tomb of the Unconquered, a memorial in honor of the victims of fascism located in Prilep's central park. A large Roman necropolis is known there and parts of numerous walls have been found; the settlement was probably the ancient Ceramiae mentioned in the Peutinger Table. Roman remains can also be found near the Varos, built on the steep slopes of the hill, which was later inhabited by a medieval community. A large number of early Roman funeral monuments, some with sculpted reliefs of the deceased or of the Thracian Rider and other inscribed monuments of an official nature, are in the courtyard of the church below the southern slope of Varosh. Some of the larger of those monuments were built into the walls of the church.

The most important ancient monument is the old city of Styberra situated on Bedem hill near Cepigovo, in the central region of Pelagonia. As early as the time of the Roman - Macedonian wars, this city was known as a base from which the Macedonian king Perseus of Macedon set out to conquer the Penestian cities. An important site in the area is Bela Crkva, 6 km west of Styberra, where the town of Alkomenai was probably located. It was a stronghold of the Macedonian kings after it was rebuilt in the early Roman period and was at the Pelagonian entrance to a pass leading to Illyria. Part of the city wall, a gate, and a few buildings of the Roman period were uncovered here in excavations. All recent finds from these sites are in the Museum of the City of Prilep.

The Treskavec monastery, built in the 12th century in the mountains about 10 km north of Prilep under Zlatovrv peak, at the edge of a small upland plain 1100 meters above sea level. Prilep has frescoes from the 14th and 15th centuries and is probably the site of the early Roman town of Kolobaise. The name of the early town is recorded on a long inscription on stone which deals with a local cult of Ephesian Artemis. The inscription was reused as a base for a cross on top of one of the church domes. Other inscriptions at Treskavec include several 1st century Roman dedications to Apollo. The old fortress was used by the Romans, and later the Byzantines. During the Middle Ages, King Marko rebuilt the citadel extensively, making it an important military stronghold. After all, even Tsar Samuil came here after the defeat at Belasica in 1014. Samuil died in Prilep from a heart attack after encountering his blinded soldiers.