About Macedonia

Macedonia Cultural Tours

The Republic of Macedonia became one of Europe’s newest countries in 1991 when it gained independent from the former Yugoslav Republic. However, the name Macedonia, and its people, is steeped in ancient history and its associations with Philip the Second and his son Alexander the Great are well documented.

This land has been under Hellenstic, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman rule, and the museums and state archives are rich in material which reflects each of these periods.

In more modern times the country has seen both triumph and disaster. The floods of 1962 were followed by a devastating earthquake in 1963, first reported by two British pilots as they took off from Skopje airport and saw the city collapsing before their eyes. As part of Socialist Republic of Yugoslavia it saw more prosperous times and many speak fondly of that period.

European UnionThe Macedonian people are now looking to membership of the European Union to forge the next chapter in their long and illustrious history. Throughout, however, the Macedonia people have remained warm and friendly, and will always have time to share a rakija and salad with new friends.   

The contrasts between ancient and modern, cities and countryside, old traditions and new ideas is what makes Macedonia proud of calling itself the “Cradle of Culture and Land of Nature” 

Mother Teresa

Macedonia is the birth place of Mothrer Teresa, she was born born Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu in August 1910 in Skopje from Albanian decent. Aged 18 she left her parental home and joined the Sisters of Loreto, who where an Irish community of nuns with missions in India, on May 24th 1931 she took her initial vows as a nun. From 1931 to 1948 Mother Teresa taught at St. Mary's High School in Calcutta.

In 1979 she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of her humanitarian work. She considered that "poverty is a gift of God" and believed and served God all her life until she died on September 5th 1997 aged 87.

Macedonian Facts

  • is 1230 miles from London, with an overall flying time of around 3hours 30 minutes;
  • has a population of around 2.1 million;
  • has 34 mountain peaks with Mount Golem Korab being the highest at 2,753 metres;
  • Krushevo is the highest town at 1,350 with Gevgelia, near the Greek border being only 45 metres above sea level.
  • 53 lakes with the largest being at the UNESCO protect site at Ohrid;
  • the River Vardar is the longest river at 301 kilometres;
  • the capital Skopje is linked with Bradford in Yorkshire;

Famous People

  • Alexander the Great
  • Cyril and Methodius
  • St Naum
  • St Kliment Ohridski
  • Goce Delcev
  • Mother Teresa
    • ……….and so many more