Krushevo

Krushevo is the highest town in the Republic of Macedonia, with its elevation of over 1300 m (about 4000 ft) above the sea level. It is a well-known winter ski resort. Its old architecture, many hotels, and all conditions necessary for pleasant winter holidays, make Krushevo an ideal place for relaxation.

The first republic on the Balkans known as "Krushevska republika" was established here in 1903 during the Ilinden insurrection. One of the most important points in the Ilinden uprising was the declaration of the "Manifesto from Krushevo". It calls for all the people of Macedonia regardless of their nationality and religion to fight together against the Ottoman empire and live peacefully in a free country of Macedonia.

The picture below shows the Monument in the area called "Mechkin Kamen" (Bear's Stone). This was the place where the band (cheta) of Pitu Guli was trying to defend the town of Krushevo from the Turkish troops coming from Bitola. The whole band and their leader (vojvoda) perished and Krushevo as well as many of the nearby villages were set to fire by the Turks.

mechkin-kamen picture

Unfortunately, the Krushevo Republic lasted only 12 days. The Ilinden uprising and its forever unforgotten heroes Nikola Karev, Pitu Guli, Damjan Gruev, and Goce Delchev will be always examples how to love and fight for freedom of our motherland.

Pictures and text provided by Vlatko Cingoski, Sacha Shopov, and Vlado Damjanovski were edited, put into HTML format and last updated