Mariovo

Mariovo (Macedonian: Мариово) is a region in southern North Macedonia. This historic region consists of 29 villages spread across the southern chunk of Prilep Municipality, as well as neighboring portions of Novaci (part of the Bitola area) and Kavadarci municipalities, bordering Greece to the south. Surrounded by tall mountains, it features rolling hills, short mountains, rivers, and plains, and makes up 4% of the country's total territory. The region is known for its culture and traditions. At the turn of the 20th century, the total population of this region was over 14,000; at the turn of the 21st century, the population had shrunk to under 1,000.

The unique scenery of the region, along with the historic architecture of the all but deserted villages has attracted filmmakers like Milcho Manchevski to film here.

Understand
There are a few legends offering to explain the origin of the name of this region but the most popular surrounds a beautiful villager from the region named Marija. A Turkish bey wanted to have her as a wife in his harem and she obliged, however only under the condition that this region remain un-Turkified and un-Islamified. The condition was accepted and the region never saw a Turk settle here, nor a mosque get built. Out of appreciation for Marija, the locals named this place Mariovo.

Whether or not the legend is true, Mariovo was spared Turkish settlement and the spread of Islam. This led to a distinguishable spirit among Mariovci compared to other Macedonians; a spirit of rebellion and freedom-loving.

The Crna River flows through the region, including through the Skočivar Gorge - the country's longest.

Mariovo has a long and storied history. The severe drop in population in the past century is explained by a few reasons. During the partition of Macedonia, Mariovo was cutoff from the adjacent regions to the south that now found themselves in Greece. Following destruction in the world wars, Mariovo came out as one of the least developed regions in Yugoslavia but nonetheless with a high birthrate. Massive emigration to cities and North America and Australia began to occur in the 1950s. Road-paving, electricity, and other infrastructural improvements came too late.

Mariovo is also known for its unique culture. Its traditional folk costumes are distinguishable from typical Macedonian traditional dress.

Bitola Mariovo
The western portion of Mariovo makes up much of Novaci Municipality, considered part of the Bitola area. Most of the places of interest here are found at Zovikj.

Prilep Mariovo
The largest section of Mariovo lies within Prilep Municipality, forming the center of the region.

Tikveš Mariovo
The Tikveš region is known for its vineyards near its largest city Kavadarci, but it also contains a smaller share of Mariovo's eastern end.