Mavrovo National Park

Mavrovo National Park is in the Polog region of Western North Macedonia. With over 73,000 hectares it is the largest national park in the country. This mountainous region contains Macedonia's highest peak, as well as lakes, rivers, and caves. The park is more or less contained within Mavrovo and Rostuša Municipality, which consists of 42 villages. Therefore, Mavrovo also features many cultural and historical attractions, including some of Macedonia's best-known villages.

Understand
Mavrovo is the name of the national park, a village within the park, and the park's largest lake. The municipality that covers most of the park is called Mavrovo and Rostuša Municipality.

People
Mavrovo has an interesting mix of peoples. Ethnically, it is populated by Macedonians (half the population), Turks (nearly one-third), and Albanians (17%). Notably, a relatively large proportion of ethnic Macedonians are Muslim (some identify as Turks or Albanians). Conversely, a relatively large, though still small, proportion of Albanians are Christians.

The Mijaks, a subgroup of ethnic Macedonians, originate from this region including near Debar. They are historically known for their building and artistic skills, as evidenced in the traditional homes and churches of their villages.

History
Mavrovo National Park was established on 18 April 1949 “on account of outstanding natural beauties, historical and scientific values of the forests and the forest land around Mavrovo Field”. Its boundaries were increased in 1952 and have been unchanged since. A section of forest near the village of Žužnje was submitted as a tentative World Heritage Site by Macedonia in 2019 as an extension of the existing Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe listing.

Landscape
Mavrovo features mountains, including Macedonia's highest, valleys, lakes, rivers, forests, and fields. Dozens of villages also dot the landscape.

Tourist information

 * Mavrovo National Park website

Get in
A minibus runs between Debar and Skopje. Best to ask at the bus station or locals for timetables and stops.

Get around
The road network in Mavrovo National Park consists of the motorway M4 Skopje-Ohrid, four regional roads, and local roads of varying quality.

See






Mijak villages
Mijaks are a group of ethnic Macedonians who originate from several villages in and around the Mavrovo region. They are known for their ecclesiastical architecture, woodworking, iconography, and other rich traditions, which have made their villages some of the best-known in the country. The two most prominent among these are Galičnik and Lazaropole.

Mountaineering
The national park also contains many other hiking trails that can be found on its website, as well as at info centers throughout the park.

Eat
Fish from Mavrovo Lake.

Sleep




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