Vevčani



Vevčani (Macedonian: Вевчани) is a village in western North Macedonia at the foot of the Jablanica Mountain. Just east of the border with Albania, it is 14 kilometres (8.7 miles) northwest of the town of Struga and Lake Ohrid. It has nearly 2,500 inhabitants and is the only settlement within the Municipality of Vevčani.

The village sits in scenic mountainous terrain. Much of Vevčani lies over 1,000 metres (3,200 feet) above sea level. Vevčani is known for its natural springs and scenery, its 1,400-year-old annual carnival, and its past attempts to become an independent republic. The village still takes its autonomy seriously; visitors can get a "Vevčani passport" and have it stamped. There is also a Vevčani currency that can be used in the village.

Understand
Vevčani is surrounded by the Municipality of Struga, except on the west where it borders Albania. It is the smallest municipality by area in the country outside of Greater Skopje. The locals speak a unique dialect of Macedonian, found only in three other villages.

History
Vevčani was likely first inhabited around the time of the arrival of Slavs to the region. Along with the rest of Macedonia, it was under Ottoman rule for five centuries until the Balkan Wars in the early 20th century. Vevčani has long been a Christian village surrounded by Muslim villages.

The best known event in the village's history involves the creation by residents of the Vevčani Republic. In 1987, the villagers defied attempts by Yugoslav authorities to redirect water from Vevčani's springs to Struga. The locals sparked calls for democracy and freedom from the Yugoslav government. Following the breakup of Yugoslavia, the republic was declared on September 19, 1991. It was not taken seriously, however, and the concept faded out. It was revived in 2000 as a model country to attract tourism. The Vevčani Republic has its own flag, coat of arms, and currency.



By car
The main way to get into Vevčani is off the Struga-Debar highway (R1201). The road to the village is marked by a large gate with the village's name and a church. From this point, it is a 4 km (2.4 mi) drive west to get to the village center.

Vevčani also has rural road connections with Gorna Belica to the southwest and Oktisi to the southeast.

Get around
The village of Vevčani can be covered entirely on foot.

Traditional architecture
Vevčani is known for its abundance of traditional homes, eleven of which are under protection.

Do

 * Vevčani Carnival - a carnival with a 15-century-long tradition every January 13th to celebrate the New Year (per the Julian calendar). Carnival attendees wear a variety of masks and costumes, sometimes controversial ones.

Sleep
Accommodation of bigger tourist groups is done in hotels in Struga and, for individual tourists and smaller groups it is done in private houses in Vevčani.

Go next

 * Struga is the nearest major city, on Lake Ohrid
 * Albania is on the other side of Jablanica Mountain from Vevčani