Vrutok

The source of the Vardar river is located in the village Vrutok near Gostivar. It is a small scenic place. The springs produce roughly 1.5 m³ of water per second. From this surprisingly modest beginning, the Vardar travels about 388 km through Gostivar, Skopje and Veles, then across the border near Gevgelija into Greece and into the Aegean Sea.

The water from the springs is used for trout (fish) farming. The first fish farm was here in 1962. Today the fish ponds and trout restaurants around the spring are part of the place’s identity.

We had lunch at restaurant Burimi Tre which is located right at the springs. The location of the restaurant is very nice, with the river flowing right through it! We were not aware that the trout was a local specialty and had a meat dish. The food was OK but not very special, however the location made up for it.

Next to the springs there is a church dedicated to St Archangel Michael, from 1924. The present building was erected where a smaller old church had previously existed.

Above the door of the church there is an old stone with an inscription, possibly spolia (repurposed building materials) from the previous church?