Lake Matka is an artificial lake close to Skopje. The lake was created by building a dam in the river Treska. Bus 60 takes you from the bus station in Skopje to Matka, see here for more info. The most interesting way to visit Lake Matka may be to hike to the lake from the Millennium Cross on Mount Vodno near Skopje. It’s a pleasant downhill hike from the Millennium Cross to Lake Matka of about 13 km.
There are several churches and monasteries around the lake, the ruins of the fortress Marko’s City (Markov Grad), you can visit the Vrelo Cave by boat or go kayaking. Some of the churches can only be reached by short but steep hikes. Once you’re tired from all the activities, have a beer or bite at the lake-site restaurant/hotel.
Church of St Andrea
The Church of St Andrea (St Andrew) is located close to the dam that is responsible for the artificial lake. Try to imagine how high above the river the church must have been before the dam was built and the lake was formed! It was built in 1388 by Andrea, second son of King Volkashin and brother of the later King Marko. Pay some extra attention to the frescoes: The faces and postures of the saints are very realistic and perspective is added, distinguishing them from other frescoes in that time. Close to the church of St Andrea is a bar/restaurant/hotel and the mountaineering club Matka. The best and most spectacular view at St Andrea undoubtedly is from the Monastery of St Nikola Shishovski on the other side of the lake.
St Nikola Shishovski
The Monastery of St Nikola Shishovski is located high on the cliffs above Lake Matka. It is not exactly known when the church was built, likely somewhere near the 14th century. The high location is spectacular and gives you a wonderful view of Lake Matka and the Monastery of St Andrea below. The church is on the opposite site of the Matka Canyon from the Church of St Andrea. See here for more info how to hike to the Church of St Nikola Shishovski at Lake Matka (4 km). When we arrived there, the church was locked. However, there are wooden picnic places and toilets at this remote site. Another hike takes you from the Monastery of St Bogorodica along the Church of St Spas, the ruins of Marko’s City, the ruins of St Nedela and back to the church of St Andrea at the lake. See here for more info about this hike of about 4 hours.
Monastery of St Bogorodica
The Monastery of St Bogorodica (Holy Mother of God) is close to Lake Matka, before the dam and above restaurant Pestera. The inns of the monastery are not open to the public. Above the entrance of the church is written: “By the will of the father, the son and the holy ghost and the divine temple of the Mother of God came Lady Milica. She found this church unroofed, built a roof for it, painted its frescoes and built a wall around it. Mention, Lord, that this took place in 1497. From the Monastery of St Bogorodica, you can continue walking uphill to the churches of St Spas (60 min), the ruins of St Nedela (90 min) and St Andrea (140 min).
St Spas and St George
The Church of St Spas (Holy Salvation) was built in the 14th century and was renovated in 1968. Next to the church are the ruins of St George. The Church of St Troica should also be close to St Spas but we somehow missed it. St Spas is at a remote location and can only be reached by a hike (see above)
King Marko’s Fortress
On your way from St Spas to the roofless church of St Nedela you pass these impressive ruins from the fortress Markov Grad. I did a hike to the Rasa Peak that passes the ruins of Marko’s City, as well as the ruins of St Nedela. According to Wikipedia this place represents a fortress from late antiquity (5th-6th century) and a fortified monastery and refuge from the Middle Ages. The acropolis was restored in the 14th century.
Ruins of St Nedela
The ruins of St Nedela (St Sunday) are on one of the highest cliffs above Lake Matka. It is probably from the late 14th century. Although the church is without roof, you can still burn candles here, and even write something in the log that is hidden in a metal case. Some of the frescoes are still (barely) visible. There are more ruins at this site. Hidden below the church, there is a small wooden hut with a stunning view over the valley, where you can have a picnic.
Vrelo Cave
You can visit the Vrelo cave at Lake Matka. To get to the cave, you have to take a boat for about 4 km upstream from the dam. It takes 30 minutes to get to the cave by boat. You will find these boats at St Andrea. The cave is very spacious, with a small lake inside. Unfortunately, there is almost no opportunity to wander around. You enter the cave by stairs to a small plateau. There you can have a look around, but you are not allowed to leave the plateau. After a few minutes you’ve more or less seen everything you can see. The 30 minute trip by boat over the lake is very entertaining, and was actually better than the cave experience.
walk along Matka Canyon
You can also walk along Lake Matka. At some places, you will be walking high on the cliffs on a very narrow trail, so this walk is certainly not suitable for people with vertigo. I believe nowadays there is a fence, which was not in place when we walked here in 2008. At that time we were told that the trail is getting bad after about 6 km when starting from St Andrea.
So we took a boat from St Andrea, 6 km up the river. A bit further upstream from the Vrelo cave we got onto the shore and walked back to St Andrea.
Close to the Church of St Andrea, there is a huge carabiner hanging from the rocks to commemorate a climber who died here in an accident.
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