Gevgelija

We visited Gevgelija when we were staying in Star Dojran. The legend goes that a dervish monk (somebody who took the Islamic vow of poverty) stopped in the town to rest. He liked the town so much that he wanted to stay. However, the non-dervish locals of the town made it very clear to him that he and his religion were not welcome in the town (in complete contrast to the usual Macedonian hospitality I have experienced by the way). When the monk left, the locals feared his wrath and yelled the Turkish words “gel geri, gel geri” after him, meaning “come again, come again“. This is how the settlement got its name “Gevgelija”. The picture shows an old building that is one of the landmarks of Gevgelija. Nowadays there is not too much to do in Gevgelija and I doubt if we would “come again” since we have seen all the sights. But If we do, it would be thanks to the hospitality of the employees of the museum, who gave us a personal tour of both the museum and Vardarski Rid.

Museum of Gevgelija

The Museum of Gevgelija is located in a building dating from 1906. Here you can find many of the artifacts from the archeological site Vardarski Rid near Gevgelija. We were the only visitors. Actually, we were told that during the high season in the summer the museum welcomes about 2 or 3 visitors per week! So we got a personal tour by one of the archeologists of the museum in Macedonian, which my girlfriend translated for me. Although the employees spoke some English, it was easier for them to explain everything in Macedonian. The archeologist and a student who was also working in the museum liked our enthusiasm and offered to show us the archeological site Vardarski Rid. So we picked up our car and we drove together to the site. It was very interesting to see the archeological site where so many of the artifacts from the museum had been found, and to get some more explanation about Vardarski Rid. Vardarski Rid itself unfortunately was pretty much overgrown. Address: Marshal Tito 26;Directions: N41.14237 E22.50921 Phone: +389 (0)34 213 660

Vardarski Rid

We visited the archeological site Vardarski Rid together with two friendly employees from the Museum of Gevgelija. Without their stories and explanation this site would have been a lot less interesting, since nowadays it is largely overgrown with weeds.
Vardarski Rid is located on a hill east of Gevgelija, above the river Vardar. The archeological site consists of multiple layers of 6 settlements, dating back between the 13th and 1st century BC. There are also indications of a much earlier, Neolithic settlement (4500 BC). The ancient Macedonian city Gortinia was at this location as well.

Some of the structures that are still there: The City Stoa: a public building that was built during the rule of the Macedonian King Philip II (359-336 BC, father of Aleksandar The Great). It was used as a kind of mall, and the place where socio-cultural events happened. The Stoa was demolished during the invasion of the Celts (279-277 BC). The Acropolis with internal defensive wall: Part of the central complex dating from the 3rd-1st century BC, with two towers (which cannot be seen anymore).

House of the collector, dating back to 2nd-1st century BC. Inside this house items were found dating back to the 7th-4th century BC, suggesting that its owner was a collector of old items. We visited Vardarski Rid on a very hot afternoon and had cold drinks afterwards at Motel Vardar which is on the same hill. Address: Vardarski Rid; Directions: N41.14886 E22.52133

Town Hall

The town hall of Gevgelija is located in a nice building in the center of the town. As in most Macedonian towns, the town hall is the place to be for free goodies! We got a free map and a very nice hard-covered book about Gevgelija. Address: Dimitar Vlahov; Directions: N41.13905 E22.50323

Goce Delcev Library

The Goce Delcev library was opened in 1945. It is housed in a very interesting building, that was built in 1912. The library is one of the landmarks of Gevgelija.
Address: Marshal Tito; Directions: N41.14033 E22.50507

World War II Monument

This monument commemorates the fallen in WWII. It is located next to the library.
Address: Skopska with Marshal Tito                                             

Old Locomotive

The train station is in the east of Gevgelija. Opposite to the train station, in a small park, you can admire this old locomotive. Behind the locomotive a stork had build its nest. Address: Zeleznicka; Directions: N41.143325 E22.511989

St Cyril and Methodius

The large church dedicated to St Kiril and Metodi (St Cyril and Methodius) was built in 1895. It has a remarkable clock tower. The Church of St Athanasius the Great in the nearby village Bogdantsi has a very similar clock tower. Address: Kiril i Metodij. Directions: N41.13874 E22.50419

St Peter and Paul

The Catholic Church of St Petar and Pavle (St Peter and Paul) is located close to the Orhtodox Church of St Cyril and Methodius. It is tucked away between houses so you might easily miss it. The church was closed when we visited, but after we rang the bell a nun opened up the church for us. Address: Ilindenska; Directions: N41.13856 E22.50523

Monastery & Church of St Spas

The Church of St Spas (salvation) is from 1842, the monastery buildings (inns) date from a later time. The church has been rebuilt several times until the beginning of the Balkan War in 1912. It is located near the cemetery. We were told that it is not possible to stay in the monastery inn. Address: Ilindenska; Directions: N41.13918 E22.51079

Statue of Sava Mihajlov

Statue of Sava Mihajlov (1877-1903) in the center of Gevgelija. I believe he was a Macedonian revolutionary, who was involved in the famous Miss Stone affair, i.e. the kidnapping of the American Protestant missionary Ellen Maria Stone. This was in order to get a big ransom for the funding of the freedom fighters. Address: 7 Noemvri