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Photo: Мико, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
On the slopes Mount Bistra, noted for its historic architecture, rich culture, and interesting landscape, is Galičnik. The village was a bustling town of sheepherders a century ago, but is now virtually deserted, its population having fled for work opportunities abroad decades ago. Notable Macedonians such as Gjorgji Pulevski, one of the first authors to argue the existence of a Macedonian ethnicity, and Aleksandar Sarievski, a singer-songwriter who wrote countless songs that are now treasured by Macedonians, were born in this village. The families originating from here, however, generally maintain their ancestral households and return frequently, mostly in summer. It is during July when the Galičnik Wedding occurs (described in "Do"). The village has more buildings under protection than any other in the country. Its main church, dedicated to Sts Peter and Paul, was built in 1931, but it also has two older but smaller churches.
Galičnik is a mountain village in North Macedonia and along with Lazaropole is one of the two biggest and oldest Mijak villages in the region. Galičnik has well-preserved traditional architecture, including an amphitheater in the village square, and is famous for its surrounding countryside and nature reserve. The village is known for the Galička Svadba, a traditional wedding custom held annually in summer, on the day of the village feast of the Patron Saint – Petrovden. During the wedding, local men will dance the "Teškoto".
© OpenStreetMap contributors
Галичка свадба
One of Macedonia's best-known annual cultural events happens in its best-known village, Galičnik, every July. Traditionally, the only period of the year when couples got married was five days around the holiday of St Peter on 12 July. Today, the festival occurs on the weekend nearest St Peter's Day. One Macedonian couple is selected by the organizers to be the lucky couple to have a Galičnik wedding. The traditional dance "Teškoto" is performed by men, symbolic of the struggles of the Macedonians through the centuries.
Црква „Пресвета Богородица“
This 19th-century church sits in Janče, a historic mountain village near the Bigorski Monastery. It is a stone-built church with a large cross on top of its attached tower.
Стара џамија
At the entrance of Rostuša is one of the more historically significant mosques of the region. Built in the 17th century, it has gone through many alterations over the years. The mosque is built of wood and stone atop a square foundation, and features one minaret.
Бигорски манастир
The most important cultural attraction of Mavrovo and one of the most important spiritual places for the Macedonians, Saint Jovan Bigorski Monastery was established in 1020. It was destroyed following Ottoman takeover and rebuilt beginning in 1743. Situated on a mountainside near the road connecting Debar and Gostivar, the monastery is noted for its wood-carved iconostasis, done by Petre Filipov-Garkata from 1829 to 1835, as well as its icon collection which contains icons dating from the 11th century. In addition to the main church dedicated to Saint John the Baptist, the monastery contains many other structures in its perched location. Visitors are required to dress modestly; skirts and shawls are provided for women at the entrance, as well as loose pants for men.
Црква „Воведение на Пресвета Богородица“
Rosoki is another depopulated Mijak village that receives visitors in the summer months and other holidays. Its main church was built in 1835 in the centre of the village and painted by Dičo Zograf. The church is white on the exterior and features a prominent bell tower with a pointed roof.
Дуфски Водопад
Just outside the village in thick forest are these falls of the Rostuša River. They are accessible via a relatively easy half hour hike alongside the canyon formed by the river, which is a sight to behold in itself. The total vertical drop of the falls is 23.5 m (77 ft) and water flows year-round. Equipment has been installed that makes it possible to descend near the falls by rope.