Photo: wikcom, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
The first plenary session of the Anti-fascist Assembly for the National Liberation of Macedonia (ASNOM) was held at Prohor Pčinjski Monastery, today in Serbia. ASNOM was the supreme legislative and executive people's representative body of the Macedonian state from 1944 until the end of World War II. The Assembly declared Macedonia the nation-state of Macedonians within Yugoslavia and proclaimed the Macedonian language as the official language of the Macedonian state. In 1947, the area including the monastery was transferred to the Serbian Socialist Republic. Following independence in 1991, Macedonia was often hassled by Serbia in holding its commemoration of the first ASNOM session at Prohor Pčinjski Monastery. Thus, this memorial center was built and the annual celebration occurs here. The building features a colorful facade of mosaics. The memorial center is only 2 km (1.2 mi) from Prohor Pčinjski Monastery.
The ASNOM memorial center is a building located in the village of Pelince, in the northern part of North Macedonia.
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Црква „Св. Ѓорѓи“
This small church was built of large stone blocks in a Byzantine revival style in 1867. In addition to its relatively elaborate exterior, it contains an iconostasis dating from 1874.
Кокино
An important megalithic observatory site discovered in 2001 by archaeologist Jovica Stankovski. It is believed to represent an astronomical observatory and ceremonial site. The locale is approximately 3,800 years old and sits in beautiful scenery. It includes special stone markers used to track the movement of sun and moon on the eastern horizon. The observatory used a method of stationary observation, marking positions of the sun at the winter and summer solstice, as well as the equinox. The importance of the site, detailed by physicist Gjore Cenev, was confirmed by the US space agency NASA and it appeared fourth on a list of oldest observatories compiled by NASA. Look up information about this site prior to visiting as there are few explanatory resources to be found for visitors.
Забелски манастир
This 14th-century monastery is home to a single church dedicated to the Dormition of the Theotokos (Virgin Mary). The church was destroyed following the beginning of Ottoman rule and rebuilt centuries later in the 1850s. It was built in the style attributed to the Renzov family of large stone blocks and roof flat in the middle and pitched downward on both sides. An octagonal dome sits atop the church. The iconostasis within is made of wood. The monastery, situated in a forest area between the villages of Nikuljane, Staro Nagoričane, and Čelopek, also contains dormitories.
Црква „Св. Ѓорѓи“
A highly significant medieval church for both its architecture and frescoes. Saint George was first constructed in 1071 and reconstructed between 1313 and 1318 by the Serbian king at the time, Stefan Milutin. It features one main octagonal dome and four smaller domes. The lower part of the structure is made of large sandstone blocks while the upper part is made of rows of stone and brick. During the reconstruction period, the church's walls were painted with frescoes by Mihailo and Evtihij, among which are depictions of Stefan Milutin and his queen, Simonida. The fresco style is that of the Palaiologan Renaissance, which is characterised by the revival of ancient forms with iconographic innovations. Beside the church is a bell tower as well as some old graves.
Црква „Св. Ѓорѓи Победоносец“
A few hundred meters northeast of the rock, Saint George dates from the 16th century. It was built of stone blocks and has a relatively detailed exterior. Its frescoes were done similarly to St George in Staro Nagoričane. The frescoes in the vault were completed in the 19th century, however, and the rich iconostasis was done in 1892. The church's courtyard contains a cemetery and detailed stone fountain.
Костоперска Карпа
This massive basalt rock formation is of volcanic origin. There is also important human history here, with archaeological findings from the Chalcolithic period. There were supposedly 40 churches once located around the rock; just two remain fully today, with another two in minor ruins.