Debar is a city in the very western part of western North Macedonia, right on the border with Albania. Debar has about 14,000 people in its city limits, with a total population of under 20,000 in Debar Municipality which includes 17 surrounding villages. The city sits on the north shore of Lake Debar, an artificial lake formed by damming where the Black Drin and Radika rivers meet. Debar is also a gateway into Mavrovo National Park from the park's southern boundary.
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Инќар џамија
The oldest mosque in Debar was built in 1468. Its construction was ordered by Sultan Mehmed II. Set in a spacious courtyard, the mosque is rectangular with a pyramidal roof. It has a single minaret. The courtyard has an interesting octagonal türbe (tomb) built in the 18th or 19th century and other graves.
New mosque and clock tower in central Debar. The minaret stands taller than the clock tower.
Рајчки манастир
The convent counterpart to the Monastery of St John Bigorski in Mavrovo. Established in the 14th century, it is above Lake Debar 2 km (1.2 mi) from Debar. The main church at the monastery, dedicated to St George, was built in 1852. The convent was in rough shape until 1999 when it was restored and cooperation was established with a convent in Boston. A chapel was added to the grounds in 2006.
Црква „Св. Варвара“
A small medieval church sitting above Lake Debar. It was built in 1597. The church was robbed by Turks of important icons in 1913. There is a small cemetery around the church.
Црква „Св. Атанасиј“
This small church was constructed between 1868 and 1877. The fresco work was done in 1875.
Црква „Успение на Пресвета Богородица“
Built during the "renaissance" era of Macedonian churches in the 18th century, the Church of the Assumption has particularly rich fresco paintings done by noted artist Dičo Zograf. The iconostasis was done by another famous artist, Petre Filipovski-Garkata, and his brothers, natives of Gari. The rectangular-shaped church is mostly built of stone and has a side porch.
Елен Скок
A single-arch stone bridge crossing the Little River. It was built in the 18th century and designed by Mimar Hayrudin, the architect behind the Old Bridge in Mostar. It is just within the boundary of Mavrovo National Park.
In the center of the town, Hotel and Restaurant Uraniku serve the best Albanian specialities.
880 m above the sea level with clean mountain air. The spa is known throughout Macedonia for its healing mineral water baths.
Hotel Kosovrasti is on the cost of Debar's Lake. It offers medical treatments using thermo-mineral waters.
A border crossing from Albania exists just north of the city in the village of Spas. Within Macedonia, Debar can be reached from the east or south via highway R1201.
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