Cultural and historical sites of Stip, Macedonia

History of Stip

2009-01-17T14:10:00.000-08:00

Stip was the largest cultural and trade center in eastern Macedonia since ancient times. Some historians says that Stip was formed in 2500 year B.C. Firstly it was a small town that with small nubmer of houses beneath the forest Isar. Historians believe that Stip was founded from the people that leaved nearby anciant city Bargala. Bargala was ancient city of closed type, surrounded by walls and this people built Astibo, that was first town of open type. Houses were built arount the hill Isar, and in the time of danger and wars, people were hidding in the forest on the top of the hill. Town was called Astibo while it was in jurisdiction of Paeonia. Paeonia was that time state which in the north from Macedonia. It is beleaved that the border with Ancient Macedonia was on the south, somewhere nearby ancient city Stobi. Astibo was important place because it layed on the crossroad to south and further east travelling.

There are some historical beleives, that Alexander Macedonian on the road to middle East, has visited and stayed a little in Stip.

In the time of Roman impery, they changed the name of the city. The roman name of Stip is Stipion. Stipion was still the cultural center of the Eastern Macedonia, but it was still a small town with few houses on the easter side of Isar hill.

Stip started to grow while it was under the Ottoman impery. It is important that Ottomans Turks change the name of the town again. They called it Ishtip. The documents of that time, were the first writen documents about the structure of the town and its parts, which Otomant called them - maala. According to that documents, there was Macedonian maala beneath the Isar and Tuzlia, Jewish maala beneath the Macedonian and close to river Otinja, and Turkish maala on the oposite side of the River near the Mosque, that still exsists in Stip. It is important to say that Ottoman Turks built their maala separately, with no connection to other maala. Later western from the first turkish maala, were built other two maala, which were not conneced each other also. Every turkish maala had its own Mosque. One of that Mosque in the newest Turkish maala, Husamedin Pasha Mosque still stays unfinised.

There are not trusted written documents about popularity in Stip since 1790s. First documents of that time described Stip with popularity of 3000 to 4000. Seems that Stip had rapid grow later on, because in the documents from 1900 is written that Stip had 20.900 citizens, 10.900 Macedonians, 8.700 Turks, 800 Jews and 500 Roma.
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School in Novo Selo

2009-01-17T14:08:00.000-08:00

In the yard of the church Sv Bogorodica in Novo Selo there is a school where revolutionary Goce Delcev used to teach. Next to it is the house where the revolutionary lived. Today it is privately owned, but restored in authentic style. The church has a hiding place where Goce Delcev used to hide. In the walls of the church there are two more hiding places where 30 other men used to hide. There was a tunnel under the throne of the archbishop that led from the church to the houses in the village. This is how they escaped from the Turks.

Isar Fortress

2009-01-17T13:14:00.000-08:00

Between the two rivers, 150 meters high on the rocky hill over the town, the Stip Fortress, or better known as the Isar stands guard.

People say that the fortress was built by King Marko, while his sister Maria was building a road and bridge through the canyon so that the people could cross the Bregalnica River. Even though she advised her brother to build things that would be useful to the people instead of a fortress that will exist only during his life time, King Marko was stubborn and built the fortress. The prediction of the clever Maria came true; the fortress was of short duration. For a long time after that, the people spoke of Maria’s good deed, singing a song whenever they passed the road through the canyon that she built, while the fortress of King Marko was soon in ruins.

The exact time of the construction of the fortress is unknown. It can only be said that it dates from the early Middle Ages, having all the characteristics of medieval art. Located high above, it guarded the town of Stip in the state of Czar Samoil. In the 13th Century the fortress was under Bulgarian administration and after that under the Serbian ruler Stefan Decanski. In 1382 it was conquered by the Turks. After firearms were invented, the fortress was deserted. Some of the building material of the fortress was from the ancient town of Astibo

Sv. Jovan Krstitel, 14th century

2009-01-17T13:05:00.000-08:00

On the right bank of the river Otinja, on the south side of the hill where the "Isar" is located, a church dedicated to St. John the Baptist was built in 1350.

Sv. Jovan Krstitel, 14th century

It is a single-room church with no cupola. Its construction was supported by Jovan Probistipovic, Despot Oliver’s landowner. Today only fragments remain from the fresco paintings. The paintings of Czar Konstantin and Czarina Elena can be seen on the south wall around the entrance.

The church St. Nikola, village of Krupiste

2009-01-17T12:58:00.000-08:00

At the north-eastern exit of the village of Krupiste, beneath the Stip-Kocani road, on the right bank of river Bregalnica, there is a medieval church dedicated to saint St.Nikola, and remains of a an old-Christian basilica were discovered underneath it.

St.Nikola’s church is a construction of modest dimensions, made of broken stone of unequal size and built-in elements of early Christian sculpture with encrypted signs and letters. It is a single nave church, with rounded arch and semi-circular apse on the outside. The entrance is on its west side.

Two inscriptions are preserved in the church. The first one reads that the church was built during the reign of bishop Makarie in 1625, and fresco-painted in 1627, while the second one mentions the name of master Isaija Debreli, who in 1880, when it is presumed that the porch of the church with semi-circled arch has been built, painted it and made certain interventions over the frescos of the naos. People wearing modern national costumes are noticeable in the fresco paintings of the porch, produced by this fresco-artist.

According to later research and conclusions by Blaga Aleksova, the origins of the church have been located in the time period between the 9th and the 10th century, and in 1975, during the latest excavations, it was discovered that the church was built on the foundations of an old-Christian three-nave basilica with the following dimensions: length of 16m and width of 14.9m.

St. Gorgi, Gorni Kozjak

2009-01-17T12:52:00.000-08:00

The medieval church of St.George has been raised at the location where, according to some scientific assumptions, the settlement called Kozjak previously existed, around ten kilometers south-east of the city of Shtip, at the locality of Gorni Kozjak and near to the archeological locality of Bargala.

St. Gjorgji, village of Gorni Kozjak, 9th/10th (11th/12th) century

There are different theories and assumptions about the time of its construction. Some claim that it was built in the period of the 11th-12th century, but large number of scientists place it in the period of the 9th-10th century, i.e. at the time of christening of Slovenes along the valley of river Bregalnica.

The church is built using chipped river rocks, with slaked lime mortar and with many late-antique decorations from Bargala. It has a base of an encrypted cross with a dome of an octagonal drum. Its narthex has a stone cross vault, connected to the naos through the triforium.

There is one large biphora on both the north and south side.

The research shows that during the 14th century the church was renovated, whereas at the south side of the narthex a chapel of a square base and half-rounded drum has been additionally built, the upper parts of hte biphoreshave been closed and the church has been decorated and fresco-painted for the third time in a row.

From the original layer of fresco-art at the two half-rounded arcs, only the southern one has a fresco fragment that still remains and it represents a visage of a saint.

Gallery of icons in the church St. Nikola - Štip

2009-01-17T12:35:00.000-08:00

One of the most representative sacral objects, built by the example of the church Uspenie na Presveta Bogorodica (Dormition of the Virgin) in Novo Selo - Štip that was built by the proto-master Andreja Damjanov, is the church St.Nikola in Štip, built on the site of the old Sifieva church dedicated to St. Nikola (1341) by the master constructor Gjorgi Novakov-Dzongar. For the renewal-rebuilding of this church witnesses the inscription board built-in above the main western entrance, whose text says that the church was constructed in the time of the Metropolitan of Kustendil and Stip - Ignatija, 10th of May 1867.

The gallery was formed in 1990 and accommodates rich fund of art works from the churches and monasteries from Bregalnica region. The gallery exhibition, enriched with the icons of the great iconostasis of the church’s naos, the fresco-decorations and abundantly engraved baldachin (semicircular board leaned on four poles in the altar where the holy communion is exercised), are real rarities for the historical fine arts church past on this soil. This exhibition is comprised by art works-icons, done by many of our known and anonymous zographs (icon painters) who worked in the churches and monasteries of Eastern Macedonia in the 17th, 17th and 19th century, as well as old printed church books, gilded putiri (glasses for communion), engraved silver crosses, relics, and other valuable sacral exhibits.

In the southern part of the gallery of this church 29 icons are presented that date from 18th and 19th century, by the icon painters: Dziko from village Osoj, Konstantin zograph, Petre Novev Pacarev from village Tresonce, Krste zograph from Veles, Adamce zograph and others.

We would list the following icons: St. Kirik and Julita, Nativity of Christ, Holy Trinity, Virgin Mary and Christ, St. Jovan with the zitie (saint’s biography) etc.

In the western part of the gallery 32 icons are presented, most of them dating from 19th century. Painters of these icons were: Danail Kocov from Stip, Stanislav Dospeski, Krste zograph from Veles and others.

More significant amongst them are the ones presenting Jesus Christ, St.Nikola Deisis, Holy Mother of God - Umilitelna etc.

In the northern part of the gallery 31 icons are presented, works of the icon painters: Petre Novev, Isaija Debarlija, Konstantin Andonov.

With its painting and colors distinguish the icons with presentation of St. Simeon (one of the twelve Christ’s apostles), St. Mina, Baptizing of Christ and others.

On the iconostasis in the northern chapel there are 16 icons, works of the authors: Krste from Veles, Atanasie, Dziko from Osoj, Atanas from Krusevo etc. We underline the icons: St. Pantelejmon, St. Apostle Filip and St. Jovan. On the iconostasis ni the southern chapel there are 13 icons, most of them painted by the icon painter Krste from Veles. We mention: Transfiguration of Christ, Apostle Toma, St. Dimitrija and others.

The attention of the visitors is primarily attracted by the icons that are situated on the large iconostasis in the naos of the church and there are 67 of them, all of them are works of one of the most famous zographs from 19th century, more precisely from 1890, and this is the icon painter Dimitar A. Papradiski.

From all of them we emphasize the icons with presentation of the Assembly of Apostles, the Apostle Pavle, St. Haralampie, St. Simeon Stolpnik, The Annunciation, the Archangel Gabriel etc.

In the gallery space of this church there are seven showcases where more Psalters (books with various church texts) have been exhibited, printed in Moscow in the first half of the 19th century.

Minei (books describing all services for celebrating Holy Mother of God, St. Jovan Preteca (St. John Forerunner) and other saints, divided into twelve months);

Gospels (books with texts of the four Evangelists: Mateja, Marko, Luka and Jovan);

Trebnici (books that speak about the haircut of the monks, the burial customs, water baptizing etc);

Amongst the church exhibits in these showcases there are several wedding crowns dated late 19th century, more silver Ibrici (vessels in a form of jag that priests used for washing), putiri (silvered and gilded cups for communion), cups with silver spoons for communion, silvered crosses for kissing, silvered icon lamps and many others.

At the end we would only add that this gallery exhibition in this representative church with its exhibits that show the beauty and the values of the sacral cultural heritage owned by Bregalnica region, is an important part of people’s life in our renaissance history. The visitor really has what to see and to delight himself spiritually in the church museum-gallery in the church St. Nikola in the town of Stip.

Sv. Bogorodica (Holy Mother of God), Štip, 19th century

2008-12-20T14:01:00.000-08:00

The church of the Holy Mother of God is one of the architectural masterpieces of the well-known Macedonian constructor Andrea Damjanov. It has the shape of a basilica, with a three-nave disposition and an interesting design of the roof with three different layers.

The interior is wide and decorated with floral motifs and animal figures. The iconostasis and the baldachin are carved.

According to the sign over the south entrance, the temple was renovated in 1850.

The people of Štip talk about the building of the church by the Damjanovi brothers. It took 31 years to build. The material was brought by oxen and the outside columns were made and processed by hand.

A gallery of rare icons was formed on the second floor of the church. Today, there is a male and female altar, because nuns used to live in the church.

In the yard of the church there is a school where revolutionary Goce Delcev used to teach. Next to it is the house where the revolutionary lived. Today it is privately owned, but restored in authentic style. The church has a hiding place where Goce Delcev used to hide. In the walls of the church there are two more hiding places where 30 other men used to hide. There was a tunnel under the throne of the archbishop that led from the church to the houses in the village. This is how they escaped from the Turks.

Bezisten, today an Art Gallery

2008-12-20T13:59:00.000-08:00

Among the buildings in the central part of the town of Stip, there is a building outstanding with its architecture, typical for the Medieval Islamic trade centers. It is the Bezisten (Turkish word for market place). The time of its construction cannot be precisely determined, but one thing is certain: the Bezisten was used as the main market place where trade and selling of various goods was going on during the time of the Turkish rule in these areas.

Considering this, we may suppose that this building dates from 16th or 17th Century. It was burned down during the war between Austria and Turkey.

The Bezisten in Stip has a stone construction with a rectangular basis that is divided into three separate rooms covered with vaults with massive domes rising above them. There are glass holes on them that allow for the daylight to penetrate the interior space and contribute to the noble ambient of the Bezisten.

Today, the Bezisten is adapted to the needs of contemporary life and is used as an exhibition space of the art gallery.

Husa Medin Pasha mosque, (St. Ilija), 16th century

2008-12-20T13:53:00.000-08:00

The Husa Medin Pasha Mosque was built on a hill in the left side of the town. It is known as the church of St. Ilija, because it is believed to have been built on the foundations of an ancient Christian religious place.

According to the legend, Husamedin Mehmed Pasha built the mosque in the 17th Century on the foundations of a church from the 13th – 14th Century that was dedicated to St. Ilija.

Next to the mosque is the grave of Husa Medin Pasha

Church St. Spas, 14th century

2008-12-20T13:35:00.000-08:00

The church of the Holy Savior is located on the left bank of the Otinja River, on the road to Novo Selo. Standing on a flat rock, it draws attention with its small dimensions and peaceful beauty.

The church has one dome and it is assumed to have been built by the duke Dimitar in 1369. The fresco ensembles from the 14th Century have not been saved. The second painting inside the church is from 1601 done by the fresco painter Jovan, who put his signature in Greek.

Around the church there is a necropolis with graves from different times.

Church Sv Arhangel Mihail

2008-12-20T13:25:00.000-08:00

The road that leads to the fortress, on the east side of the hill, under the Veterans’ Monument is the one, which reaches the church of Holy Archangel Michael. It is a small medieval church, built in the first half of the 14th Century by the Protosevastes Hrelja and in 1334 Czar Dusan devoted it to Hilandar.

The church has one dome on a cross-shaped basis. The outside walls are decorated with blocks of processed stone and the only entrance is on the west side.

The church is not fresco painted.

Development of Stip from ancient Astibo

2008-12-20T13:05:00.001-08:00

The discovery of the location of the roman city of Astibo, has attracted the attention and caused curiosity of different explorers for a long time.

During history, this name has been mentioned for the first time by antique historiographer Polien, in the 3th century BC, who brings it in connection with the river where Payonic emperors have been crowned. It is presumed that this is river Bregalnica of today. Towards the end of the 4th century, a very important roman settlement has been designated as Astibo, also mentioned in the map of Poytinger as the second station along the Stobi-Pautalija road.

There are different theories about the exact location of this settlement: I.Venedikov locates it under the Ezovo mount, in the proximity of the village of Cardaklija; F. Papazoglu locates it in the city of Stip itself; Blaga Aleksova mentions the locality Kale in the village of Krupiste, and V. Sanev offers the theory that Astibo stood at the location of present district Star Konak in Stip, on the eastern foot of mount Isar. This theory is supported by Z. Beldedovski who discovered a series of archeological findings at this location: water supply installations, mining dugouts, a necropolis, marble workshop, also extending its location to Tuzlija and Gorno district.

At present, the collections at the Archeology museum of Republic of Macedonia, Institute and museum in Stip, as well as in the National museum in Belgrade, contain many items of rich findings of marble sculpture, discovered at the locality of Star Konak: a head of young Epheb, torso of naked Aphrodite, man’s portrait head, statue of Nike, statue of Aphrodite, and a large number of statue fragments portraying horses and horsemen, compositions of lions etc.

There is no information about the time when life ceased in this city.

Archeological site - Bargala, s. Gorni Kozjak

2008-12-20T12:55:00.000-08:00

The ancient town Bargala was located at the foot of mountain Plackovica. Nearby is the river Kozjacka and small village called Kozjak. It is believed that the ruins found there belong to ancient town Bargala. The town was built in the early 4th century, because there are some Roman documents found, containing information that the city gate of Bargala was built by Anthon Alipius, administrator of the province.

Bargala town soon expanded into a powerful center, and become Episcopal center of Bregalnica region. The latest is believed because of the Episcopal basilica discovered in the center of the city. Bargala was civilian city, there were no military inside. There was a military fortification near the town, near the today's villaga - Krupiste. But army was withdrawed in the time of Constantin I, and this place was inhabited by civilian population too.

Bargala became christian city since the first years of existence. On the capital entrance of the tribelon the following inscription was found "Christ, help your slave, the episcope Hermia". It is believed that donors of the basilicas here, were episcopes Philipe and Eustatius, from the Stoby city. The complex of the Episcopal vasilica comprehended the Episcopal residenc, the town piscina and the housin complex with a wide porch and colonnade.

The church was build according to the standard type of old Christian construction of the Balcan Peninsula. From the architectural point of view iti is three-nave basilica. It had it had impressive floor covered with stone plaqes, except for the north floor that was covered with multicolored mosaic. The beauties floor is considered to be that one in the presbytery, which was covered with white and gray plaques in opus sectile.

In 1984, another Christian building was found near Bargala. It was just behind the walls of the city. It is believed that this building is dating from the end of the 4th century too. it is a three-nave pasilica, with protruding apse and with a floor covered with plaques, which were well ornamented.

On the south border of the city, near the southeast tower, there is another church. That is a midcentury church built in the name of St. Georgi.