Prilep is a city in the northern part of Pelagonija, Macedonia, located under the Marko’s Towers. In the course of the History, the geographic location of this city has made it a point where the Hellenic, Roman, Byzantium and Slavonic culture have crossed.
In the written historic sources Prilep is mentioned for the first time in 1014. The antique time is confirmed today by the visible remains of the defence walls, the temple dedicated to the goddess Tihe, the Gymnasium and numerous individual buildings of the city of Stibera, located in the immediate vicinity of Prilep, at the village of Nebregovo. The city of Stibera, built before the time of Filip II, has been demolished in 265 by the Goths and has never been restored.
The legend about the "77 churches in Varos" also speaks about the medieval buildings, the medieval centre of the city and the Monastery complex with a church dedicated to the holy archangels (known among the people under the name of St. Archangel) built on older foundations of a ten century wooden sacral building. In front of its entrance in the church even today you will be welcomed by the fresco decorations of King Marko and his father Volkashin, in full size and complete Tsar’s clothes. On one of the pillars you can read the oldest sign (996) which contents confirms the proceeding of high priest service in Prilep in the 10th century. The interior of the church was painted with frescoes in the 13th century and has an abundance of unique sacral scenes, out of which the rear representation of the miracle in Hona must be outlined. In the course of this period the church St. Nikola has been constructed. You will remember this Balkan pearl due to the unique decoration of the facade, or because of the richest scenes in the internal fresco decoration, or because of the antique pillars, pilasters, tympanums, … , parts of antique temples that were built in the Prilep field area. Towards the end of the 13th century the church of St. Dimitrija has been constructed, which will reveal the secret: why the Merchants of Venice offered their goods at the Plilep Fair, which was held at the foothill of this church before taking it to Thessaloniki and Constantinople.
The special Sultan’s decree also speaks about the significance of this church by which: all trading caravans that were carrying goods at the Fair enjoyed the protection of the Sultan’s soldiers. According to the legends the Fairs opposed the Healers since the 15th century until today.
These sacral buildings crown the defence walls of the Marko’s towers, which stretch on the hill over Prilep City Centre. Within the walls the one can still notice the walls of the residential buildings of the medieval rich people, the remains of the manufacturing complexes for metal and ceramic products, the market plateau and the tank, overarching over “Chardak” where graffiti from the medieval times can be seen.
Another legend about Prilep says that it is the resting – place of the greatest Macedonian Tsar Samuil, after he has seen his blinded army.
Today the central city area is called Gallery under open sky, because of the approximately 70 partier sculptures scattered throughout the parks of the city. It can be seen in the Centre the Icons gallery, the archaeological exhibition of the Museum, an authentic city house from the 19th century – the house of the hero Kuzman Josifovski - Pitu, the old city bazaar that has developed around the bended 38 meter tower of the clock, or the grave of the invincible, or the museum for tobacco.
Nowadays, Prilep is a city in which more companies work successfully. Excellent beer is produced in Prilep, one of then most quality marbles in the world is excavated and processed, aromatised tobacco is grown manually and cigarettes are being produced.Prilep is a place where one can clarify the Balkan history, feel the Byzantium culture and experience the Slavic hospitality.
Prilep is a place where one can clarify the Balkan history, feel the Byzantium culture and experience the Slavic hospitality.
