Tetovo is a town tucked into the northwestern corner of Western Macedonia, in the shadow of Sar Mountain. The town has about 60,000 people.

Understand

There is still ethnic tension between Albanians and Macedonians, so maybe this is a subject best avoided. The populuation of Tetovo is about 65% ethnic Albanian. Many Macedonians advise travelers to avoid Tetovo, but the brave traveler will be rewarded with local hospitality and beautiful scenery.

History

Although there may have been inhabitants in Tetovo's area as early as the Bronze Age, Tetovo was officially founded in the 14th century as a small medieval Orthodox settlement around the Sveta Bogorodica church. Tetovo grew with the building and construction of houses around the Orthodox Church. At the end of the 14th century, Tetovo, along with all of Macedonia, fell under the rule of the Ottoman Empire. As the Muslim population in Macedonia began to expand in the early Ottoman period mosques, baths, and markets began to appear as early as the 15th century. Tetovo under Ottoman tutelage became an important trade center for the local farmers and craftsmen, as well as an important military fortification. Turkish influence deeply impacted Tetovo and it was renamed Kalkandelen to reinforce the new Islamic presence. Haci Halife in the 17th century noted in his writings that Kalkandelen was expanding at an amazing rate in its lowland areas. By the 19th century, when the population of Tetovo began to increase with settlement from the surrounding villages, the French traveler Ami Bue noted that the population had reached about 4,500 people. In 1912, due to the Balkan wars, Tetovo became a Serbian city. In World War II Tetovo was jointly ruled by Italy and its regime in Albania. The Communist Party of Macedonia, was formed on March 19th 1943 in Tetovo.

Get In

By Bus

By Car

The highway Skopje-Gostivar goes through Tetovo. It is very nice and smooth road, but you have to pay a toll to drive on it.

Get Around

See

  • '''Arabati Baba Teke''' - it was made in the last decades of the 18th century by Redzep Pasha. It is comprised of several buildings used for religious ceremonies. It was abandoned in 1945 and is now used as a museum.
  • '''Bal Tepe Fortress''' - a testament to the Ottoman past offering panoramic views of Tetovo and its environs.
  • '''The Decorated Mosque''' - this mosque was made in 1459 on the foundation of an older edifice. An example of early Constantinople style, this mosque is adorned with anelaborate painted fasade and interior, making it unique in Macedonia. It is located on the Pena River. In the turbe next to the mosque is the body of the two women who provided money for the mosque to be built in 1459.
  • '''Cyril and Methodius Church''' - this church, made in 1903, is one of the biggest and most beautiful churches in the Polog Plain. It was built in the Two Elm Trees district, which is in the old part of the town. This is a three-nave basilica with a single dome and a cruciform basis. The fresco painting on the walls was done by painter Danilo Nestorovski in 1924.
  • '''Turkish Amam''' - was built in the 15th century. It covers a surface of 335 m2. In 1962 it was transformed into an art gallery and in 1984 it was declared cultural heritage.
  • Do

    Events

    Learn

  • '''State University of Tetovo''' - is one of the three Macedonian state universities. The university was established in 17 December 1994, however, it was not officially recognized as a state university by the Macedonian government until January 2004. Classes are held in Macedonian, English, and some in Albanian.
  • '''South East European University''' - It was founded in October 2001 and is a member of the European University Association. It is a recognised and accredited autonomous higher education institution which was established in 2001 by an agreement between international donors, the government of the Republic of Macedonia and the local academic community.
  • Eat

    Sleep

    Get Out

  • '''Sar Mountain''' - the third largest mountain in Macedonia
  • '''St. Atanasie''' - was bombed by Albanian rebels in the 2001 Macedonia conflict, but has since been rebuilt. It is located just outside Tetovo.