In the south of the hilly Balkans, where the sun spills its shine and God has blessed the soil with sweetness and grace, you will find Kavadarci.
Between the green sea of vineyards and its waves of colored sweet grape, where people are not afraid to break into song and sing together with a glass in hand.
Were the stars of the night are directing the moon to your hearth
and with a smile on your face - we bid you WELCOME!
Here my friend you will be sure to find that all doors are open and that every table is full of wine and traditional flavor,
with your host inviting you to take a seat beside him offering you his treasure!
Welcome my dear friend, be our guest, be our friend...
MUNICIPALITY OF KAVADARCI
 The Municipality of Kavadarci is in the southern part of the republic, with 1132 kmІ of area. The municipality shares its' border with Greece in the south, the municipality of Negotino in the East, the municipality of Prilep to the west, and the municipality of Veles to the North. It is the biggest part of the Tikvesh valley, comprising the largest share of the central part of the Povardarie region. The city itself, Kavadarci, has an elevation of 230-270 meters above sea-level.
Some of the bigger rivers in the municipality are: Crna reka, Boshavica, Doshnica and Luda Mara, which also passes through the town of Kavadarci. All these rivers are tributaries to the river Vardar.
There are two reservoirs within the municipality: The Tikvesh lake-which is the largest man-made water reservoir in Macedonia and The Moklishte lake-a small lake located in the Moklishte area.
According to the 2002 Census, the Municipality of Kavadarci has 38,391 inhabitants, and 11,848 households.
This municipality has a motorway connection with other regions and municipalities via the E-75 (Skopje-Gevgelija) motorway which is situated 14 km away from the town of Kavadarci, or 11 km via the regional Skopje-Veles-Prilep-Bitola motorway. The closest airports to the Municipality are - the Petrovec Airport near Skopje, 90 km away from Kavadarci, and the Thessalonica Airport, in the Republic of Greece, 150 km away from the town.
Outside the Municipality of Kavadarci is Municipality of Konopishte located in the southern part of Macedonia. At the moment, the Municipality has a population of 700 citizens. In the Municipality there are many famous cultural-historical monuments from the Antic period up to the more recent past, such as: The Roman Bathhouse in the village Mrezichko, the monastery "St. Michael Archangel", "St. Peter", and the church "St. Atanas". The natural beauty and attractions are inevitably provocative for each visitor.
HISTORY OF KAVADARCI
 Etymologically, the name "Kavadarci" has its origin in the Greek word "Kavadion" which means "a cape made from valuable textile", and the people from Kavadarci were manufacturers of this textile.
In geographical history, the first time Kavadarci, under it's current name, is mentioned in 1519 where it is described as a small rural colony within the border of the Solun's vilaet.
Kavadarci, as a main economical and administrative centre of the "Tikves valley", was most recognized for its growing of grapes and production of wine and brandy. However, there was also production of poppy, sesame, cotton, barley and various other agricultural items.
In the territory of Tikvesh, many archeological locations have been discovered, the most important are: Stobi, Antigona, locality Belgrade, Chakovec, Tikvesh-town (an Island on Tikvesh lake), Peshkov hill and others.
The town of Stobi was built in the Hellenic period, some time before the rule of the Macedonian king Philip the Fifth. It was situated 160 km from Thessaloniki on the main road Via Egnatia that led from the Danube to the Aegean Sea. Because of its location, Stobi was an important military, strategic, economic and cultural center at the time. The town was rather advanced in the early and middle Roman period. It owes this status of a "municipium" to its mint, where coins with the sign "Municipium Stobensium" were made. The "denar" coins were produced here, too.
There was also a Jewish community in Stobi in the 3rd Century. The Synagogue that proved this was torn down at the end the 4th Century and a Christian basilica was built on its remains.
In the late 5th and early 6th Century, the town was ravaged in the great Avaro-Slavonic invasions and was destroyed in an earthquake in the year 518. The discovery of Justin II coins from the second half of the 6th Century and the necropolis with 23 Slavonic crests from the 9th to the 12th Century confirm that there was life in Stobi after the earthquake.
St. George Polog monastery
The Polog Monastery is one of the most famous cultural-historical monuments in the Republic of Macedonia from the first half of the 14th Century. The only possible way to reach this monastery is to cross the Tikvesh lake by boat.
The church from the complex of Poloshki's monastery is dedicated to Saint Gorgija and it was built prior to the 14th Century and renovated during the reign of emperor Dusan and his brother Dragutin, who is buried in the porch that was built as an addition.
It is a single-nave construction with facades made of stone and brick and a dome placed on top of the middle trave of the three traves that exist. The fresco-art, according to its characteristics, dates from the 14th century, except the one in the narthex that was made during the 17th century.
Additional elements of interest in the church are the two beautiful entry wooden doors of the porch, engraved in shallow technique, as well as the iconostas that originate from the year 1679.
St. Nikola - Moklishte
Moklishki's monastery is located three kilometers to the south from the village of Vatasha, protected by the embrace of the beautiful surroundings filled with peace and balance between natural forms, fragrances and colors.
Its' complex consisted of the monastery, a church dedicated to Saint Nikola, inns that are placed south of the church and represent a two-story renovated building, a modern bakery, as well as a kitchen attached to the western part of the inn. The monastery watermill has been renovated and it is located five hundred meters to the east of the monastery, along the Luda Mara river.
Throughout time, Moklishki's monastery was noted as a monastery with a rich and active life that was maintained even during the time when other monasteries were completely neglected. In this monastery, people used to collect all the books from abandoned monasteries around Macedonia, thus creating a very rich library.
TRADITION AND CULTURE
 The Tikves region is famous for it's legendary grape growing and wine production. This long and rich tradition began in the time of Antic Macedonia, where in honor of the wine god Dionis, they celebrated Dionis Days.
In the time of rule of the Roman Empire, the region twice a year celebrated the Bahinarii Days of grape and wine, in honor of the God Bahus. Antic Macedonians and Old Romans, with great passion and tremendous skill, kept up the tradition of grape growing and wine production. This is evident by a large number of artifacts and a mosaic of archeological sites in the Tikvesh region.
Wine in the middle ages was drunk by people of all castes. It was even used for payments, such as tax, and was valued like currency. The tradition and the celebration of the patrons of grape growing and wine production continues into the present day with the celebration of the Christian patron of grape growing - Saint Trifun.
The tradition of celebrating the harvest of the grapes was reborn in the year 1964 with the event of Tikvesh grozdober. This event takes place in the first week of September every year.
The main factor for the development of viticulture to achieve the best quality in the activity of the agriculture and this viticulturist's region to become a leader in the country, the earliest cultivations of the grapevine on the Tikvesh area are dated to the 4th century BC.
The climate conditions are amicable for the concentration of the sugar in the grape to be 17-26% and results in a high quality wine with 11-13% alcohol. From the whole cultivatable surface in the territory of the community of Kavadarci which is 18,523 ha - 4,246 ha belongs to the vineyards.
The natural geographic conditions and the Mediterranean climate are ideal for growing the various sorts of grape, such as: Belgradska Rana, Julski Muscat Cardinal, Afus-ali as well as wine sorts: Black-horse-Kratosija, Chardonnay Black Burgundy, Merlot, as well as wine types, such as: Chardonnay, Dzilavka, Semion, Sauvignon, Italion, Ramski Riesling and others.
TIKVESH'S LAKE
Tikvesh's lake is the biggest man-made lake in Macedonia. It is stationed in the south of the country, in the canyon of Crna Reka (Black River) and is 12 km away from Kavadarci. Tikvesh's lake surface is 14 km and 28.5 km in length and the average width is 500m. The deepest portion of the lake is 105m. The volume of the water is 475 cubic-meters. Its height above sea-level is 165m, cove shaded with an extension north-south. The main sources of the lake are the Crna Reka (Black River) and Dragov's River. The temperature of the water of Tikvesh's lake during the summer and autumn months averages 24°C which makes the Lake ideal for swimming and other water sports.
The traditional Tikvesh cuisine
The Tikvesh "welcome" is famous, not only because of its kindly welcoming, but also for its rich cuisine. Your host will offer you a glass of brandy and a delicious salad: salad, pestled "pindjur" or "ajvar' which is prepared from green pepper, red tomato, eggplant, garlic, nuts and cheese.
For breakfast the hostess will offer you "jajcanik" which is usually served hot. It is made from fresh slices of bread which are baked in an oven. Prior to final preparation, the freshly baked bread is mixed with eggs and milk, than baked again.
If you are a guest in a Kavadarcian family and want to feel the atmosphere you must taste "sarma" made from grape leaves. It is prepared from a mix of meat, rice and onion which is then fried and rolled in boiled grape leaves. After the "Sarma" is rolled, it is then baked. This dish is typically served with yogurt.
Your hostess will offer you fish (Carp, Perch and Cat fish) from Tikvesh's lake. Traditionally the fish is filled with onion, sour cucumber, mushrooms, carrots and parsley, and then baked. Prior to serving, the dish is topped with wine.
We recommend one of the Tikvesh dessert dishes that is prepared with young wine and pumpkin, combined with nuts or sesame. This dessert is called "r'celi" and is one of the tastiest delicacies of the Tikvesh cuisine
Cultural Institutions
The cultural institutions of the city are based on cultural manifestations whose themes are the essence of an attractive offer from the perspective of a solid economic base within the Municipality and in accordance with it's future development of tourism throughout the Tikves region.
Cultural House "Ivan Mazov Klime"
The cultural house "Ivan Mazov Klime" has existed as a cultural institution since 1952 and in 1953 instituted the folklore ensemble "Tikvesh", which is one of the best today. The folklore ensemble "Tikvesh", with its choreographed program, performs folk songs and dances throughout all of Macedonia. The success of the group has earned them much recognition throughout Macedonia and abroad. Currently, this ensemble has 115 members. As part of the ensemble, there is included a folk music group. Thanks greatly in part to this music group, the concerts are in very high demand and sell out quickly.
Museum - Gallery of Kavadarci
The museum-gallery of Kavadarci is the youngest institution in the cultural area of our city. It was built in 1973 and opened in 1976.
In the museum, there are many historical, archeological and ethnological exhibitions and a section for the protection of cultural monuments and galleries.
Cultural summer in Kavadarci
The music is a main part of the culture and lifestyle of this beautiful region. We can freely say that Kavadarci is one of the few cities in Macedonia where there are 2 annual music festivals: "Days of the classic" and the festival "Days of Children's and Adult's chore". The festival "Days of the Classic" has been highly praised by many well known artists.
The Town's Library "Fetkin"
The town's library "Fetkin" was built on May 16, 1945. There are 2 functioning sectors: for adults and children. There is a vast selection of 55.780 books.
SPORTS & RECREATION
Today, the city has a fully equipped Sport center, including an open Olympic sized swimming pool, football fields, tennis courts, and many fields for small sports. An ideal place for walking, picnicking, and relaxing for the people of Kavadarci and its guests is the city's main park and many small parks. Outside of the city there are many impressive attractions, such as Moklishte, Ljubas, Vitacevo, Tikvesh's Lake and the Drenovska Gorge.
Traditional manifestation
St. Triphun is one of the most important holidays in the Tikvesh region. It is celebrated on the 14th of February in the honor of the protector of grape vines and wine, St. Triphun. The celebration begins in Kavadarci with the early morning mass in the church of St. Dimitrija. As part of the mass, the ritual of blessing the grape takes place and after that people take part in blessing the grapevine. There is a belief that this ritual will bring the people happiness and more fruit for the year. On that day, Kavadarci are well known from far and wide as warm and hospitable people who, in the church yard, give out rakija (brandy) and wine. All over the town there are pubs and street musicians which make the atmosphere of the celebration and feast in the town very festive.
Pagean Custom
Djalamari, Vasilicari, Bamburci, Starci, Babari, Surovar - this is only a few of the names that are used for one of the most wide-spread pagean customs with masks in Macedonia in the period of January 07-19 in the honor of Stara Nova godina (Old New year). Djalamari are a masked group, including a man, which goes in the center of the village where there are only men. Everyone is allowed to do what one wants and the erotic is dominantly manifested . If anyone outside tries to take away the bride who is not a woman, nor a man, they must be punished with a strike of a stick or a kick with the leg. After that, they visit all the houses in the village, especially those who were participating in past years. This event finishes in the late afternoon hours when the Djalamari take off their masks. This custom is traditional in the villages like: Begnishte, Reshava, Dabnishte, Boshava, Shivec etc.
TIKVESHKI GROZDOBER
Beginning in 1964, annually, with a few exceptions, the first half of the month of September is organized as an economic tourist event: Tikvesh Grozdober. This event signifies the beginning of the harvest of the grapes for which this region is famous.
During the days of Tikvesh Grozdober, there is organized a variety of events such as:
- Carnival Parade
- Culture Party Program
- The first cutting of grapes
- Wine tasting
- Agricultural Wine fair
These events typically draw a large number of both domestic and foreign guests.
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