KOKINO & MONASTERY St.JOAKIM OSOGOVSKI - full day tour

Meeting with your guide at the hotel at 08:00 h. Departure to Kumanovo. First stop on this tour is the Macedonian Stonehenge –Megalithic Observatory “Kokino”. According to NASA this is the fourth oldest observatory in the world (more than 3.800 years old) The observatory defines the four main positions of the moon and three main positions of the sun, the autumnal and vernal equinox, and winter and summer solstice. Visit to the room of rituals and thrones.

Next we’ll descend to the Church of St. George in Staro Nagorichane – famous by its monumental byzantine art. Tour continues to Kriva Palanka for visit of the Monastery complex of St Joakim Osogovski – an important cultural, religious and educational center for centuries, placed in the middle of the lush woods of Osogovo Mountain. It consists of the church of St. Joachim Osogovski, a smaller 14th century church dedicated to the Holy Mother of God, a three-story dormitory, a bell tower with a charnel house at the bottom, a passage building, guardhouse, new dormitories and a residency of the Head of the Macedonian Orthodox Church. Founded in the 12th century, it was devastated by an earthquake in the 16th century but was rebuilt soon afterwards. The great temple, dedicated to Joachim Osogovski, is also a masterpiece by one of the greatest Macedonian architects, Andreja Damjanov Lunch in the restaurant at the Monastery complex.

Late afternoon departure to Skopje. Arrival in Skopje in the evening.