BC STUDIO MACEDONIA PROFESSIONAL
BC STUDIO MACEDONIA SERIES

Who were the ancient Macedonians? Despite occasional contemporary claims that they were not Greeks, the literary and archaeological evidence is definitive. 700-305 BC), is an historically and culturally rich region that for over 2,000 years has been a source of pride, discussion and controversy. Northern Greece, dominated in ancient times by the powerful kingdom of Macedonia, especially under the rule of the Argaead dynasty (ca. © Frank & Helen Schreider/National Geographic/Getty Images/Ideal Image Mosaic depicting a deer hunt, from the House of the Abduction of Helen (325-300 BC). Lonely Planet contributors do not accept freebies in exchange for positive coverage.Founded by the legendary Perdiccas, the ancient Macedonian juggernaut, under Alexander, drove Greek culture deep into Asia. The host can organise hiking, mountain biking and other activities swimming and skiing are also options depending on the season.īrana travelled to Bitola with support from Balojani DMC. Pece is a fan of the slow-food concept the mushroom soup, straight from the family’s traditional kitchen, is a must-try. The accommodation comes on a ‘pay what you think it’s worth’ basis: the only set prices are for the homemade wine, beer and rakija.

BC STUDIO MACEDONIA PROFESSIONAL

The park is also a habitat for endemic flora and fauna such as the rare Molika pine or Pelagonia trout, not to mention resident wolves, bears and deer.Īt the foothills of Pelister and just a 10-minute drive from Bitola you’ll find Villa Dihovo, a terrific rural guesthouse owned by former professional football player Pece Cvetkovski.

Hugging the town is the 125-sq-km Pelister National Park, part of the Baba mountain range, with several peaks towering over 2000m and pristine glacial lakes known as Pelisterski Oči (Pelister’s Eyes). ‘See Camera’, part of the 2016 programme, aims to promote films from Southeastern Europe.įans of the outdoors don’t need to venture far for some excellent hiking, horse riding or rock climbing. Launched in 1979, the festival is considered the oldest such event in the world dedicated foremost to the art of the film camera the cinematographers compete for the Golden, Silver and Bronze Camera awards. Meanwhile, Bitola honours its famous residents each September with the International Cinematographers Film Festival ‘Manaki Brothers’, which screens independent foreign movies and has hosted celebrities such as Catherine Deneuve, Daryl Hannah and Victoria Abril. Destroyed in a fire in 1939, the cinema is now being restored it will host a film and photo archive.

BC STUDIO MACEDONIA SERIES

The brothers are credited with a series of firsts: in 1903 they opened a photo studio in Bitola, in 1905 they brought the first film camera to the Ottoman Empire and created the first motion pictures (a short ethnographic documentary), and later started screening movies in the new ‘Manaki’ cinema. In early 20th century the town was home to Manaki brothers, Milton and Yanaki – the pioneers of film-making in the Balkans. While excavation works are ongoing, visitors can see the remains of the Roman baths and amphitheatre, early Christian basilica and episcopal palace, and admire the colourful floor mosaics with symbolic animal motifs.īitola’s other claim to fame comes from the cinematography world. It flourished during the Roman rule as an important stop on the Via Egnatia route and later became an episcopal seat. On the town’s outskirts, the ruins of Heraclea Lyncestis (founded by Philip II of Macedon in the 4th century BC) are among the top archaeological sites in the Balkans. Another highlight is the lovingly preserved Bitola townhouse room from the turn of the 20th century. The excellent permanent exhibition is the history of the region in a nutshell, with a wealth of archaeological and ethnographic artefacts from Neolithic, Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine eras on display. Among the many official documents and photos in the Atatürk memorial room, a wistful love letter from a Bitola girl casts a more entertaining light on the great statesman’s life. Its most famous student – and 1899 graduate – was undoubtedly Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the father of modern Turkey. Not to be missed is the Museum of Bitola, housed in the old Bitola Barracks (1848) which once served as the Ottoman military academy.

Bc studio macedonia