Kumanovo (Куманово) - a city located in the northeastern part of the Republic of Macedonia, in the Kumanovo Valley (Zegligovo), at an altitude of 340 meters, spread on both sides of the rivers Lipkovka and Kumanovka. Kumanovo is the third largest city in Macedonia and has a population of 70,842 inhabitants, of which 42,840 are Macedonians. The city of Kumanovo is the administrative seat of the municipality of the same name.
According to the legend, the name of the settlement originates from the name of the warrior tribe Kumani which in 1094. entered this area and for some time remained on the territory of today's Kumanovo municipality and beyond. There are no other assumptions about the name.
Ottoman period
It
is assumed that Kumanovo was founded in the XII century near the
village of Zegligovo, in order to protect the crossing between the
rivers Vardar and South Morava. The first source data for Kumanovo
are the Turkish census books from 1519, in which the settlement is
mentioned as a village within the Nagorica nahija, which in turn was
part of the Kyustendil Sandzak, with 52 families and about 300
inhabitants. It is mentioned as a city settlement (town) in the
second half of the 17th century.
It is assumed that the
settlement in this period has a poorly developed economy. This is
confirmed by the travel notes of Evliya Çelebi from 1660, according
to which the settlement had about 600 houses covered with tiles. He
further says that the bazaar consisted of a large number of craft
and trade shops and that there is a beautiful mosque in it, and the
settlement itself was surrounded by many gardens, vineyards and a
large number of mills.
Karposh Uprising 1689
In 1689
During the penetration of the Austrians in the Balkans, the leader
of the insurgents from the northern part of Macedonia, Karposh was
proclaimed the "king of Kumanovo", which shows that Kumanovo as a
settlement had a good reputation. Namely, as a traffic crossroads,
it had significant economic importance where trade was significantly
developed. Thus, it manages to surpass the competitive centers
(Tabanovce, Nagorichane, Strezovce and Klechevce) in its immediate
vicinity. Such economic growth was interrupted by the Austrian
campaign on the Balkan Peninsula. Like most cities in Macedonia,
Kumanovo was in decline, but did not disappear as a settlement.
After the turbulent events (Karposh Uprising in 1689) the city
stagnated, and until the end of the XVIII century it was a typical
Turkish town.
Kumanovo in the XVIII and XIX century
Until
the end of the XVIII century it had a predominantly agrarian
physiognomy with about 300 houses. Ami Bue noticed in 1836 that
about 3,000 people lived in Kumanovo, and it was known as a rich
cattle market. The construction of the state jade
Skopje-Kumanovo-Vranje in the seventh decade of the XIX century and
especially the commissioning of the Moravian-Vardar railway in 1888
had a significant impact on the development of the city. Then
Kumanovo became a significant migration center. Greeks from Ioannina
and Vlachs from Krushevo settled in it, and one neighborhood is
called Veles, because most of the families here came from Veles.
Crafts and trade began to develop intensively in the city, so that
at the beginning of the XX century the population increased to
14,530 inhabitants. In the period between the two world wars
Kumanovo did not make much progress, in 1931 its population numbered
16,984 inhabitants.
During the XVIII century it is mentioned
twice (1706 and 1792) in the notes of travelers who spent the night
in the city, but without any special data.
In the next, XIX
century, Kumanovo manages to separate from the surrounding
settlements and to develop intensively. This is a period when
Kumanovo is mentioned as an important market for cattle and grain.
At the same time, the catering was significantly advanced, which was
mainly in the hands of Greeks from Ioannina, and later Bashino
villagers. In contrast, during the second half of the 19th century
some crafts were not developed at all or their production was far
below market demand.
According to the travel writer Jean,
there were "20 Christian and as many Turkish houses" in Kumanovo
until the middle of the 19th century. The city gradually began to
grow after 1865 (then it had 3,000 inhabitants, ie 650 houses of
which 350 were Macedonian, 300 Turkish and 30 Roma cottages).
The reasons for this growth of the city are in its role of
administrative center and traffic crossroads for the roads that have
existed for a long time and the newer ones that were built in the
seventies of the XIX century. With the construction of the railway
in its immediate vicinity and getting its own railway station, it
not only strengthens its dominant position in relation to the
surrounding settlements, but also imposes itself on them
economically, preventing their more intensive development.
Already in 1876, Kumanovo resembles a large city settlement, with
the formation and development of the city bazaar, which consisted of
over 250 craft and trade shops, with 34 warehouses for accommodation
and sale of grain and 33 acres. Ten years later, there were already
330 shops in the city, as well as a number of magazines and inns.
However, Kumanovo experienced a real revival only after 1888, after
the connection of the railway line with Thessaloniki, Skopje and
Belgrade. During that period, the city experienced an expansion in
the economy, trade and crafts. A civic class appears, which is also
the bearer of progress. The city market was rich in agricultural
products, while traders traded in all parts of Macedonia, with
Bulgaria and Serbia, as well as with some other countries.
As
a normal reflection of that, Kumanovo is becoming an attractive
immigration place for the surrounding population and has a more
pronounced population growth. At the same time, Kumanovo grows
economically and today is a city with developed activities from the
secondary and tertiary sector. The leading place is occupied by
industry (metal processing, textile, shoe-leather, food, tobacco),
followed by agriculture and trade. With its location and traffic
importance, development and shaped city functions, Kumanovo has
three contact gravity zones of influence - towards Kriva Palanka,
Kratovo and Sveti Nikole. At the same time, it means the
functionally imposed power towards these three directions, which is
one of the reasons for the strong population and functional growth
of Kumanovo at the expense of the growth of the three
above-mentioned city settlements.
The city experienced
economic development only at the end of the XIX century
(agriculture, handicrafts and trade), but in the economic
development there was no significant growth of the industry until
the end of the Second World War.
Kumanovo in the XX century
Near Kumanovo, on October 23, 1912, the famous Kumanovo battle was
held in which the Turkish forces were defeated by the Serbian army
and were forced to withdraw from this territory. A monument was
erected near the site called Zebrnjak, which would later be
partially demolished by the Bulgarian army during World War II.
Kumanovo in the Second World War
On October 11, 1941 in
Kumanovo and Prilep, the anti-fascist struggle of the Macedonian
population began. After 1945, Kumanovo experienced rapid economic,
administrative and cultural development.
Kumanovo in 2015
On 09.05.2015, Divo Naselje in Kumanovo was attacked by UCK
terrorists. The action lasted more than 1 day in which 8 police
officers from the Macedonian side were killed, 30 wounded police
officers and 10 terrorists were killed in the shooting in Kumanovo.
On the territory of Kumanovo and
Kumanovo region, there are the following archeological sites:
"Pribovce" v. Bedinje - excavations 1978
"Drezga" v. Lopate -
1978, 1979 and 1980
"Kostoperska Karpa" - 1983 and 1987
"On
the Shore" - 1986
"Kodra Zulfi" v. Nikushtak - 1991
"Gradishte" v. Pelince - 1989, 1990, 1994
The city of Kumanovo is located in the northern part of the Republic of Macedonia. It is located in the eastern foothills of Skopska Crna Gora, in the eastern part of Kumanovsko Pole at an altitude of 330 meters. Located on the main traffic artery along the Vardar-Moravian valley, Kumanovo has a very good traffic-geographical position. As a traffic junction, apart from the routed railway traffic, roads pass through it that lead to Kriva Palanka and Kratovo to the east, to Sveti Nikole to the southeast, to the South Morava valley to the north and to Skopje to the southwest.
For traffic connection with neighbors and other areas, the Moravian-Vardar valley is more important today, along which a railway line and an asphalted road, which was built as a modern highway, pass. Through this road, Kumanovo has a good traffic connection with Skopje and the Vardar valley in the south, and with the South Moravian region in the north. In the forward direction, two road routes are used. One of them goes mainly along the Kriva Reka valley, towards Kriva Palanka and neighboring Bulgaria. A modern main road has been built on this road for the most part, and with the completion of the construction of the railway line to the border with Bulgaria, easier and faster connection with it will be possible. A branch separates from this road direction near Stracin, which provides a traffic connection with Kratovo. The second road direction goes to the southeast and through Ovce Pole connections are maintained with the eastern part of the Republic of Macedonia. Along the valley of the river Pčinja, Kumanovo is connected to the Trade District and the roads along the valley of South Morava.
Several factors have an influence on the climatic features, that is,
the different values of the meteorological elements in Kumanovo.
According to the geographical latitude and the proximity of the larger
water bodies, it is considered that warm influences are felt in
Macedonia. But Kumanovo is located in the northern part of Macedonia, so
those influences are felt less. The relative openness of the relief
comes to the fore, which allows the penetration of various atmospheric
influences, especially along the Moravian-Vardar valley with a meridian
stretching direction.
According to the mentioned features, it can
be concluded that in Kumanovo, the influence of hot and cold air masses
is felt, which conditions to distinguish two seasons in terms of
climate, namely: cold and wet winter and hot and dry summer. Of the
transitional seasons, autumn is more pronounced, sometimes long and hot,
which is characteristic of a moderate-continental climate. The features
of the continental climate are more pronounced on the surrounding
mountains.
Air temperature is an important meteorological
element. Its average annual value is 11.8oC (for Kumanovo), and on the
slopes of the surrounding mountains it is lower, depending on the
altitude.
The average annual amount of precipitation in Kumanovo
is 549.3 mm per square meter, according to which it belongs to the
second driest area in Macedonia. Droughts are mostly characteristic of
the summer months, and may continue in the fall.
The Kumanovo
region is distinguished by distinct windiness, mostly north and less
northwest wind.
The average frequency of this wind is 331%. The
average monthly speed is different, and the annual average is 3.2 m per
second.
The average annual sunshine is about 2,200 hours, and it
is higher in the surrounding mountainous terrain. Annually in Kumanovo,
the average number of (clear) days is 84, while there are an average of
97 cloudy days annually.
According to the statistics of the Bulgarian ethnographer Vasil
K'nchov (Macedonia. Ethnography and Statistics) from 1900, about 14,530
inhabitants lived in Kumanovo, of which 7,700 Macedonians, 5,800 Turks,
600 Albanians, 50 Vlachs, 30 Jews and 350 Roma.
In the post-war
period, the city recorded a constant population growth, especially in
the period from 1961 to 1981 when the population doubled.
The
1991 census was not completely held in the city of Kumanovo, because
part of its population refused to participate, that is, boycotted its
holding, which is why there are no complete data in the city for that
census year.
According to the number of inhabitants in 2002,
Kumanovo is the third largest city in Macedonia (behind Skopje and
Bitola), while Kumanovo Municipality with 105,484 inhabitants is the
largest municipality in Macedonia.
In the wider Kumanovo region,
137,382 inhabitants were registered in 2002, making it the third most
populated region in Macedonia after Skopje and Tetovo.
The city is dominated by Orthodox Christians (66.02%), and the rest
are Islamic (31.74%) and Evangelical-Methodist.
Christianity
The Kumanovo-Osogovo Diocese occupies the northeastern part of the
Republic of Macedonia and is part of the Macedonian Orthodox Church. Its
competent diocesan bishop is Metropolitan Mr. Dr. Josif from September
2013 until today. Archdiocese of Kumanovo: 60 churches, 8 monasteries,
12 chapels and 120 crosses.
Churches and monasteries
Church
"St. Nicholas"
Church "St. Trinity"
Church "Resurrection of
Christ" — burial church, the foundation stone was consecrated on April
25, 2014;
Church "St. arx. Michael and Gabriel" — a church in the
Karposh neighborhood;
Church "St. Gjorgi" — monastery church;
Church "Sveto Blagoveshtenie" - church in Banevo Trlo settlement.
Cornerstone laid April 7, 2015;
Church "St. five"
Church "St.
Teresa of the Child Jesus" — Catholic Church;
Evangelical church —
Kumanovo
Kumanovo has a developed industry and is the center of industrial
production in northeastern Macedonia. The shoemaking industry in this
city has a huge tradition and has survived for decades. Today, more than
60 shoe manufacturing companies operate in the city, which makes this
city a center for the shoe industry in Macedonia and beyond. Production
is intended for Macedonia, the former Yugoslav states, as well as
Bulgaria, Greece, Albania and Italy. A smaller part is also exported to
the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Germany.
Also, in the city works
FZC 11 October A.D. Kumanovo, Factory for welded pipes and profiles
which employs more than 250 workers and has a large share in the city's
economy. From the food industry, the mill and the bakery are mostly
represented, while "Quatro" operates from the beverage production
industry.
Faculties
Faculty of Business Administration - dispersed faculty
at the State University of Tetovo with studies in the fields of business
administration, public administration, informatics, English language and
literature
EuroCollege — American Heritage University — Higher
education institution with studies in management, marketing, economics
and business.
Secondary schools
"Goce Delchev"
"Nace
Budjoni"
"Kiro Burnaz"
"Feather Like"
Primary school
"11
October"
"Eid Shabani"
"Brothers Miladinovci"
"Vuk Karadzic"
"Krste Petkov Misirkov"
"Koco Racin"
"Magdalena Antova"
"Naim
Frasheri"
"Christian Todorovski Karposh"
"Tolly Zordumis"
"Panche Peshev" - music school
In Kumanovo there is a large number of professional cultural institutions: the Library, the National Museum, the Kumanovo Theater and the "Trajko Prokopiev" Culture Center, the Kumanovo Art Gallery, the Icon Gallery. The most prominent cultural manifestations are: the Art Colony, the Jazz Festival "Comedy Days".
Numerous clubs operate or have operated in the field of sports in
Kumanovo:
About forty football clubs: FC Kumanovo (dissolved), FC
Bashkimi (dissolved), FC Milano, FC Goblen (dissolved), FC Kumanovo
2012, FC Bashkimi 1947, FC Goblen Junior, etc.
Basketball clubs: KK
Kumanovo, KK Pink Panthers
Handball clubs: RK Kumanovo, ZRK Kumanovo
Boxing clubs: BK Kumanovo
Chess in Kumanovo dates back to 1930
(female and male)
Athletics: AK Jump.
Bicycle clubs: Velo M and
Cross Cycling Kumanovo
Shooting clubs: SK Kumanovo (founded in 1961)
In the city of Kumanovo, there is a lot of activity in karate clubs,
aero clubs, indoor football and other sports activities, including the
swimming clubs "Akva Kumanovo" and "Tumba", which are active in the
newly opened indoor pool.
Kumanovo is a member of the European
Association of Sports Cities, and in 2019 it received the recognition
"European City of Sports".
Museum of Hristijan Todorovski-Karposh
The memorial house of the
commander of the Kumanovo battalion "Jordan Nikolov-Orce", Hristijan
Todorovski-Karposh, killed by the Bulgarian occupier on February 7, 1944
during the attack on the Bulgarian military and police stronghold in the
village of Biljacha, Preshevsko.
Memorial ossuary
The memorial
ossuary was built in 1957 on the occasion of October 11, the Day of the
Macedonian People's Uprising. It is the work of architect Zordumis and
sculptor Sreten Stojanović. It consists of an obelisk and ossuaries in
which the remains of those who died in the National Liberation War from
Kumanovo and Kumanovsko are placed.
Blagoja Stevkovski - Gojco (August 15, 1915 - Skopje, December 3,
1965) — Macedonian communist, participant in NOV and post-war military
leader
Boris Chushkarov (January 28, 1916 - Skopje, September 19,
1982) - Macedonian communist, founder and first head of OZNA in SRM and
participant of the First Session of ASNOM
Veselinka Malinska (January
4, 1917 - Skopje, November 12, 1987) - Macedonian communist, participant
in NOV and exercise of political functions after liberation
Boro
Menkov (May 6, 1919 - near the village of Belanovce, Kumanovo, October
14, 1941) - Macedonian communist, participant in NOV and national hero
of Yugoslavia
Boro Petrushevski - Papučar (1920 - April 21, 1943,
Gorance, Kosovo) — Macedonian communist, participant in NOB and national
hero of Yugoslavia
Vera Teodosieva Trajkovska - Kotorka (April 2,
1925 - Lopen, Osogovski mountains, 1944) - Macedonian partisan,
participant in NOB
Dobrila Puckova (June 6, 1926 - February 23, 2007,
Skopje) — Macedonian theater, film and television actress
Dragutin
Avramovski - Gute (March 11, 1931 - Skopje, September 12, 1986) -
prominent Macedonian academic painter and graphic artist.
Aleksandar
Mitevski (March 4, 1934) - Macedonian poet and translator
Danilo
Kotsevski (1947) - Macedonian literary critic, storyteller, novelist,
playwright and poet.
Angel Miladinov (* 1936), visual artist
Zoran
Jakimovski (* 1953), graphic artist and painter
Stole Zlatanovski (*
1960), famous soccer player
Vujadin Stanojkovic (* 1963),
representative of Yugoslavia, Macedonia, player of Kumanovo Vardar,
Belgrade Partizan, and several Swedish clubs
Venko Andonovski (*
1964), writer
Jonuz Jonuzi (* 1965 - † 2010), Balkan champion in
athletics
Jugoslav Petrovski (* 1969), poet and playwright
Boban
Trajkovski (* 1973 – † 2001), Macedonian defender, member of BSN Volci,
one of those killed in the massacre near Vejce in 2001
Dejan
Jakimovski (* 1975 – † 2001), Macedonian defender, sergeant in the ARM
Oliver Petrushevski (* 1978 – † 2001), Macedonian defender
Dzheljal
Bajrami (November 17, 1973) — Macedonian politician.