Pehčevo is a small town and municipality located in the eastern part of North Macedonia, near the border with Bulgaria, nestled in the Maleshevo Mountains along the Bregalnica River. It serves as the administrative center of the Pehčevo Municipality and is known for its diverse landscape, including forests, rivers, and potential for winter tourism and organic agriculture. The town's history spans from potential medieval origins through Ottoman rule, periods of conflict and occupation, significant population shifts in the 20th century, and into modern development as a quiet, ecologically clean region.
Only 10 km from Pehcevo is the
famous tourist place Ravna Reka. Here are the famous Pehcevski
waterfalls, the source of Bregalnica, beautiful summer houses and
sports fields. The place abounds with beautiful cottages and two
fishponds.
Archaeological sites
Bukovic - a settlement
from late antiquity;
In the River - a mine from late antiquity;
Gradishte (or Monastery) - a building from Roman times;
Monastery
- early Christian church;
Rudishte (or Rakovec) - late antique
and medieval mining settlement; and
Settlement - a settlement
from late antiquity.
According to the legends, it is said that Pehčevo got its name from some stoves that were located under the slopes of the mountain Bukovik. These kilns were set up because of the mines located on the slopes of Bukovic, which were in need of ore processing. Therefore, Pehčevo was called Pehčevo. But over time with the arrival of the Ottomans, the city changed its name to Pehčevo.
Pehčevo is located in the extreme eastern part of Macedonia, in the area of Maleshevo, 10 km north of Berovo and 27 km south of Delchevo. About 20% of the territory of the municipality of Pehčevo are arable land, and the rest are pastures, forests and arable land. Pehčevo is located at 1,000 meters above sea level and after Krushevo, is the second highest city in Macedonia.
Early History and Origins
The origins of Pehčevo are somewhat
obscure, with some sources suggesting the settlement may date back as
far as the 11th century, though concrete evidence is limited. Prior to
the arrival of the Ottoman Empire, the area was inhabited by locals who
engaged in iron ore exploitation from nearby sites like Bukovik,
indicating early economic activity centered on mining and resource
extraction. This pre-Ottoman period, before the late 14th century,
reflects a rural community tied to natural resources in the Maleshevia
region.
Ottoman Period (Late 14th to Early 20th Century)
The
Ottomans incorporated the area into their empire around 1394–1395,
marking the beginning of several centuries of rule. During this time,
the iron ore mines at Bukovik continued to be exploited, with official
Ottoman records from 1580 documenting their administration of these
resources. The town's favorable location along trade routes attracted
new settlers, fostering growth. By the late 19th century, Pehčevo had
evolved into a significant administrative hub for the broader Maleshevia
region, designated as the seat of the Pehčevo kaza (district) within the
Kosovo Vilayet. Infrastructure flourished, including nine khans (inns),
a prominent clock tower whose bell could be heard across the region, a
district administration building (uqumat), a pharmacy, and other
facilities. However, the town suffered heavily during World War I, with
many of these structures, including the clock tower, destroyed amid
widespread displacement and loss of life among the local population.
Early 20th Century: Balkan Wars, Occupations, and Resistance
Following the Balkan Wars, Pehčevo came under Serbian control from 1912
to 1941, a period marked by severe hardship and repression. Between 1913
and 1915, numerous residents were executed for affiliations with the
Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization (IMRO), including notable
figures like Pavle Dodukov from nearby Berovo and Ivan Strandžata from
Ratevo. Serbian gendarmes targeted committees organizing population
evacuations, leading to arrests and executions. One poignant example is
Tase Mihajlov of Pehčevo, who was tortured to death but refused to
betray his collaborators. In a broader intimidation tactic, authorities
imprisoned all males aged 15 to 80, yet this failed to quell local
resistance. The interwar period also saw demographic shifts, as Turks
who had lived in the area emigrated to Turkey, leaving behind empty
homes and fields.
Population Exchanges and Greek Settlement
(1920s Onward)
A major transformation occurred in the 1920s following
the 1923 Treaty of Lausanne, which mandated population exchanges between
Greece and Turkey. Refugees from Eastern Thrace, particularly the
Gallipoli region, initially resettled in Thessaloniki but faced poverty
and uncertainty. Many moved to Pehčevo—then part of southern
Serbia—drawn by available housing, farmland vacated by departing Turks,
and employment in local mines. This influx established a significant
Greek-origin community, which today forms a notable portion of the
population. These settlers brought cultural artifacts, such as the
revered icon of Agia Paraskevi from their homeland, now housed in a
private chapel. However, integration was challenging: They spoke Greek
in secret due to restrictions on family contacts in Greece and endured
forced surname changes under successive regimes—e.g., from Stefanidis to
Stefanovic under Serbian rule, Stefanov during Bulgarian occupations in
World War II, and Stefanovski under Tito's Yugoslavia. Socially isolated
among the Slavic majority, they were often derogatorily called
"Grachulians." In 2022, the community founded the Association of Greeks
– Gallipoli-Pehčevo to preserve their language and heritage, and Greece
has recognized them officially, with past support like Greek language
schools and diplomatic visits. Despite this, many have sought Bulgarian
passports for practical benefits, expressing a desire for Greek
citizenship to affirm their identity.
World War II and Yugoslav
Era (1940s–1990s)
During World War II, Pehčevo experienced Bulgarian
occupations, which further altered local dynamics, including additional
name changes for the Greek community. Post-war, as part of Tito's
Yugoslavia, the town underwent socialist reforms, with continued
cultural suppression for minorities. Economic focus shifted toward light
industry, agriculture, and livestock farming, laying the groundwork for
modern sectors.
Modern Era (1990s–Present)
Following North
Macedonia's independence in 1991, Pehčevo has developed as a
municipality emphasizing sustainability and tourism. The population has
declined steadily, from 5,517 in 2002 to 3,983 in 2021, reflecting
broader rural depopulation trends in the region. Ethnically, Macedonians
comprise about 81% (3,233 people), with Turks (7%), Roma (6%), and
smaller groups including Serbs, Albanians, Vlachs, and Bosniaks.
Economically, key industries include woodworking (e.g., the FAGUS
factory), refractory materials (BOMEX), and garment production,
alongside agriculture with orchards, livestock, and potential for
organic food. Infrastructure has improved, with asphalt roads connecting
villages and reliable electricity and telephone networks. Today, Pehčevo
is often perceived as a "forgotten" or empty town, but its natural
beauty and clean environment position it for eco-tourism growth.