Radoviš (Радовиш, Radovish) - a town in the southeastern part of the Republic of Macedonia. The city is the second largest in the southeastern region, located at the foot of Mount Plachkovica and the northern part of the Strumica-Radoviš Valley. The highway M6 Stip - Radoviš - Strumica is the main connection of the city. It is the seat of the Municipality of Radovis, to which another 35 settlements belong. Radovish is known for the Church "St. Trinity ”, the Cross over Radovish, the mountain Plachkovica, the mine Buchim, the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and the Radovish samun and tatlija
Prehistory and the ancient period
Traces of
material culture have been found on the territory of the
municipality of Radovis since prehistoric times. Particularly
interesting are the findings from the Neolithic Age, the Copper Age,
the Hallstatt and the Bronze Age. In the time of Philip II of
Macedon and Alexander the Great, the territory of Radovis was
inhabited by the Paionians. It is believed that the Paeonian tribes
Doberi and Astrai inhabited here, after which the centers Dober and
Astraion were named. But in science there are still assumptions
about the exact location of these centers. Numerous remnants of
value are from the time of the pre-Roman and Roman eras. These are
mostly ancient settlements, necropolises, castrates, baths,
aqueducts, milestones and other finds.
Medieval period
The
city of Radoviš was first mentioned in 1019. in the Letter of the
Byzantine Emperor Basil II, and it was also called the medieval
parish, which shows that the city function dates back to the Middle
Ages. At that time Radovish was an important regional trade, craft
and mining center. The name of the town of Radovis is related to the
name of the medieval princess of Slavic origin, Rada, who lived in
the fortress above the town, whose ruins still exist.
In the
period of the 14th century it was under the rule of the Serbian
rulers - in 1361 Tsar Uros resided in it.
Under Ottoman rule
Under the rule of the Turks, Radovish fell in 1382-1383. According
to historical data and sources, the Turkish army on its way to
Central Europe occupied the cities in front of it. In the occupied
cities, the Turkish authorities deployed only a few officials and
their guards to welcome and send their troops. On the other hand,
they did not want to provoke the local population to revolt, so as
not to cause them problems during their march to Europe. Under the
Turkish conquest at the beginning of the 16th century, many people
settled in this area - Yuruci - Turkish nomadic tribe, an ethnic
group that is still present in Radovis. According to the 1519
census, the settlement numbered 200 households, of which 177 were
Christian and 23 Muslim. In this document the city was signed as
Radovishte. In the following years, however, the situation changed
dramatically. With the colonization of the Muslim population of Asia
Minor, a greater influx of new inhabitants was felt, both in
Radovish and in the surrounding villages. Due to this artificial
migration of the Turkish population, in 1572 Radovish already had
365 households, of which 303 were Christian and 62 were Muslim. The
famous Turkish travel writer Evliya Çelebi visited Radovish in 1662
and in his notes on the city noted: “The town has: about 400 houses,
distributed in five neighborhoods; there are five mosques, a dervish
tekke, a mekteba, a madrasa, a hammam, three annas, two taverns and
a small town bazaar with about 150 shops. "The settlement is
surrounded by gardens and vineyards." Celebija further explains in
his notes that the town was a picnic area and hunting ground of a
king named Radul. The documents Kyustendil metropolitans in the 17th
century are also called Radovish. At the end of the 18th century,
Radovish was a town surrounded by a wall of an old fortress, the
remains of which still stand today. Once the great road from
Pomoravje through Kumanovo and Ovche Pole and Radovishko Pole
through Strumica led to the Gulf of Thessaloniki and Orphan. In
1820, in the publication of Mr. Hassel, Radovish is marked with the
toponym Radoviste and there were 300 houses in the town. With this
toponym, Radovish was drawn on a map of European Turkey, published
in Vienna in 1828. In 1854, the city was visited by the French
travel writer Ami Boue. He mentions Radovish as the tenth most
important city in Skopje Pashalak with about 1,500 inhabitants. In
the 1970s, Radovish grew into a market center, then known for its
tobacco and poppy exports. A larger increase in the settlement was
observed at the end of the 19th century. In 1896, Radovish numbered
1,100 houses, of which 700 were Muslim and only 400 Christian.
During this period there were six mosques in the city, ten to
fifteen annas, one hammam, a city clock tower and a Christian
church, built in 1832. The streets of the city were narrow and
crooked, partially paved, while the houses were ground floor, rarely
on the first floor. The city was divided into thirteen
neighborhoods, of which 7 were Muslim and 6 Christian (Macedonian).
The bazaar numbered 150 shops and was quite dynamic, in which the
most developed handicrafts and trade. This oriental character of
Radovish lasted until the Balkan Wars.
In the 19th and 20th century Radoviš and the surrounding area
were influenced by historical events related to the Razlovech,
Kresna and Ilinden uprisings, then the events of the Balkan Wars,
the First and Second World Wars and the period after the Second
World War contributed to the present appearance of Radoviš.
The territory of the municipality of Radovis is rich with explored
and many unexplored archeological sites, monasteries and churches
that are part of the rich treasury of cultural monuments.
World War Two
On October 22, 1944, the German fascist army set
fire to a number of houses in the downtown area. The city was
liberated on November 6, 1944.
Church "St. Trinity"
Church "St. Elijah"
Church "St. Save
Radovishki"
City Bush - Iron Age tumulus;
Isarot - Kale - Medieval fortress;
Kuklenica - Medieval
settlement;
Turkish Cemetery - Teke - a medieval necropolis
The richness of the forest stock, the variety of flora and fauna, the
clean and healthy environment, the configuration of the terrain, the
rivers and the artificial reservoirs make the region attractive for
recreational sports, hunting, fishing and rural tourism.
In that
regard, the development possibilities of the region are perceived, first
of all, in the commercialization of attractive natural resources.
Economic effectuation of natural resources presupposes the existence of
adequate infrastructure, organization and adequate tourist propaganda.
In that direction, significant development incentives can come from new
and quality accommodation facilities, from food facilities, from various
craft and service facilities and shops, from sports fields, from tourist
guides in rural tourism, which is part of the enrichment of tourism an
offer. The development of these specific types of tourism will enable a
wider front for action and market effectuation of food production (milk,
meat, vegetables, fruit, wine, etc.) in attractive hunting-fishing and
recreational rural areas. The most appropriate way to manage this
activity and its related activities are small family businesses,
expertly managed and designed by qualified managers.
There is
also an excellent opportunity for the development of alternative forms
of tourism (mountain, spa, rural, archaeological, etc.)
The town of Radovish is located in the Radovishka Kotlina at the foot of the Plachkovica mountain. Two rivers pass through it, Stara Reka and Sušica. The city is located at 41° 38' S and 22° 28' E. The altitude in the city is 380 m. The city covers an area of about 4 km2, 3 km in width (Industrial zone - Kaluzliska street) and 3.5 km in length (Raklish village - Quay 8 September).
Located in the southeastern part of the Republic, the town of
Radovish occupies the northwestern part of the vast Strumica-Radovishka
Kotlina, that is, the upper catchment area of the Radovishka River. The
northern part belongs to Plachkovica mountain, the southern part to
Smrdeshnik mountain, to the northwest is the hilly part of the Jurukluk
or Damjansko Pole area, and to the southeast stretches the alluvial
plain of the Radovishka river. The municipality has good functional
connections with the neighboring towns of Shtip and Strumica, from which
it is only 36 and 29 km away. The city of Radovish is located in the
central part of the municipality, at an altitude of 380 meters and is a
municipal administrative center with a good location for the development
of the economy. As an administrative center, it also serves the
residents of Konche municipality.
From a hydrographic point of
view, the municipality is interesting, with the occurrence of
underground waters, springs and surface watercourses, as well as smaller
artificial reservoirs. In addition to sources for drinking water in the
municipality, there are also mineral waters, but without any major
economic use. The hydrographic network of the municipality is divided
into two river basins. Through the Radovishka river, the waters flow
into the Strumica basin, while through the Kriva Lakavica river into the
Bregalnica basin. Rivers in the town of Radovish are: Stara Reka (also
known as Radovishka Reka), as well as the smaller Sušica and Marlada.
Vegetation - Forest complexes occupy about 21,000 hectares. Larger
forest complexes are located around Stara reka and Oraovichka reka,
where oak, beech and conifer forests are represented. of the
phytocenoses in the forests, the most dominant are the Gorun Oak
communities, the ash forests, the foothill beech community, the beech
forest with the participation of birch on acidic soils, and the mountain
beech community.
Radovish is 121 km (2 hours) from Skopje, 220 km
from Ohrid, 502 km from Belgrade, 160 km from Thessaloniki, 620 km from
Athens, 370 km from Tirana, 390 km from Durrës, 260 km from Sofia, 720
km from Varna, 670 km from Burgas, 840 km from Istanbul, 1030 km from
Ljubljana, 2330 km from Paris and 2540 km from London.
Radovish is influenced by a moderate Mediterranean-continental
climate. Due to the pronounced altitude difference (400-707 m above sea
level), individual climate elements vary between a modified
Mediterranean climate in the field and a mountain climate in the
mountains. Average annual temperatures in the plains range from 12.5 to
13.0°С, and in the highest parts of the mountain massifs up to 7.5°С.
The warmest months are July and August, with an average temperature of
23°C, and the coldest month is January with 1.2°C.
The average
annual precipitation is 563 mm, with large variations from year to year,
but there is a difference between the mountainous and plain regions. as
for the annual sum of sunshine hours, the region has 2326 sunshine hours
per year, i.e. 6.4 hours per day.
There are several settlements in Radovish, us. Raklish, us. Puklevica, us. Bel Kamen and us. Beverly Hills. Well-known neighborhoods are: Shain neighborhood, Varosh, Lisec neighborhood, Shopska neighborhood, Aegean neighborhood.
According to the statistics of Vasil K'nchov ("Macedonia, Ethnography
and Statistics") from 1900, 6,230 inhabitants lived in Radovish, of
which 4,000 were Turks, 2,030 Macedonians and 200 Roma.
In the
first organized census of SFR Yugoslavia from 1948, there were 24,249
inhabitants in Radovishko srez, of which 4,678 in the city of Radovish,
and 19,571 in the villages (Radovishko Pole, Juruklak, Shopluk,
Lakavicko). From an ethnic point of view, the population consisted of
14,055 (57.9%) Macedonians, 9,390 (38.7%) Turks, 525 (2.16%) Roma, 93
Vlachs and 186 others.
According to the population census in
2002, the city of Radovish had 16,223 inhabitants, and the municipality
of Radovish had 28,244, the population density in the municipality is 46
inhabitants/km2. The city was mainly inhabited by Macedonians, as well
as Turkish and Roma population.
Bodies of local self-government are the Mayor of the Municipality of
Radovish and the Council of the Municipality of Radovish.
The
local administration and its departments are under the authority of the
mayor of the municipality of Radovish, whose job is to represent and
advocate the interests of the municipality and its residents, and to
ensure the execution of the tasks assigned to the municipality by law.
The mayor of the municipality of Radovish since 2013 is Mr. Sashko
Nikolov from the party VMRO-DPMNE, who was elected in the local
elections in 2013, and his mandate lasts four years, that is, from 2013
to 2017.
Previous mayors of Radovish Municipality were: Dr.
Robert Velkov (from 2005 to 2013), Dr. Riste Kukutanov (from 2000 -
2005), Kircho Susinov (from 1996 - 2000) and Dr. Ljupcho Zahariev (from
1990-1996).
The Radovish Municipality Council is a representative
body of the citizens of the municipality and is composed of 19
councilors elected in local elections. The President of the Council is
Mr. Nikolcho Miovski (VMRO-DPMNE). Standing committees function within
the council.
The city's economy consists of the private, state sector, and a part
of the population is engaged in agriculture (tobacco, horticulture and
cereals).
From the state sector, the largest employers are PE
"Makedonski Shumi" - subsidiary "Plackovica", PE "Plavaja", Radovish
Police Station, PHI Zdravstven dom, the education sector (kindergartens,
schools and faculty), the court, the municipality and regional
ministries.
In the private sector, these branches are
represented:
Mining, through the "Buchim Mine" - a mine for
copper, gold and silver. With 550 workers, the mine is the largest
employer of the population of Radovish municipality.
The textile,
that is, the clothing industry is developed in the city. About 20
confectioneries work, the largest of which are: "Mardi", "Connelly",
"Super Hit", "Marcos", "FerTex" and others.
A large part of the
population in the city and municipality is engaged in planting and
producing tobacco. "Yaka tabak" (the so-called monopoly) is a company
that buys, processes and sells tobacco.
In Radovish there is also
a company for the production and sale of gold jewelry - "Goldmak".
Metal processing industry, the most important companies are "Metal
Promet" and "Semi".
The construction and design industry is
represented by the following companies: "Technique", "Alfa Engineering",
"Bino", "Technoengineering" and others.
Canning industry, such as
"Best Food TI".
There are several dairies, and the largest is
"Mlekara Gjorgievi" (former dairy "Cooperant").
Wood industry and
production and sale of furniture, through the companies "SHIK",
"Sovremen dom", "Asti 2007", "Avto kec" and others.
The "Bel
Kamen", "Panorama" and "Bahamas" hotels operate in the field of
catering; restaurants "Champion", "Ambassador", "Magmar"; pizzerias
"Joker", "Mary Jane", "Santa Maria", "Gatsby", "Beverly Hills";
nightclubs "Full House" and "Diamond"; coffee bars "Ti-amo", "Escape",
"Target", "Virus", etc.
There is also a meat industry
(slaughterhouses and butchers), a dairy industry (confectioneries),
service activities (cosmetics and hairdressing salons), wholesale and
retail trade, crafts (repair of motor vehicles, watches, shoes, white
goods, etc.) . Private activity is 90% of the total economy.
Branches of several banks operate in the city, such as: Stopanska banka,
Komercijalna banka, NLB Tutunska banka, TTK banka and UNI banka.
Former economy
"Damjan Mine" was an iron ore mine, and was in
operation from 1968 to 1992.
"AD Jaka 80" - a factory for the
cosmetic, dietary and pharmaceutical industry. The factory was moved
from Radovish to Skopje.
"AD Decortex" - textile and textile
products factory.
"ZIK Radovishko pole" - production and sale of
agricultural products.
In the city there is one public health institution "PHC Health Center
- Radovish", and about seven outpatient clinics in the populated areas
under the administration of the health center. PHI Zdravstven Dom -
Radovish includes a gynecology-obstetric department, specialist
outpatient offices for eye diseases, ear, nose and throat, internal
medicine, etc.
There are at least 15 private health care
facilities (PHU) of primary medical and dental health care operating in
the city. Several private specialist practices in internal medicine,
orthopedic practice and neuropsychiatric practice. Seven private
pharmacies also operate.
A total of five institutions work in the field of education and
upbringing. One of them is a combined pre-school institution, two
elementary schools with several regional facilities, one high school in
the area of secondary education and one faculty.
Preschool
education
JOU Kindergartens "Aco Karamanov" with the three facilities
"Cvetovi", "Izvorche" and "Administrative Building".
Primary
education
OU "Krste Petkov Misirkov" - Radovish - with about 1266
students and 70 employees.
OU "Nikola Karev" - Radovish Archived on
May 13, 2012 - Radovish - with about 1070 students and 65 employees.
Secondary Education
Secondary school "Kosta Susinov" - Radovish -
with 1146 students and 52 employees. The high school has a high school
course, a metallurgical-technical course, and an electrotechnical course
- electrical technician for computer technology and automation.
High education
Faculty of Electrical Engineering - Radovish, part of
"Goce Delchev" University - Shtip. With two undergraduate study
programs: "Automatic control systems" and "Renewable energy sources".
Sports clubs operate in Radovish: FC Plachkovica (founded in 1942),
KK Radovish, ping pong club "Emi Petrol-Radovis" (founded in 1993, and
today competes in the National Ping-Pong Leagues), RC "Radovis" (play in
the Super League of Macedonia), the wrestling club "Buchim-Radovis"
(winner of the title of State Champion of Macedonia for 2013, European
and World Club Champion), the shooting club "Buchim", the cycling club
"Sviok", the triathlon club "Ana- yes", the fishing club "Krap-Radoviš"
(competing in the First Macedonian Fishing League), the motorcycle club
"Dzinka", the mountaineering society "Bel Kamen", the mountaineering
club "Plocha" Archived on March 18, 2014, the judo club " Sensei",
karate club "Phoenix", sports fans "Lebari" and others.
Also, in
the Municipality of Radovish, the "Municipal Futsal League - Radovish"
has been renewed since 2013, and there is also the "Municipal School
Futsal League" for the Elementary Schools of the Municipality of
Radovish.
Radovish owns capital sports facilities such as: Sports
and recreational complex "Champion" (with an Olympic swimming pool,
several fields for indoor football and basketball, handball, volleyball
and tennis courts), the Sports Hall "25 May" with a capacity of 1500
seats, the City Stadium for football in Radovish, tennis courts,
multi-purpose sports courts and others.