Travel Guide Stip

Founded by the Romans in the 3rd century B.C. under the name Astibio, Štip is a town with no apparent charm, and since the end of the Second World War, has lived mainly by the rhythm of its textile factories and shoe-making workshops. However, despite the destruction of history and haphazard reconstruction, it retains a significant old heritage: the Isar fortress, of course, but also a few old churches hidden here and there, a bezistan, a clock tower, the derelict Husameddin Pasha mosque (16th century) on the left bank of the Otinja, or the pleasant village-like Novo Selo district to the south-west of the center, where national hero - and Bulgaria's - Goce Delčev was a schoolteacher in the 1890s. Other highlights include the quality of the local museum, undoubtedly the best in Eastern Macedonia, and a visit to the Roman and Byzantine ruins of Bargala. But to say that Štip is a must-see is a bit of an exaggeration. In any case, the town comes alive in October, when the popular music festival Makfest (makfest.mk) takes place.