The gorge, carved by the ancient Vardar River, stretches for 19 kilometers and includes excellent rapids for kayaking and rafting.Photo:demirkapija.wordpress.com
Nestled in the Tikves valley, at the base of the spectacular Demir Kapija Gorge, the municipality of Demir Kapija is your gateway to wine and the outdoors. Visitors to the area will discover beautiful vistas, outstanding wineries, countless opportunities for outdoor recreation, and the famous tradition of Macedonian hospitality.
Demir Kapija is located near the ominous limestone gates of the same name. It has 3,725 inhabitants. The town is the seat of Demir Kapija Municipality. The name of the town comes from Turkish Demir Kapı (Iron Gate) when the settlement was part of the Ottoman Empire.
When passing "The Iron Gates", the road leads to the Valandovo and Gevgelija valley. It is the most picturesque region in Macedonia, as well as the most varied with its agricultural products.
Travel through time
The oldest known inhabitants of the Demir Kapija region were the Paeonian Macedonians who lived here from the fourth to the end of the first century B.C.E. However, archaeological excavations at a local monastery and several old fortresses have uncovered amorphous and coarse ceramic fragments that correspond with pottery of the Early Bronze Age. Other artifacts dating from the Iron Age have also been discovered in tombs from this period, including a figurine and a large bracelet.
The ancient settlement “Stenae” dates from the 5th century. Its name, meaning “gorge” or “pass”, the city was located on the east bank of the Vardar River on nearly inaccessible cliffs at the mouth of the gorge. It was first depicted on the famous Pojtingerova map dating from the mid 4th century. Construction of the city was funded by the Macedonian king Archelaus who recognized the unique defensive and economic properties of the area.
The 4th century BC also saw construction of the military settlement on the west bank of the Vardar River called “Ramniste”. The site consisted of very strong walls and several lookout points on Mt. Krastavec (899 meters). The various lookout points on Krastavec also functioned as a signal stations which, with mirrors during the day (and fire at night) relayed messages between Stobi and Thessaloniki. Combined with Stenae, the fortifications served as a defensive line to check barbarian invasions from the North.
It is during this time, that the Demir Kapija region becomes an important trade destination where caravans from Europe in the north and from both the Mediterranean and the Middle East in the south, exchanged goods. Rich finds of gold and silver jewelry, painted ceramics, marbles, as well as temples, speak of intensive economic development in this region. The Vardar River (then called the Axios) served as the primary trade route, transporting large amounts of wood, primarily oak and lina, famous for its use as spear shafts for Alexander the Great’s army.
A number of artifacts dating from this time period indicate the beginnings of grape cultivation and wine production. Among these are symbols on silver “Teutaj” coins discovered near Demir Kapija that display Dionysus, who becomes increasingly important as the local wine culture matures. Another is part of the frieze in the temple that was found in the village Bistrenci, which depicts Bahanalii, a festival for Dionysus who was most likely worshiped there.
Among the many archeological finds from the region that date from this time period, the tomb of Emperor Krater is one of the most unique. Discovered two kilometers from present day Demir Kapija, in the village Koreshnica, the tomb, which dates dates from 480-470 BC contains the remains of a dignitary called “Krater”.
Local tradition holds that St. Paul visited Stenae during his third mission in Thessalonica, and performed the first local baptism at the confluence of the Boshava and Vardar rivers. In memory of Paul’s stay, the locals built a modest baptistery that was destroyed by one of Diocletian’s Legions during the Great Persecution (303-311 C.E.).
Following the Edict of Milan in 313 AD at the time of Constantine I an early Christian basilica was constructed at the site of the old baptistery. Today, the ruins from a later renovation (Justinian’s reign from 482 to 565) are still visible. The size of the church serves as an indication of the economic power of the citizens, and the city. The temple was destroyed in the sixth century, probably by the Avars.
During the reign of Tsar Samoil, (997 – 1014 C.E.), Stenae, which, following the Slavic invasions in the 6th century changed its name to Prosek, served as a strategic military post. After the fall of Samoil’s Empire in 1015, Prosek became part of the Byzantine Empire.
In 1144, after the great rebellion led by Arhont Dobromir Hrs, the population was freed from the Byzantines. Throughout this period of historical turmoil, Prosek was ruled by Dobromir Strez. He lent his name to the sprawling settlement along the banks of the Vardar that came to be known as Strezovgrad. The city at that time became synonymous with the struggle for freedom of the Macedonians and a chief stronghold for the defense of the Christian faith from the flood of Bogomils.
In 1328 Strezovgrad was occupied by the Serbs and in 1348 the church of Virgin Mary was constructed. The Christian basilica was renovated and existed until the 16th century when it was then completely destroyed by the Turks.
Explore the outdoors
The Vardar River makes a wonderful gorge close to Demir Kapija, while the "Bela Voda" cave is very interesting to see and is 955 m long. The gorge, carved by the ancient Vardar River, stretches for 19 kilometers and includes excellent rapids for kayaking and rafting.
Its towering limestone walls contain over 150 sport climbing routes and a limitless number of traditional “trad” routes. The foothills of Mt. Kozuf are crisscrossed with numerous hiking and mountain bike trails and the mountain itself is home to some of the best downhill skiing in Macedonia.
Demir Kapija is an outdoors haven for sports and recreational activities. Mountaineers often enjoy hiking the area for their favorite tea plants. Formerly, the national and regional Kayak competitions were held here because of the natural rapids formed by the river into the canyon.
Alpinists climb the rock towers to see the most impressive view of the canyon beyond. Trails are also made to hike to these points, as well as to the remains of the aforementioned ruins of the fortress Prosek.
Possibly the most interesting hike, noted in The Bradt Guide to Macedonia, is the stopping point between the 2 tunnels on the highway. Parking exists, and it is very interesting walking along the small river between 2 rock faces, like an open-ended cave to some unique Turkish Villages.
It is also a national monument of nature and an ornithological reserve, home to many rare species of birds and endemic plants. The gorge Demir Kapija and limestone massif with its wealth of various natural phenomena is the unique site in the Balkans and in Europe.
Under the Habitats Directive of the EU, several types of natural habitats in Demir Kapija are identified as important: Juniperus exscelsa Bieb, flat woodlands and timberline, arid grasslands, caves, chasmophytic vegetation on cliffs and rocks etc.
Demir Kapija limestone massif has paleontological sites (fossil findings) that are highly relevant to the conditions in the Upper Jurassic period in Vardar Zone and wider in the Balkans. Substantially geological site is pilou-lavite which with its genesis and attractive appearance is rare in the Balkans.
The great biodiversity of rare and endangered species of plants, fungi, insects, birds and reptiles in Demir Kapija has a great allotment in the overall national biodiversity.
Taste the harvest
Culture and tradition also play a vital role in the life of the municipality. The local house of culture serves as the epicenter of cultural activity.
Spend a day with local farmers as they tend their vineyards; help a family prepare the traditional pepper spread called Ajvar; sip on a Turkish coffee while you sit with locals playing tabla (backgammon); dance the Oro at a village name day ceremony; or stoke the fire of a still while brewing a batch of Rakija or Mastika (Macedonian brandy). Your options are virtually endless. It’s up to you!
The cauldron for baking brandy today can be found in every family in Demir Kapija. Baking brandy has a long tradition in these parts. Nice and quality brandy is considered the one which reaches 50 degrees strength
Each year, it hosts over fifty different events ranging from traditional folk music, and dancing, to plays and musicals. The municipality also serves as home to several festivals throughout the year. These include the annual St. Trifun’s (the patron saint of wine) day celebration on February 14th, a traditional fair from the 27th to the 28th of August, and the Liberation Day festivities on the 7th of November.
The climate here is unlike anywhere else in the Balkans. Just as the gorge allows the Vardar to continue its journey south, so it also allows the Aegean winds to travel north. Thus, Demir Kapija sits at the crossroads of the Aegean, Continental, and Mountain climates.
These unique conditions provide Demir Kapija with large amounts of sunshine. Combined with the fact that the municipality rests in the fertile Tikves valley, these factors have made Demir Kapija home to some of the best vineyards in the Balkans. Currently, there are four different wineries within the municipality producing over 25 different varieties of wine.
The former Yugoslavic King Aleksandar Karadjordjevic had his summer home and winery built here. The winery is the oldest on the Balkans and still produces quality wines. Today, visitors can tour the old royal winery, now called Elenov, which still produces wine using the original oak vats. Their rich array of wines means there’s something for everyone.
Newer wineries like Popova Kula have opened up additionally and pave the way for exports and economic stimulus of the region. The winery itself manufactures more than 20 different types of wine from 11 different grape varieties with a particular passion for specific Macedonian varietals. Their facilities include 11 hotel rooms, a restaurant, a wine tasting room and a conference room. The winery provides a number of activities for its clients such as guided hiking, hunting and fishing trips as well as special events such as weddings and live music on holidays.
We invite you to come and discover this scenic place of wine and adventure!
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