Radovish: Plačkovica, Caves and Traditions

Around Radoviš, mountain destinations, archaeological traces and living traditions come together. Lisec, at 1,754 m, is the highest peak of the Plačkovica range. It can be climbed from the north, south or east; the northern route is considered the easiest. Check current trail conditions before your hike. The themes range from mountain trails and caves to churches, cultural events and regional specialties.

Hiking, Caves and River Landscapes

Plačkovica is home to the 600 m-long Golema Peštera, with its cave formations. Marked trails lead to the caves Ćup, Ajdučka, Turtel and Ponor; they are considered easily accessible to visitors. If you would like to include caves in your plans, you can use Golema Peštera’s length as a point of reference and the marked trails as a guide to the other four destinations. Check current trail conditions locally.

The Kamnik, Kozjak and Zrnovka gorges have infrastructure for getting around: markings, information boards, signposts, ropes, metal footholds and rest areas. Check the condition of these facilities locally before setting out. A cycling route associated with the Džumaja mountain lodge on Plačkovica is known as Džumaja–Lumia; you should also check its current conditions before a ride. Mount Goten is suitable for hiking, hunting tourism, and gathering medicinal herbs, mushrooms and forest fruits.

The Plavaja offers a different connection with nature: the river is 26.7 km long and is suitable for fishing and freshwater fish farming. Alongside mountain trails and caves, the river and fishing are therefore distinct themes to consider for your trip.

Churches and Early History

The Church of Sv. Troica in Radoviš has a single-nave layout with an inscribed cross and a vaulted dome area in the Byzantine style. At the site of the present-day Church of Sv. Gjorgji, two kilometres north of the village of Oraovica, are the foundations and walls up to 0.8 m high of an old single-nave monastery church. It probably dates from the 14th century; traces of frescoes remain on its south wall.

Borov Dol is an archaeological site. Archaeological research indicates that people lived there as early as the Neolithic, about 8,000 years ago. This offers different starting points for a cultural and historical stay: church architecture in Radoviš, monastic remains near Oraovica and a site with a Neolithic connection.

Festivals and Local Specialties

The three-day event Sv. Spaso Radoviški takes place every year in mid-August to commemorate the patron saint and protector of the city of Radoviš. The programme includes church services, a spiritual academy, a procession and a concert. Check the dates for the year you plan to travel. The Pelivan wrestling matches in Topolnica are part of a Juruč festival that celebrates the long-standing traditions of the Juruč people in the municipality of Radoviš.

The Karamonovi poetry gatherings in Radoviš have a tradition spanning more than 40 years. Check current dates and the programme separately. Local specialties also add a distinctive culinary touch to the trip: Radoviš somun is a specialty reminiscent of the pastırma-style pastry from Štip or the pita from Veles. Tatlija is a sweet specialty made from fresh unsalted cheese, drizzled with syrup and considered characteristic of this area.

Trip Planning and Hotel Stays

An official six-day regional programme featured Radoviš on the sixth day, with sightseeing, a visit to the Church of Sv. Troica, a climb up Plačkovica and an overnight hotel stay. This itinerary is historical and is not a currently bookable package; it shows how cultural and mountain activities came together in a travel plan. When planning your hotel stay, you can take event dates and outdoor activities into account.

Discover more subregions: Radoviš, Kozbunar.

Discover more destinations: Kavadarci, Veles, Kichevo, Ilinden, Skopje, Podgorci.

Go to the main travel overview: Macedonia.