Embark on a fascinating one-day tour from Skopje to explore the ancient astronomical sites of Macedonian Stonehenge. Discover the oldest observatories, sacrificial rituals, and a medieval town nestled in a volcanic crater.
Embark on a fascinating one-day tour from Skopje to explore the ancient astronomical sites of Macedonian Stonehenge. Discover the oldest observatories, sacrificial rituals, and a medieval town nestled in a volcanic crater.
- Kokino - The 4-th oldest observatory according to NASA is right here, in the north-east of Macedonia. In the rocky hill of Tatikev Kamen, there are the remains of this megalithic observatory, estimated to date back from between the 19 and 17 centuries BC.
- Cocev Kamen - This hilltop volcanic cave is located not that far from the volcanic…
- Kokino - The 4-th oldest observatory according to NASA is right here, in the north-east of Macedonia. In the rocky hill of Tatikev Kamen, there are the remains of this megalithic observatory, estimated to date back from between the 19 and 17 centuries BC.
- Cocev Kamen - This hilltop volcanic cave is located not that far from the volcanic small town of Kratovo. The remains showed that this is a sacrificial place for the people that lived here in the Neolithic period.
- Kratovo - This small interesting volcanic town even got its name from the volcanic crater (Kratovo). We will have a guided walking tour around town, crossing many medieval bridges and towers. Optionally you will have a chance to taste slow-cooked food by the locals and taste the local homemade wine and rakija (Macedonian brandy). The people of Kratovo are very proud of their homemade crushed salt made of salt, peppers, rosemary, basil, peppermint, wild mint, and thyme and you must taste it. We leave Kratovo and drive back to Skopje.
- Guidance by experienced English/Spanish speaking guide
- Comfortable transfers with A/C car/minivan included
- Convenient hotel pick-up and drop-off in Skopje
- Guidance by experienced English/Spanish speaking guide
- Comfortable transfers with A/C car/minivan included
- Convenient hotel pick-up and drop-off in Skopje
- Entrance fee for Kokino in high season (2 EUR per person)
- Food and drinks, optional and payable on the spot
- Optional donation to the Kratovo museum (5 EUR)
- Personal expenses
- Entrance fee for Kokino in high season (2 EUR per person)
- Food and drinks, optional and payable on the spot
- Optional donation to the Kratovo museum (5 EUR)
- Personal expenses
The earliest archaeological discoveries at the Kokino site date back to the Early Bronze Age. Volcanic activity from the lava at the crater’s peak formed rocks that served as significant markers for tracking the cycles of the Sun and Moon and measuring time. NASA ranks it as the fourth oldest observatory. Approximately an hour away is the archaeological…
The earliest archaeological discoveries at the Kokino site date back to the Early Bronze Age. Volcanic activity from the lava at the crater’s peak formed rocks that served as significant markers for tracking the cycles of the Sun and Moon and measuring time. NASA ranks it as the fourth oldest observatory. Approximately an hour away is the archaeological site known as Cocev Kamen (Stone), another remarkable rock formation and prehistoric observatory akin to Kokino and Stonehenge in the UK. This site was utilized for sacrificial rituals and as a temple. In ancient times, the entrance to the rock was secured by massive wooden gates, and the holes cut into the rocks to support gates and piles are still visible. Lastly, there is the charming medieval town of Kratovo, established in the center of a former volcanic crater.
- The tour does not operate in bad weather conditions. You will be offered a date change if this happens
- Comfortable walking shoes are recommended
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
