NATURAL CHARACTERISTICS

 

    Bitola is not only known for its strategic significance and rich cultural heritage, but also for its abundant and rare natural beauties. It was that that attracted the attention of most nature’s gifts admirers. The forest spurs of Baba Mountain and the centuries old pine and fur trees of Pelister, are a unique sight.

      If is a rare incident of such urban settlements where the mountain forest greenery gets as far as the city streets.

      On the north side the city is surrounded by the four joint hills called “Bair”, the height of which is 640, 770 and 785, whereas the fourth one, called “Kale”, is 890m high. The south part of the city is bounded by the hill “Tumbe Café” 744m high, being part of the picturesque mountain Neolica. On the east, the city is open towards the Pelagonia Plain and on the west towards the fluvial – glacial diluvium of the river Dragor. The terrain the city rests upon is inclined from west to east that is from the Pelister massive towards the plain. The river Crna flows through the Pelagonian Plain making its way to the southeast through Mariovo valley, Tikvesh Plain and close to the ancient city Stoby it flows into river Vardar. Pelagonia is Macedonia’s richest plain. Building of the hydro system and the artificial lake “Srezhevo” resulted in creating additional beauties and treasure, created by human hand, which made Bitola surroundings even ore beautiful.

      All this creates nice climate in the city, especially in the spring, summer and autumn months. During winter, the snow often stays longer, bringing joy to the admirers of winter pleasures and beauties. This region is especially known for cool summer nights and the warm and long autumn.

      The closest and most favorite recreation spot for Bitola residents is the city promenade. From the main street-Sirok Sokak, going to the south, easily accessible, the city promenade passes through deep shadows of tall linden, plane-trees, birches, weeping-willows and other decorative trees of the city park, to get to the curved picturesque paths of Tumbe Café. This natural recreation center famous for different deciduous and conifer trees and park greenery, offers the numerous admirers of walking and clean air unbeatable moments of rest and pleasure. For those who like sport there are many natural and jogging tracks, which lead upwards to the top of the picnic place where you can see the wonderful panorama of the plain and the surrounding mountain peaks. This does not mean the end of all the possibilities offered by Tumbe Café. If you are an antiquities lover, only a hundred meters downwards is the famous archeological location – the ancient city of Heraclea Lincestis. Regardless to the season, it is always nice here – say the eager visitors of this picnic spot. Actually, the anonymous fork singer, not accidentally, has sung so many songs about this so attractive place for shorter promenades of Bitola people.

      For those who have more time for staying out, Pelister is a real paradise when it comes to recreation. Braver ones can afford themselves other pleasures such as mountaineering, skiing, climbing, hunting etc. The possibilities offered by this mountain have been an issue of many domestic and foreign visitors and require no more words. Simply-everything is beautiful here. In winter, the endless paths, ski tracks, winter landscapes, marvelous ice stalactites seem so appealing. The spring and summer reveal the complete splendor of Pelister flora. Numerous wood and grass plants give the terrain a unique color and decoration. As an illustration, 88 different wood plants grow on Pelister, which is 28% out of the total flora of our country. Among them is the renowned relic from the tercier, discovered by the famous European botanic expert August Grizebach in 1839, the five needled pine-Molica (Pinus peuce). Pelister’s fauna keeps pace with these rich nature gifts, being represented by over 60 animal species.

      Many famous picnic places, such as: Kopanki, Shiroka, Jorgov Kamen, Orlovi Bari, Big and Small Lake and many others, do not leave indifferent even the artists: painters, poets, film makers, musicians, photographers etc. It seems that this large mountain oasis of tranquility is everlasting spring of inspiration of every artist. That can be traced in frescos, icons and wood- carvings in most of the churches and monasteries in this region (churches and monasteries in village Trnovo, Magarevo, Rotino, Capari, Malovishte etc). But, musicians evidently found greatest inspiration in what this mountain offers.

            The contribution of people should be mentioned as one of the factors that help Pelister always remain attractive. In this sense especially remarkable is the notable concern of the employed in the National park “Pelister”, which was founded more then half a century ago. The employed of the prestige hotel “Molika” belong here, children resort “Pelister”, sport and other associations, as well as all those who fell nature being part of them. It world not be too immodest to say that people from Bitola realized that: protection of nature is part of the cultural tradition of this city. Consequently we put this text about Pelister among these lines, which talk about the cultural living of Bitola, past and present. This mountain is a kind of a landmark, symbol of this city. For artists it is often an unavoidable creating challenge and, being such, it could not have been left out of this cultural postcard. Of course, nature’s gifts do not end with Pelister. It is one of its notable gifts, which are numerous.