Radoviš
Encyclopedia
Radoviš is a city positioned in the southeastern
part of the Republic of Macedonia
. It is the second largest city in the southeastern region. The city is the seat of Radoviš Municipality
, which is spread on the bottom of Plačkovica
Mountain and the northern part of the Radoviš-Strumica valley. The main road M6 Štip
–Radoviš-Strumica
is tangentially placed on the township of Radoviš. This road is a main communication route with other parts of the country.
(which was the name of the city during the Middle Ages. At this time in history, Radoviš is an important center for regional trade, craftsmanship and mining. At that time, the town was located in the North-West of the town's present location, on the banks of the Old river, where we can find traces of several churches, for example St. Archangel church.
In the 14th century, after the destruction of the Byzantine Empire
, Radoviš found itself in the Serb medieval state. In 1361, the tsar Uroš sojourned in Radoviš. During the Ottoman Empire
, in the 17th Century under the Kyustendil sanjak
, it belonged to the diocese of the Kustendil metropolitan. At that time, the town had 3,000–4,000 inhabitants.
The Medieval period of Radoviš is characterized by the expansion and development of Radoviš and its surroundings. The economical, political and educational histories of the region can attest to this. In the territory of the Municipality of Radoviš are located both explored and unexplored archeological sites, monasteries, and churches all of which are truly a part of a rich heritage of culture monuments. In addition, this territory dates back to prehistoric times and contain artifacts from the Neolithic, Eneolithic, Halsta and the Bronze Ages. In the time of Philip the Second and Alexander the Great, poems about the territory of the Municipality of Radoviš were written. Also, numerous remains date back to Roman times and even earlier. Additional findings include ancient settlements, terms and aqueducts.
During the 19th and 20th centuries Radoviš and surrounding regions, were influenced by the historical events related to the Razlovo, Kresnensko and Ilinden Uprisings along with the events related to the Balkans, First and Second World War influenced the entire micro region. During Turkish hegemony in Macedonia in the 16th century, the micro region was populated by a nomadic Turkish population called the Juruci, an ethnic group that still exists to this day in this part of the world. The documents Kustendilski metropolitan from the 17th century are also called "Radoviš documents". By the end of the 18th century Radoviš was a city surrounded by the old fortress, the remains of which also exist today. The former main road to Strumica from Pomoravje through Kumanovo, Ovce Pole and Radoviško Pole led to Thessaloniki and the Orphan Bay
and partly with Turkish minority. In the Municipality of Radoviš ethnic conflicts and intolerance are unknown.
36 villages are also part of the municipality of Radoviš.
The average annual precipitation is 563 mm, with large fluctuations from year to year, but there is a difference between the mountain and the valley. As to the annual sum of sunshine hours, the region has 2326 sunshine hours per year, 6.4 hours per day, and 112 sunny days a year.
The ethnic structure of the population living in the city is:
There are three orthodox churches, the new one Holy Trinity, the old one St.Ilija, and St.King Konstantin and Queen Elena from the 18th century. Many orthodox monasteries St. Archangel Michail, St. Pantaleon, St. George, etc.
Also, various Protestant churches, such as two Methodist churches, Baptist
church, Jehovah's Witnesses
Kingdom Hall
etc. And two islamic mosques.
Roads:
The natioanl road M6 passes near Radoviš. It is the only way to arrive in the city. To the north the closest city is Štip
(37 km from Radoviš), and to the south Strumica
(29 km). Radoviš is 121 km far from the capital Skopje
.
Airports:
The closest airport is Skopje Alexander the Great Airport located near the capital Skopje
, about 100 kilometers north from Radoviš.
Taxis and Buses:
The Radoviš bus station is located on the boulevard Alexander of Macedon, it is 500 meters far from the city center . The bus station connects the city with the capital Skopje
, Bitola
, Prilep
and the neibourgh cities. Taxis are all over the city. The price for a drive in the city is about 0.80 euro or 50 Macedonian denar
s. Taxis can also drive to the villages or to other Macedonian cities.
, DirectToHome TV - TotalTV
, Internet Providers (Cable, ADSL, WDSL, WiFi) and WiFi hotspots across the city. The three national mobile operators have full 3G coverage.
"Lebari" are the supporters of the Radoviš sport clubs. The supporters club "Lebari" (Macedonian: Лебари) was formed in 1991. They generally support all clubs in Radoviš, and mostly wear green and yellow simbols, which are the group colours.
In the past and now, Radoviš rightly carries the attribute of a sports city. It can be freely called "The metropolis of wrestling in free and Greco-Roman style" in Europe and worldwide after Radoviš' favorite club BK "Bučim-Jaka" won the titles "European Club Champion in 1995" and "World Club Champion in 1996". The final competition for those titles as well as for many other tournaments such as "Balkan Championship in Wrestling, Free and Greco-Roman Style" 1991 and "Macedonian Pearl" were held in the Sport Center in Radoviš "25 Maj".
The new sport center Šampion (Macedonian: Спортски Ценар и Ресторан Шампион - Радовиш) was built in the year 1999, and consists of: Olympic swimming pool, small swimming pool, tennis courts, basketball courts, table tennis facility, handball court, soccer fields, gym and a restaurant.
The industry in Radoviš consists of several factories such as:
- Bučim (Бучим) - the only active mine in the Municipality of Radoviš
and the only mine for copper and gold in Macedonia. Bučim employs about 500 people. It is one of the most important industrial object in Radoviš and a driving force of the Radoviš industry and economy. The mine (directly and indirectly) contributed significantly to the initiation of other industrial activities such as the building industry, business, hospitality industry, transport and others.
- Jakatabak - for purchasing, manufacturing and processing of tobacco
- Jaka 80 - for manufacturing of pharmaceutical, cosmetic and nutritional products
- Goldmak - that produces golden and silver jewelry
- Šik Plačkovica - a company that produces cooked and uncooked beech materials and final products made of it
- Best Food TI - that processes vegetables and fruits
- Mlekara Gjorgievi Radoviš, formerly Kooperant - A company for purchasing and production of milk and milk products
- Textile & clothing factories (Mardi, Koneli, Markos, Marteks, Lukas, and some others)
In the metal manufacturing industry the most important capacities are: Metalpromet and Semi
Building and Construction in Radoviš is an important industrial activity:
- Stil is the largest building company. Besides Stil there are many other entrepreneurs in the building industry. Their activities are mainly focused toward the individual building of residential housing and building of small industrial objects as well as weekend houses.
Other activities in the municipality of Radoviš are banking, insurance, transportation, travel, taxi-services and hospitality industry.
Southeastern statistical region
The Southeastern Statistical Region is one of eight arbitrary statistical regions in the Republic of Macedonia. Southeastern, located in the southeastern part of the country, borders Greece and Bulgaria...
part of the Republic of Macedonia
Republic of Macedonia
Macedonia , officially the Republic of Macedonia , is a country located in the central Balkan peninsula in Southeast Europe. It is one of the successor states of the former Yugoslavia, from which it declared independence in 1991...
. It is the second largest city in the southeastern region. The city is the seat of Radoviš Municipality
Radoviš municipality
Radoviš Municipality is a municipality in eastern Republic of Macedonia. Radoviš is the name of the city where the municipal seat is found. This municipality is part of the Southeastern Statistical Region.-History:...
, which is spread on the bottom of Plačkovica
Plackovica
Plačkovica is a mountain in the eastern part of Republic of Macedonia which extends between the cities of Radoviš, and Vinica.The highest peak is Lisec at 1754 m, the length of main valley slopes of the peak Lisec is 34 km. Valley of river Zrnovska splits the mountain in two parts, eastern and...
Mountain and the northern part of the Radoviš-Strumica valley. The main road M6 Štip
Štip
Štip is the largest urban agglomeration in the eastern part of the Republic of Macedonia, serving as the economic, industrial, entertainment and educational focal point for the surrounding municipalities. As of the 2002 census, the Štip municipality alone had a population of about 47,796...
–Radoviš-Strumica
Strumica
Strumica is the largest city in eastern Macedonia, near the Novo Selo-Petrich border crossing with Bulgaria. About 100,000 people live in the region surrounding the city. The city is named after the Strumica River which runs through it...
is tangentially placed on the township of Radoviš. This road is a main communication route with other parts of the country.
History
The city of Radoviš was mentioned for the first time in 1019 during the reign of the Byzantine King Basil IIBasil II
Basil II , known in his time as Basil the Porphyrogenitus and Basil the Young to distinguish him from his ancestor Basil I the Macedonian, was a Byzantine emperor from the Macedonian dynasty who reigned from 10 January 976 to 15 December 1025.The first part of his long reign was dominated...
(which was the name of the city during the Middle Ages. At this time in history, Radoviš is an important center for regional trade, craftsmanship and mining. At that time, the town was located in the North-West of the town's present location, on the banks of the Old river, where we can find traces of several churches, for example St. Archangel church.
In the 14th century, after the destruction of the Byzantine Empire
Byzantine Empire
The Byzantine Empire was the Eastern Roman Empire during the periods of Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages, centred on the capital of Constantinople. Known simply as the Roman Empire or Romania to its inhabitants and neighbours, the Empire was the direct continuation of the Ancient Roman State...
, Radoviš found itself in the Serb medieval state. In 1361, the tsar Uroš sojourned in Radoviš. During the Ottoman Empire
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
, in the 17th Century under the Kyustendil sanjak
Kyustendil Province
-Religion:Religious adherence in the province according to 2001 census:-Language:Mother tongues in the province according to 2001 census:* 153,242 Bulgarian * 7,929 Roma * 1363 others and unspecified -Ethnic groups:...
, it belonged to the diocese of the Kustendil metropolitan. At that time, the town had 3,000–4,000 inhabitants.
The Medieval period of Radoviš is characterized by the expansion and development of Radoviš and its surroundings. The economical, political and educational histories of the region can attest to this. In the territory of the Municipality of Radoviš are located both explored and unexplored archeological sites, monasteries, and churches all of which are truly a part of a rich heritage of culture monuments. In addition, this territory dates back to prehistoric times and contain artifacts from the Neolithic, Eneolithic, Halsta and the Bronze Ages. In the time of Philip the Second and Alexander the Great, poems about the territory of the Municipality of Radoviš were written. Also, numerous remains date back to Roman times and even earlier. Additional findings include ancient settlements, terms and aqueducts.
During the 19th and 20th centuries Radoviš and surrounding regions, were influenced by the historical events related to the Razlovo, Kresnensko and Ilinden Uprisings along with the events related to the Balkans, First and Second World War influenced the entire micro region. During Turkish hegemony in Macedonia in the 16th century, the micro region was populated by a nomadic Turkish population called the Juruci, an ethnic group that still exists to this day in this part of the world. The documents Kustendilski metropolitan from the 17th century are also called "Radoviš documents". By the end of the 18th century Radoviš was a city surrounded by the old fortress, the remains of which also exist today. The former main road to Strumica from Pomoravje through Kumanovo, Ovce Pole and Radoviško Pole led to Thessaloniki and the Orphan Bay
Name
Almost one millennium ago, Radoviš' queen (a princess of Slavic origin) Rada, was looking from the wall of the fortress (the old castle) when she became upset by her fiancee's exclamation "Rado Vish" (Rada look!). This exclamation that was supposed to warn her of the enemy attack, became according to the legend the name of the city, a synonym of its endurance over the centuries to come.Municipality
The area of the municipality is 608 km². Radoviš municipality has 28,244 inhabitants, according to the last census (2002). Population density is 56/km². It is populated mainly with MacedoniansMacedonians (ethnic group)
The Macedonians also referred to as Macedonian Slavs: "... the term Slavomacedonian was introduced and was accepted by the community itself, which at the time had a much more widespread non-Greek Macedonian ethnic consciousness...
and partly with Turkish minority. In the Municipality of Radoviš ethnic conflicts and intolerance are unknown.
36 villages are also part of the municipality of Radoviš.
Government
The mayor of Radoviš is elected directly through a local election. The current mayor is Robert Velkov, MD. He was elected in 2005, and then reelected in April 2009. The party that won the local election in 2009 and the general election in 2008 was VMRO-DPMNE.Climate
The climate of Radoviš is moderate Mediterranean-Continental. With hot and dry summers. Winters are characteristic for their coldness, wetness and the snow falls very often. Average annual temperatures range from 12.5 to 13 °C (54.5 to 55.4 ) in the valley and at the highest parts of the mountain ranges up to 7.5 °C (46 °F). The warmest months are July and August, when the temperatures are usually above 31 °C (88 °F), and often reach 40 °C (104 °F), and the average is 23 °C (73 °F). The coldest month is January with an average temperature of 1.2 °C (34 °F).The average annual precipitation is 563 mm, with large fluctuations from year to year, but there is a difference between the mountain and the valley. As to the annual sum of sunshine hours, the region has 2326 sunshine hours per year, 6.4 hours per day, and 112 sunny days a year.
Population and ethnicities
According to the census performed in 2002, the population of the city of Radoviš is 16,233 inhabitants, while in the municipality including the villages 28,244 inhabitants.The ethnic structure of the population living in the city is:
- MacedoniansMacedonians (ethnic group)The Macedonians also referred to as Macedonian Slavs: "... the term Slavomacedonian was introduced and was accepted by the community itself, which at the time had a much more widespread non-Greek Macedonian ethnic consciousness...
: 13,991 (86.24%) - TurksTurkish peopleTurkish people, also known as the "Turks" , are an ethnic group primarily living in Turkey and in the former lands of the Ottoman Empire where Turkish minorities had been established in Bulgaria, Cyprus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Greece, Kosovo, Macedonia, and Romania...
: 1,927 - Roma: 181
- SerbsSerbsThe Serbs are a South Slavic ethnic group of the Balkans and southern Central Europe. Serbs are located mainly in Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and form a sizable minority in Croatia, the Republic of Macedonia and Slovenia. Likewise, Serbs are an officially recognized minority in...
: 60 - VlachsVlachsVlach is a blanket term covering several modern Latin peoples descending from the Latinised population in Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe. English variations on the name include: Walla, Wlachs, Wallachs, Vlahs, Olahs or Ulahs...
: 20 - AlbaniansAlbanians in the Republic of MacedoniaAlbanians are the largest ethnic minority in the Republic of Macedonia. Of the 2,022,547 citizens of Macedonia, 509,083, or 25%, are Albanian according to the latest national census in 2002. The Albanian minority lives mostly in the north-western part of the country...
: 1 - Others: 42
Religion
Radoviš is mainly orthodox city, also there are Muslims, Protestants and Catholics.There are three orthodox churches, the new one Holy Trinity, the old one St.Ilija, and St.King Konstantin and Queen Elena from the 18th century. Many orthodox monasteries St. Archangel Michail, St. Pantaleon, St. George, etc.
Also, various Protestant churches, such as two Methodist churches, Baptist
Baptist
Baptists comprise a group of Christian denominations and churches that subscribe to a doctrine that baptism should be performed only for professing believers , and that it must be done by immersion...
church, Jehovah's Witnesses
Jehovah's Witnesses
Jehovah's Witnesses is a millenarian restorationist Christian denomination with nontrinitarian beliefs distinct from mainstream Christianity. The religion reports worldwide membership of over 7 million adherents involved in evangelism, convention attendance of over 12 million, and annual...
Kingdom Hall
Kingdom Hall
A Kingdom Hall is a place of worship used by Jehovah's Witnesses. The term was first suggested in 1935 by Joseph Franklin Rutherford, then president of the Watch Tower Society, for a building in Hawaii...
etc. And two islamic mosques.
Transport
Radoviš is linked with the neighbour cities Štip and Strumica by road.Roads:
The natioanl road M6 passes near Radoviš. It is the only way to arrive in the city. To the north the closest city is Štip
Štip
Štip is the largest urban agglomeration in the eastern part of the Republic of Macedonia, serving as the economic, industrial, entertainment and educational focal point for the surrounding municipalities. As of the 2002 census, the Štip municipality alone had a population of about 47,796...
(37 km from Radoviš), and to the south Strumica
Strumica
Strumica is the largest city in eastern Macedonia, near the Novo Selo-Petrich border crossing with Bulgaria. About 100,000 people live in the region surrounding the city. The city is named after the Strumica River which runs through it...
(29 km). Radoviš is 121 km far from the capital Skopje
Skopje
Skopje is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Macedonia with about a third of the total population. It is the country's political, cultural, economic, and academic centre...
.
Airports:
The closest airport is Skopje Alexander the Great Airport located near the capital Skopje
Skopje
Skopje is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Macedonia with about a third of the total population. It is the country's political, cultural, economic, and academic centre...
, about 100 kilometers north from Radoviš.
Taxis and Buses:
The Radoviš bus station is located on the boulevard Alexander of Macedon, it is 500 meters far from the city center . The bus station connects the city with the capital Skopje
Skopje
Skopje is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Macedonia with about a third of the total population. It is the country's political, cultural, economic, and academic centre...
, Bitola
Bitola
Bitola is a city in the southwestern part of the Republic of Macedonia. The city is an administrative, cultural, industrial, commercial, and educational centre. It is located in the southern part of the Pelagonia valley, surrounded by the Baba and Nidže mountains, 14 km north of the...
, Prilep
Prilep
Prilep is the fourth largest city in the Republic of Macedonia. It has a population of 66,246 citizens. Prilep is known as "the city under Marko's Towers" because of its proximity to the towers of Prince Marko.-Name:...
and the neibourgh cities. Taxis are all over the city. The price for a drive in the city is about 0.80 euro or 50 Macedonian denar
Macedonian denar
The denar is the currency of the Republic of Macedonia. It is subdivided into 100 deni . The name denar comes from the name of the ancient Roman monetary unit, the denarius...
s. Taxis can also drive to the villages or to other Macedonian cities.
Media and Communications
There are two private local TV channels - TV EMI and TV Kobra, also two cable TV operators - Tomi and AndesNet, DVB-T (MPEG-4) - BoomTVBoom TV (Macedonia)
BoomTV is a Macedonian DVB-T provider, part of One. The program packages offered by BoomTV are made to satisfy the needs of the viewers by selecting the programs and offering exclusive shows.-Channel line-up:*1 - A1*2 - Sitel*3 - Kanal 5...
, DirectToHome TV - TotalTV
TotalTV
TotalTV is the first Serbian Direct To Home platform, offering over 80 digital TV channels via satellite. Owner of platform is the largest Serbian cable operator Serbia Broadband - Srpske kablovske mreže ....
, Internet Providers (Cable, ADSL, WDSL, WiFi) and WiFi hotspots across the city. The three national mobile operators have full 3G coverage.
Sport and leisure
The people in Radoviš, especially its youngest inhabitants, like sports. Favorite sports are Football, Basketball, Handball, Fishing, etc. Radoviš has its own Football club: FK Plackovica, Handball club: RK Radoviš, also and Fishing club: Carp-Radoviš,."Lebari" are the supporters of the Radoviš sport clubs. The supporters club "Lebari" (Macedonian: Лебари) was formed in 1991. They generally support all clubs in Radoviš, and mostly wear green and yellow simbols, which are the group colours.
In the past and now, Radoviš rightly carries the attribute of a sports city. It can be freely called "The metropolis of wrestling in free and Greco-Roman style" in Europe and worldwide after Radoviš' favorite club BK "Bučim-Jaka" won the titles "European Club Champion in 1995" and "World Club Champion in 1996". The final competition for those titles as well as for many other tournaments such as "Balkan Championship in Wrestling, Free and Greco-Roman Style" 1991 and "Macedonian Pearl" were held in the Sport Center in Radoviš "25 Maj".
The new sport center Šampion (Macedonian: Спортски Ценар и Ресторан Шампион - Радовиш) was built in the year 1999, and consists of: Olympic swimming pool, small swimming pool, tennis courts, basketball courts, table tennis facility, handball court, soccer fields, gym and a restaurant.
Elementary education
- OU Krste Petkov Misirkov - Radoviš with about 1300 students, from 6 to 14 years old.
- OU Nikola Karev - Radoviš with about 1100 students, from 6 to 14 years old.
Secondary education
- SOU Kosta Susinov - Radoviš with about 1200 students from 15 to 18 years old, where students can choose among these programs: Gymnasium, Metallurgy technician, and Electro-technician for Computer Technics and Automatics.
Higher education
- Faculty of Electrical engineeringElectrical engineeringElectrical engineering is a field of engineering that generally deals with the study and application of electricity, electronics and electromagnetism. The field first became an identifiable occupation in the late nineteenth century after commercialization of the electric telegraph and electrical...
http://etf.ugd.edu.mk/, which belongs to the Goce Delčev University of ŠtipGoce Delcev University of ŠtipThe Goce Delčev University of Štip is a state university in Macedonia. It was founded on 27 March 2007 by the Assembly of Macedonia as the fourth state university. Its headquarters are in Štip...
.
Economy and industry
The economy of Radoviš runs through several activities such as: Mining, Building and Construction, Agriculture, Livestock Farming, Business and Trading, Tourism and Hospitality, Banking, Insurance, Health Industry, Crafts, Services, Transportation and traveling agencies.The industry in Radoviš consists of several factories such as:
- Bučim (Бучим) - the only active mine in the Municipality of Radoviš
Radoviš municipality
Radoviš Municipality is a municipality in eastern Republic of Macedonia. Radoviš is the name of the city where the municipal seat is found. This municipality is part of the Southeastern Statistical Region.-History:...
and the only mine for copper and gold in Macedonia. Bučim employs about 500 people. It is one of the most important industrial object in Radoviš and a driving force of the Radoviš industry and economy. The mine (directly and indirectly) contributed significantly to the initiation of other industrial activities such as the building industry, business, hospitality industry, transport and others.
- Jakatabak - for purchasing, manufacturing and processing of tobacco
- Jaka 80 - for manufacturing of pharmaceutical, cosmetic and nutritional products
- Goldmak - that produces golden and silver jewelry
- Šik Plačkovica - a company that produces cooked and uncooked beech materials and final products made of it
- Best Food TI - that processes vegetables and fruits
- Mlekara Gjorgievi Radoviš, formerly Kooperant - A company for purchasing and production of milk and milk products
- Textile & clothing factories (Mardi, Koneli, Markos, Marteks, Lukas, and some others)
In the metal manufacturing industry the most important capacities are: Metalpromet and Semi
Building and Construction in Radoviš is an important industrial activity:
- Stil is the largest building company. Besides Stil there are many other entrepreneurs in the building industry. Their activities are mainly focused toward the individual building of residential housing and building of small industrial objects as well as weekend houses.
Other activities in the municipality of Radoviš are banking, insurance, transportation, travel, taxi-services and hospitality industry.
People from Radoviš
Some notable people born in Radoviš are:- Aco KaramanovAco KaramanovAco Karamanov was a Macedonian poet and soldier.Karamanov was born in Radoviš, Republic of Macedonia. Since the beginning of his education he exhibited affinity to writing, He started writing songs at the early age of 9 years...
- Kosta TsipushevKosta TsipushevKonstantin Dimitrov Tsipushev, also known as Kotse Tsipushev - was a Bulgarian 19th-20th century revolutionary. He was among the members of the Bulgarian Macedonian-Adrianople Revolutionary Committees...
- Sibel RedzepSibel RedzepSibel Redzep, is a Macedonian-born Swedish pop singer of Turkish descent. She is known from the Swedish television show Idol 2005, where she was the second runner up....