Bitola

Bitola – Битола

This city is located in the Pelagonia Valley at the foot of the Baba Mountain Massif in south-western Macedonia. Bitola is about 70 kilometres east of Ohrid (about 70 minute drive on a good day), 33 kilometres east of Resen, 66 kilometres southwest of Prilep and about 15 kilometers north of the border crossing with Greece. According to the 2002 census, this city had a population of 74,550.

In addition to having maintained much late 19 & early 20^th century neo-classical architecture, Bitola also hosts the ancient city of Heraklea Lynkestis (Heraclea Lyncestis), a wonderful museum and other great attractions.

Bitola is also known as the ‘City of Consuls” and the following countries currently have their consulates seated here: Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, France, Greece, Hungary, Montenegro, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Turkey and the Ukraine.

Major Attractions

Ajdar-kadi Mosque
Baba Mountain Massif and Mount Pelister
Art Gallery
Museum
Theater
Church of Saint Demetrius
Church of Saint George in Kurbinovo (nearby)
Heraklea Lynkestis (Heraclea Lyncestis) ancient city founded by Philip II
Ishak Çelebi Mosque
Jeni Mosque
Kodža Kadi Mosque
Lake Prespa (nearby)
Mariovo
Monastir Bazaar
Old Bazaar
Pelister National Forest / Pelister National Park
Širok Sokak – Pedestrian street (see the first gallery below)
Turkish Bath

Festivals and events in Bitola

AKTO Festival for Contemporary Arts featuring visual arts, performing arts, music and theory of culture.
Ilinden Days – a festival of folk songs traditional dances and costumes.
Interfest Bitola – Festival for Classical Music
International Graphic Triennial, an international graphics exhibition
International Shakespeare Festival
International Youth Art Festival featuring young artists from the Balkans and the rest of Europe
Manaki Brothers Film Festival / The International Cinematographers Film Festival hosted by the Macedonian Film Professionals Association (MFPA). This festival is a member of the European Coordination of Film Festivals (ECFF).
Small Monmartre of Bitola – a children’s arts festival

Širok Sokak is a pedestrian street in the heart of the city. A walk along this street will treat you to the Jeni Mosque, the Catholic Church “Holy Heart of Jesus”, the Clock Tower, the Turkish Bath, great architecture, the Magnolia Square with the water fountains is a great meeting place, also an excellent national restaurant called Grne is in this square and Širok Sokak features other gastronomical and shopping pleasures. The first gallery below begins on Širok Sokak.

ARCHITECTURE