Kavadarci Кавадарци (Macedonian) | |
|---|---|
   From the top, Church of St. Petka, Former Tabacco Factory, The Ossuary Monument | |
 Flag  Coat of arms | |
  Kavadarci Location within North Macedonia | |
| Coordinates:41°26′N22°00′E / 41.433°N 22.000°E /41.433; 22.000 | |
| Country |  North Macedonia |
| Region |  Vardar |
| Municipality | Kavadarci |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Mitko Janchev (VMRO-DPMNE) |
| Elevation | 250 m (820 ft) |
| Highest elevation | 270 m (890 ft) |
| Lowest elevation | 230 m (750 ft) |
| Population (2002) | |
• Total | 38,741 |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| Postal code | 1430 |
| Area code | +389 043 |
| Car plates | KA |
| Climate | Cfa |
| Website | www.kavadarci.gov.mk/ |
Kavadarci (Macedonian:Кавадарци[kaˈvadartsi]ⓘ) is a town in theTikveš region ofNorth Macedonia. In the heart of North Macedonia'swine country, it is home to the largestwinery inSoutheast Europe,[1] named after theTikveš plain. The town of Kavadarci is the seat ofKavadarci Municipality. Situated near Kavadarci is North Macedonia's largest artificial lake, Lake Tikveš.
In the Tikveš region around Kavadarci, many artefacts and structures have been discovered dating back to prehistoric times. Bronze and ceramic artefacts were discovered at an archaeological site in the nearby town ofStobi (Macedonian:Стоби) dating to the 6th and 7th century BC.This town is said to have been established during theHellenic period; being on the main road ofVia Egnatia that led from theDanube to theAegean Sea meant it became an important military, economic and cultural hub.The establishment of amint during theRoman period aided in its prosperity and achieving the status ofmunicipium,denars and coins reading “Municipium Stobensium” were also produced in this area. Numerous buildings and monuments of this era such as a theatre have been discovered.AJewish community is said to have existed inStobi during the 3rd century, however, itssynagogue was torn down in the 4th century and aChristianbasilica was built in its place.In the late 5th and early 6th century, the town was devastated in the great Avaro-Slavonic invasions.Stobi which was previously the centre of this region was replaced by the new village of Dukena.
Much change took place during the occupation of theOttoman Empire in the 14th century; the occupying Ottomans destroyed all existing villages replacing them with oriental architecture. Villagers from Rashtani and Dukena fleeing from the Ottomans settled in a new area, bringing with them many families that exist in Kavadarci today. From this settlement a new village emerged. During the 17th century this growing village attracted much attention and spurred a large migration of people from the surrounding hills and villages, establishing the new town called Kavadarci.
Kavadarci was under the jurisdiction ofBitola's areaPashaluk (Ottoman military territorial unit controlled by a Pasha). With the Turkish majority, manybeys residences and severalmosques were built throughout the town. By this time Kavadarci had been firmly established as the new centre of theTikveš region. During the period ofBulgarian National Revival, a Bulgarian church municipality functioned in the town.[2]
After the forming of theBulgarian Macedonian-Adrianople Revolutionary Committee byDame Gruev in 1894 and theIlinden-Preobrazhenie Uprising many revolutionary troops operated in theTikveš area, working with the aim ofautonomy for Macedonia and Adrianople regions.
During this period Kavadarci flourished, becoming a large economic, administrative and political center in theTikveš area.
In June 1913, theTikveš Uprising[3][4] took place against theSerbian occupational forces. The resistance fighters freed the majority of theTikveš region, including the towns of Kavadarci,Negotino, Vataša, and several small villages.Serbian military forces killed approximately 1,200 people and burnt more than 1,000 homes. Most of the Turks fled to Turkey. Recep Vardarlı moved to Turkey and founded Tikveşli ("Came from Tikveş" in Turkish) company, which produces yogurt and ayran, in 1943. The firm was sold toDanone in 1998.
From 1929 to 1941, Kavadarci was part of theVardar Banovina of theKingdom of Yugoslavia. There was strong resistance against the Serbian occupation.
During theSecond World War, after the defeat of Yugoslavia by Germany in April 1941 and before the entry of Bulgarian troops in Vardar Macedonia a localBulgarian Action Committee was formed in Kavadarci.[5] The town was under Bulgarian rule until September 1944.
"Between 2011 and 2012, the number of cancer diagnoses in Kavadarci and the surrounding villages rose significantly, from 981 to 1,332. According to the local medical clinic, pediatric cancers are also on the rise." In 2012, "there were 17 children under the age of six diagnosed with cancer."[6]
TheMunicipality of Kavadarci spreads from the central region of Povardarie to the highlands of Vitačevo (Macedonian:Витачевo) and is located next to theCrna Reka (The Black River) (Macedonian:Црна Река) and the RiverVardar (Macedonian:Вардар). Covering a large area in theTikveš valley with a total ground surface of 391 km2 (151 sq mi), it comprises 31 settlements, the largest of these being Vataša (Macedonian:Ваташа).
| Rožden (Рожден) | Šeškovo (Шешково) | Vataša (Ваташа) | Vozarci (Возарци) |
| Galište (Галиште) | Garnikovo (Гарниково) | Glišić (Глишиќ) | Grbovec (Грбовец) |
| Dabnište (Дабниште) | Dobrotino (Добротино) | Dragožel (Драгожел) | Dradnja (Драдња) |
| Drenovo (Дреново) | Kjesendre (Ќесендре) | Košani (Кошани) | Marena (Марена) |
| Pravednik (Праведник) | Raec (Раец) | Resava (Ресава) | Sopot (Сопот) |
| Fariš (Фариш) | Begnište (Бегниште) | Šivec (Шивец) | Brušani (Брушани) |
| Radnja (Радња) | Klinovo (Клиново) | Kamen Dol (Камен Дол) | Mrzen Oraovec (Мрзен Ораовец) |
| Konopište (Конопиште) | Mrežičko (Мрежичко) | Majden (Мајден) |
| 97% Macedonians | 1% Roma | 0.5% Serbs | 1.5% other ethnicities |
Two TV, two radio stations and one official web site operate in Kavadarci: They are KTV 41 and TVT, Radio Galaxy FM and Radio Kavadarci FM, and www.kavadar4e.com. All five are privately owned.
Since 2017, local elections were held on 15 October 2017, on 29 October 2017, and on 17 October 2021.Mitko Janchev won the elections and became the new Mayor of Kavadarci.
Kavadarci's most famous export iswine, the city being home to the largestwinery in south-easternEurope. Vineyards in the region cover a total area of 120 square kilometres (46 sq mi), producing up to 85,000 tons ofgrapes annually. TheTikvešwinery is one of the oldestwineries inNorth Macedonia processing up to 55 million kilograms ofgrapes to produce approximately 35 million litres ofwine each year. Of the 38,000 citizens, it is estimated that up to 85% are involved with the growing ofgrapes.
The tradition ofwine making andgrape growing in theTikveš region date as far back as the 4th century BC. The industry thrived during medieval times with its production as was common at the time throughoutEurope being made in monasteries.
TheTikveš region is in an area with a unique and favourable climate produced by the merging of the Mediterranean from the south and Continental from the north. Combined with arable soil, high with eroded clay content makes this a most favourable area to growgrapes.
The combinedmunicipalities of Kavadarci andRosoman use 20% of theNorth Macedonia’s total landmass (5,142 km2 or 1,985 sq mi) for the cultivation ofgrapes. The country is the seventh largest exporter ofwine to theEU from outside the region. Of the total harvested crop in Kavadarci, 80% arewine grapes and 20% are tablegrapes. TheTikvešwinery processes up to 55 million km ofgrapes to produce approximately 35 million litres ofwine each year. Although the largest and most prolific,Tikveš is by no means the onlywinery in the city: Others include Chekorovi (Macedonian:Чекоров) and Popov (Macedonian:Попов). The combinedwineries in the region export up to 26 countries.
| Red wine | White wine | Spirits | Speciality wines |
|---|---|---|---|
| T'ga za Jug (Yearning for the South) | Smederevka | Yellow LozovaRakija | Rosé |
| Alexandria | Riesling | White LozovaRakija | |
| Kratošija (Кртошиа) | Chardonnay | Brandy | |
| Teran | Temjanika | Vinjak | |
| Krater | Sauvignon blanc | Whisky | |
| Cabernet Sauvignon | Semijon | ||
| Poema | Belan | ||
| Kavadarka | Altan | ||
| Kanvas | Riesling | ||
| Millennium | Žilavka | ||
| Vitač | Alexandria | ||
| Vranec | Traminec | ||
| Pinot noir | |||
| Merlot | |||
| Stanušina |
Another important industry is the manufacture offerronickel in what has become known as the "Nickel Valley". Until 2013, the smelter received at least part of its input ore from theRžanovo mine [mk],[8] to which it was connected by the world's longest conveyor belt.[9] The companyFENI Industries, with a colourful history of owners that included for a timeBeny Steinmetz,Alexander Mashkevich,Patokh Chodiev andAlijan Ibragimov in theCunico Resources vehicle,[10] produced between 12000 and 16000 tons of ferronickel annually.[citation needed] The smelter was shut down for a time in around 2018 and re-emerged from a court-administered insolvency process asEuroNickel Industries.[11]
In a bid to attract more interest from domestic and foreign investors in 2000 the firstFree Economic Zone (FEZ) ofNorth Macedonia was founded in Kavadarci. German companyDRÄXLMAIER Group was the first investor in the FEZ (Free Economic Zone) with the opening of their first plant in 2012. The plant manufactures electrical system sets for the automotive industry. The factory is the largest employer in the city, with the current employee count reaching above 5000 employees.[citation needed]
Kavadarci is known for its timber andtobacco production. Alliance One Macedonia, one of the largest tobacco processing companies in North Macedonia is located in Kavadarci, producing and exportingMacedonianOriental tobacco to theUnited States,Japan, and selectedEU andAsian countries.
In the first week of September of each year a festival called "Tikveški Grozdober" (Тиквешки гроздобер, lit.Tikvešgrape picking) is held for several days marking the beginning of thewinegrape harvest in theTikveš region and commemorating the liberation of Kavadarci. Such is the importance of this fruit, the city flag is composed of six circles in white and red representing the town's most abundant and important produce.
Tikveški Grozdober officially began in 1964. It takes place over several days and is one of the largest cultural manifestations of its kind in the region.
The festival includes folk, pop and rock concerts, traditional dancing, seminars, presentations and exhibitions. During this time the city centre houses many temporary restaurants, stalls and shops open to allow visitors to experience the smells and tastes of local delicacies. It culminates in a carnival procession through the main streets of the town.
LakeTikveš (Macedonian:Тиквешко Езеро) is the largestartificial lake inNorth Macedonia. It is located 165 metres (541 feet)above sea level, 8 kilometres (5.0 miles) southwest of Kavadarci on theCrna Reka, and 3 kilometres (1.9 miles) from the village of Vozarci. The lake was built in 1968 by redirecting river water and building a 104-metre (341-foot) high dam. It has a surface area of approximately 14 square kilometres (5.4 square miles), a length of 28.5 kilometres (17.7 miles) and width of 500 metres (1,600 feet). The average temperature of the water is 24 °C (75 °F), the maximum depth is 150 m (492 ft), and the total volume is approximately 475cubic metres (16,800cubic feet). Its two main sources of water are theCrna Reka and the Dragov River.
The artificial accumulation is provides water to the local area for businesses such as irrigation and fisheries. It generates electricity through the use of ahydro power plant (HPP), is a site for sports and recreation, and is a popular tourist attraction due to the cultural monuments and rich flora and fauna of the area.
The area around Lake Tikveš has been designated a protected zone; this was established and supported as a conservation project for the protection of the wildlife and surrounding environment by a local environmental association ODEK and a public enterprise Tikveško Pole.
Established in 1997, theTikveš StrictNatural Reserve is 30 km (19 mi) southeast of Kavadarci and covers an area of approximately 100 square kilometres (40 sq mi). Some 23 species ofpredatory birds are present in the reserve and of these 17 nest in this area. It is said to be one of the most importantornithological sites inEurope.
The Pološki Monastery was built in the 14th century by a father and a son from Prespa (Macedonian:Преспа), well known for buildingmonasteries andchurches acrossMacedonia. The pair set to work with the son building a church in Drenovo (Macedonian:Дреново) and the father the Pološki Monastery (Macedonian:Полошки Манастир). After the father had completed construction of the Pološki Monastery he returned to Drenovo.
The vanity and arrogance of the son made him claim that the church he built was so beautiful and so well made that even if Saint Ilija came down from the heavens he would not be able to destroy it. At that moment a lightning bolt appeared out of the blue sky: Saint Ilija angered by this claim split the new church in half. It is said that if the break is repaired, each year on the day of Ilinden (Macedonian:Илинден), August 2 (St. Elijah's Day) the church will split in the exactly same place.
The church within the PološkiMonastery is dedicated toSveti Gorgija (Saint George) and is on the southwestern shore of Lake Tikveš that is accessible only by boat. Itsfresco paintings are completely preserved and can be dated to the 14th century; the only exception being those in thenarthex that was built during the 17th century. The most recent and last restoration to the building took place during the 19th century. Themonastery is well known for its collections of uniqueicons,wood carvings and especially for itsfresco art that differ from others of the same period due to its unusual compositions.
Marko's Tower is a stone edifice located in the centre of Kavadarci; it was erected during the 18th century. The square structure stands at approximately 20 metres (66 feet) with five stories. Its walls are ten metres (33 feet) thick, with three windows on the fourth and fifth floor. The only entrance is by the door on the second floor, accessible via a stone staircase. On the south wall of the fourth floor remains an opening that was used for defence; the opening on the fifth floor was to dispose of dirty water.
The Ivan Mazov-Klime House of Culture was founded in 1952 and formed anensemble in 1953. The Tikveš FolkEnsemble is composed of 115 members and performs choreographed folk songs and dances throughout the country and abroad.
Built in 1973 and opened to the public in 1976, the CityMuseum houses many historical,archaeological and cultural exhibits. Thegallery showcases work from local and international artists, organising five to eight exhibitions each year.
Kavadarci is the home of several sports teams. The best known are:
GFK Tikveš play their home matches atGradski Stadion Kavadarci, while KK Euronickel and GRK Tikveš use the multi-purpose indoorJasmin Sports Hall.
Kavadarci has ahumid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification:Cfa).
| Climate data for Kavadarci | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 4.8 (40.6) | 8.2 (46.8) | 13.1 (55.6) | 17.8 (64.0) | 22.9 (73.2) | 27.7 (81.9) | 30.3 (86.5) | 30.0 (86.0) | 26.4 (79.5) | 19.6 (67.3) | 12.2 (54.0) | 6.1 (43.0) | 18.3 (64.9) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 1.5 (34.7) | 3.9 (39.0) | 7.9 (46.2) | 12.0 (53.6) | 16.8 (62.2) | 20.8 (69.4) | 23.1 (73.6) | 22.6 (72.7) | 19.5 (67.1) | 13.9 (57.0) | 7.7 (45.9) | 2.7 (36.9) | 12.7 (54.9) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | −1.9 (28.6) | −0.8 (30.6) | 2.7 (36.9) | 6.3 (43.3) | 10.7 (51.3) | 14.0 (57.2) | 15.7 (60.3) | 15.3 (59.5) | 12.1 (53.8) | 8.2 (46.8) | 3.2 (37.8) | −0.7 (30.7) | 7.1 (44.7) |
| Averageprecipitation mm (inches) | 34 (1.3) | 33 (1.3) | 36 (1.4) | 39 (1.5) | 57 (2.2) | 43 (1.7) | 33 (1.3) | 29 (1.1) | 33 (1.3) | 45 (1.8) | 55 (2.2) | 43 (1.7) | 480 (18.8) |
| Source: Climate-Data.org[12] | |||||||||||||
Notable people from Kavadarci include:
Cities ofNorth Macedonia by population | ||
|---|---|---|
| 50,000+ |  | |
| 10,000+ | ||
| 2,000+ | ||
