(Almost) All Saints: Sveti Nikola Shishevski Traditional Cache
(Almost) All Saints: Sveti Nikola Shishevski
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(small)
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
(Almost) All Saints: Sveti Nikola Shishevski (English: St. Nicolas of Shishevo Church)
The area around Lake Matka, a half-hour drive west from Skopje, is a very popular place for weekend outings for citizens of Skopje. Lake Matka and its surroundings represent a rear pearl of the nature, offering to the visitors a unique mix of natural beauty, cultural and historical sights, sport thrills, gastronomical enjoyment and much more… The Matka Lake twists between imposing cliffs, offering an opportunity for hiking, boating or climbing. Rear and endemic species of flora and fauna can be seen only here. Numerous caves hide their secrets in their depths. Few national restaurants offer a wide palette of traditional Macedonian meals. There are many reasons (and several caches too) to spend a day here… The breathtaking beauty of the nature, rough and gentle at the same time, will conquer your eyes and your hearth.
The Church and yard of Sveti Nikola Shishevski
One of a special features of this area are numerous sacral (religious) objects dating mostly from XIII - XV century. Such a concentration of monasteries, churches and crosses on such a small area is very unique and represents an answer to a strong orthodox feelings of Macedonian people during the ages.
My intention is to show geocachers this dimension of Macedonian cultural and religious past. I hope you will enjoy that laud silence and cold gloom which rule inside the churches, and a silent dignity of the saints watching you…
This cache is one of few in the series of (Almost) All Saints, located around the Matka Lake.
A view toward Sveti Nikola from Sveta Nedela
The Saint Nikolas church is situated high above Lake Matka, on an inaccessible rocky peak which encloses the gorge. The church of Saint Nicolas once formed part of the Saint Nikolas Shishevski monastery. The high location is spectacular and gives you a wonderful view of Lake Matka and the Monastery of Sveti Andrea (St Andrew) below. Most pictures in guides and postcards of the lake and St. Andrea are taken from this place.
A view from St. Nikola toward Lake Matka and St. Andrea
The exact date of construction of the monastery church of St. Nicolas is unknown. However there is an evidence that the church was built or renovated in 1345. In a transcript of monastery books it is mentioned that raising and painting of the older church helped King Marko. According to this fact and the fact that the donor of the nearby church across, dedicated to Sveti Andrea (St. Andrew) was the brother of King Marko, Adriash, one can conclude that this monastery was built in the second half of XIV-th century.
The Church
The church was mentioned again in the 17th century. In the 18th, the monastery was completely abandoned and only during the 19th century it was repaired and made fit again for service. The former monastery quarters are in ruins, today you can see only remains of the foundations south and east of the church.
The oldest frescoes date from the 14th century. The west wall was frescoed in 1630, and these frescoes are distinguished by their narrative element which was characteristic of 17th century painting.
The XIV-th century old frescoes are partially disclosed under the paintings of the XVII-th century. Visible old frescoes represent four holy men on north and south wall of the altar and two holy warriors in the nave. These are holy warriors George and Dimitry dressed in regal attires with tall hats. Painting from 1630 are very well preserved. In the lower zone images of numerous saints and above scenes from the life of St. Nicolas. The upper zone shows scenes of the miracles and the sufferings of Jesus Christ.
Pretty funny is the obvious painter’s affection towards large female breasts.
A lady with big boobs
It takes about 1-1:30h to reach Saint Nikola from the waypoint 1, and it is a steep walk. Alternatively, you can cross the lake with a boat from St. Andrea church and walk very steeply uphill to St. Nikola. This climb is about 180 m and takes you about 30-45 min. Make sure you have good shoes. When you take this trail down from St Nikola, use the gong attached to a tree to be picked up by boat. The price for this short transport by boat costs 30 denars (0.5 euro).
The gong; Sv. Andrea across the Lake
You can reach Lake Matka and this Monastery by bus, by car or a bike. The city bus (number 60) runs from central Skopje via Saray to the Matka dam (check the schedule on the JSP website, http://www.jsp.com.mk/VozenRed.aspx). By car or bike: go west from Skopje and turn left across a new bridge toward the municipality of Saray. Continue toward the village GLUMOVO. Behind the village Glumovo the road splits in two. Turn downhill left and continue through the village Dolna Matka about 2 km. During weekends and festivals the place is crowded by people and cars, so there can problem to park the car. However, if you come early in the morning it will be no problem to park.
The map: from the WP 1
The cache is a small glass jar. Always be aware of snakes!! Check the cache place with a branch or stick first!
Photo spoiler
Sources: Wikipedia, other internet sources. Photos: Internet and original (by Galejnik)
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Gur tngr gb Puhepu lneq, yrsg jnyy, haqre n juvgr fgbar