St. Joakim Osogovski
The east part of Macedonia is geocachers’ TERRA INCOGNITA! Let's explore this part of the country, blessed by God with natural beauty, diversity of landscapes, hospitable people and warm sun.
This cache will lead you to a very special place for Orthodox believers but also for all people loving beautiful nature.
Monastery St. Joakim Osogovski (Macedonian: Osogovski Manastir) is a Macedonian Orthodox monastery located near the city of Kriva Palanka, 20 kilometres from the Bulgarian border on Osogovo Mountain. Osogovo Monastery is situated 825 metres above sea level.
Osogovo Monastery is home to an art colony and to an architecture school during the summer.
The monastery consists of two churches including the larger "Saint Joachim of Osogovo" and the smaller "Holy Mother of God." The monastery was founded in the 12th century, though there are no remains of the original monastery. The smaller church in today's monastery complex got its present look in the 14th century, while the larger one was built in the 19th century. The larger, three-nave church, was built in 1851 by Andrey Damyanov. It has 12 cupolas, which represent the 12 apostles, and porches on its southern and western sides. Most of the church's interior and cupolas were painted by Dimitar Andonov Papradiški. The smaller and older church, founded in the 12th century and rebuilt in the 14th century, is dedicated to the Holy Mother of God.
"St. Joakim Osogovski" and "Holy Mother of God"
The monastery was founded by a priest in the mid-12th century. In 1585, during Ottoman rule, the church was converted to mosque for a short period of time after the bey of Kriva Palanka renovated it, though it soon became a church again.
During the Austro-Ottoman War of 1690, the monastery was severely damaged and was to be destroyed by the Ottomans as punishment to the locals for siding with the Austrians during the war. Legend claims that the Ottomans spared the church after becoming overpowered by some spiritual force.
Part of the frescoes
The monastery grounds also consist of a bell tower, dormitories, a guardhouse, restaurant and a residency for the Head of the Macedonian Orthodox Church. Several buildings at the monastery grounds remind of the activities that used to take place here, such as a distillery (note the big wooden barrel), the bakery at the entrance of the monastery, and former stables from 1905.
Useful information: You can stay in the older lodging houses for 300 MKD per person (about 5 euro). These rooms have no private bathroom, and you may have to share your room with others. The new rooms are above the restaurant and have a private bathroom with shower, all quite modern and living up to the standards of a basic hotel. They cost 600 MKD per person (about 10 euro). Keep in mind that foreign guests have to announce themselves to the police in Kriva Palanka (3 km downhill from the monastery), with the passports. The restaurant is simple but quite good if you like grill. A dinner for two persons including drinks will set you back about 400 MKD (about 6-7 euro).
The restaurant and dormitories
How to get there: Drive out of Kriva Palanka east, at R1 turn right. IMPORTANT! The complex is closed about the sunset.
The cache is 200 ml glass juice jar.
Please, be very careful when getting out, logging and putting back the cache, in order to protect it of Muggles! In case of lost of the cache the owner can visit the location and restore it only 2-3 per year! Thanks.
Sources: Internet. Photos: Internet and original (by Galejnik)