Towers, bridges and prisons
Kratovo region offers many things to see and explore: churches with rare and colorful frescoes, archaeological sites such as prehistoric settlement Cocev Kamen (Tsotsev Stone), or an impressive archaeological site Kuklitsa, popularly known among locals as Stone wedding. However, the city of Kratovo is most know as a city of towers, bridges and prisons.
The city of Kratovo represents one of the oldest settlements in Macedonia. There are documents about its existence during the rule of Roman Empire and the Byzantium Empire. During the Middle Ages Kratovo became well known as a highly developed mine and trade settlement, where various products and jewelry of gold, silver and copper were manufactured. The speed development of the city was enabled by arrival of experienced miners of German origin from Saxony, who restored and restructured the mines.
Kratovo and towers and bridges
However, Kratovo is most known as a city of towers and bridges. The city itself has even 17 defense towers, originated from the Middle Ages! Twelve of them are located on the left side of the city, and five on the right. Only six of them are preserved, while others are quite damaged and their restoration is necessary. Most of the towers were damaged during the Karposh uprising against Ottomans during the 17-th century. The oldest and richest tower is Zlatko’s tower (Zlatkova kula). From the famous Saray Tower extend underground passageways (tunnels) under Kratovo, which are spread even to Rada’s bridge (Radin most). The corridors were made to hide the coins that were minted in the Tower, that time it was also a forge and exchange “office”.
The Clock tower
Kratovo is also known for its bridges. Even three rivers flow through the city: Mancheva River, Baba- Karina and Tabachka River, and they are joined in the centar of Kratovo and form Kratovska River. Kratovo is a city of about 17 bridges, although today only part of them are usable. The most famous bridge is the Rada’s bridge (Radin most; today severely and inappropriate reconstructed). There is a sad legend about the construction of this bridge.. According to the story, the bridge was built by nine brothers. The bridge constantly collapsed to the ground, so to strengthen it the brothers decided to wall up the wife of the youngest brother! As she had an infant boy crying, she begged them to remain free her right breast so she could to feed her child. Horrible… But also other bridges, the Sofia’s, Grovchanski and the Bazaar bridge enchant by their beauty.
One of Kratovo bridges
About this cache: here is one of the Kratovo’s bridges, the “Bazaar bridge” and an Ottoman prison under it. Smells badly? Well, it was a prison during the Middle Ages, okay? You wouldn’t like to spend a part of your life here…
The cache is a micro film plastic container.
Please, extreme stealth and precaution is required 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 1-2 times per year! Thanks.
How to get there: from Skopje drive toward Kumanovo – Kriva Palanka (Bulgaria); about 1.8 km after the village Stracin (N42° 09.374, E22° 03.196 turn right (south). Drive about 16 km to Kratovo.
Photos: Internet, original (Galejnik)