Cactus valley (Thorny, thorny!)
The cactus valleys are among unusual places you can see in Macedonia. Although it is well known that a cactus plants are only growing in desert parts of Mexico and the United States, they grow on several places in Macedonia as a rare natural phenomenon.
Particularly impressive is the Valley of the cactus, located near the abandoned village of Klisura, about 7 km south-east of the town of Demir Kapija. "Klisura" means a gorge, canyon, and the name is connected to the rocky gorge of Vardar River. The surrounding rocks used to be nesting places for vultures, which are now rare. On the southern slope of the Krastavets plateau, a dwarf species of Opuntia cactus, which is very rare, has managed to adapt to local natural conditions and to survive, thanks to the influence of the Mediterranean climate penetrating from the Aegean Sea.
On the road to the Klisura village
In the early summer the valley is covered by green barbed leaves and beautiful yellow flowers. The flowering lasts a long time and can be repeated during the year. It's incredible that these beautiful plants survive in winter, when they peek above the snowy carpet.
At first, the cacti were, probably, brought in Balkans by men (they, maybe, worked somewhere in America and transported few plants overseas) and then spread by birds. Similar places where these cacti can be seen are, allegedly, near the village Dolno Barbarevo (municipality of Probishtip) , Dragobrashte (municipality of Vinitsa) and few more places, but this need to be investigated by Galejnik (I promise I’ll try!) Similar cactus valley is also in Bulgaria, near to the village Pushevo (municipality of Veliko Tarnovo).
Cacti valley
Except of cacti, you will also see other Mediteranian species, like Quercus coccifera (a small-leaf, thorny kermes oak), a pomagranate tree (Punica granatum) in the church yard) and other.
Please, step carefully and avoid to destroy this beauty. Also, don’t dig the plants and leave this place to the nature.
When walking around, be aware that you can see snakes, even though most of them are not poisonous!!!
Cactus Opuntia
The church
How to get there
If you wish to visit this place, you need to exit the highway E75 and enter the city Demir Kapija. Proceed on the main road through the city and cross the Vardar River on a narrow bridge. Continue on this road about 4.2 km. The road is macadam, a little bit dusty, but okay for any car (you don’t need jeep). At the waypoint R1 you need to turn right, i.e. south, and continue on asphalt road about 2.5 km. The road ends near a small village church of St. Nicola. You can enter in the church yard and have a look. The cacti grow on the slopes west of the church, very near.
The cache is a small black platic tube.
Sources and photos: Galejnik