Lake Mavrovo

How it formed

The lake is a reservoir, created by damming the valley, and it is among the largest artificial lakes in the country. It fills a basin between the Šar mountains to the north and the Bistra mountains to the south, both high ranges.

History

Mavrovo is named after the village of Mavrovo, as are the national park and the region. The park was established in 1949 and is the largest in North Macedonia; the lake is part of it.

The church under the water

The church of St Nicholas was partly submerged when the Radika valley was dammed in 1953, and today it is the best-known image of the lake. When the water is high it seems to float on the surface, and in a dry late summer more of it appears. In a real drought the lake drops far enough to walk to it, and its icons were moved to a small church on the opposite shore as the water rose. The church is dated to about 1850, and its icons are attributed to the master Dičo Zograf. A newer church of St Nicholas, built in 2006, stands on the shore above it.

The Galičnik wedding

The village of Galičnik, on the slopes of Mount Bistra, keeps one of the best-known folk traditions in the country. A traditional wedding was once held here over five days around St Peter’s day, 12 July, the only time of the year when couples married. Today a chosen couple is wed in the old way as part of “Galičko Leto”, a two-day festival on the weekend nearest 12 July, and the men dance the Teškoto, which recalls villagers leaving to work abroad.

Nature

The surrounding park has deep canyons, dense forests and alpine pastures, and many relict and endemic species that survived from the Ice Age and earlier periods. The lake itself is a recreational water, and the park's rules apply to what you may do on its shores.

Trout and wildlife

The lake is known for its trout fishing, so ask locally about permits and the season. The Bunec Safari Park, on 430 hectares, offers 1–2 hour tours with a ranger and has an observation tower.