North Macedonia · Pelagonia

Streževo Lake

Directions

Стрежевско Езеро · Streževsko Ezero

Streževo is an elongated reservoir in the Gjavato valley on the Šemnica, a tributary of the Crna Reka, at the foot of Baba mountain near Bitola.

How it formed

The state utility Hidrosistem Streževo runs the lake, which irrigates part of Pelagonia, supplies parts of Bitola and its industry with water, gives flood protection and drives five small hydropower plants. A solar plant now stands on the dam.

History

Building the dam emptied the village of Streževo. Its people moved to a new suburb of Bitola or went abroad, mainly to Australia and Canada, and houses stand overgrown today. Former residents and their descendants still gather each year at the village monastery on Ivan Den, 7 July.

Visit

Getting there

Nearest settlement: Bitola

Swimming

No reliable information

Tips

The lake is easily reached from Bitola, and walkers and cyclists use simple paths along the shore. There are no commercial facilities, so bring your own supplies; morning and late afternoon have the softest light. Local people fish from the shore.

It supplies drinking water and has no beaches or lifeguards, so ask locally before you swim. The monasteries of Slepče and Smilevo are within about 10 km as the crow flies.