North Macedonia · Vardar Region

Tikveš Lake

Directions

Тиквешко Езеро · Tikveško Ezero

Tikveš Lake is an artificial lake on the Crna Reka, south-west of Kavadarci. It was created in 1968, when the canyon of the river was closed by a rockfill dam with a clay core. It covers about 14 km² and is up to 100 m deep, and it is described as the largest artificial lake in North Macedonia by area, depth and length. At full capacity it is 28.5 km long: the upper part runs from west to east, then the lake makes a bend of about 90 degrees and its lower part runs south to north towards the dam of the Tikveš hydroelectric plant.

History

The monastery of St George Pološki stands on the shore, on the slopes of Višešnica. Since the valley was flooded it has been reached mainly by boat, and it has panoramic views over the water.

Nature

Steep cliffs and thick bushes line the shores, with an occasional small beach. Fishing is the main draw, above all for wels catfish, which can reach 2 m.

Gallery

3 photos

Photo: Pero Veliki · CC BY-SA 3.0

Photo: JYB Devot · CC BY-SA 4.0

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Visit

Getting there

Nearest settlement: Kavadarci

Swimming

No reliable information

Tips

Tikveš lies 10–12 km south-west of Kavadarci, on a well-signposted road past the vineyards and the village of Vozarci; turn south at Vozarci for the small beach. Small boats can be rented in summer for pleasure or fishing, and a boat with a guide can be arranged from the fish restaurant on the north-eastern shore, including trips to the monastery.

Most weekend houses here can be reached only by boat, and facilities are limited to a few fish restaurants. Kavadarci is the wine capital of North Macedonia, and day trips combine the lake, a wine museum and the monastery. Staff at the two museums in Kavadarci can help with information.