Vevchani Village

Vevchani is located at the foot of Mountain Jablanica, 14 kilometres away from Lake Ohrid and the town of Struga. It has over 2.500 inhabitants and its own local self-government. Its perspective is seen in tourism development. You can reach Vevchani by bus or by a car. Bigger tourist groups accommodate themselves in hotels in Struga and individual tourists and smaller groups in private houses in Vevchani.

There are several restaurants in the settlement where guests can freshen up and get something to eat. Vevchani people are known as skillful builders which can be noted in the village architecture. Lovers of Macedonian cuisine and of authentic environment should certainly visit the local restaurants. Vevchani must be visited during its Carnival and also at the time of Lazarica-Gjurgjovden holiday events. But don't forget to ask for the Vevchani “passport” and to buy the Vevchani “currency”. You should indeed visit the Vevchani Springs - one of the most beautiful and extraordinary ones in Macedonia. For the fans of mountain tourism, picnics are organized including a special local guide. In addition to being attractive in summer, Vevchani is also attractive during the winter period especially on the Vasilica holiday (January 13 and 14) but also during the Vodogorski holidays (January 19). Guests can also visit the Vevchani shrines including the St. Nikola church (19th century), the three “paraklis” at the site of the Vevchani Springs and other shrines in the vicinity of Vevchani.Every January the 14th on St. Vasilij Day, outsiders flock to Vevchani for the village carnival, a 1,300-year tradition born with paganism. Its highlight is a political satire, with masked villagers acting out current events.
The village has created its own coat of arms - two harlequins dancing over a magic cauldron. It also issues red Vevchani passports and prints a currency - the lichnik, to be handed out as a souvenir. But villagers do not use the bills as legal tender; they imprint them with the word "specimen" to avoid breaking Macedonia's currency laws.

Vevchani Carnival

One of the most famous village festivals held in the Balkans is the Vevchani Carnival. It is believed that the custom is over 1,400 years old. It is based on old Pagan beliefs and rituals. Essentially the Carnival is the ritual of calling after Saint Basil the Great, which coincides with the Twelve Days of Orthodox Christmas and the Orthodox New Year. The festivity is dedicated to Saint Basil the Great.

Traditionally, this year from 12th to 14th January will be held Vevcani Carnival which is one of the oldest cultural events in Macedonia, which traditionally celebrates the arrival of the New Year according to the old calendar. The participants of the Carnival are known as “Vasiličari”. Vevcani Carnival as an event unites all forms of expression of our traditional culture, transforming the needs of contemporary society, treating topics from today.

The annual carnival is a mix of pagan customs translated into modern language.  In 1993 the Carnival and the village of Vevčani officially became apart of the World Federation of Carnival Cities. In recent years a special "Carnival Passport" has been issued at the Carnival.

Travel with a bus

If you considering to go with a bus you have a several of buses between Struga and Skopje.Time travel is 3 hours.Price for one way ticket is 500 denars/8 EUR and two way tickets is 700 denars/ 11.3 EUR. Then you have to call a local taxi to get to Village Vevchani.

Time of departure from Skopje: 05:30, 11:00,12:30,12:50,13:15,14:00,14:30,15:40,16:00,16:10, 17:30, 19:00.

Note: If you considering travelling on weekend and holidays please contact the bus station for any changes of the lines.

Travel by train

There is no train line to the city.

Travel with taxi

If you are not comfortable to travel by train or bus, you can always get a taxi.The price for one way is more or less 4800denars /78 EUR.

We recommended:

ABC Logistica
Mob: +389 78 504 500
Tel: +389 2 6143 900

Go with a car or rent a car

If you'd like to explore the land during your travel to Village Vevchani you can go with a car or rent a car. Distance between Skopje and Struga is 171 km, and between Struda and Village Vevchani is 13.4 km.

For rent a car we recommended:

ABC Logistica
Mob: +389 78 504 500
Tel: +389 2 6143 900

MIDA Rent-a-car
Office 2 (Airport Alexander the Great)
Tel/Fax + 389 22 56 10 10
24 hour service phones
Mob.1: 070 256 433
Mob.2: 071 223 042
Mob.3: 070 366 958