KOKINO

Stone thrones, astronomical marks, plateaus designed for observations of the Sun, the Moon and the stars, a room for rituals - these are only a few of the elements of the ancient observatory of Kokino, where a civilization that inhabited this area 38 centuries ago, unidentified by now, carried out astronomical observations of the skies. The megalithic observatory of Kokino is unique in the Balkans, and wider in Europe, for its values, whereas by its beauty it is up to par to the legendary Stonehenge.

07:00

Departure from Bitola

09:00

Arrival to the village of Mlado Nagorichane, first stop and visit to the well- known basalt slabs (volcanic or magma slabs) that are remnants from the volcanoes once active in this area.
Visit to the Kostoperska rock, at the bottom of which remains of a Neolithic settlement have been found. Continue to Tatichev rock, where the ancient observatory is located, at an altitude of 1013 meters.

10:30

Arrival at the foot of the megalithic observatory, followed by a ten minute climb to the interior of the observatory. This observatory has been discovered recently and it is believed it was created in the Bronze Age, i.e. in the second millennium B.C. People used it to follow the movement of the Sun and the Moon, as well as for observing other phenomena in the skies. Visit to the room of rituals and the thrones. Observe the skies by using the ancient marks.

13:00

Descend to Staro Nagorichane. Visit to the church of St. George and the cave of St. Prohor Pchinski.
The church was rebuilt in the 14th century, on the same location where an ancient basilica had been built in the 11th century. The church is famous for the rare monumental Byzantine art.
There is a legend related to the construction of this church about the hermit Prohor Pchinski and the Byzantine army leader Roman Diogen. Namely, legend says it, a wounded doe hunted by Roman Diogen entered the cave of Prohor one day. When Prohor saw Roman, he predicted that Roman would become emperor of Byzantium. Roman did become an emperor indeed and he repaid Prohor by building this church for him, the one that was devastated in the 14th century.

15:00

Lunch in Staro Nagorichane, in an authentic village ambience.

18:00

Departure for Bitola.