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.
