"VT On The Road - Kurbinovo" FYR of Macedonia Things to Do Tip by johngayton

As part of the VT Euromeet 2011 in Macedonia we travelled en masse between the two cities of Bitola and Ohrid, spending a leisurely day by coach, and for those with their own vehicles in convoy.

Our first port of call was the village of Kurbinovo about 23 km east of Bitola, heading towards Lake Prespa.

This is a small rural village, population 182, and very much a farming community judging by the activity of the various tractors toing and froing. On a sunny late May morning the village was the epitome of the rural idyll as personified by the guys sitting contentedly in the shade under the trees bordering the village square.

OK it's probably not this idyllic all the time but there was a sense of peace and calm to the place (well at least until we arrived).

For the visitor the village houses a small, neatly kept, ethnographic museum which offers a colourful insight into the local agrarian history with exhibits of national costumes, agricultural tools and a collection of old photographs. Not really my cup of tea as there wasn't a bar but interesting nevertheless.

Kurbinovo's main claim to fame is its 12th century church, dedicated to St George. This really is worth a visit (even though once again there's no bar) and is especially significant as an example of the cultural and spiritual sophistication of the period's Orthodox Christian population. The building is a very simple stone-built single-naved structure but inside are a set of frescoes dating back to the church's inception which are especially impressive and one of which (that of the archangel Gabriel) features on the country's 50 Denar banknote.

The church is located about 2 km along a single tracked roadway leading into the hills above the village which is accessible by car and also makes for a very pleasant countryside stroll with great views unfolding over Lake Prespa as you ascend. I've no idea about opening times or whether you need to make prior arrangements for a visit as ours was a pre-arranged tour but I think the key for the church is held at the local shop at the bottom of the roadway.

Website below has some great pics of the frescoes.

Website: http://www.fidanoski.ca/Macedonia/Kurbinovo/index.htm