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 observatories of Kokino and Cocev Kamen. A civilization that inhabited this area
IV millennia ago, unidentified by now, carried out astronomical observations of the skies. The megalithic
observatories are unique in the Balkans, and wider in Europe, for its values,
whereas in its beauty
Kokino is up to par to the legendary Stonehenge.
08:00 Departure from Skopje
08:45 Village of Mlado Nagorichane – Kostoperska Rock
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 in this area
that were once active. 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 m.
09:30
Kokino - Fourth oldest observatory in the world
Arrival at the foot of the megalithic observatory, followed by a ten minute climb to
the interior of the observatory. This observatory has recently been discovered and it is
believed it was created in the bronze era, i.e., in the second millennium B.C. People used
it in order 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.
11:30 Village of Kuklica - The Valley of the Stone Dolls
The unusual, interesting and unique human-like stone figures spread out in the
area of Kuklica near Kratovo. There are three localities with 120 stone figures
rising from the earth. The tallest is nearly 10 meters high. Scientists
acknowledge the "Stone Dolls" as products of tectonic erosion happening in the
last 5 to 10 million years. The legend says that a groom has proposed to 2 local
girls which were both prepared for their wedding at the same day...
13:00 Cocev Kamen - prehistoric observatory
Opposite a throne in the rock, a few seats were constructed as part of a
sophisticated observatory. The Sun, Moon and stars were observed from the seat.
Megaliths are scattered a few hundred meters away, and large-size moons are
depicted in their immediate proximity. The megaliths, which along with the other
stones in the vicinity have additional inscriptions, confirm most positively
whether a structure is an observatory or just a made-up story that is bound to
have short breath.
15:00
Lunch at restaurant Fratelis
Enjoy in the local gastronomic specialties of Kumanovo region in the
restaurant Fratelis situated beside the old Roman fortification Vizianus.
17:00 Departure for Skopje
PRICE: 35 EUR
DATES: 14.03.2009
The price includes transport,
all meals,
full escort by a professional tourist guide, all sightseeing with
professional lecturers.
Deadline for application: 11.03.2009
If you want to register, please click here!
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