Megalithic structure are all over the ancient land of Macedonia. As one of the oldest nations in the world Macedonia has many ancient things to offer. Some of them are well known in the world but some of them are still not that much popular among the explorers. As a person born and raise here i have been to all of them, since a little kid i was amaze but the genius way how ancient people building those structures.
Kokino Megalithic Observatory
Kokino is one of the most beautiful and according to NASA this ancient megalithic observatory is in top 3 oldest in the world and date back to 1900 BC ( more than 4 000 years old). Located in Staro Nagoricani in north-east Macedonia near the Serbian border , Kokino was reveal in 2001 by Kumanovo based archaeologist who stump upon this amazing structure. Observatory is located on 1050 -1100 m above the sea level and content 4 mark and 4 stone thrones . Every stone throne and mark represent a place from where you can see the sun solstice during the year.
Megalithic observatory is careful design to be align with all star alignments and to observe all planets from our solar system.
Heraclea was build in 4st century BC by the Romans and was a strategic point for them. This ancient town was bordering on south with Epirus and North with Paeonian kingdom. Ancient megalithic ruins can be found around the complex. From ancient temples to entertainment area ( spa and theaters) . Many neolithic objects were found on the site. All this create an image about Heraclea as one of the most prosperous city in the ancient Roman empire. City was also an spiritual center full with lot of places were gods were worshiping. Many temples dedicated to the ancient gods and many synagogues.
Kanda hill is located near city of Sveti Nikole ( Ovce Pole region ) and is a geoglyph similar to ancient south american ancient civilizations geoglyph found in Peru, Chile and all around South America. International research was made several time on the site and they all conclude that is and artificial hill made by the ground and is oriented perfectly north – south . Sign the big face or circle and arrow is visible only from the air. Is big 85m on 45 m and many researcher think that represent sacred burial place. Some rumors goes to the point that some people think is burial place of Alexander the Great.
Stobi megalithic structures and ancient city
Founded by Romans 2200 years ago Stobi was design to be the key city on the Via Ignacia road. City burst into the prosperity and cultural flourish. Many megalithic structure around the site and many objects that serve for worshiping and cultural exchange of the people who live there. Stobi is near the highway that connect western Europe with Greece, 25 km from the city of Veles south . Its very easy accessible and can people enjoy in the rich history and mysticism surrounded the place.
Near city of Veles in central Macedonia you can visit one of the oldest cities in the area… Bylazora. Site has many megalithic structure speaking about the history if this place . 219 BC, the Dardanians collected their forces for a raid into Macedonia and at that time Bylazora must already have been in their hands. With its location at Veles, Bylazora commanded the entrance to a long defile and, no less important, a route southwestwards into Pelagonia via the Babuna Valley, or Raec Valley into Styberra and interior of the Macedonian Kingdom. It can be assumed that Bylazora, as the largest Paeonian town, must have been in Dardanian possession when Philip V captured it in 217 BC, with the aim of garrisoning it and ending Dardanian raids.
Bylazora is also mentioned by Livy in his “The History of Rome” when Perseus in 168 BC arranged military support from the Gauls who were campaigning in Desudaba, Maedica, requesting the Gaulish army to shift their camp to Bylazora, a place in Paeonia, and their officers to go in a body to him at Almana on the River Axius. The geographic dominance over the surrounding valley has determined the communications significance of the city in ancient times. It was situated between the states (or sometimes provinces) of the Dardani, and of Thrace and Macedonia.
Ancient Bylazora was the largest and most significant city of Paionia, mentioned in the records of Polybius and Titus Livius. They emphasize its strategic geographic position as a frontier of the northern border of Macedonia against the Dardanians.
So as a macedonian i would invite you to explore the place … see all this ancient megalithic structure and enjoy in the conversation with the local people willing to speak about it.