Central Asia Tour, Balkans, POIs/Sights
About this map: www.zweiradlertouren.de/en/zat/faq/#route.
Tizian Römer and Belinda Benz from Zweiradlertouren (www.zweiradlertouren.de).

Alpe Adria Cycle Path
The Alpe Adria Cycle Path (also known as the Ciclovia Alpe Adria Cycle Path or Ciclovia Alpe Adria in Italian) is an approximately 414 km long long-distance cycle path that leads from Salzburg in Austria across the Alps to Grado on the Adriatic Sea in Italy.
With Salzburg as the starting point, the Alps as the stage and Grado on the Adriatic as the destination, the cycle path connects extremely beautiful and popular vacation destinations. Due to this and the fact that high Alpine passes are bridged by train through the Tauern lock and are thus eliminated, the bike path has been a popular transalp since its opening in 2012, since technically and conditionally not too difficult. The best months for cycling are June, July and September, in August it can be very hot, especially in Friuli. A large part of the route is on bike paths, the signposting is mostly good and consistent. In the Netherlands, the cycle route was awarded the title of Cycle Route of the Year at the beginning of 2015.[3]
Taken from https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpe_Adria_Radweg.
Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version).

Antani
An ancient Macedonian town. During the Roman era, it was an episcopal seat, a walled city with the cathedral at its center. The cathedral and other structures stand in ruins today. The Erigon (Crna) River Road, where Alexander the Great marched along to the city of Pelium, ran through Antania.
Taken from https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Mariovo.

ANZAC Cove
Anzac Cove (Turkish: Anzak Koyu) is a small cove on the Gallipoli peninsula in Turkey. It became famous as the site of World War I landing of the ANZACs (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) on 25 April 1915. The cove is 600 metres (2,000 ft) long, bounded by the headlands of Arıburnu to the north and Little Arıburnu, known as Hell Spit, to the south. Following the landing at Anzac Cove, the beach became the main base for the Australian and New Zealand troops for the eight months of the Gallipoli campaign.
Taken from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ANZAC_Cove.
For more see there.

Bicycle Path from Kuti to Grncar
This pass from Kuti to Grncar is part of the Top Biking Trail 3.
It is asphalt until Kuti, but not between Kuti and Grncar. Probably pushing the bicycle will be required and it might well take 3.5 h from Kuti to Grncar.
Here some quotes from https://issuu.com/jovannikolic/docs/bro__ura_tt3_eng2:
Before Kuti, there is much pleasure and beauty: Following the Kutska River through a narrow forgotten valley between Mt. Zeletin and the wall of Prokletije, we dive through forests, emerging in clearings near the water with restless glimpses of the sorrounding peaks. A narrow asphalt road curves through all of this, jumping across small brigdes. Where the valley widens, the scattered village of Kuti is situated. A mountain idyll flourishes under the mighty peak fo Greben (2196 m).
The asphalt road ends at former army barracks at 1050 m and one of the most challeing parts begins: For the next 2.5 km one takes a narrow forest trail leading along the border between Montenegro and Albania and climbing to 1490 m. For most of this ascent you will be pushing your bike, although those who are in better shape will be able to ride along some parts. But one can say without exaggeration that for anyone with a taste for challenge and the patience for difficult sections, this will be a lovely , exotic adventure. A biking sign post leads the way to the beginning of the slightly overgrown, but still clearly visible path which immediately climbs with a series of close serpentines. After a couple of houndred meters, the path widens into a hard, in places stony, track that acends gently for a while and twists into a new series of serpentines. The forest is very beatiful and the breaks for rest during the climb will not be boring. Right at the top, some 50 meters on the right-hand side, we will notice a white pyramid of a border stone B-11.
On the other side, we have to cover about 3 km before we reach the asphalt road by the former army border barracks of Grncar. In a fantastic atmosphere of beech forest we will roll along a lovely carpet of leaves (this carpet might hide dry branches and rocks, though).

Bihac: Garavice Memorial Park
The Garavice Memorial Park for the Victims of Fascism is a monument on the Garavice hill near Bihać. At this place and in the surrounding area, in the summer of 1941, several thousand Serbs and Jews were probably murdered by Croatian fascists. A reliable indication of the number of victims is not yet possible.[1]
The 1981 monument by artist Bogdan Bodganović consists of a total of 15 stelae about four to five meters high, 13 of which are located on Garavice Hill and two about a kilometer away (location: ♁44° 49′ 48.6″ N, 15° 50′ 6.8″ E), at a site where a mass grave is located.
The monument is hardly maintained today and has been damaged by vandalism.
Taken from For more in German see there.
Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version).

Bihać
Bihać is a pretty nice city with the river Una forming several island adjacent to the old town which have been turned into parks. We recommend to walk up to the waterfalls at 44.821738, 15.870104 to go for a swim, if it's hot weather.
One of the sights is the Church of St. Anthony, of which only the church tower and some foundation walls of the nave have been preserved since the Second World War. The church tower of St. Anthony - also known by the locals simply as Bihaćka kula ("Bihać Tower") - is the building in the old town that dominates the city skyline.
The latter paragraph is taken from https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biha%C4%87.
Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version).

Bitola: Bezisten
A bezisten is a covered bazaar where more precious goods were typically sold. Bitola's bezisten was built the 16th century but has seen changes over the course of its history. It has four large metal doors and its roof has numerous cupolas. It remains a building of commerce today. It is on the north bank of the Dragor River, opposite the clock tower.
Taken from https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Bitola.

Bitola: French Cemetery
Over 13,000 fallen French soldiers of the Macedonian Front of World War I are buried at this cemetery. It was established in 1923 and has a large monument at the entrance.
Nearby: Jewish Cemetery:
The cemetery of Bitola's historic Jewish community was established in 1929. It is at the northeast entrance to the city and is easily recognizable with its large, white gate. The memorials and tombs at the cemetery are in varying condition.
Taken from https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Bitola.

Bitola: Herakleia Lynkestis
Founded in the middle of the 4th century by Phillip II, father of Alexander the Great, Heraclea Lyncestis ("the city of Hercules on the land of the lynx"; Lyncestis being an ancient moniker for Upper Macedonia, mountains of which are still home to a number of lynx) is one of North Macedonia's most important archaeological sites. While it was founded by ancient Macedonians, most of the ruins that can be seen today date back to the Roman and early Christian periods. Only a relatively small portion of the city has been unearthed including a theatre, two water fountains, a courthouse, baths, a portico, the bishop's palace and two basilicas. One of the more significant features at the site are the mosaics of the big basilica, made in the 5th century. The floor mosaic in the narthex is the most complete presentation of the world as it was understood back then. In the centre of a rectangular field, there is a fountain out of which a grapevine comes (as a symbol of Christ's teachings) and peacocks and deer are gathered around (as symbol of eternal life), meaning if you accept the teaching of Christ, you’ll have eternal life. On the left and on the right there are 5 trees rich with fruits with birds flying around (representing the garden of Eden and the afterlife), and a huge red dog called Kerber (Cerberus) is guarding the entrance. Below the trees, animals like deer are presented attacked and eaten by wild animals (presenting the suffering of the Christian soul in Earthen life). The field is surrounded by water with medallions in which 28 water animals are presented. The mosaic has been made with little stones in 27 different colours (the only “richer” mosaic is found in Pompeii - a wall mosaic made of stones in 32 colours). There is a small museum (no extra fee) on the grounds with a few artifacts (more or less limited to a couple of ancient stone masks) and a nice scale model of the city at its peak. A leisurely stroll around the ruins will take 45–50 minutes. 100 den, photography permit is for 300 den extra.
Taken from https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Bitola.

Bitola: Magnolia Square
Located on the northern portion of Širok Sokak, Magnolia Square is the most prominent square of Bitola. Its centerpiece is a statue of Philip II of Macedon, the city's ancient founder, as well as a fountain with the Vergina Sun surrounded by shields and spears. Surrounding the square are historic buildings, with the Clock Tower park directly to the north.
The Philip II Statue, officially The Founder of Heraclea Statue (name change to avoid conflict with Greece over history), is a large statue of the king Philip of Macedonia in the centre of the Macedonian city of Bitola, in Magnolia Square. Philip II was the founder of the ancient Macedonian city of Heraclea which was the forerunner of the present-day City of Bitola. The monument is 8.5 metres (27.9 feet) tall with Philip II perched on a horse. It is the work of sculptor Angel Korunovski. In the immediate vicinity of the memorial is a fountain which teams in the evening with synchronized music and light effects. The whole complex of the monument and fountain covers an area of the 600 square meter town square of Magnolia.
The fountain is made to look like a shield with the Vergina Sun, around the fountain has a more equal shields and spears. All around is surrounded by powerful speakers and at a certain time in the evening it' s giving the musical atmosphere that is part of the performance of the fountain. The shield of the fountain rises and turns while flushes water very high with interesting various lighting effects associated programming effects produced by numerous spotlights that are located around the fountain and inside the fountain.
Taken from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philip_II_Statue.

Bitola: Old Bazaar
Bitola's old bazaar is the city's historic commercial centre. It is situated north of the Dragor River, opposite the clock tower and Magnolia Square. In its narrow streets, it is home to examples of traditional Turkish architecture including important religious and cultural buildings. Bitola achieved its peak importance during Ottoman rule and had a large bazaar. While the size of the bazaar has declined over the years, it remains an active centre of commerce and life in Bitola.

Bitola: Uhrturm
The clock tower is the pride of the people of Bitola and a main symbol of the city. It was built in 1664 but got its present appearance in the 19th century. Standing 33 m (108 ft) tall, it is south of the Dragor River, between the old bazaar and Magnolia Square, on Širok Sokak. The square tower is capped with a small dome, on which a cross stands.
For more see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clock_Tower_(Bitola).

Bitola: Zoo
Opened in 1950, Bitola is home to North Macedonia's second zoo. It houses about 200 animals from about 40 species. Efforts have been made to bring the facilities up to European standards. Covering 2 hectares (5 acres), it is a relatively small zoo.

Bitola: Church of Saint Demetrius
The cathedral church of Bitola and the most beautiful example of the so-called “revival period” churches in Macedonia. The Ottomans rarely allowed the building of new churches during their occupation, but as the empire was weakening in the 18th century, they started granting such permission to keep the population happy. There were many rules to be followed, like the exterior had to be without decorations and the floor of the church had to be at least one meter below the ground so the church wouldn’t dominate the skyline of the city. It was built in 1830 as a three-naved basilica with galleries and five chapels. While they had to keep the exterior modest, the interior is lavishly decorated with woodwork. The huge icon screen was made in 1845. A prominent bell tower was added in 1936. The church is just west of Magnolia Square.

Bitola: Church of Saint Nedela
This church was built in 1863 and features a large icon of Sts Cyril and Methodius on the interior. Its large cemetery is home to several notable burials including those of revolutionaries Pavel Šatev, Dimko Sarafov, and Aleksandar Turundžiev.

Bitola: Deboj Hamam
Located in the northern end of the old bazaar, this hamam (Turkish bath) was built in the 15th or 16th century. It was a double hamam, meaning there were separate male and female sections, each beneath one of the two domes. No longer functioning as a public bathhouse, it has been a commercial building since 1990. Go in a shop and check out some of the details of the former hamam.

Bitola: Gazi Haydar Kadi Mosque
This mosque was built in the 1560s, designed by noted Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan. After falling into disrepair years ago, it was renovated with the help of the Turkish government in 2016. Due to the decrease in size of the old bazaar, it is now at the northern edge of the district. It has a single dome with three additional domes above the portico. It also has a single minaret. Following restoration, the mosque is once again an active religious building and is now fully illuminated at night.
Taken from https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Bitola. For more see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gazi_Hajdar_Kadi_Mosque.

Bitola: Ishak Çelebi Mosque
Located just west of the bezisten, Ishak Çelebi Mosque was built in 1508, commissioned by local judge Isak Çelebi Ibni Asa. With its 50 m (164 ft) minaret, it is prominent in the city skyline. It is also Bitola's largest mosque.
For more see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ishak_%C3%87elebi_Mosque.

Bitola: Yeni Mosque
Located in the centre of Bitola and one of the city skyline's most prominent features, the Yeni Mosque was built in 1558. It has a square base with a dome-capped roof and one minaret. "Yeni" in Turkish means "New", suggesting that the mosque was built atop an older mosque or church. Today, the mosque is used as an exhibition space.

Bitola: Širok Sokak
Širok Sokak, meaning "Wide Alley", is a pedestrian street lined with colourful romantic and neo-classical buildings. It runs from the Dragor River in the north by the clock tower to the city park in the south, eventually continuing to Heraclea Lyncestis. It is roughly divided into three parts and even though the first part has the best-preserved buildings, it is worth walking all the way to the end. The street is very lively and lined with cafes which are excellent for relaxing and people-watching, especially since the ladies from Bitola are supposedly the most beautiful in North Macedonia and they love to parade up and down the street dressed in their Sunday best. Širok Sokak ends with the old barracks, where the military academy where Atatürk studied was situated, and today serves as the city museum. Opposite it stands the ball hall. Across the street as a continuance of Širok Sokak the City Park stands, where the old Sokolana (physical education building) for the students of the former military academy is. For more nice houses walk in the streets left of Širok Sokak.

Black Lake
Black Lake (Montenegrin: Crno jezero) is a lake in the Municipality of Žabljak in northern Montenegro.[1][2]
It is a glacial lake, located on Mount Durmitor, at an elevation of 1,416 m. It is 3 km from the town of Žabljak.
Black Lake lies at the foot of Međed Peak and has an area of 0.515 square km. The lake consists of two smaller lakes: Big Lake (Veliko jezero) and Little Lake (Malo jezero). The lakes are connected by a narrow strait that dries up during the summer, creating two separate bodies of water.
Big Lake has an area of 0.338 square km, maximum depth of 24.5 m, maximum length of 855 m, and maximum width of 615 m.
Little Lake has an area of 0.177 square km, maximum depth of 49.1 m, maximum length of 605 m, and maximum width around 400 m.
The maximum length of Black Lake is 1,155 m. Little Lake actually has a greater volume because it is deeper.
Black Lake is filled by numerous mountain streams, the best known being Mlin Creek. Other streams have no name because they appear periodically, when snow from Mount Durmitor is melting.
Black Lake is the premium tourist attraction of the Durmitor area. It is the largest and the best known of 18 glacial lakes on the mountain. The lake is easily accessible, as it is within walking distance from the center of the town of Žabljak.
A 3.5 km walking path circles around entire lake, and it is a popular destination for recreation and hiking. Many mountain trails lead from it to other smaller lakes around Žabljak. The Katun restaurant is located on the shore of the lake and serves traditional Montenegrin dishes.

Blagaj's Dervish Monastery
Vrelo Bune (Serbian Cyrillic: Врело Буне; transl. Buna Wellspring) is the natural and architectural ensemble at the Buna river spring near Blagaj kasaba (village-town) and a part of the wider "Townscape ensemble of the town of Blagaj — Historical and Natural Heritage of Bosnia and Herzegovina" (Ottoman Mediterranean architecture, 1520), southeast of Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The main argument in the KONS decision to declare the site protected and as such part of the protected Blagaj as the historic urban area, is the corelation and oneness of natural values and the architectural, cultural and historical heritage of Blagaj, expressed in "distinctive quality of the coexistence of the natural and the man-made", and "integration of the physical structure into the landscape".
The Buna river is a short river in Bosnia and Herzegovina and it is a left bank tributary of the Neretva river. Its source (Bosnian: Vrelo Bune) is a strong karstic spring, emerging from a huge karstic cavern beneath a high vertical cliff. This region is specific for the diversity of its above-ground and underground hydrography. The source of the Buna is one of the largest springs in Europe, producing approx. 30 m3/s of extremely cold and clean water.[1]
Taken from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vrelo_Bune. For more see there and at

Blautopf
The Blautopf (German for Blue pot) is a spring that serves as the source of the river Blau in the karst landscape on the Swabian Jura's southern edge. It is located in Blaubeuren, Alb-Donau-Kreis, Baden-Württemberg, Germany (approximately 16 km (9.9 mi) west of Ulm).
Description
It forms the drain for the Blau cave system; the river Blau after 14.5 km (9.0 mi)[clarification needed] flows into the river Danube in the city of Ulm. Because of its high water pressure, the spring has developed a funnel-like shape with a depth of 21 metres (69 ft). The water's peculiarly blue color, varying in intensity depending on weather and flow, is the result of physical properties of the nanoscale limestone particles densely distributed in the water. They cause Rayleigh scattering of light, preferentially scattering the blue color of the visible light. A similar effect is observed at the Blue Lagoon near Reykjavík, where the color originates from nanoscale silica particles.[1]
On the banks of the Blautopf is located a hammer mill driven by the water of the spring. A film documenting the exploration of the cave is shown at the same location[clarification needed].[1]
Taken from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blautopf. See there for more info.

Blidinje Lake
Blidinje plateau (Bosnian: Visoravan Blidinje) is a karst plateau in Bosnia and Herzegovina, situated at the heart of Dinaric Alps, between major mountains of the range, Čvrsnica, Čabulja and Vran, with characteristic karstic features such as Dugo Polje field, Blidinje Lake, Grabovica and Drežanka valleys, and others.[2] It represents important natural, hydrogeological reservation in karst of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with significant cultural and historical heritage, and Dinarides in general.[3]
Blidinje lake
The most important hydrogeological phenomena in the park is alpine lake, Blidinje Lake, largest of its kind in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Blidinje lake is the direct result of a glacial retreat, but according to the Poklečani Parishes office documents, lake is, also, a product of anthropogenic intervention and activities of human inhabitants. According to these documents, the lake is artificial and it was created at the end of the 19th century. In order to keep the water that is lost through the subterranean passage, local residents and cattle breeders sealed sinkholes with branches and clay, so that water could not find its way underground. Therefore, the lake was formed. Its surface area varies between 2,5 and 6 km2, while its average depth is 1.9 m, with altitude of 1,184 m above sea level.[7][3][8]
Taken from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blidinje_plateau. For more see there.

Brenner Pass
The Brenner Pass (German: Brennerpass [ˈbʁɛnɐpas], shortly Brenner; Italian: Passo del Brennero [ˈpasso del ˈbrɛnnero]) is a mountain pass over the Alps which forms the border between Italy and Austria. It is one of the principal passes of the Eastern Alpine range and has the lowest altitude among Alpine passes of the area.
Dairy cattle graze in alpine pastures throughout the summer in valleys beneath the pass and on the mountain slopes. At lower altitudes, farmers log pine trees, plant crops and harvest hay for winter fodder. Many of the high pastures are at an altitude of over 1,500 metres (4,900 feet); a small number stand high in the mountains at around 2,000 metres (6,600 feet).
The central section of the Brenner Pass covers a four-lane motorway and railway tracks connecting Bozen/Bolzano in the south and Innsbruck to the north. The village of Brenner consists of an outlet shopping centre (supermarkets and stores), fruit stores, restaurants, cafés, hotels and a gas station. It has a population of 400 to 600 (as of 2011).
Taken from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brenner_Pass. For more see there.

Bruneck: Messner Mountain Musem Ripa
Summer opening hours: 10:00-18:00.
Winter opening hours: 12:00-18:00.
Entry Fee: 14 € (combined ticket for all MMM museum sites: 55 €).
The Messner Mountain Museum (MMM) is a museum project created in 2006 by Italian mountaineer and extreme climber Reinhold Messner in South Tyrol in northern Italy. Messner's museum project is designed to educate visitors on "man's encounter with mountains" and deals with the science of mountains and glaciers, the history of mountaineering and rock climbing, the history of mythical mountains, and the history of mountain-dwelling people.[1]
The museum project consists of six museums based at six different locations: Firmian, Juval, Dolomites, Ortles, Ripa and Corones. MMM Firmian at Sigmundskron Castle near Bozen is the centerpiece of the museum and concentrates on man’s relationship with the mountains.
Ripa (Bruneck Castle)
The fifth part of the MMM is MMM Ripa at Bruneck Castle [it] (46.794299°N 11.939497°E) above the town of Bruneck. This is planned to open in Spring 2011 and is intended as an interactive museum, which will offer a forum for various mountain peoples to exchange experiences with the local farming community. Guests from other mountain regions will spend a summer here and talk about their lives. Examples that Messner has given include the Sherpas, South American Indians, Tibetans, Mongols or Hunzas.[6]
The MMM Corones is close to Bruneck up on top of a mountain.
Taken from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messner_Mountain_Museum. For more see there.

Çanakkale: Trojan Horse
The war has dragged on for nine years, the troops are near mutiny, and the last counter-attack from the besieged city was costly - we may have to quit. Say, let's pretend to quit and sail away, but leave behind by a giant model horse full of malware, which they'll import into the city . . . the tumult of Athens against Troy was matched by the tumoils of making the film Troy in 2004. Its Mediterranean scenes were filmed in Malta; it got mixed critical reviews but had a big-name cast and did well at the box office. When the movie-makers left (or pretended to do so) they left behind this giant steel and fibreglass film prop. The Maltese were understandably suspicious and wouldn't accept it, so it ended up here. Whatever you do, don't open it up!
Taken from https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/%C3%87anakkale.
For more see https://www.theguardian.com/world/2004/nov/20/turkey.film.

Cerkniško jezero
Lake Cerknica (pronounced [ˈtseːɾknitsa]; Slovene: Cerkniško jezero, German: Zirknitzer See) is an intermittent lake in the southern part of the Cerknica Polje, a karst polje in Inner Carniola, a region in southwestern Slovenia.[2] The lake, oriented in the Dinaric direction from northwest to southeast, is present for the most part of the year.[2] When full, it is the largest lake in the country. The plain is surrounded by the Javornik Hills (1,268 metres or 4,160 feet) to the south and Slivnica (1,022 m or 3,353 ft) to the north, both belonging to Dinaric Alps. The area of the lake mainly reaches 28 square kilometres (11 sq mi), but can reach up to 38 km2 (15 sq mi) and the surface level varies from 546 m (1,791 ft) to 551 m (1,808 ft) above sea level. The lake is an important wildlife resort, especially as a nesting place for many bird species. Botanically, it is distinguished by amphibious plants. It is therefore a part of two Natura 2000 areas of protection[3] and the focus of the Inner Carniola Regional Park, which covers additional Natura 2000 areas in the broader region.[4] The climate in the area is continental, with a mean temperature of 9.2 °C (48.6 °F) and the annual precipitation about 1,700 millimetres (67 in). The largest settlement at the border of the lake is Cerknica, located north of the lake. Various watersports, including rowing, are popular on the lake.[5]
Taken from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Cerknica. For more see there.

Cycle Route Eisack Valley
The cycle route 1 "Brenner-Salurn"[1][2] (also called Eisacktal-Radroute, Brenner-Radroute or -radweg in some stretches) is a long-distance cycle route, largely developed as an independent cycling facility, which crosses South Tyrol in a north-south direction. Beginning at the Brenner Pass at 1370 m, the connection ends at the Salurner Klause at 207 m above sea level.
From the Brenner Pass, the bike route follows the Eisack River downstream through the Wipptal and Eisacktal valleys, where it runs in sections on former railroad tracks and in tunnels, and reaches the Etschtal Valley in Bolzano. From here it follows the Adige River through the lowlands to the Salurner Klause, where it connects to the Trentino section of the Adige Cycle Path. The bike route is 133.7 km long in total.[3]
Taken from For more in German see there.

Devil's Bridge
The Dyavolski most (Bulgarian: Дяволски мост, lit. 'Devil's Bridge'; Turkish: Şeytan Köprüsü) is an arch bridge over the Arda River in a narrow gorge. It is 10 km (6.2 mi) from the Bulgarian town of Ardino in the Rhodope Mountains and is part of the ancient road connecting the lowlands of Thrace with the north Aegean Sea coast. [1]
Dyavolski most was rebuilt between 1515 and 1518 by the Bulgarian Master Dimitar. Legend has it that the bridge was built by the Romans to link the Aegean Sea and the region of Thrace in Bulgaria. The bridge, the largest and best known of its kind in the Rhodopes, is 56 m (183.7 ft) long and has three arches, but also features holes with small semicircular arches to read water level. The Dyavolski most is 3.5 m (11.5 ft) wide and its main arch is 11.50 m (37.7 ft) high. A stone parapet, 12 cm (4.7 in) tall, is preserved on the sides, and breakwaters are placed opposite the stream.[1]
International long-distance hiking trail the Sultans Trail passes the bridge from Ardino to Kardzhali.
The bridge was proclaimed a monument of culture on 24 February 1984.[1]
Taken from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dyavolski_most.

Devil's Throat Cave
Opening Hours:
open every day
Admission:
Adults – BGN 3
See https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/devil-s-throat-cave.

Drežanka Canyon
The Drežanka River Canyon is located in the Blidinje Nature Park, stretching between the high mountain ranges of Čabulja on the south and Čvrsnica on the north. Due to the completely preserved purity of the water and the untouched beautiful landscapes through which it flows, the river Drežanka is simply leaving everyone breathless.
There are few who, half-way between Jablanica and Mostar, turn right and enter the fairyland of the canyon, towards the villages Gornja and Donja Drežnica. It is so close to the Sarajevo-Mostar main road, yet so far and hidden that it causes admiration and surprise to all who go there.
Veliki Movran
Those who come for the first time, in addition to the unreal beauty of the river and its mountains, will be surprised by the size of this space. You expect one or two villages, and you will see a large area that you can explore for days and that will certainly not leave you indifferent.
From the spring to the mouth the river is adorned with natural springs, waterfalls, blue sky, rarely seen water purity, greenery and an abundance of trout and other fish species. Going fishing in Drežnica is a special experience for professional fishermen as well as those amateurs who, in addition to holding fishing rods, spend time watching beautiful mountain peaks.
Drežanka Canyon is ideal for weekend excursions, enjoying the unspoiled nature, searching for a photo frame that no one has ever caught before or just walking in silence. You just need some nice weather and the miles under your feet will just go down because you won’t be able to stop thinking that nature is doing some miracle in front of you and you should not miss it.
Somewhere halfway between Donja and Gornja Drežnica is the place where sometimes Veliki Movran appears, whose height reaches 400 meters and is one of the largest waterfalls in Europe. On the days when Herzegovina is dominated by good weather, you can forget about it, because it only appears after heavy rains.
Only in BiH can such spaces remain undiscovered and secretive. Anywhere else, Drežanka Canyon would be a must-see postcard and destination for thousands of tourists. Drežanka has many tributaries, the most important of which are Laloša, Ješevac, Meomača, Gračanica, Ledenica, Tisno and Ždilac.
Of the many natural springs, Balin Vir, Mujića Vir, Stupina, small and large Zelenak and Crna Stupina are particularly prominent. Stupina in Draga is a well-known swimming area where jumps were held as a preparatory competition for jumps from the Old Bridge in Mostar, while Crna Stupina in Striževo is for lovers of untouched nature. It’s called “crna“- black because the sun doesn’t reach the water, so the water looks black.
Outdoor Museum
Particularly noteworthy is the bathing area in Donje Selo near the dam, which has a beautiful beach, restaurant, car parking, and plenty of space for rest and relaxation in the shade by the river.
With all its visible layers of rock, both at the bottom and at the top and above it, Drežanka Canyon is a true paleontological open-air museum – where it is possible to find fossils from the geological past, spanning as much as 200 million years, from the Triassic, Jurassic, all the way up to the Eocene. It is undoubtedly one of the deepest true canyons in Europe and the world.
In all these places, one can experience unique and inimitable scenes that evoke all the beauty and splendor, and simply force the visitors to come again and admire the untouched nature that is rarely seen. This is simply one of those places that when you meet you will be sorry you did not discover it before.
Taken from

Đurđevića Tara Bridge
The Đurđevića Tara Bridge, which was designed by engineer Mijat Trojanović,[1] was built between 1937 and 1940 in the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, and the works were carried out by the company Andonović from Belgrade. The project's Chief Engineer was Isaac Russo.[citation needed]
The 365-metre-long (1,198 ft) bridge has five arches; the largest span is 116 metres (381 ft). The roadway stands 172 metres (564 ft) above the Tara River. At the time of its completion, it was the biggest vehicular concrete arch bridge in Europe.[citation needed]
Taken from For more see there.

Durmitor
Durmitor (Montenegrin: Дурмитор, pronounced [durmǐtɔr] or [dǔrmitɔr]) is a massif located in northwestern Montenegro. It is part of the Dinaric Alps. Its highest peak, Bobotov Kuk, reaches a height of 2,523 meters (8,278 ft).
The massif is limited by the Tara River Canyon on the north, the Piva River Canyon on the west, and by the Komarnica River Canyon on the south. To the east, the Durmitor opens to a 1,500 m (4,921 ft) high plateau, called Jezerska površ (Plateau of Lakes). The Sinjavina mountain is located to the east of the Jezerska površ plateau. The Durmitor is for the most part located in the Žabljak municipality.
The massif gives its name to the national park that comprises it. Durmitor National Park was founded in 1952, and designated as a World Heritage Site in 1980.
Taken from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Durmitor. For more see there.

Earth Pyramids of Platten
The earth pyramids of Platten (German: Erdpyramiden von Platten or Erdpyramiden bei Oberwielenbach; Italian: Piramidi di Plata [piˈraːmidi di ˈplaːta]) are earth pyramids located in Platten in the municipality of Percha, near Bruneck in South Tyrol, Italy.
The erosion area is located at an altitude of 1550 to 1750 meters. What is so impressive about the pyramids of Platten is their wildness which reminds at the same time also of their fragility.
The pyramids of Platten belong to the most beautiful natural monuments of South Tyrol such as the earth pyramids of Ritten and part of the earth pyramids of South Tyrol.
They were described in a scientific manner for the first time by Karl Meusburger in 1914 .[1]
Taken from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth_pyramids_of_Platten. For more see there.

Edirne: Alte Moschee
This was built in the 15th century, so it's the oldest and smallest of the city's three imperial mosques. It's a low building with nine domes and two minarets, with striking calligraphy within. Free.
Taken from https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Edirne.
For more see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Mosque,_Edirne.

Edirne: Große Synagoge
Tu-Su 09:00-17:00. The great fire of 1905 destroyed its predecessor, so this synagogue was opened in 1909 to serve the large Jewish population. They were mostly Sephardic, descended from those expelled from Spain in 1492 who fled to Ottoman territory. The synagogue is in Moorish Revival style and modeled on the Leopoldstädter Tempel in Vienna. It was abandoned in 1983 and fell derelict as its community left for Israel and elsewhere. It was restored and re-opened in 2015 with a service, but isn't routinely used for worship. There's a small museum within. Free.
Taken from https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Edirne.
For more see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Synagogue_of_Edirne.

Edirne: Karaağaç Railway Station
The Karaağaç station (Turkish: Karaağaç Garı) or before 1971 Edirne station (Turkish: Edirne Garı) was the name of the former railway station in Edirne, located 4 km (2.5 mi) south-west of the city. Currently, it houses Trakya University's Faculty of Fine Arts.
Taken from
For more see there.

Edirne: Macedonian Tower
Macedonian Tower (Makedonya Kulesi) is the crumbling bastion just west of Üç Şerefeli Mosque. The last remnants of the city's Roman walls are here: they were part of the fort established by Hadrian in the 2nd century AD, then extended in the Byzantine 10th century. There were four watchtowers, and this one looked towards Macedonia, though what they were most anxiously watching for was the Bulgarians, or fires taking hold in the city. The fort was demolished in the 19th century leaving only this tower, which was built upon to create a clock tower. It was rocked by several earthquakes and in 1953 had to be partly dismantled. Some modern repairs have been made but the tower is dilapidated and can't be entered.
Taken from https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Edirne.

Edirne: Old Quarter
Old quarter (Kaleiçi, "walled city") corresponds to the area of the old fort, though the walls and gates are long gone. It was re-built on a grid pattern in the 19th century after a fire: all those wooden houses. The main thoroughfare is Maarif Caddesi, two blocks west of Saraçlar Cd. Many wooden houses survive, with artfully crafted exteriors, though some are derelict. South end of the street is the Synagogue, see below. At the north end, look for the small former Catholic church: it's in an alley attached to a primary school. There are numerous small Ottoman mosques around the district.

Edirne: Selimiye-Moschee
Daily 05:30-23:30. Magnificent mosque that dominates the city skyline, approach from northwest to appreciate the full effect and miss the shops. It's the masterpiece of Mimar Sinan, built 1569-75, and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The eight pillars supporting the dome are unobtrusive, so the dome hangs over a vast interior space, while 999 windows admit a flood of light. Four delicate fluted minarets soar to 70.89 m, surpassed only by Qutb Minar in Delhi. The interior is decorated with calligraphy and geometrical designs in pink and blue. The inverted tulip decoration, an emblem of Edirne, is said to acknowledge the previous landowner who was reluctant to give up his tulip garden for the mosque to be built. Free.
For more see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selimiye_Mosque,_Edirne.

Edirne: Sokullu Mehmet Paşa Hamamı
Sokullu Mehmet Paşa Hamamı, Çavuşbey (facing Üç Şerefeli Mosque). This hammam is another masterpiece by Sinan, the Grand Architect. Built in 1568-69, the baths are still open to the public, with (naturally) separate areas for men and women. The building has been well restored but cleanliness and water temperature are erratic, so it's one to "See" not "Do".
Taken from https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Edirne.

Edirne: Statue bzgl. Obstseifen
Edirne is famous for fruit-shaped soaps. Here, there is a monument for this in form of a fruit bowl.
For more see this German news article: https://www.tagesschau.de/ausland/obstseifen-101.html.

Edirne: Treaty of Lausanne Monument and Museum
The Treaty of Lausanne Monument and Museum (Turkish: Lozan Anıtı ve Müzesi) are a monument and a museum dedicated to the Treaty of Lausanne of 1923. The monument, opened in 1998, is located at Karaağaç, Edirne in Turkey, and the museum is next to it in the former train station building.
Taken from
For more see there.

Edirne: Üc Serefeli Mosque
Mosque built 1438-1447, its name refers to the three balconies or galleries on its tallest minaret. The other three minarets are all of different designs. The mosque interior has a colourfully decorated central dome, surrounded by smaller domes in different colour patterns, supported by stately columns. Free.
For more see

Edirne: Sarayiçi
Unfortunately, the sight was fenced and closed and we couldn't visit it!
Medieval bridges cross the River Tundzha to Sarayiçi and Yeniimaret. These were once important city districts, but depopulation left them lying at a distance across the fields. Another factor is the flood-prone river: even the most reckless property developer couldn't get away with urbanising its banks. The bridges have a modern flagstone surface and may be used by light vehicles.
Sarayiçi means "inside the palace", of which only scraps remain. From downtown you go north along Saray Yolu, "Palace Road", a grand name for a lane that you expect any moment to dead-end in sports fields. This crosses the valley by two fine bridges: Kanuni Bridge south onto a broad river-island and Fatih Bridge north.
Kırkpınar. On the island is an arena for oil-wrestling, with statues of past champions.
Balkan Wars Memorial and cemetery are 100 m right / east as you come off Fatih Bridge. Some 30,000 soldiers are interred here, who fell in the 1913 siege of Edirne.
The palace. North of the bridge is just scraps. It was built 1450-1475 and (you'll have to use your imagination) the seat of power of the Ottoman Empire. Even when the capital moved to Constantinople it was still a grand summer retreat and hunting lodge. But from 1718 it suffered neglect, earthquake, fire, military occupation, and finally in 1878 an ammunition depot was deliberately blown up to prevent capture. The kitchens have been restored. It's intended to build a conference hall around the Panorama Pavilion, which would be a total ersatz re-construction, and since 2018 the area has been closed off. You see enough from the street.

Fierza Reservoir
The Fierza Reservoir (Albanian: Liqeni i Fierzës) is a reservoir in Albania and Kosovo. The Drin River and parts of the White Drin and Black Drin also runs through the reservoir. The size of the lake is 72.6 km2 (28.0 sq mi), of which 2.46 km2 (0.95 sq mi) belong to Kosovo. It is 70 km (43 mi) long and has a depth of 128 m (420 ft). In the Albanian side of the lake there are many canyons and some small islands. The dam is 167 m (548 ft) tall.[2] In 2014, the lake was declared a Regional Nature Park by the Kukës County Council.[3]
The reservoir was formed as a result of the construction of the Fierza Hydroelectric Power Station in 1978 by the Albanian government.
Taken by https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fierza_Reservoir.

Forcella Lavardet
The Forcella Lavardet is a natural saddle on the watershed between the Frison and Pesarina rivers in the Carnic Alps. Once a state road crossed the pass, by means of which it was possible to bypass the Pesarina Dolomites in combination with the Cima Sappada. Since the 1970s, a number of landslides have swept away bridges, and since then the condition has deteriorated, so that in July 2023 an ascent even with a mountain bike still requires stretcher passages. Excavators are in use, yet restoration continues to be only talked about. Thanks to qwpoeriu for the self-experiment.
Today, the east ramp of the Sella Ciampigotto simply leaves the pass summit of the Forcella Lavardet to the right. The top of the pass, which today is only a wooden backyard, can be approached via a crumbly asphalt road. A careless driver, however, will hardly notice the junction located in the middle of the forest. Surprisingly, however, the Ciampigotto pass road coming from Comeglians still shows the indication Lavardet aperto. But this probably means Ciampigotto aperto.
The crossing of the Forcella Lavardet is therefore impossible for road cyclists. Just this should still be reason enough for some freaks to try it anyway.
More details about the abandoned road: This pass belongs to the category of "dying roads" on its north ramp. Once it even had state road dignity (SS465), then in the late 1970s severe storm damage seized it in the upper part of the north ramp. Since then, this section has been officially closed to general traffic, the asphalt now gone on more than half of the route. In terms of traffic, this crossing between Campolongo di Cadore in the Piave Valley and Val Pesarina, which is only populated in the lower part, had only secondary importance anyway.
A few years ago, the middle and lower sections of the road were also affected, some bridges were destroyed and the route was partially buried by mudslides. In the meantime, it was made passable again, two auxiliary bridges were retracted, but the patched sections were only prepared in forest road quality. The result is a strange mixture of gravel sections, wide state road standard of the 70s and, as of today, virtually impassable sections. It is only passable for adventurers who are resistant to gravel and slides and who are perhaps preparing to ride the Panoramica delle Vette, so that the Nordrmape is a good introduction to what Renko calls in his description of Monte Crostis "Andermatt for weirdos". And the unique combination of hairpin bends in the north ascent is, in the author's opinion, worth every effort and even the longer pushing distance!
Once you have completed the adventure of the north ramp and enjoyed its scenic beauty, you can enjoy a 24 km descent through the equally charming Val Pesarina - on decent asphalt.
In the opposite direction, the descent over the north ramp to Campolongo is not recommended for road cyclists, as some gravel sections offer up to 15%.
Taken from https://www.quaeldich.de/paesse/forcella-lavardet/.

Former Military Training Area Münsingen
Now a nature reserve, where cars are forbidden, but cycling is possible on certain paths.
For more see (German only) https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gutsbezirk_M%C3%BCnsingen.

Gökçeada
Gökçeada, formerly called Imvros, is an Aegean island in Eastern Thrace in Turkey, with a population in 2020 of 10,106. It's near the entrance to the Dardanelles, and is hilly and windswept. It was Greek until 1923, when along with Tenedos / Bozcaada it was assigned to Turkey, making its Cape Avlaka / İnce Burun the westernmost point of Turkey.
Taken from https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/G%C3%B6k%C3%A7eada.

Historische Brücke "Stari Most Sujica"
The most curved river in the world flows through the Duvno Field (Duvanjsko Polje). At least the great BH travel writer, Zuko Džumhur, saw and described it when he was passing from Travnik to the Adriatic Sea, and stopped to rest by the river Šujica, admiring its beauty. Over this beautiful river, the Galečki Bridge stands, which is believed to have been built 2,000 years ago.
River Šujica, whose waterfall is forty kilometers long, is extremely attractive for Fly Fishing. Although anglers often come to these parts, its time is yet to come. Good promotion, accommodation capacties and observing tourism at the regional level, we should bring a revival here soon.
The oldest inhabitants
The capacities on Kupres, due to the attractive ski resort, are full during the winter, and in the summer they can be completely used for hunting, fishing, hiking … In the Šujica river, which is adorned with extremely clean water, trout and limestone live as well as crayfish. Crayfish’s tail is called among people ‘šuja’ ‘, so it is believed that this place was named Šujica after it.
Here, people continually lived from the prehistoric period, and sources say that the oldest inhabitants of this region were from the Illyrian tribe Delmati. Their largest settlement was Daelminium, today Tomislavgrad. It is believed that the Romans conquered Delmata in the first century of the new era, so that the bridge over Šujica dates back to that period.
Among the archeological remains of the Illyrian tribe Dalmat there are several graves. More archaeological remains date from the time of ancient Roman authorities, among which today are the most visible remains of the commercial-military ancient road that connected the port city of Salon with Sevitium. The road was passing east from the cliff of Stržanj, and on the bottom of it, there is a spring of the River Šujica. On the slope, there are remains of an ancient fortress that served as a watchtower all through the Middle Ages and the Ottoman era. Stržanj is one of the possible locations of the ancient Stridon, the birthplace of Saint Jerome.
After the fall of the Western Roman Empire in the 5th century, this area was originally in the Ostrogothic kingdom until the middle of the 6th century, and then within the nominal authority of Bizant until the arrival of Slavs in the 7th century. Throughout early Middle Ages, the area of today’s Šujica belonged to the Livno County in the Croatian kingdom. In 1326, the rule of the Bosnian kings extended to the Tropolje (Duvno, Glamoč and Livno), and thus to Šujica. Since then, this geographical and cultural subdivision has the names of the West side or the Završje.
Guardians of the gorge
The Ottoman Empire will conquer Šujica in the early 16th century. It was at this time, for the first time, that only the name Šujica was recorded in the Ottoman taxpayers list from 1516. Šujica is mentioned as a settlement in the Kupres nahija in the Neretva Kadiluk (dministrative area). The census records seven Christian homes in Šujica. The second census, 15 years later, mentions 34 inhabitants of Šujica who serve as guardians of gorge (most likely Stržanj) and as such, they are exempt from all taxes except for grain tax.
In 1550, it was noted that, on his trip to Istanbul, Venetian ambassador Catarino Zeno was in a very pleasant inn in Svizza. The famous writer Evliya Çelebi describes Šujica in 1660 as a small village on a spacious and fertile valley, and its inhabitants as very hearty and brave.
Even today, like Zuko Džumhur, numerous travelers stop there and are surprised by the meandering of the river, enjoying the photographing and observation of the surrounding mountains Želvodić and Malovan, which rise above the field.

Idrija Mercury Mine
Anthony's Main Road
Adults: EUR 13.00
Seniors, students 16-26 years: EUR 10.00
Children 6-15 years: EUR 6.00
Children up to 5 years: EUR 2.00
Video presentation: EUR 2.00
Hg Smelting Plant
Adults: EUR 8.00
Seniors, students up 16-26 years: EUR 6.00
Children 6-15 years: EUR 3.00
Children up to 5 years: EUR 1.50
On purchase of a combined ticket (Anthony's Main Road + Hg Smelting Plant)
Adults: before EUR 21.00 now only 18.00 EUR
Seniors, students up to 26 years: before EUR 16.00 now only 14.00 EUR
Children, secondary students: before EUR 9.00 now only 8.00 EUR
Heritage of Mercury. Almadén and Idrija is a joint UNESCO World Heritage Site in Almadén, Castile-La Mancha, Spain, and Idrija, Slovenia. The property encompasses two mercury mining sites. In Almadén mercury has been extracted since Antiquity, while in Idrija it was first found in 1490.[1]
The sites bear testimony to the intercontinental trade in mercury which generated important exchanges between Europe and America over the centuries. The two sites represent the two largest mercury mines in the world and were operational until recent times. Mercury played an important role in extracting gold and silver from ores, dug in American mines. In addition, both sites illustrate the various industrial, territorial, urban and social elements of a specific sociotechnical system in the mining and metal production industries.[1]
At the heart of the Almadén site is a Mining Park, where the public can go underground.[2] There are also buildings relating to the town's mining history, including Retamar Castle,[3] the San Rafael Mining Hospital (now an archive), and eighteenth-century dwellings which form a hexagonal bullring.[4]
The site in Idrija notably features mercury stores and infrastructure, as well as miners’ living quarters, and a miners’ theatre.

Innsbruck: Bergisel Ski Jump
The Bergisel Ski Jump (German: Bergiselschanze), whose stadium has a capacity of 26,000,[1] is a ski jumping hill located in Bergisel in Innsbruck, Austria. It is one of the more important venues in the FIS Ski Jumping World Cup, annually hosting the third competition of the prestigious Four Hills Tournament.
Its first competitions were held in the 1920s using simple wood constructions. The larger hill was first built in 1930 and was rebuilt before the 1964 Winter Olympics for the individual large hill event. Twelve years later, the venue hosted the same event. The hill in its current form was finished in 2003 and was designed by the British Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid.[2]
Taken from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bergisel_Ski_Jump.

Innsbruck: First Croatian Coat of Arms
First appearance of the Croatian Coat of Arms on the ceiling of tha archades of this house (Herzog Friedrichstr. 35).
According to a legend, the Croatian king Stjepan Držislav († 997) fell into captivity of the Republic of Venice. In the game of chess, he is said to have won his freedom by defeating the Venetian doge Pietro II Orseolo three times, thus preventing bloodshed. Henceforth, the chessboard pattern in the color of blood was to be the coat of arms of the Croats.[3] According to another interpretation, the shaded squares in red and white are supposed to represent the historical provinces (banovine, German: Banschaften, i.e. areas of a ban) of Red Croatia and White Croatia. Until the unification into a medieval Croatian kingdom under Tomislav around the year 925, the country was divided into the continental inland areas of Pannonian Croatia (white) and the maritime coastal areas of Dalmatian Croatia (red).
In fact, however, the nested coat of arms of Croatia was created about 500 years later. The escutcheon apparently dates back only to the initiative of Maximilian I, who, after the Peace of Pressburg in 1491, became the titular king of the Kingdom of Hungary and its tributary countries, alongside the reigning King Vladislav II. Very soon after 1491, Maximilian I may have commissioned a coat of arms for the Kingdom of Croatia. This resulted in a typical speaking coat of arms with squares, alluding to the similar sound of the word "square" for "Croat."[4]
The oldest preserved representation of the Croatian coat of arms from 1495 can be found openly accessible in the arcade vault of the Stadtrichter-Zeller-Haus in the old town of Innsbruck.[5] The ceiling fresco shows the coat of arms of the Kingdom of Croatia, sixteen times nested in silver and red.
In the oldest known representation of the coat of arms from 1495, the first place is in silver. Also in the following representations of the coat of arms the first place is held in silver, for example in the representation in the coat of arms book of Fojnica from the 17th century[9] and in the colored coat of arms book of the Bibliotheca Windhagiana (around 1650).
With the affiliation of Croatia to Yugoslavia, the first place in red was established, as in the coat of arms of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia (1918), the coat of arms of the Banschaft Croatia (1939) and the coat of arms of the Socialist Republic of Croatia (1947). The Independent State of Croatia designed its coat of arms starting with a first silver field. This return to the historical color scheme was probably chosen by the Ustasha state to distinguish itself from the coat of arms of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, which featured a Croatian coat of arms with a first red field.[10]
In 1990, after the first free elections, until the adoption of the corresponding law on the flag and coat of arms, state bodies used for a few months the coat of arms shield used by foreign Croatians and private parties, starting with a first white square (e.g. on hoisted flags at the parliament or the presidential sash).[11] The reasons for the subsequent legal definition of the state coat of arms with a first red square are probably also to avoid a parallel with the fascist Ustasha state. Even today, many consider a Croatian coat of arms with a first silver square to be a "Ustasha coat of arms" or a sign of right-wing sentiment, although Croatian institutions throughout history have used both forms without ideological connotations.
Taken from https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wappen_Kroatiens. For more in German see there.

Innsbruck: Goldenes Dachl (Golden Roof)
The Goldenes Dachl (Golden Roof) is a landmark structure located in the Old Town (Altstadt) section of Innsbruck, Austria. It is considered the city's most famous symbol.[1] Completed in 1500, the roof was decorated with 2,657 fire-gilded copper tiles for Emperor Maximilian I to mark his wedding to Bianca Maria Sforza.[1][2][3] The Emperor and his wife used the balcony to observe festivals, tournaments, and other events that took place in the square below.
Taken from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goldenes_Dachl. For more see there.

Innsbruck: St. Anne's Column
St. Anne's Column (German: Annasäule) stands in the city centre of Innsbruck on Maria-Theresien-Straße.[1]
It was given its name when, in 1703, the last Bavarian troops were driven from the Tyrol on St. Anne's Day (26 July), as part of the War of the Spanish Succession. In 1704, in gratitude, the Landstände vowed to build a monument commemorating the event.
Taken from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Anne%27s_Column. For more see there.

Innsbruck: The Empty Tomb of Maximilian I

Innsbruck: Triumphal Arch
The Triumphal Arch (German: Triumphpforte) is one of the best known sights in the Austrian city of Innsbruck. It is located at the southern end of the present Maria-Theresien-Straße, once the southern road out of the city.
This triumphal arch was built in 1765 on the occasion of the wedding of Archduke Leopold, the second son of Empress Maria Theresa and Francis Stephen of Lorraine, to the Spanish princess, Maria Luisa, on 5 August 1765. Because Leopold’s father, Francis Stephen, died unexpectedly shortly after the wedding on 18 August 1765, a memorial motif was worked into the Triumphal Arch when he died. Its south side portrays motifs of the wedding of the young couple; its north side commemorates the death of the emperor.
In Innsbruck, contrary to normal practice, it was decided to build the Triumphal Arch from stone rather than wood. So ashlars of Höttinger Breccia, which originated from the demolished outer city gate at the exit of the old town into today's Maria-Theresien-Straße, were reused. The work was carried out by Constantin Walter and Johann Baptist Hagenauer. In 1774, the reliefs made out by Hagenauer in stucco were worked by Balthasar Ferdinand Moll in Sterzing into marble.
Taken from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triumphal_Arch,_Innsbruck.

Istanbul: Anadolu Citadel
Interior is closed. A medieval citadel on the Bosphorus at the mouth of the Göksu creek. It was built in the late 14th century to control (polite word for "choke off") shipping along the Bosphorus, which narrows to 660 m at this point. It worked in tandem with Rumeli Citadel, built some 50 years later on the European bank. It fell into disrepair but was restored in the 1990s. You can't go in, but it's a pleasant setting; the entire village is named Anadolu Hisarı after the fort and has many traditional wooden houses (yalı). Ferries along the Bosphorus call here.
Taken from https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Istanbul/Asian_Side.
For more see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anadoluhisar%C4%B1.

Istanbul: Atatürk-Museum
M-W F Sa 09:00-16:00. A historic 3-storey house, easily distinguishable among the modern apartment buildings thanks to its brightly coloured and gracefully decorated exterior. This is where the future founder of the Turkish Republic, Kemal Atatürk rented in 1919 while staying in Istanbul before setting sail to Samsun on the Black Sea coast to start the Turkish War of Independence. Hosts Atatürk-related paraphernalia and photos. Free.
Taken from https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Istanbul/New_City.
For more see

Istanbul: Beylerbeyi-Palast
Tu-Su 09:00-16:00. Bling palace-cum-summer house in mid-19th-century Ottoman style. Notable for its reception hall, bathing pavilion, and second floor restroom with spectacular Bosphorus view. Visit by guided tour only, these start every half-hour.
Taken from https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Istanbul/Asian_Side.
For more see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beylerbeyi_Palace.

Istanbul: Çamlıca Mosque
Currently the largest mosque in Turkey, the Grand Çamlıca Mosque (Turkish pronunciation: [tʃamlɯdʒa]) (Turkish: Büyük Çamlıca Camii) is a landmark complex for Islamic worship which was completed and opened on 7 March 2019.[1] The mosque stands astride Çamlıca Hill in the Üsküdar district of Istanbul and is visible from much of the centre of the city. The complex incorporates an art gallery, library, and conference hall.[2] It can hold up to 63,000 worshippers at a time (can accommodate up to 100,000 people in case of an earthquake).[2]
The cost of the mosque was US$110 million (approx. 550 million Turkish liras at the time). Planning for the Çamlıca Mosque began in the year 2000 and was led by two female architects, Bahar Mızrak and Hayriye Gül Totu.[2] Their design won second prize in a competition to come up with something suitable.[3]
The mosque was officially inaugurated on 3 May 2019 by the current President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.[2] Several international leaders were present at the ceremony including Senegalese President Macky Sall, Guinean President Alpha Conde, Albanian president Ilir Meta, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh and other foreign dignitaries.[4]
Çamlıca Mosque was only the third mosque in Turkey to have six minarets, after the Sultanahmet (Blue) Mosque in Istanbul and the Sabancı Merkez Mosque in Adana.
In 2022, work was under way to add a spur to the M5 Metro line from Üsküdar to include a stop at the Çamlıca Mosque.
Taken from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%87aml%C4%B1ca_Mosque.

Istanbul: Camondo Stairs
An attractive stairway mixing the Neo-Baroque and early Art Nouveau styles, climbing up from Bankalar St towards the Galata Tower. It was built in the 1870s by Abraham Salomon Camondo, who belonged to a prominent Ottoman-Venetian Jewish family of financiers and philanthropists.
Taken from https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Istanbul/Galata.
For more see https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/camondo-stairs.

Istanbul: Chora Church/Kariye Mosque
09:00-17:00 during winter, and till 19:00 during winter. Also known as the Church of St Saviour in Chora (chora translates "countryside" in Byzantine Greek, which refers to what the site of the church exactly was when it was built), this is a 1000-year-old Byzantine church, an example of a church somewhat out of the traditional centre, but is an absolute must see with precious mosaic frescoes and a captivating mood inside. The early church frescoes had been covered with plaster for nearly 500 years, as the building had been converted into a mosque, but were uncovered in the mid-20th century and have been partially restored. As of 2020, it was again proclaimed a mosque. An impressive section of the Theodosian walls is a short walk from here. Free.
For more see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chora_Church.

Istanbul: Cisterna Basilica
Daily 09:00-22:00. A giant underground cistern built by Justinian in 532 to provide water to the city in cases of siege. A boardwalk just above the water level winds between the 336 columns, most of which were re-used from other sites and are highly decorated. The massive underground space is worth a visit simply to marvel at the scale of building in ancient times. Lights, piped music, and contemporary art in permanent exhibition add to the eerie atmosphere. The Medusa stone heads are impressive. As it's a major tourist attraction, the crowds might take away some of the atmosphere. 350 TL (~€12) to 19:00, 550 TL (~€18.50) 19:00 to 22:00; discount for domestic visitors.
For more see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basilica_Cistern.

Istanbul: Column of Constantine
One of the most important examples of Roman art in Istanbul. The column is 35 m tall, but for long isn't topped by the original statue of Constantine posing as Apollo, nor the cross replaced it later. Centuries of dark-coloured rust emanating from the metal reinforcing hoops added during the Ottoman repairs over the length of the column gives its colloquial English name.
For more see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Column_of_Constantine.

Istanbul: Dolmabache Palace
Tu-Su 09:00-17:00. This lavish palace with 285 rooms and 43 halls was the admin centre for the Ottoman Empire in its last 60 years. The palace government block (Selamlık) includes the Imperial Mabeyn (State Apartments) and Muayede Hall (Ceremonial Hall), while the Imperial Harem was the sultan's private quarters. Also here are the Painting Gallery, Music Museum, Clock Museum and Museum of Palace Collections. Free audio guide in several languages available by the ticket office. No photography inside, no backpacks but you can leave them in the cloakroom. Allow 3 hours to see everything. Müzeumkart not accepted.
Taken from https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Istanbul/Bosphorus.
For more see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dolmabah%C3%A7e_Palace.

Istanbul: Fatih Mosque
The first monumental project in the Ottoman imperial architectural tradition, the Fatih Mosque complex was built in Istanbul between 1463-1470 by the Greek architect Atik Sinan, by the order of Sultan Mehmet II the Conqueror, on the site of the former Church of the Holy Apostles, which had served as Byzantine Imperial burial place for one thousand years and had been in poor condition since the Fourth Crusade. The original complex included a set of well-planned buildings constructed around the mosque. They include eight medrese, library, hospital, hospice, caravanserai, market, hamam, primary school and public kitchen (imaret) which served food to the poor. The original mosque was badly damaged in the 1509 earthquake, after that it was repaired, but was then damaged again by earthquakes in 1557 and 1754 and repaired yet again. It was then completely destroyed by an earthquake on 22 May 1766, when the main dome collapsed and the walls were irreparably damaged. The current mosque (designed on a completely different plan) was completed in 1771 under Sultan Mustafa III, by the architect Mimar Mehmet Tahir. Following the trend of the Eastern Roman/Byzantine emperors, whom he considered as his predecessors, Mehmet II's tomb is in the graveyard in the southeast side of the mosque, as is that of his wife, Gülbahar Hatun. Both were reconstructed after the earthquake. The türbe of the Conqueror is very baroque with a lavishly decorated interior.
For more see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fatih_Mosque,_Istanbul.

Istanbul: Fethiye Mosque
Originally the Church of Theotokos Pammakaristos ("All-Blessed Mother of God"), built between the 11th and 12th centuries. After the fall of Constantinople, the seat of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate was moved here in 1456 from the Church of the Holy Apostles. It remained as the seat of the Patriarchate until Ottoman Sultan Murad III converted it in 1591 into a mosque, renamed in honor of his fetih (conquest) of Georgia and Azerbaijan, hence Fethiye. The parekklesion, besides being one of the most important examples of Constantinople's Palaiologan architecture, has the largest amount of Byzantine mosaics in Istanbul after the Hagia Sophia and Chora Mosque. The whole building was proclaimed a mosque in 2020. Free.
For more see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pammakaristos_Church.

Istanbul: Fountain of Ahmed III
The Fountain of Sultan Ahmed III (Turkish: III. Ahmet Çeşmesi) is a fountain in a Turkish rococo structure in the great square in front of the Imperial Gate of Topkapı Palace in Istanbul, Turkey. It was built under Ottoman sultan Ahmed III in 1728, in the style of the Tulip period. It was a social centre and gathering place during the Ottoman period of Constantinople.
The fountain kiosk of Ahmed III is in the place of a Byzantine fountain known as Perayton.[citation needed] Another fountain, built during the Byzantine Empire stood on the site before this fountain.[1] The architectural features of the exterior reflect a synthesis of traditional Ottoman and contemporary western styles.
The fountain was depicted on the reverse of the Turkish 10 lira banknotes of 1947-1952.[2]
Taken from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fountain_of_Ahmed_III.

Istanbul: Galata Bridge
The Galata Bridge (Turkish: Galata Köprüsü, Turkish pronunciation: [ˈɡaɫata cœpɾyˈsy]) is a bridge that spans the Golden Horn in Istanbul, Turkey. From the end of the 19th century in particular, the bridge has featured in Turkish literature, theater, poetry and novels. The current Galata Bridge is just the latest in a series of bridges linking Eminönü in the Fatih district and Karaköy in Beyoğlu since the early 19th century. The current bridge, the fifth on the same site, was built in 1994.
The bridge was named after Galata (the former name for Karaköy) on the northern shore of the Golden Horn.
The fifth Galata bridge was built by the Turkish construction company STFA just a few meters away from the previous bridge, between Karaköy and Eminönü, and completed in December 1994. It was designed and supervised by GAMB (Göncer Ayalp Engineering Company). It is a bascule bridge, which is 490 m (1,610 ft) long with a main span of 80 m (260 ft). The deck of the bridge is 42 m (138 ft) wide and has two vehicular lanes and one walkway in each direction. Tram tracks running down the middle of it allow the T1 tram to run from Bağcılar, in the western suburbs to Kabataş, a few blocks away from Dolmabahçe Palace.
In 2003 a string of restaurants were added to the underside of the bridge in imitation of the more ramshackle ones that had clung to the underside of the fourth bridge.
Taken from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galata_Bridge.

Istanbul: Galata-Turm
Daily 08:30-23:00 (last entry at 22:00). It was built by the Genoese in the 14th century on the city walls of Galata, marking the highest point of their territory. Ride an elevator and take two flights of stairs to the top, then walk the parapet for a 360°-view of Istanbul, including the entire Sultanahmet peninsula: crowned by Topkapı Palace, the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia. A beautiful spot worthy of a lot of pictures. Expensive Entry Fee.
Taken from https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Istanbul/Galata.
For more see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galata_Tower.

Istanbul: German Fountain
The German Fountain (Turkish: Alman Çeşmesi; German: Deutscher Brunnen) is a gazebo styled fountain in the northern end of old hippodrome (Sultanahmet Square), Istanbul, Turkey and across from the Mausoleum of Sultan Ahmed I. It was constructed to commemorate the second anniversary of German Emperor Wilhelm II's visit to Istanbul in 1898. It was built in Germany, then transported piece by piece and assembled in its current site in 1900. The neo-Byzantine style fountain's octagonal dome has eight marble columns, and dome's interior is covered with golden mosaics.
Taken from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_Fountain.

Istanbul: Grand Bazaar
M-Sa 09:00-19:00. Istanbul's grand old bazaar with an estimated 4,400 shops lined along covered walkways. It is said to be the world's oldest shopping mall, covers several blocks and features a labyrinth of side streets to keep you lost for the better part of a day. The shops are organized around their wares, e.g. the silver jewellers are clustered together, the carpet shops are clustered elsewhere and the shoe shops are bunched together somewhere else. Parts of it now are modernized and rather touristy—most locals don't shop here—and you are likely to pay up to twice as much as elsewhere. However, with the vast selection you will find what you're looking for and it is one of Istanbul's character pieces.
For more see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Bazaar,_Istanbul.

Istanbul: Great Palace Mosaic Museum
9:00-19:00 (15 Apr-25 Oct); 9:00-17:00 (25 Oct-15 Apr). This museum hosts the pavement mosaics of the Byzantine-era Great Palace of Constantinople, which stretched from the Hippodrome to the coast of the Sea of Marmara.
For more see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Palace_Mosaic_Museum.

Istanbul: Gülhane Park
Adjacent to the palace grounds, the park was established as the outer royal gardens. Since the 1910s, it has been a public park, with lots of seasonal flowers (its name means "the house of roses"), including large patches of tulips in early April, and rows of mature plane trees casting their deep shadows — a great relief when the summer heat starts to overwhelm you. Look up the branches to spot a curious population of parakeets, which are said to have fled either the destruction wrought about by the First Gulf War of the 1990s in their native range in Iraq or a customs warehouse where they were taken to for further inspection in a case of illegal wildlife trade, and eventually adapted to the microclimate here. The high walls on the park's eastern side separates it from Topkapı Palace.
While there are still signs in the park for cafes overlooking the Bosphorus, as of October 2017, they are derelict and behind temporary barriers. It is still possible to check out the Column of the Goths (Gotlar Sütunu), a Roman-era, Corinthian-style marble pillar, with a Latin inscription on its pedestal (although illegible due to time-dependent deformation), just north of the palace wall. It was erected in honour of victory over the Goths by either Claudius II Gothicus (reigned 268-270) or Constantine the Great (r. 306-337). The column is likely the oldest Roman artefact still intact in the city and possibly pre-dates the foundation of Constantinople. Also nearby are the ruins of a Byzantine monastery.
The park has two gates, one downhill from Sultanahmet (on Alemdar Cd), and the other near the Seraglio Point, on Kennedy Cd along the coastline, south of Sirkeci. Free.
For more see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G%C3%BClhane_Park.

Istanbul: Hagia Irene
The same working hours as Topkapı Palace. Hagia Irene, which you will notice to your left after entering the outer yard of Topkapı Palace, is one of few Byzantine-era cathedrals which was never converted to a mosque during the Ottoman period. It's also interesting that it features rare iconoclastic art — a huge cross mosaic in the apse, put in place during the restorations by Constantine V (r. 741–775), an iconoclast himself. 350 TL (~€12) or combined ticket with Topkapı Palace; discount for domestic visitors.
For more see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hagia_Irene.

Istanbul: Hagia Sophia
Daily, open until the night prayer. Dating from the 6th century, it was built as a basilica for the Eastern Roman Emperor Justinian I. A masterwork of Roman engineering, the huge 30-m diameter dome covers what was for over 1000 years the largest enclosed space in the world. The church was looted by the fourth Crusaders in 1204, and became a mosque in the 15th century when the Ottomans conquered the city. It was converted into a museum in 1935, and in 2020 was again proclaimed a mosque. Free, but if your appearance does not conform to the mosque dress code, they sell you what is basically an overpriced, paper-thin cloak for 30 TL (~€1.65), non-refundable.
For more see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hagia_Sophia.

Istanbul: Hagia Triada Greek Orthodox Church
A charming domed church built in 1880 at the side of Taksim Square, now uneasily contesting with Taksim Mosque for being the main landmark of the southern edge of the square.
Taken from https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Istanbul/Galata.
The Hagia Triada ("Holy Trinity"; Greek: Ιερός Ναός Αγίας Τριάδος, romanized: Ierós Naós Agías Triádos; Turkish: Aya Triada Rum Ortodoks Kilisesi) is a Greek Orthodox church in Istanbul, Turkey. The building was erected in 1880 and is considered the largest Greek Orthodox shrine in Istanbul today.[1] It is still in use by the Greek community of Istanbul.[2][3] It has about 150 parishioners.[4] The church is located in the district of Beyoğlu, in the neighborhood of Katip Çelebi, on Meşelik sokak, near Taksim Square.[5]

Istanbul: Hagios Giorgios Church
The Greek Orthodox church is on the highest summit of the archipelago, Yücetepe ("great hill") at 203 m asl. Walk up from Birlik Meydanı for about 35-40 min; the cobbled incline is too steep for a bicycle. The church building is unexceptional, but the backyard has a great view of the other islands and the sea. St George's day is celebrated here annually on Apr 23, when you can expect tens of thousands attendees willing to make wishes — if you want to skip the crowds set off before 06:00 or else you will be standing for a long time until you are let inside by the police in groups of 10–15 people at once. Wishmaking rituals range from usual candle burning, to slightly more unusual climbing up to the church on bare feet, to very curious untying wool balls all along the path leading there. If you are interested to partake, you will meet lots of vendors selling candles on the streets that day, right as soon as you step out of the ferry, but it's best to have them from the church for a donation. In case you are wondering if all of Turkey's dwindled Greek Orthodox minority are there that day, or if the community is even that populous, no, most of the visitors eagerly waiting for a blessing from the priest are non-Christian Turks, but there is nothing surprising about that: this is Turkey, where the east and the west meet, and cultures truly mix.
Taken from https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Istanbul/Princes%27_Islands.

Istanbul: Haydarpaşa Station
Istanbul's former Asia-side railway station nowadays has no trains, but is worth a look. It was built by the Germans in 1908 in a distinctive Teutonic-castle style - to make an impact on travellers from Asia about to step into Europe, and a counterpoint to Sirkeci station (also closed) on the European side which is modelled in Oriental style. It's intended eventually to make this the terminus for the high speed rail network.
Taken from https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Istanbul/Asian_Side.
For more see

Istanbul: History of Science and Technology in Islam Museum
09:00 - 18:45 during summer, and till 16:45 during winter. Fascinating museum in a restored building that was the stables for Topkapı Palace. Contains mainly reconstructions of historical instruments and tools including instruments for astronomy, clocks, and pumps. Advances the view that Islamic science and technology preceded that of Europe.

Istanbul: Iron Church
A Bulgarian Orthodox church better known as Demir Kilise, "Iron Church", as it is completely made of cast iron, a product of 19th-century experimentation with prefabricated iron churches. Combining neo-Gothic and neo-Baroque influences, the church has a richly-ornamented exterior.
For more see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bulgarian_St._Stephen_Church.

Istanbul: Isa Yusuf Alptekin Park
Isa Yusuf Alptekin (1901 – 17 December 1995) was a Uyghur politician who served in the Chinese Nationalist government and opposed both the First East Turkistan Republic[1] and the Second East Turkestan Republic.[2][3] When East Turkestan (Xinjiang) came under Chinese communist control in 1949, Alptekin went into exile and became an ultra-nationalist and pan-Turkic separatist.
Taken from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isa_Alptekin.

Istanbul: Istiklal Caddesi und Tram
İstiklal Avenue (Turkish: İstiklal Caddesi; English: Independence Avenue), historically known as the Grand Avenue of Pera, in the historic Beyoğlu (Pera) district, is an 1.4 kilometre (0.87 mi) pedestrian street and one of the most famous avenues in Istanbul, Turkey.
The street starts at the northern end of Galata (the medieval Genoese quarter) at Tünel Square and runs as far as Taksim Square. It is flanked by late Ottoman era buildings (mostly from the 19th and early 20th centuries) in a variety of styles including Neo-Classical, Neo-Gothic, Renaissance Revival, Beaux-Arts, Art Nouveau and First Turkish National Architecture. There are also a few Art Deco style buildings from the early years of the Turkish Republic, and a number of more recent examples of modern architecture. Many would once have been apartment blocks but most are now occupied by boutiques, music stores, art galleries, cinemas, theatres, libraries, cafés, pubs, nightclubs with live music, hotels, historical patisseries, chocolateries, restaurants and a steadily growing number of international chain stores. There is even a branch of Madame Tussauds.
Taken from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C4%B0stiklal_Avenue.

Istanbul: Küçüksu Palace
If you are already in the area, it's worth considering to visit this waterside neo-Baroque manor, built in the 19th century for the countryside and hunting excursions of the Ottoman dynasty. The area, where the Göksu River flows into the Bosphorus, was known as "the Sweet Waters of Asia" by the pioneer European travellers of the epoch (as opposed to "the Sweet Waters of Europe", another contemporary elite recreational area on the other side of the city, where the Kağıthane and Alibeyköy Rivers empty into the Golden Horn).

Istanbul: Kuzguncuk
This attractive neighbourhood was home to a large Christian and Jewish population until some decades ago and still has a number of sights like two synagogues, some churches among which the Armenian Surp Krikor Lusavoriç, dozens of wooden houses and a Jewish and Christian cemetery.
For more see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuzguncuk.

Istanbul: Little Hagia Sophia
Formerly known as the Church of the Saints Sergius and Bacchus, this building was constructed around 530 AD (at about the same time as Hagia Sophia) and was transformed into a mosque following the Ottoman conquest. This building is beautifully decorated, with particularly enchanting marble details, and offers a much more intimate experience than the large mosques scattered throughout Fatih. Adjoining is a small madrasa with truly original craft shops.
For more see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Hagia_Sophia.

Istanbul: Maçka Park/Gondola
This park occupies the sides of a valley of this "city of seven hills", with an avenue in the bottom. A 4-person gondola lift line is strung over it, offering a shortcut when walking between Beşiktaş and Taksim Square as well as nice views of the Bosphorus (access to the northern station from Maçka Cd and Eytam Cd, every 5 minutes 08:00-20:00, 1.50 TL pp one-way). There is also a wooden bridge over the bisecting avenue if you prefer to take a stroll through the park. Free.
Taken from https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Istanbul/New_City.
For more see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ma%C3%A7ka_Park.

Istanbul: Maiden's Tower
Daily 09:00-20:00. One of the icons of the city is also called the Leander's Tower, on a Bosphorus islet off Salacak. The local myth ascribes its name to a princess, whose father wanted to protect her in this offshore tower from a prophecy that she would be killed by a snakebite on her birthday, but the snake found its way inside a basket of fruits — ironically a birthday present from her father — and you've probably already guessed the rest of the story. In actual timeline, it served as a defensive structure (there was a wall connecting it to the Asian mainland, and the Byzantines used to stretch a chain from here to the European mainland across the mouth of the Bosphorus to shut it to adversary shipping in times of conflict, but they didn't during the final Ottoman siege in 1453), as a customs and quarantine station, as a lighthouse, as a warehouse of various sorts of goods, and as a high-end restaurant before the last restoration finished in 2023 dedicated it as a museum. There is a light show viewable from the mainland every day at 21:00. 450 TL including the boat trip.
For more see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maiden%27s_Tower.

Istanbul: Milion
This short, 4th century BCE marble pillar is the only remaining fragment of the tetrapylon monument which was the starting point of any distance measured within the Roman/Byzantine Empire (in a similar fashion with Rome's earlier Golden Milestone), so the spot was where all the roads led to (or, rather, started from), and was far more important in ancient travel than the pillar's battered and supposedly unremarkable current appearance suggests.
For more see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milion.

Istanbul: Militärmuseum
W-Su 09:00-17:00. Among the exhibition of this museum are five thousand pieces from the Ottoman era through WWII, with the most prominent piece possibly being the huge chain that the Byzantines stretched across the mouth of the Golden Horn to keep out the Sultan's navy in 1453 during the siege of Constantinople. In the yard of the museum, the Janissary Band (Mehter Takımı), the world’s oldest military band gives concerts of march music in traditional uniforms each afternoon, at 15:00.
Taken from https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Istanbul/New_City.
For more see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Istanbul_Military_Museum.

Istanbul: Miniatürk
M-F 09:00-19:00, Sa-Su 09:00-21:00. It was built in 2001 and is the first miniature park in Istanbul (the world's largest miniature park in respect to its model area). The park hosts icons of many cultures and civilizations. Models vary from the Hagia Sophia to Galata Tower, from Safranbolu Houses to the Sumela Monastery in Trabzon, from Qubbat As-Sakhrah to the ruins of Mount Nemrut. In addition, some works that have not survived into the present, such as the Temple of Artemis, the Halicarnassus Mausoleum and Ajyad Castle, were recreated. All former Ottoman Empire in one place.
For more see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miniat%C3%BCrk.

Istanbul: Moseum of Archaeology
Tu-Su 9:00-19:00, and till 17:00 during winter. A must see! One of the best, including a great collection of Sumerian tablets, pieces of the wall of Babylon and Roman marble statues. It contains some very famous pieces of ancient art, such as the Alexander Sarcophagus, once believed to be the sarcophagus of Alexander the Great himself (but later found out to be not the case), very well preserved and highly adorned with bas-relief carvings of Alexander the Great; one of the Serpent Column's missing heads; a twin sister head of the Medusas inside the Basilica Cistern; and several red porphyry Imperial sarcophagi on the courtyard.
For more see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Istanbul_Archaeology_Museums.

Istanbul: Neve Salom Synagoge
M-Th 10:00-16:00,F 10:00-13:00,Su 10:00-14:00. The most beautiful and the largest in the city where most of the religious ceremonies like bar-mitzvahs, weddings and funerals are held.
For more see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neve_Shalom_Synagogue.

Istanbul: Ottoman Bird Palaces
See https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/ottoman-bird-palaces.

Istanbul: Panorama 1453 Museum
The Panorama 1453 Historical Museum is a historical museum in Istanbul that opened on 31 January 2009.[1]
This museum shows the conquering of the city of Constantinople, capital of the Byzantine Empire, by the troops of the Ottoman Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror on 29 May 1453. The museum is located close to the point where the Ottomans breached the walls. Its main exhibit is a 360° "panorama" painting, (also known as a Cyclorama) of the battlefield at the time the walls were breached, giving the visitor the impression they are standing in the middle of the battle. The painting is made and presented in such a way that the visitor appears to be at the centre of a huge space rather than a circle only 38m in diameter. Sound effects add to the illusion - there is the sound of guns firing, of soldiers shouting and a military band playing to urge on the troops.
Taken from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panorama_1453_History_Museum.

Istanbul: Patriarchate of Constantinople
08:30-16:00. Many view this as the centre of the world's Orthodox faith. The Patriarchate has been housed since 1586 in the Church of St George (Greek: Agíou Geōrgíou, Turkish: Aya Yorgi) here in Fener (Phanar). This neighbourhood on the Golden Horn was the traditional Greek quarter of the city during the Ottoman period, and its prominent inhabitants, called Phanariotes, exerted great influence on the European possessions of the empire. Despite its religious importance, St George is an otherwise unremarkable and unimpressive building from the outside, though its lavishly decorated interior is worth a look. While you are around, keep an eye out for the imposing red brick tower of nearby Phanar Greek College (Fener Rum Lisesi), which seems to appear straight out of medieval times.

Istanbul: Pera Palace
The Pera Palace Hotel (Turkish: Pera Palas Oteli) is a historic special category hotel and museum hotel located in the Beyoğlu (Pera) district in Istanbul, Turkey. It was built in 1892 for the purpose of hosting the passengers of the Orient Express and was named after the place where it is located. It holds the title of "the oldest European hotel in Turkey".
The Pera Palace Hotel is located in the Tepebaşı neighbourhood of Pera, once known as "Little Europe". It is about 20 km (12 mi) from Atatürk International Airport.
Taken from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pera_Palace_Hotel.

Istanbul: Porphyrogennetos-Palast
09:00-17:00 (closed M). The only fully intact Byzantine palace of the city, with typically Byzantine masonry of alternating marble and red brick rows, was an annex to the much greater Palace of Blachernae. It dates back to the late 13th century and is one of the few surviving examples of late Byzantine secular architecture in the world. It was used for various purposes for centuries during the Ottoman period, and later stood derelict for most of the 20th century. It underwent an extensive restoration in the 2010s and now serves as a museum. 40 TL (~€1.35); discount for domestic visitors.
For more see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palace_of_the_Porphyrogenitus.

Istanbul: Princes Islands
An archipelago of nine islands in the Sea of Marmara just off the Asian coast of Istanbul, the Princes' Islands (Turkish: Prens Adaları, also İstanbul Adaları, Kızıl Adalar or just Adalar, "the Islands of Istanbul", "the Red Islands", and "the Islands" respectively) are a perfect escape whenever the frantic crowds of Istanbul start to overwhelm you.
Taken from https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Istanbul/Princes%27_Islands.

Istanbul: Prinkipo Orphanage
The Prinkipo Greek Orphanage (Turkish: Prinkipo Rum Yetimhanesi, also known as Prinkipo Palace or Büyükada Greek Orphanage) is a historic 20,000-square-meter wooden building on Büyükada, one of the nine Princes' Islands off the coast of Istanbul, Turkey, in the Sea of Marmara. It is considered the largest wooden building in Europe and second largest in the world.[1][2] It served as an orphanage from 1903 to 1964.[3]

Istanbul: Railway Museum
Tu-Su 10:00-17:00. This ever-popular gem of a museum combines in a single room many different and unusual artifacts covering both Ottoman and Modern Turkish railway history. Likely to appeal both to the dedicated rail fan and those with a more casual interest in the history of Turkey and the Ottoman Empire. The Orient Express used to depart from just opposite the museum. The station itself dates from late Ottoman times and is full of attractive architectural detail. Closed on certain national holidays. Free.
For more see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Istanbul_Railway_Museum.

Istanbul: Republic Monument
The Republic Monument (Turkish: Cumhuriyet Anıtı) is a notable monument located at Taksim Square in Istanbul, Turkey, to commemorate the formation of the Turkish Republic in 1923.
Designed by Italian sculptor Pietro Canonica and built in two and a half years with financial support from the population, it was unveiled by Dr. Hakkı Şinasi Pasha on August 8, 1928.[1]
The 11 m (36 ft) high monument portrays the founders of the Turkish Republic, with prominent depictions of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, İsmet İnönü and Fevzi Çakmak. The monument has two sides: the side facing north depicts Atatürk in military uniform during the Turkish War of Independence, while the side facing south (towards İstiklal Avenue) has Atatürk and his comrades dressed in modern Western clothing; the former symbolizing his role as military commander-in-chief, and the latter symbolizing his role as statesman.
Semyon Ivanovich Aralov, Ambassador of the Russian SFSR in Ankara during the Turkish War of Independence, is among the group of people behind Atatürk (his figure wears a cap and stands behind İsmet İnönü, on the southern facade of the monument).[2] His presence in the monument, ordered by Atatürk, points out to the financial and military aid sent by Vladimir Lenin in 1920, during the Turkish War of Independence (1919–1922).[2]
Cumhuriyet Anıtı is an important site, where official ceremonies on national holidays are being held.
Taken from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republic_Monument.

Istanbul: S. Antonio di Padova Catholic Church
Although not at the size of Hagia Sophia, this is the largest active church in Turkey. It’s directly on Istiklal St, but somewhat hidden from view by its yard portal. Catholic Masses in Italian, Turkish, and English (in different days of the week). Free.

Istanbul: SantralIstanbul/Museum of Energy
Daily 09:00-17:30. A contemporary art museum in a building converted from an old power plant: 1914-built and coal-fired, this was the oldest in Istanbul and the Ottoman Empire. Part of the plant was kept in almost exact original condition and now serves as the "Energy Museum". Free, guided tours 35 TL.
Taken from https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Istanbul/Golden_Horn.
For more see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SantralIstanbul.

Istanbul: Sokollu Mehmet Pasha Mosque
One of the three mosques in the city and its suburbs bearing this name, this mosque was built in 1571 by the imperial architect Sinan and commissioned by Sokollu Mehmet Pasha, the grand vizier and de facto ruler of the Ottoman Empire during part of its golden age at the 16th century. Rarely visited as it is dwarved by the other imperial mosques in the vicinity, it nonetheless has a fascinating set of blue İznik tiles covering its interior, and devout Muslim travellers will want to note that in three different locations of the mosque (none clearly signed, although protective covers will help locating them), what is said to be original pieces of the Black Stone (Hajar al-Aswad) of the Kaaba can be seen.

Istanbul: Soğukçeşme Street
A car-free cobbled street going downhill just behind Hagia Sophia. It is lined by renovated (or rebuilt) multistorey wooden houses of vernacular Ottoman architecture, leaning against the outer wall of the Topkapı Palace grounds. Worth a stroll to see what the traditional streetscape of Istanbul was like before the concrete has prevailed. The square at the upper end of the street, before the entrance to the outer courtyard of Topkapı Palace, is embellished by the Fountain of Sultan Ahmed III, a 1728 stand-alone fountain in Ottoman rococo style, typical of the artsy "Tulip Period".

Istanbul: Süleymaniye Mosque
On the top of a hill overlooking the Golden Horn, this is another mosque by Sinan, which he built in the 1550s and humbly described as his "journeyman work" (his masterpiece expressively is Selimiye, built about 20 years later and 250 km west in Edirne). Considering the resemblance with the earlier Fatih Mosque, it is very likely that the architect of that mosque, Atik Sinan, and Mimar Sinan knew each other or were even related, like father and son. Süleymaniye is a fine example of Ottoman architecture of the era, and inspired the architects of the later Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet). Comparing these two mosques, Süleymaniye is noted for its gloomier and more atmospheric feeling. Next to the courtyard are the tombs of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, who commissioned the mosque (and might or might not exclaimed at his namesake "Solomon, I have outdone thee", like Justinian reputedly did at the grand opening of Hagia Sophia), his Ukrainian spouse Roxelana (known as Hürrem Sultan in Turkish), and Sinan himself. Free.
For more see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C3%BCleymaniye_Mosque.

Istanbul: Sultanahemt Mosque
May-Oct 09:00-21:00, Nov-Apr 09:00-19:00. With its six minarets and sweeping architecture the Sultanahmet or 'Blue' Mosque impresses from the outside. This is still a working mosque, entry is through the courtyard on the SW side which is back side of mosque. No shorts or bare shoulders (shawls are provided for free) and you will need to remove your footwear (bags are provided that you can place your shoes in). The mosque is closed during ritual prayer but mosque volunteers provide you with a free presentation about the Mosque and also about Islam during that period. The venue for this event is the mosque's conference hall. It is the building with "Free Event" sign that will be on your left while you are approaching the mosque from Hagia Sophia. They do not charge you anything. Free, donations welcome upon exit.
For more see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Mosque,_Istanbul.

Istanbul: Taksim Square
Taksim Square (Turkish: Taksim Meydanı, IPA: [ˈtaksim ˈmejdanɯ]), situated in Beyoğlu in the European part of Istanbul, Turkey, is a major tourist and leisure district famed for its restaurants, shops, and hotels. It is considered the heart of modern Istanbul, with the central station of the Istanbul Metro network. Taksim Square is also the location of the Republic Monument (Turkish: Cumhuriyet Anıtı) which was crafted by Pietro Canonica and inaugurated in 1928. The monument commemorates the 5th anniversary of the foundation of the Republic of Turkey in 1923, following the Turkish War of Independence.
The square is flanked to the south by The Marmara Hotel, to the east by the Atatürk Cultural Centre, to the north by Gezi Park and to the west by Taksim Mosque. Several major roads converge on the square: Gümüşsuyu Caddesi, Cumhuriyet Caddesi, Tarlabaşı Bulvarı, İstiklal Caddesi and Sıraselviler Caddesi.
Taken from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taksim_Square.

Istanbul: The Musem of Innocence
Tu-Su 10:00-18:00, Th 10:00-21:00. Opened in 2012, this museum is unique and a must-see when you are in the Beyoğlu area. It was created by Turkish Nobel laureate Orhan Pamuk alongside a novel of the same name. It tells the love story of the two main characters from the novel, and represents life in Istanbul during the late 1970s to early 1980s, as it exhibits thousands of objects from that era. Free admission on presentation of the novel.

Istanbul: Theodosianische Mauer
The old city walls, which were built during the reign (408–450) of Byzantine emperor Theodosius II and enclose the entire western boundary of the peninsula from the Golden Horn to the coast of the Sea of Marmara, are mostly intact although partially dilapidated, suffering from battle damage of 1453 and unsightly restorations of early 1990s, and occasionally pierced by wide avenues into the old city. For a complete and detailed walking route along the walls, see Theodosian Walls Walk. Those too lazy to do the entire route may check out easily accessible sections around Chora Church, Pazartekke station of T1 tram line, or Yedikule Fortress.
Die Theodosianische Mauer (türkisch İstanbul Surları oder Topkapı Surları) ist eine Anfang des 5. Jahrhunderts unter Kaiser Theodosius II. und dem Präfekten Anthemius errichtete, etwa 19–20 Kilometer lange Befestigungsanlage (Land- und Seemauern) zum Schutz von Konstantinopel, dem heutigen Istanbul.
Die Theodosianische Mauer wird von einigen Historikern als eine der erfolgreichsten und bestdurchdachten Befestigungsanlagen in der Geschichte der Kriegstechnik angesehen. Viele der einschneidendsten Ereignisse in der Geschichte der Stadt stehen eng mit diesem außergewöhnlichen Bauwerk in Zusammenhang. Der Bau des Wallsystems wurde notwendig, um der Bedrohung durch die Hunnen zu begegnen und der rasch expandierenden Stadt zusätzlichen Raum zu verschaffen. Trotz zunehmenden Verfalles und dem Aufkommen der Feuerwaffen waren die Befestigungen bei entschlossener Verteidigung auch noch in der Mitte des 15. Jahrhunderts nur schwer zu überwinden. Die Komplexität der Verteidigungsanlagen trug wesentlich zum langen Bestehen des Byzantinischen Reiches bei.
Entwicklung
Unter der Regierung des Theodosios II. veränderte sich das Erscheinungsbild der oströmischen Hauptstadt am stärksten und sichtbarsten seit der Gründung durch Konstantin I. Geschaffen wurde ein Festungssystem, das selbst als Ruine noch in Erstaunen versetzt.
Zwei Gründe waren für das Großprojekt ausschlaggebend: Im Verlauf des 4. Jahrhunderts war die Stadt immer weiter über die Konstantinische Mauer hinausgewachsen, viele Häuser standen nun vollkommen ungeschützt auf dem flachen Land. Der zweite, wesentlich beunruhigendere Grund war die Plünderung der alten Hauptstadt Rom durch gotische Föderaten unter Alarich I. im Jahr 410. Obwohl die kaiserliche Residenz des Westreiches schon längst in den Flottenstützpunkt Ravenna verlegt worden war, war diese Nachricht für die römische Welt ein schwerer Schock, besonders in Konstantinopel, wo man sich als Hüter und Bewahrer der Größe und Tradition des alten Roms sah. Zudem begannen auch hunnische Stämme, über die Donau einzusickern und sich in Thrakien, also praktisch vor den Toren der Stadt, niederzulassen.
Kaiser Theodosius II., Louvre, Paris, (Benennung unsicher)
Die erste Bauphase der neuen Stadtmauer – damals noch ein einfacher anstelle des späteren dreifachen Mauerrings – wurde 413 abgeschlossen. Sie wurde zu diesem Zweck zwei Kilometer außerhalb der alten konstantinischen Stadtmauer nach Westen vorgeschoben. Auftraggeber war der Prätorianerpräfekt Anthemius, Vormund des zwölfjährigen Theodosius und der eigentliche Regent des Ostens. Durch die zusätzlich gewonnene Fläche erweiterte sich das Stadtgebiet um mehr als die Hälfte. Dies erwies sich für die zukünftige Expansion der Stadt als mehr als ausreichend. Dieses Neuland wurde nie vollständig überbaut und wurde in byzantinisch/osmanischer Zeit für die Landwirtschaft genutzt.[1] Kurz nach ihrer Fertigstellung wurde sie am 27. Januar 447, in der zweiten Stunde nach Mitternacht, durch ein Erdbeben schwer beschädigt. In einigen Abschnitten waren dadurch die Mauer und 57 ihrer Türme zum Einsturz gebracht worden. Dieser Zeitpunkt war denkbar ungünstig, da die Hunnen unter Attila das Oströmische Reich und seine Hauptstadt massiv bedrohten. Fast das gesamte Gebiet rund um das Goldene Horn lag in Schutt und Asche. Der Prätorianerpräfekt des Ostens Constantius organisierte daraufhin umgehend „fliegende Kommandos“, um die Gräben vom Schutt zu räumen und die Befestigungen wiederaufzubauen. Innerhalb von nur zwei Monaten wurde die Mauer bis Ende März 447 in einer gemeinsamen Kraftanstrengung der Stadtbevölkerung (Einsatz von schätzungsweise 16.000 Mann) noch höher und stärker als zuvor wieder errichtet. Dabei wurde nicht nur die ursprüngliche Mauer wieder aufgebaut, sondern noch zusätzlich eine Außenmauer mit Türmen und vorgelagerter Brustwehr hinzugefügt.[2] Diese erstaunliche Aufbauleistung wurde in einer Inschrift gefeiert:
„In weniger als zwei Monaten errichtete der Nachfolger des Konstantin das triumphale Werk dieser starken Mauern. Kaum hätte Pallas so schnell ein so starkes Bollwerk erbauen können.“[3]
Kurz vor Erscheinen des hunnischen Heeres war die Stadt wieder abwehrbereit. Attila verzichtete auf eine Belagerung und fiel stattdessen in das Weströmische Reich ein. Eine spätere Bauphase der Mauer basiert u. a. auf den Plänen des Anthemios von Tralleis, eines führenden Architekten des 5. Jahrhunderts.
Araber, Bulgaren, Russen und Petschenegen berannten die Stadt immer wieder, jedoch ohne Erfolg. 764 wurde die Seemauer während eines äußerst harten Winters beschädigt, der Chronist Theophanes berichtet, dass das Schwarze Meer in diesem Jahr bis zu 100 Meilen vom Ufer zufror. Der Schnee türmte sich auf dem Eis bis zu 15 m hoch. Als Tauwetter einsetzte, trieben sogar Eisberge auf dem Bosporus, die bald die Einfahrten zu Marmarameer und Goldenem Horn blockierten. Die Kais wurden von einem besonders großen Eisberg gerammt, der, als er auf Grund lief, in drei Teile zerbrach und trotzdem immer noch höher als die Seemauer war.
1203/1204 gelang es dem Heer des 4. Kreuzzuges, durch einen Zufall über die weniger gut befestigten Seemauern in die Stadt einzudringen und sie fast vollständig auszuplündern. Von dieser Katastrophe sollte sich die byzantinische Kaiserresidenz nie mehr erholen. 1344 verwüstete wieder ein besonders heftiges Erdbeben die Region, und die Mauer musste auf ihrer gesamten Länge aufwendig repariert werden.
Die Landmauer wurde am 29. Mai 1453 durch die zahlenmäßig und waffentechnisch überlegene Armee des Sultans Mehmed II. gestürmt. Die diesem Ereignis vorangegangene, siebenwöchige Belagerung Konstantinopels war für die Osmanen dennoch äußerst mühsam und verlustreich gewesen, obwohl die Stadt damals schon weitgehend entvölkert und völlig verarmt war. Fast 1000 Jahre lang waren die Befestigungsanlagen ein zuverlässiger Schutz für die Stadt und ihre Bürger gewesen. Als schließlich auch seine Hauptstadt an die Osmanen fiel, war das Ende des Byzantinischen Reiches besiegelt. Danach überließ man die Befestigungsanlage größtenteils dem Verfall, die Bewohner der Gecekondus benutzten sie lange als Steinbruch. In den letzten Jahrzehnten des 20. Jahrhunderts wurde jedoch damit begonnen, sie teilweise wieder instand zu setzen und zu konservieren.
Die Landmauer
Nur wenige Städte verdanken ihrer günstigen Lage so viel wie Konstantinopel, denn die Stadt ist an drei Seiten vom Meer umgeben:
- vom Goldenen Horn im Norden,
- vom Bosporus im Osten und
- von der Propontis (Marmarameer) im Süden.
Graben-, Vor- und Hauptmauer
Kein Bauwerk hatte – nach der Hagia Sophia – ähnlich große sakrale Bedeutung für die Stadt. Die Kirche repräsentierte die Vorstellung der Bürger über das Himmelreich, die Mauern hingegen waren der Schutzschild gegen die immer wieder auftauchenden Feinde, denn sie standen nach der damaligen Glaubensauffassung unter dem persönlichen Schutz der Heiligen Jungfrau. Bei Belagerungen wurden regelmäßig Prozessionen auf den Wällen abgehalten, die man für viel wirksamer als rein militärische Maßnahmen hielt. Zahlreiche Menschen sahen in Visionen Schutzengel auf der Mauer, die Kaiser ließen marmorne Kreuze und Gebetsinschriften an der Außenseite der Landmauer anbringen. Die Instandhaltung der Mauern war eine der wichtigsten Aufgaben der öffentlichen Verwaltung. Spezielle „Mauergrafen“ überwachten die Baumaßnahmen, die Schäden durch Verwitterung, Erdbeben und den Zahn der Zeit beseitigen sollten. Alle dafür tauglichen Bürger mussten ohne Ausnahme dabei mitwirken, entweder durch Geldspenden oder als Arbeitskraft. Mittel zur Reparatur der Mauern waren auch in größten wirtschaftlichen Krisenzeiten vorhanden. Diesbezügliche Inschriften sind von 447 bis 1438 bekannt. Eine Inschrift der letzten datierbaren Renovierungsmaßnahme am Quellentor bringt die Zusammenarbeit zwischen menschlicher und göttlicher Instanz sehr gut zum Ausdruck:
„Dieses gottgeschützte Tor der lebensspendenden Quelle wurde mit Hilfe und auf Kosten des Manuel Bryennios Lontari in der Regierungszeit des allerfrömmsten Herrschers Johannes und Maria Palaiologos im Mai 1438 restauriert.“'
Das Bollwerk war im Wesentlichen schon im 5. Jahrhundert bautechnisch voll ausgereift und änderte sich im Lauf seiner langen Bestandszeit nur mehr wenig. Es gab dafür auch keine Veranlassung, da sich die Belagerungstechniken ebenfalls nicht gravierend veränderten. Die Mauern waren nach dem Empfinden der Menschen – wie die Stadt – schon immer da gewesen. Selbst die Feinde der Byzantiner glaubten im Laufe der Zeit, dass die Stadt und ihre Einwohner tatsächlich unter einem besonderen göttlichen Schutz standen. Wenn sie überhaupt überwunden werden konnte, dann nur durch Verrat. Es hatte sich immer wieder gezeigt, dass auch kleinere Besatzungen hinter den Mauern einem viel größeren Heer trotzen konnten, bis dieses durch logistische Schwierigkeiten, den Ausbruch von Epidemien oder einer Revolte ohne großes Zutun von selbst wieder abzog. Es war daher nur allzu verständlich, dass die Bürger großes Vertrauen in diese Befestigungsanlagen hatten, da sie unveränderlich, unzerstörbar und im höchsten Maße abschreckend wirkten. 1453 standen die Verteidiger Konstantinopels aber am Vorabend einer technischen Revolution in der Belagerungstechnik, die die Regeln der Kriegsführung für immer verändern sollte.
Konstruktionsmerkmale
Die Architektur der Land- und Seemauern Konstantinopels gibt die Bautradition der Spätantike wieder. Ihre Tiefe und Komplexität machten die Mauer gegenüber einem Gegner, der über keine Artillerie verfügte, praktisch uneinnehmbar. Sie vereinigte das gesamte Wissen und die Erfahrung der griechisch-römischen Festungsbautechnik in sich und bewährte sich bis zur Einführung der schweren Feuerwaffen im Belagerungskrieg.
Näherte man sich von der thrakischen Ebene der Stadt, leuchtete die Mauer von Horizont zu Horizont strahlend weiß im Sonnenlicht, da das aufgehende Mauerwerk aus einer Schalenkonstruktion bestand, die, gefüllt mit einem Gemisch aus Bruchstein und Beton, von einer Kalksteinhülle ummantelt wurde. Die Außenseite wurden in einem regelmäßigen Abstand von horizontalen Ziegelbändern durchzogen, die die Kalksteinhülle kastenartig miteinander verband und ihr dadurch eine höhere Festigkeit verlieh (Ziegeldurchschuss). Das Kernstück des Bollwerkes blieb aber die Mauer des Anthemios, die durch einen besonders widerstandsfähigen, u. a. aus zerriebenen Bimsstein bestehenden Gußmörtelkern zusammengehalten wurde.
Die Verteidigungsanlagen nahmen insgesamt eine Fläche in der Breite von 70 m ein und deckten fast die gesamte Westseite der Halbinsel ab. Lediglich im Osten, am Blachernenviertel, wurde sie, wegen der dortigen Geländebesonderheiten, nur durch eine einzige, in ihren Dimensionen aber ebenso gewaltige Mauer geschützt.
Das Wallsystem besteht im Wesentlichen aus insgesamt vier hintereinander stufenförmig angeordneten Befestigungslinien:
- Der mit Ziegel ausgemauerte, durch Schotte in Sektionen aufgeteilte und mit Wasser geflutete Graben von 15 bis 20 m Breite und 5 – 7 m Tiefe.
- Die Grabenmauer (Brustwehr), sie war sehr niedrig gehalten (2 m), um von den dahinterliegenden Wällen einen ungehinderten Beschuss des Glacis zu ermöglichen.
- Die Vormauer war 8 m hoch und 2,8 m breit, mit Kasematten unterteilt und mit 82 nach außen vorkragenden Türmen bestückt.
- Die Hauptmauer erreichte eine Höhe von 12 m, war 5 m breit und mit insgesamt 96 nach außen vorkragenden Türmen ausgestattet, die zu den Türmen der Vormauer versetzt angelegt waren und damit auch diese Lücken abdeckten.
Die Wehrgänge waren durch mannshohe Zinnen gedeckt und über gemauerte Treppenaufgänge rasch erreichbar. Zwischen Brustwehr und Vormauer lag eine etwa 18 m breite Terrasse (parateichion) von der man aus Angreifer, die es geschafft hatten den Graben zu überwinden, wirksam beschießen konnte. Zwischen Innen- und Vormauer lag eine weitere Terrasse (peribolos) die ca. 15–20 m in der Breite maß. Von der Sohle des Grabens bis zur Spitze des höchsten Turmes gerechnet erreichte der Mauerring eine Höhe von fast 30 m.
Die Landmauer hatte nur zwei, allerdings für die Verteidiger sehr gefährliche, Schwachstellen: Im mittleren Abschnitt, beim tief eingeschnittenen Tal des Lykos folgten die Mauern dem Abhang und ihre Türme übersahen dadurch nicht mehr die Höhen. Im Falle einer Belagerung lagen sie unter den Geschützniveau der Angreifer, die am Talrand aufgestellt waren, d. h. die Angreifer konnten von hier aus direkt auf die Wälle herabschießen. Zusätzlich verlief hier ein Bach durch eine Wasserleitung in die Stadt, sodass es nicht möglich war, einen Wehrgraben auszuheben.
Die zweite Anomalie befand sich im Blachernenviertel, am nördlichen Ende der Mauer. Der Verlauf der drei Mauerlinien wurde hier jäh unterbrochen, da sie hier rechtwinkelig von der Stadt abschwenkten, um auch die Kirche Sankt Maria von Blachernae in die Umwehrung einzubeziehen. Nach dieser Ausbuchtung verwandelt sich das Bollwerk auf einer Länge von ca. 400 m in ein zusammengewürfeltes Ensemble aus unterschiedlich konstruierten Befestigungswerken. Unter Kaiser Manuel I. (1143–1180) wurde 100 m westlich dieser älteren Mauer eine neue errichtet (Komnenenmauer), die mit 13, sehr dicht aneinander stehenden, halbrunden Türmen versehen war und ebenfalls keinen vorgelagerten Wehrgraben hatte.
Türme
Die Türme der Hauptmauer maßen an ihrer Grundfläche im Durchschnitt 11 × 10 m, hatten einen Sockel von 9 bis 13 m, waren 24 m hoch, ohne jeden strategischen Grund entweder quadratisch, sechseckig, achteckig, in manchen Fällen auch rund. Sie bestanden aus einem Lagerraum im Erdgeschoss, zwei Kammern und einer mit Zinnen bewehrten Plattform, von der man aus mit Katapulten Wurfgeschosse oder Behälter mit Griechischem Feuer auf die Belagerer schleudern konnte. Sie standen sehr nahe beieinander (55 m). Nach den Erfahrungen der römischen Bautechnik waren sie nicht direkt mit der Hauptmauer verbunden, damit sich beide Konstruktionen unabhängig voneinander setzen konnten.
Tore
In unregelmäßigen Abständen war die Mauer von zwölf streng bewachten Toren durchbrochen. Einige waren nur über Holzbrücken zugänglich, die im Falle einer Belagerung rasch abgebaut werden konnten. Die sog. „Heerestore“ ermöglichten die Verbindung zwischen den verschiedenen Abschnitten der Mauer und ermöglichten rasche Truppenverschiebungen. Zusätzlich waren auch kleinere Nebentore vorhanden. Die Heerestore waren anfangs nur nummeriert, die öffentlichen Tore wurden mit Namen bezeichnet.
In diesem Zusammenhang sind z. B. das Quellentor, welches nach einem alten Quellheiligtum im Vorfeld der Stadt benannt worden war, das Tor des hölzernen Amphitheaters, das Stiefelmachertor, oder das Tor des Silbernen Sees zu nennen. Es wurde 1261 nach Wiederherstellung des byzantinischen Kaisertums dem neuen Kaiser für seinen triumphalen Einzug in die Stadt geöffnet. Nachdem er vom Pferd gestürzt und dabei schwer verletzt worden war, brachte man den sterbenden Kaiser Theodosius II. durch das Heerestor V wieder in die Stadt zurück. Das Tor des hölzernen Amphitheaters wurde im 12. Jahrhundert zugemauert, da nach einer Prophezeiung ansonsten Friedrich Barbarossa an dieser Stelle in die Stadt eindringen werde.
Im Laufe der Jahrhunderte wechselten sie auch oft ihre Bezeichnungen, da Ursprung und Zusammenhänge der alten Namensgebung in Vergessenheit gerieten und neue Bezüge hergestellt wurden. Das Heerestor III wurde später als das Tor der Roten bezeichnet, die Farbe der Kleidung einer der sehr populären Zirkusparteien, die vor allem in der Spätantike in der Stadt ihr Unwesen trieben. Das Tor des Charisios, einst ein Führer der Blauen Zirkuspartei, war später als Friedhofstor bekannt.
Das prächtigste und größte war aber das 66 m breite und 20 m hohe Goldene Tor (porta aurea) mit seinen drei Durchgängen, das am südlichen Ende des Mauerkomplexes, fast direkt am Ufer des Marmarameeres lag. Hier haben sich auch noch einige Reste der konstantinischen Mauer erhalten. Es war in seiner Glanzzeit mit Goldplatten und zahlreichen Bronzestatuen geschmückt sowie durch zwei massive Türme flankiert die außen mit poliertem Marmor verkleidet waren. Durch dieses Tor hatte z. B. Kaiser Heraklios 628 die Reliquie des wahren Kreuzes wieder in die Stadt zurückgebracht. Es war auch Endpunkt der Via Egnatia, der Hauptroute durch den Balkan nach Rom. Bis zum Jahr 1453 waren die Dekorationen zwar schon größtenteils verschwunden, dennoch muss es damals immer noch einen imposanten Eindruck auf den Betrachter gemacht haben.
Seemauer
Von den insgesamt 20 km ihrer Wehranlagen lagen fast 13 km an den Küsten. Das unruhige Marmarameer machte jeden Versuch einer Landung durch das Auftreten von starken Strömungen und plötzlich aufziehenden Stürmen äußerst riskant. An den Küsten der Stadt war in den fast 1000 Jahren ihres Bestehens, bis zur Belagerung der Kreuzfahrer 1204, kein größerer Angriff gewagt worden. Küste und Häfen waren durch eine einzige durchgehende Mauerlinie gesichert. Sie erhob sich etwa 15 m über die Küstenlinie und war mit 188 Türmen und drei größeren befestigten Häfen gesichert. Allerdings war sie durch die ständig anbrandenden Wellen gefährdet, die im Laufe der Zeit immer wieder ihre Fundamente unterspülten. Sie war auf ihrer ganzen Länge mit Inschriften auf Marmorplatten versehen, die die diversen Sanierungsmaßnahmen durch verschiedene Kaiser verherrlichten. Im Norden der Stadt lag die Bucht des Goldenen Horns in dessen ruhigeren Gewässern die Schiffe der byzantinischen Flotte festgemacht waren. Insgesamt 110 Türme sicherten die Seemauer an diesem Abschnitt. Hier lagen zahlreiche kleinere Tore und die beiden größten Häfen der Stadt. Die Befestigungen am Goldenen Horn waren dennoch die größte Schwachstelle der Stadtmauer. Hier gelang es den Venezianern im Verlauf des 4. Kreuzzuges in die Stadt einzudringen, indem sie ihre Schiffe auf den Strand setzten, sodass die Masten die Mauer überragten und die Soldaten über sie in die Stadt eindringen konnten.
Die Sperrkette
Um während einer Belagerung die Zufahrt für feindliche Schiffe in das Goldene Horn wirksam zu blockieren, zogen die Verteidiger seit der Belagerung durch die Araber von 717 eine ca. 300 m lange massive Eisenkette über die Bucht. Ihre Glieder waren aus Schmiedeeisen und etwa 20 cm lang. Sie wurden auf dem Wasser von hölzernen Flößen getragen. Kette und Flöße wurden auch während der Wintermonate einsatzbereit gehalten. In der Spätzeit der byzantinischen Herrschaft über die Stadt musste allerdings erst die Zustimmung der Genuesen eingeholt werden, um die Kette an einem Turm in Galata festmachen zu können.
Verlauf
Die Landmauer begrenzt die heutige Altstadt des Stadtteiles Fatih. Bis zum Beginn des 20. Jahrhunderts markierte sie – mit Ausnahme von Pera – die Stadtgrenze Konstantinopels. Sie erstreckt sich von der westlichen Hälfte des Goldenen Horns bis zum Marmarameer, wo sie im Osten an die – nur mehr in Fragmenten erhaltene – Seemauer anschließt. Die Mauer beginnt im Norden direkt neben der heutigen Autobahnbrücke über das Goldene Horn. Der erste Abschnitt stammt aus der Zeit des Herakleios (627), Leo V. (813) und Manuel I. Komnenos (1143–1180). Direkt an der Mauer steht der Tekfur-Palast aus Ziegeln und Stein, ein dreistöckiger Anbau des Blachernen-Palastes, im 13. und 14. Jahrhundert Residenz der byzantinischen Kaiser, der nach der osmanischen Eroberung Konstantinopels größtenteils abgerissen wurde. Etwas weiter südlich, innerhalb der Mauern, befindet sich die Chora-Kirche und direkt hinter dem Edirne-Tor, dem Adrianopel-Tor der Byzantiner, steht auf dem höchsten Punkt der Altstadt die von Sinan entworfene Mihrimah Camii, die Moschee der Lieblingstochter Süleymans des Prächtigen. Hier wird die Landmauer von einer Hauptverkehrsstraße (Fevzi Paşa Caddesi) durchbrochen. Nach Unterbrechung durch eine weitere Hauptverkehrsstraße (Adnan Menderes Caddesi) befindet sich an der dritten (Millet Caddesi) das Topkapı-Tor (Kanonentor), in byzantinischer Zeit Romanos-Tor. Der heutige türkische Name erinnert an die Eroberung Konstantinopels durch Mehmed Fatih 1453, als es, nach dem Beschuss durch 600 kg schwere Kanonenkugeln schwer beschädigt, von den Osmanen gestürmt wurde. Am Marmarameer endet die etwa 6,5 Kilometer Landmauer an der Festung Mermer Kule (Marmorturm). Heute wird sie durch die Küstenstraße abgetrennt. Die untere Hälfte dieses 30 m hohen Turmes (mit einem Durchmesser von 13 Metern) ist gänzlich mit Marmor verkleidet. Mermer Kule verbindet die Landmauer mit der Seemauer, die an der Küste nach Osten bis zur Spitze der Halbinsel reicht.
Yedikule, die „Burg der Sieben Türme“, liegt – vom Marmarameer durch die Eisenbahnlinie aus Edirne getrennt – direkt an der Mauer und dem Goldenen Tor. Die Anlage ist teils byzantinischen, teils osmanischen Ursprungs. Ihre Türme sind untereinander durch besonders massive Mauern verbunden. Den Osmanen diente sie als Kerker, Schatzkammer und Hinrichtungsstätte.

Istanbul: Theodosius-Zisterne
09:00-18:00. Though smaller than Basilica cistern, Theodosius Cistern is your option of choice if you want to avoid the crowds, but still soak in the atmosphere of an underground cistern. The lighting of the columns is much better than in Basilica Cistern.
For more see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theodosius_Cistern.

Istanbul: Topkapi Palace
09:00-18:00 (closed Tu). The imperial enclave of the Ottoman emperors for four centuries. Contains exhibitions of fine craftmanship. Lavishly decorated, with four courts of increasing grandeur. In the second court of the entrance to the Harem (admission extra) and the State Treasury, housing a weaponry display. The third court has the Imperial Treasury. Islamic (including Prophet Mohammed's belongings) and Christian relics, rugs, china. The views from the Fourth Court over the Bosphorus are spectacular. Plan on spending several hours here and bring along water as the museum kiosk is overpriced. 950 TL (~€32) combined ticket for the palace proper, the Harem, and the Hagia Irene; discount for domestic visitors.
For more see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Topkap%C4%B1_Palace.

Istanbul: Troki-Villa und Büyükada
See https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/buyukada.

Istanbul: Tünel
The Tünel (English: Tunnel, designated as the F2 line on the Istanbul transport map[1]) is a historic, underground, rubber-tyred funicular line in Istanbul, Turkey. It has two stations, connecting Karaköy and Beyoğlu. The tunnel runs uphill from near the confluence of the Golden Horn with the Bosphorus and is about 573 metres (1,880 feet) long.[2] Inaugurated on 17 January, 1875,[2] the Tünel is the second-oldest fully underground urban railway in the world, after the London Underground (1863) and oldest in continental Europe, pre-dating the Budapest Metro by 21 years.
Taken from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T%C3%BCnel.

Istanbul: Turbes Museum
Free.
İstanbul Shrines Museum Directorate was established on February 15, 1978 in İstanbul to carry out the services of the tombs under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. The Tombs of Suleiman the Magnificent, the tomb of Hurrem Sultan, the tomb of Fatih Sultan Mehmet Han, the tomb of Yavuz Sultan Selim Han, the tomb of 120 people belonging to historical tombs belonging to the tombs are connected to the Directorate of İstanbul Tombs Museum.
Taken from https://muze.gen.tr/muze-detay/turbeler.
See also

Istanbul: Underground Mosque

Istanbul: Valens-Äquadukt
A double-storey Roman aqueduct built during the reign of Valens (r. 364-378) to provide the city with fresh water coming from the surrounding forests. It is 921-m long and spans the valley now traversed by Atatürk Blv. The aqueduct is one of the symbols of the city and for long it welcomed the travellers before the relocation of the airport in 2019.
For more see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aqueduct_of_Valens.

Istanbul: Zeyrek Mosque
In the namesake neighbourhood close to Fatih, the body of Zeyrek Mosque or the Monastery of Pantokrator is formed by joining two former churches and a chapel adjacent to each other. It represents the most typical example of the Byzantine middle period architecture and is, after Hagia Sophia, the second largest religious edifice built by the Byzantines still standing in Istanbul. A really picturesque place, so prepare your camera! It is in a somewhat rough neighbourhood, so better visited when there is still daylight. Free.
For more see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zeyrek_Mosque.

Istanbul: Nuruosmaniye Mosque
Built in the 18th century, this is the earliest mosque built in Ottoman Baroque, and one of the primest examples of that style. Even if you are in a rush to tick off the main sights of Istanbul, when you are nearby — very likely, given the mosque's location inbetween several major attractions — drop by to take a peek inside, which is elegantly dominated by white and powdery colours, and, true to its name meaning "the light of the Ottomans," is drenched in natural light thanks to its lavish fenestration, in contrast to the far gloomier classical Ottoman mosques.
For more see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuruosmaniye_Mosque.

Josip Jović Memorial
Josip Jović (21 November 1969 – 31 March 1991) was a Croatian policeman who was killed during the Plitvice Lakes incident. He is widely considered the first Croatian fatality of the Croatian War of Independence.[1]
The memorial is at the site where he was killed.
Taken from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josip_Jovi%C4%87.
The Plitvice Lakes incident (Croatian: Krvavi Uskrs na Plitvicama or Plitvički krvavi Uskrs, both translating as "Plitvice Bloody Easter") was an armed clash at the beginning of the Croatian War of Independence. It was fought between Croatian police and armed forces from the Croatian Serb-established SAO Krajina at the Plitvice Lakes in Croatia, on 31 March 1991. The fighting followed the SAO Krajina's takeover of the Plitvice Lakes National Park and resulted in Croatia recapturing the area. The clash resulted in one killed on each side and contributed to the worsening ethnic tensions.
The fighting prompted the Presidency of Yugoslavia to order the Yugoslav People's Army (Jugoslovenska Narodna Armija – JNA) to step in and create a buffer zone between the opposing forces. The JNA arrived at the scene the following day and presented Croatia with an ultimatum requesting the police to withdraw. Even though the special police units which captured the Plitvice Lakes area did pull out on 2 April, a newly established Croatian police station, staffed by 90 officers, remained in place. The police station was blockaded by the JNA three months later, and captured in late August 1991.
Taken from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plitvice_Lakes_incident. For more see there.

Kanda Geoglyph
This unique site contains a geoglyph which extends 90 m (295 ft) long and 45 m (148 ft) wide. Research on the site only really began in 2014. Findings indicate that the soil composition here is indeed different than the surrounding area which suggests artificial origin.
Taken from https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Sveti_Nikole. For more see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kanda_Geoglyph.

Komani Lake
Lake Koman (Albanian: Liqeni i Komanit) is a reservoir on the Drin River in northern Albania. Lake Koman is surrounded by dense forested hills, vertical slopes, deep gorges, and a narrow valley, completely taken up by the river. Besides the Drin, it is fed by the Shala and Valbona Rivers. The lake stretches in an area of 34 km2 (13 sq mi), its width being 400 m (0.25 mi). The narrowest gorge, which is surrounded by vertical canyon walls, is more than 50 m (0.031 mi) wide. The reservoir was constructed between 1979 and 1988 near the village of Koman with a height of 115 m (377 ft).[2]
The combination of specific topography and hydrological conditions have contributed to the formation of different habitats.[3] The golden jackal, red fox, european badger, eurasian otter, beech marten, european polecat are the primary predatory mammals.[3] A high number of bird species have been observed in the region, including the common kingfisher, common quail, grey heron, eurasian wryneck, great spotted woodpecker and black-headed gull.[3]
The Lake Koman Ferry operates daily on the lake from Koman to Fierza. The ferry connects the city of Bajram Curri to the region of Tropojë. The journey takes about two and a half hours and is also popular with the foreign tourists.[4] Smaller boats bring people and goods to remote villages, which are often far away from the lake, but can only be reached by water.
Taken from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Koman.

Komani Lake Ferry
Depature: daily (11. Apr. - 2. Nov.) 09:00 Uhr
on-site price: 6€/700AL per person, 10€/1200AL per bicycle
online ticket price: 5€ per person, 5€ per bicycle
sailing time: ca. 2,5 h
Website: https://komanilakeferry.com/en/
Lake Koman Ferry (Albanian: Trageti i Komanit) is a passenger ferry service operated by several local companies along the Koman Reservoir (also known as Koman Lake) in Northern Albania.
The line operates between Koman, near the Koman Hydroelectric Power Station, and Fierzë near the Fierza Hydroelectric Power Station. The line is known for its scenic views of the mountain gorges, unscheduled stops along the way for serving locals, and animals being fitted on board up to full capacity.
Following the construction of the dam and inundation of the area, a ferry service was established to serve the local population. Since the 2000s, the area has become a growing tourist destination. As a result, the old car ferry ship Dardania underwent a complete makeover and began regular trips in May 2015 with the new name Alpin Ferry. Between June 2012 and April 2014, the Jezerca X car ferry was no longer running. The new A1 highway connecting the Albanian coast with Kukes and Kosovo made it redundant and allowed for the Dardania ship makeover. Presently, several private companies offer custom tours packages with acceptable vessels.
Also, there is the Dragobia Boat (the cabin of which was converted from a bus), which has been operating in the lake since 1994. Now they also have the Berisha Ferry, which can carry up to 5 cars.
Lake Koman Ferry, historically renowned for its scenic ferry rides across pristine waters, surrounded by dramatic mountainous landscapes, has seen an evolution in recent years as a premier kayaking destination[1]. As travelers increasingly seek out more intimate, adventurous experiences, Lake Koman's tranquil waters and labyrinthine fjord-like inlets have become a haven for kayaking enthusiasts. The journey, which allows paddlers to navigate the lake's intricacies, has been praised for its unrivaled perspective of the lake's natural beauty. This shift has bolstered local tourism and highlighted the importance of preserving the lake's delicate ecosystem. With the introduction of kayaking, there has been a conscious move towards sustainable tourism practices that ensure the lake remains untouched and magnificent for generations to come.
In May 2015, the revamped car ferry ship was re-introduced with daily service on a new timetable. The journey takes two hours. Other ferry services such as Berisha have an inverted schedule. There are schedule changes in the winter season to accommodate lower ridership.
Taken from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Koman_Ferry.

Kruševo
Kruševo (Macedonian: Крушево, Aromanian: Crushuva) is a town in western North Macedonia. Its location at an elevation of 1,350 m (4,430 ft), among the highest in the Balkans, gives it a degree of isolation. Historic Kruševo was in 1903 the centre of the Ilinden Uprising against the Ottoman Empire that led to the formation of a republic that lasted only 10 days but is seen as the prelude to the modern Macedonian republic. Today, the main celebrations of the national holiday Ilinden, on the 2nd of August, are held in Kruševo to commemorate that struggle for independence.
Kruševo is also known as the centre of the Vlach (Aromanian) minority in North Macedonia, though they form only about 20% of the town's 5,330 residents as of the last census. Vlachs and the Mijak group of Macedonians that inhabit the town are historically known for their building skills, giving Kruševo a unique collection of architecture. Hidden up in the mountains between the woods, Kruševo has managed to preserve this genuine appeal. The town has the same layout as a century ago and a great deal of traditional houses and buildings are preserved, so it is a good place to admire and learn about traditional architecture. The town is also a winter skiing destination, with a ski lift running right above the town.
Taken from https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Kru%C5%A1evo. For more see there.

Martin Brod
Martin Brod (Serbian Cyrillic: Мартин Брод) is a village in the municipality of Bihać, Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is mostly known for its proximity to Una National Park, which is Bosnia and Herzegovina's largest national park.[1]
Taken from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Brod.
Toward the end of 1998, the simmering border conflict between Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina over Martin Brod escalated. After High Representative Carlos Westendorp and the Bosnian government had repeatedly called on the Croatian side to withdraw its police units stationed in Martin Brod, Canadian SFOR units moved into Martin Brod on the morning of December 23. In a speech to recruits, Franjo Tuđman had previously threatened that he was prepared to use the Croatian army against the SFOR troops in the event of international intervention.[4] This had sparked outrage in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The four Croatian policemen present in Martin Brod were disarmed and sent back to Croatia across the international border. The Croatian flags at the station were taken down and the border was secured with barbed wire. At the urging of Croatian Foreign Minister Mate Granić, Interior Minister Ivan Penić and Defense Minister Miljavac then withdrew all the troops Tuđman had put on standby - some 40 to 50 special forces. When the latter learned of this, he convened a special session of the National Security Council, where he blamed Penić for the police officers' failure to defend themselves.[5]
The situation had come to a head a few months earlier during negotiations on the reopening of the Bihać-Knin railroad line, as the Croatian side insisted that the Martin Brod station was on Croatian territory and wanted to use it as their border station. As a result, Croatian police forces had been sent to Martin Brod.[6]
Taken from https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Brod.

Matka-Canyon
Matka Canyon (Macedonian: Матка) is a canyon located west of central Skopje, North Macedonia. Aside from being a major attraction for its stunning nature, it is also noted for the numerous important medieval churches and monasteries that are located in and around it. The canyon is located within Saraj Municipality, one of the ten that make up the City of Skopje. Despite being within the city, this area is not urban at all.
Matka Canyon is characterized by towering rocks above the Treska River, which was dammed in 1938 creating the first artificial lake in the country. The area is home to unique biology and multiple caves, of which Vrelo Cave is the deepest.
Understand
Saraj is the largest municipality by area in Skopje. It is the only completely rural one, containing expansive nature like Matka Canyon, and was added to the city limits in the early 2000s. As Saraj as a whole is primarily Albanian-inhabited, its controversial addition to the city limits bumped the proportion of Albanians in Skopje to 20%.
Taken from https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Skopje/Matka_Canyon. For more see there.

Melnik
See https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/melnik.

Monospitovo Swamp
This large marsh is a remnant of a lake that arose around 20 million years ago. It is in the Stara Reka River valley, 10 km (6 mi) northeast of Strumica. As North Macedonia's only swamp, it is home to unique flora and fauna. It is down a dirt road in the village of Monospitovo. There is a wooden boardwalk running above some of the swamp. There are plans to make the area more recreation-friendly.
Taken from https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Bosilovo.
The Blato, as it’s affectionately known by its nearby residents, is a marsh, purported to be one of the last and biggest in North Macedonia.
For an authentic off-the-beaten-track experience, make a stop at the Monospitovo Blato near Monospitovo village, itself an authentic rural village where time seems to have stood still. The Blato, as it’s affectionately known by its nearby residents, is a marsh, purported to be one of the last and biggest in North Macedonia. It lies sprawled at the base of Mount Belasica, 17km southeast of Strumica, and has been officially designated as an environmentally protected site, conferring upon it the status ‘monument of nature’.
Monospitovo Blato lies between Bansko and Kolešino in the municipality of Bosilovo. To get here take the road to Bansko and Murtino, and at Murtino turn east towards Monospitovo village; the entrance to the wetlands lies to the south of the village. In Bosilovo itself, a good place to eat is at Pizzeria Park, which is famous for its bosilanka deep-pan pizza, made with pork, or with chicken and vegetables, and served with a delicious tomato sauce on the side.
We showed up early in Monospitovo, planning to spend the day at the only swamp in Macedonia. Although unclear about its exact location, we were confident about finding it. Monospitovo is, after all, a one-street village. Not much space for a swamp to hide. But it turns out that we were dealing with a very sneaky swamp.
Hello there, Monospitovo! What have you got? A general store, a few houses. Is that a church I see? Yes, it is, good for you. Now, is that all? You’re sure you don’t have anything else? You’re positive? Because we’ve heard that you have the only wetlands in Macedonia. In fact, we’ve heard that you received a bunch of money from the European Union to protect these wetlands and even develop them as a tourist attraction.
Still nothing? That doesn’t sound familiar? Well, look at this picture I found on the internet! These are your wetlands, now tell me where you’re hiding them. I’m losing my patience. Oh, no-speaky-english? You’re going to play that card? Fine. We’ll be back.
We looked everywhere for the swamp! We drove down every conceivable road leading out of Monospitovo (all two of them) searching for a sign, a clue, anything. We tried driving down a dirt track into a field, thinking it might be worth a shot, and almost got stuck in the mud. We returned to town and asked everyone we could find, receiving only blank stares in response. We showed them the pictures! We were at our wits’ end.
In a final, desperate gambit, we drove to the Hotel Tsar Samoil in nearby Bansko, where we knew there to be a friendly staff. Indeed, at the hotel we met a half-Macedonian, half-German guy who offered to join us in the search. Secret Macedonian-speaking weapon in tow, we returned to Monospitovo.
This time, we got some answers. “Oh, those wetlands!” Turns out, following a dirt track into the field was the right idea, but we had chosen the wrong dirt track. There’s another, just before a bridge, and driving along it for four kilometers will bring you to a parking space and the entrance to the wetlands.
A single sign, Monospitovo. Just a single sign would have been helpful.
Filled with reeds and water and birds, it’s surreal to see such a large swamp in land-locked Macedonia. There’s a long wooden boardwalk built over the marsh,

Mostar: Aircraft Hangar
See https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/mostar-aircraft-hangar.

Mostar: Bruce Lee Sculpture of Mostar

Mostar: Cathedral of the Holy Trinity
The Cathedral of the Holy Trinity (Serbian: Саборна Црква Свете Тројице, romanized: Saborna Crkva Svete Trojice) is a Serbian Orthodox cathedral church in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
It served as the seat of the Eparchy of Zahumlje and Herzegovina from 1873 until its destruction during the siege of Mostar in 1992. The church was the work of the prominent architect Andrey Damyanov. It was built between 1863 and 1873. It has been under reconstruction since 2011.
Ever since the reconstruction, the church was targeted by vandals and thieves motivated by prejudice and hostility.[1]

Mostar: Lager Helidrom
The Heliodrom camp (Serbo-Croatian: Logor Heliodrom, Логор Хелиодром) or Heliodrom prison[3] was a detention camp[4] that operated between September 1992 and April 1994. It was run by the Military Police of the Croatian Republic of Herzeg-Bosnia to detain Bosniaks, Serbs, and other non-Croats and was located at a former military facility of the JNA in Rodoč, south of the town of Mostar.[2][5]
Taken from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heliodrom_camp. For more see there.

Mostar: Partisan Memorial Cemetery
The Partisan Memorial Cemetery in Mostar[1] is located in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina. It was built in 1965 in honor of the Yugoslav Partisans of Mostar who were killed during World War II in Yugoslavia. It's located on Bijeli Brijeg and displays all the features of a complex architectural, aesthetic and landscape design. It is a unique monument in the urban scale of the city of Mostar, and is of particular ambient value.[2]
Taken from For more see there.

Mostar: Sniper Tower
See https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/mostar-sniper-tower.

Mostar: Stari Most
Stari Most (Serbo-Croatian: Stari most, Стари мост, lit. 'Old Bridge'), also known as Mostar Bridge, is a rebuilt 16th-century Ottoman bridge in the city of Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina that crosses the river Neretva and connects the two parts of the city. On 9 November 1993 Stari Most collapsed due to shelling by the Croatian Defence Council (HVO) during the Croat–Bosniak War. Subsequently, a project was set in motion to reconstruct it; the rebuilt bridge opened on 23 July 2004. In 2017, the appeal court deemed that destruction was legal since the bridge was a military target as the opposing Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina used it as a military supply line.
The Old bridge is considered an exemplary piece of Balkan Islamic architecture. It was commissioned by Suleiman the Magnificent in 1557, and designed by Mimar Hayruddin, a student and apprentice of the architect Mimar Sinan.
Taken from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stari_Most. For more see there.

Nationalpark Jasen
The Public Enterprise for Managing and Protection of the Multipurpose Area Jasen (Macedonian: Јавно претпријатие за управување и заштита на повеќенаменското подрачје „Јасен“) or just Reservе Jasen (Macedonian: Резерват „Јасен“) is a nature reserve in North Macedonia. It was turned into a protected nature reserve in 2010 (part of it was declared a reserve as far back as 1958) and is situated only 15 km from Skopje. The park compromises around 24,000 hectares (59,000 acres) of caves, mountains, underground rivers and lakes. The lowest point is the still uncharted canyon lake Matka. The highest point is Mount Karadzica with a height of almost 2,500 metres (8,200 ft).
The park is home to the endangered Eurasian lynx and the rare Balkan chamois.
History
The territory of today's Public Enterprise for Managing and Protection of the Multipurpose Area Jasen was already in the period from 1958 to 1960 declared to be a reserve. The declaration had as goal the protection of the fauna, floral, biological, geological, natural and hydrological rarities.
Taken from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jasen_(reserve).

Ohrid: Ali-Pascha-Mosche
While Ohrid is known for its churches, it also has mosques including this Ottoman-era one. Located on the main pedestrian street of the Old Bazaar, the mosque was built in the 15th century. It has a rather simple design with one large dome and three smaller ones above the porch. It originally had at least one minaret but no longer has one. Reconstruction of the minaret, paid for by the Turkish government, was started in 2018 but drew protest. Nonetheless, it was completed and the renovated mosque now sits fully illuminated at night.
Taken from https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Ohrid.

Ohrid: Ancient Theatre
The Ancient theatre of Ohrid of the Hellenistic period is located in Ohrid, North Macedonia.[1] It was built in 200 BC and is the only Hellenistic-type theatre in the country as the other three in Scupi, Stobi and Heraklea Lynkestis are from Roman times. It is unclear how many people the original theater used to seat, as only the lower section still exists. The open theater has a perfect location: the two hills that surround it keep it protected from winds that could interfere with acoustics during performances.
During Roman times, the theater was also used for gladiator fights. However, since the theater was also a site of executions of Christians by the Romans, it rapidly turned to a highly disliked site by the locals. In fact, as a result of this dislike, the theater was abandoned and buried by the locals after the demise of the Roman Empire. This allowed for most of the structure to be well preserved, only to be uncovered accidentally in the 1980s. Namely, during construction work around some of the houses in the area, large stone blocks with carvings of the Greek god Dyonisius and the muses were showing up, which led archaeologists to believe that a Greek theater (Dionysus and the muses were related to the performance arts) must have been located nearby.
Since the late 1980s, the theater is again a site of public performances, such as plays, concerts, operas, ballet performances.[2] Recently, high-profile cultural performances such as those by the Bolshoi and José Carreras take place each summer as part of the Ohrid Summer Festival.
Taken from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Theatre_of_Ohrid.

Ohrid: Church of Saints Clement and Panteleimon
The Church of Saints Clement and Panteleimon (Macedonian: Црква Свети Климент и Пантелеjмон, romanized: Crkva Sveti Kliment i Pantelejmon; Greek: Άγιοι Κλήμης και Παντελεήμων, romanized: Agioi Klēmēs kai Panteleēmōn) is a Byzantine church situated on Plaošnik in Ohrid, North Macedonia. It is attributed to Saint Clement of Ohrid, a disciple of Saint Cyril and Saint Methodius. Archaeologists have come to believe that the church is located on the site where the first students of the Glagolitic alphabet (used to translate the Bible into Old Church Slavonic) were taught in the First Bulgarian Empire.
Taken from For more see there.

Ohrid: Church of St. John at Kaneo
Eintritt: 100 Denar
Saint John the Theologian, Kaneo (Macedonian: Свети Јован Канео, Latinic: Sveti Jovan Kaneo) or simply Saint John at Kaneo is a Macedonian Orthodox church situated on the cliff over Kaneo Beach overlooking Lake Ohrid in the city of Ohrid, North Macedonia. The church is dedicated to John of Patmos, the writer of Revelation, who has been by some considered to be the same person as John the Apostle. The construction date of the church remains unknown but documents detailing the church property suggest that it was built before the year 1447. Archaeologists believe that the church was constructed some time before the rise of the Ottoman Empire very likely in the 13th century. Restoration work in 1964 led to the discovery of frescoes in its dome.[citation needed]
History
The church has a cruciform architectural plan, with a rectangular base. The architect of the church is unknown. Reconstruction work was carried out on the church in the 14th century, shortly before the arrival of Ottoman Turks in Macedonia. A wooden iconostasis was constructed within the church and by the 20th century numerous saints along with the Virgin Mary have been portrayed on the apse. A fresco of Christ Pantocrator can be seen on the dome of the church. A fresco of Saint Clement of Ohrid (whose monastery, Saint Panteleimon, is located close to the church) accompanied by Saint Erasmus of Ohrid can also be seen on a wall of the church.[1]
Taken from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_St._John_at_Kaneo.

Ohrid: Clock Tower
Ohrid's clock tower is less prominent than others in cities like Bitola, Prilep, or Skopje. Nonetheless, it is a historic structure built in 1726. Standing 12 m (39.4 ft) tall, it sits up into the hill under the eastern side of the fortress near the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. The tower is built of stone, while the top section, including where the clock sits, is built of wood.
Taken from https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Ohrid.

Ohrid: Duvalo
Duvalo (Дувало), village of Kosel. One of the last traces of volcanic activity in this area, Duvalo is both a fumarole and a mofetta (emitting carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide). It is often incorrectly referred to as an actual volcano. The smell of sulfur is immediately evident upon entering the village, which sits on the way to Resen from Ohrid.
Taken from https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Ohrid.
Duvalo (Macedonian: Дувало) is an active geothermal surface feature situated close to the village of Kosel, near Lake Ohrid in the southwest of North Macedonia. Located at 740 metres above the sea level, it resembles a miniature crater with a diameter of 50 centimetres and a depth of 30 cm. Gaseous carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide are released from the hole (therefore making it both a fumarole and a mofetta), and the smell of sulfur is said to be felt in a 3 kilometre radius around it. It represents the last traces of the historically significant volcanic activity in the area. During the Ottoman Empire it was used to mine sulfur.
On 28 May 2014 "significant amount of smoke" were emitted by the feature, a historic first.[1]
Taken from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duvalo.

Ohrid: Icon Gallery
Tu-Su 09:00-17:00. Within the complex of the Church of Saint Mary Perivleptos, this gallery contains some of the best examples of the iconographic art in North Macedonia. It is considered to be the second-most important and valuable collection of icons in the world after the Moscow collection. 100 denars.

Ohrid: Old Bazar
Ohrid was a major religious and cultural centre but not really an important trade centre, which left it with a relatively small bazaar. It is a simple bazaar consisting of mainly one street, Saint Clement of Ohrid Street, which gets packed with tourists in summer evenings. It is lined with shops, cafes, and restaurants. The bazaar starts with the market at the northern end, followed by a square with a 1,000-year-old tree and a fountain. Walking down the bazaar, on the left are a couple of stone stores, which is the best-preserved section of stores in the bazaar. The bazaar ends with the main square named after Saint Clement of Ohrid which faces the port and lake. There are a few statues in this square.

Ohrid: Robevci & Uranija houses
When the Turks came they settled on the flat land along the lake and that became the Muslim part of town and the part on the hills inside the walls was always the Christian part, with the bazaar as a meeting place. As the city grew and the Christians were not allowed to build outside the walls, Ohrid developed very specific architecture with tight narrow streets and tunnels (houses built over the streets). The houses had tiny yards usually enclosed in the ground floor, and the houses grew over the streets on the upper floors since the locations were small. The steep terrain enabled everybody to have a good view of the lake and because of the strong sun the houses were painted white, so they would reflect the sun. Because of the winds from the lake, the houses in Ohrid don't have the open spaces that traditional houses in other towns in North Macedonia have.
Interesting houses can be seen all over the old town but the best examples are along “Car Samoil” and “Ilindenska” streets. Robevci & Uranija houses are the two best examples of traditional architecture. They are houses of very rich families (normally the houses were not this big). Especially rich in terms of architecture is Uranija house, with entrances on different levels and inside galleries. They have been turned into museums today. If you don’t have time, visit just Uranija this one is free, even though the top level of Robevci has great views, nice wood carvings, and some furniture (100 denars entrance). The house next to St. Gerakomija church is one of the few traditional houses that has been nicely and carefully preserved. It has been turned into a hotel now; Kanevce House On the right from the main façade of St. Sophia church, is the small house that belonged to Kanevce family. It has beautiful proportions and it is a good example of how they built on small locations.

Ohrid: Sophienkirche
Entry fee: 100 Denar.
The Church of Saint Sophia (Macedonian: Црква Света Софија, romanized: Crkva Sveta Sofija) is a church in Ohrid, North Macedonia. The church is one of the most important monuments of North Macedonia, housing architecture and art from the Middle Ages.
The current church was built on the foundations of a metropolitan cathedral demolished in the first decade of the 6th century by the barbarian invasions that brought the early Slavs into the region. The next church was built during the First Bulgarian Empire, after the official conversion to Christianity. Some sources date the building of the church during the rule of Knyaz Boris I (852 – 889).[1] It was basically rebuilt in the last decade of the 10th century as a patriarchal cathedral in the form of a dome basilica, after the replacement of the capital of Bulgaria in Ohrid, during the reign of Tsar Samuil, when the church was the seat of the Bulgarian Patriarchate,[2] an autocephalous Patriarchate. Later it became a seat of the Archbishopric of Ohrid, under the Patriarchate of Constantinople until the 18th century.
It was converted into a mosque during the rule of the Ottoman Empire.[3] The interior of the church has been preserved with frescoes from the 11th, 12th and 13th century, which represent some of the most significant achievements in Byzantine painting of the time. The main part of the church was built in the 11th century, while external additions were built by Archbishop Gregory II in the 14th century.
In November 2009, the Macedonian Orthodox Church adopted a new coat of arms with the church of St. Sophia as a charge on the shield.[4]
A detail from the church is depicted on the reverse of the 1000 Macedonian denar banknote, issued in 1996 and 2003.[5]
Taken from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_Saint_Sophia,_Ohrid.

Ohrid: Bay of Bones Museum
In a small bay near the Gradište campground and beach, a Neolithic settlement has been reconstructed atop the water along with fortifications and a museum on land. The floating town contains reconstructed prehistoric homes with various objects inside them to help illustrate what life was like at this spot many years ago. Archaeological evidence suggests Lake Ohrid was once rich in these pile-dwelling settlements. Since opening in 2008, it has become one of Ohrid's most popular attractions. The site also features a scuba diving centre. The museum is easily accessed off the highway leading to Saint Naum and boats from Ohrid's port also make stops here.

Ohrid: Black Drim Springs
Immediately next to the monastery is the source of the Black Drim River. This river begins here, flows through the entire lake, and flows back out in Struga, ultimately flowing into Albania past Debar. The springs contain small two islands, one of which is home to a popular restaurant. Tour boats available for hire take visitors around the springs.

Ohrid: Church of Saint Mary Perivleptos
Eintritt: 100 Denar
This church was built and painted in 1295. It is dedicated to the Virgin Mary; "Perivleptos" (from the Greek Περίβλεπτος) is an attribute given to her meaning "the Omniscient and Clairvoyant." The benefactor in its construction was the son-in-law of Byzantine Emperor Andronicus II. The church was painted by Michael and Eutychius, two young painters. Their work shows that styles later adopted in the Renaissance were already current in Byzantine art long before Gioto. The frescoes they painted have all the elements of Renaissance art except perspective. Important frescoes include, on the eastern wall, the detailed portraits of Saint Clement and Constantine Kavasila (former Archbishop of Ohrid) and the Lamentation of Christ painted with much emotions. On the western wall, in the Prayer on the Olive Mountain as the apostles are sleeping, take a look at their dress and how well the artists worked with color and showed the roundness of the bodies. On the northern wall, in the Death of the Virgin Mary, in order to present the holiness of the moment, there is a group of angels coming from the gates of the sky to take her soul, above her stands Jesus holding her soul. The figures are not presented the traditional Byzantine way, skinny, and emotionless. The painters were also the first Byzantine artists to sign their work (on 20 hidden locations, look on the front columns at the sword and the cloth of two holy warriors).

Ohrid: Church of Saint Stefan Pancir
This 14th-century cave church sits below the village of Šipokno and above the lakefront hotels Sileks, Aura, and Aqualina. The church was built into the natural cave and its frescoes date from the 14th century, though heavily damaged. The elevated position of the cave church gives it nice views over the lake.

Ohrid: Monastery of Saint Naum
The Monastery of Saint Naum (Macedonian: Манастир „Свети Наум“) is an Eastern Orthodox monastery in North Macedonia, named after the medieval Bulgarian[1] writer and enlightener Saint Naum who founded it.[2] It is situated along Lake Ohrid, 29 kilometres (18 mi) south of the city of Ohrid, within the boundary of the village of Ljubaništa.
The Lake Ohrid area, including St Naum, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in North Macedonia.[3]
The monastery was established in the Bulgarian Empire in 905[4] by St Naum of Ohrid himself. St Naum is also buried in the church.
Since the 16th century, a Greek school had functioned in the monastery.[5] The monastery had close ties with the printing house of Moscopole, a former prosperous Aromanian city now in Albania.[6] The area where the monastery of St Naum[7] lies belonged to Albania for a short period from 1912 until June 28, 1925, when Zog of Albania ceded it to Yugoslavia as a result of negotiations between Albania and Yugoslavia and as a gesture of goodwill.[8]
Rebecca West devoted a chapter of Black Lamb and Grey Falcon to her visit to Sveti Naum, which occurred in 1937.
Taken from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monastery_of_Saint_Naum.

Ohrid: Ohrid Swimming Marathon
Each year, in the second half of July, the swimming elite throughout the world gathers in Ohrid and, starting from the monastery St. Naum, they swim along the Lakeshore to the town harbour, approximately a 30-km route. Since 1998 the Ohrid Swimming Marathon has entered in the World Swimming Club of the 12 worldwide held marathons under the patronage of FINA-The World Swimming Association.

Ohrid: Photo Gallery and Cultural Centre "Cultura 365"
(near the two small churches St. Nikola Bolnički & St. Bogorodica Bolnička.). open every day. Excellent photo exhibition(s). Here they provide tourist information, tour guides, maps of the city, and books in English. Free entry.

Ohrid: Trpejca
due to the its setting between the rocks this small fishing village has managed to preserve its charm and escape the overgrow of tourism. It has a great long but narrow beach with the cleanest waters on the lake. It has couple of good small lakeside fish and barbecue restaurants and a bar on the left side of the beach. If you don't like the beach or it seems crowded take one of the small boats and ask to be taken to one of the isolated beaches around the village and enjoy the lake by yourself, the boat will come back for you at arranged time (50-100 denars).

Ohridsee
Lake Ohrid (Macedonian: Охридско Езеро Ohridsko Ezero [ˈɔxridzkɔ ˈɛzɛrɔ], Albanian: Liqeni i Ohrit [liˈcɛni i ˈɔhrit]) is a lake which straddles the mountainous border between the southwestern part of North Macedonia and eastern Albania. It is one of Europe's deepest and oldest lakes, with a unique aquatic ecosystem of worldwide importance, with more than 200 endemic species.[2]
North Macedonia's side of Lake Ohrid was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1979, with the site being extended to also include the cultural and historic area of Ohrid in 1980. In 2010, NASA named one of Titan's lakes after it.[3] In 2014, the Ohrid-Prespa Transboundary Reserve between Albania and North Macedonia was added to UNESCO's World Network of Biosphere Reserves.[4] Albania's side of Lake Ohrid was also designated UNESCO world heritage status in 2019. North Macedonia's portion was designated as a protected Ramsar site in 2021, passing all nine criteria for proclamation.[5]
In Albania, the coastal portion of the lake holds Managed Nature Reserve status. In North Macedonia, a portion of the lakeside is part of the Galičica National Park.
The towns situated at the lakeside are Ohrid and Struga in North Macedonia along with Pogradec in Albania. The lake is otherwise densely surrounded by settlements in the form of villages and resorts in both basin countries.
Taken from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Ohrid. Fore more see there.

Pilgrimage Church Maria Steinbach
The pilgrimage church Maria Steinbach is a pilgrimage church in Maria Steinbach, a district of the market Legau in the district Unterallgäu. Until secularization, the pilgrimage church and village belonged to the spiritual territory of the former imperial abbey of the Premonstratensians in Rot an der Rot. The present church was built in 1749 under the Abbot Benedikt Stadelhofer of Rot. In 1734, the predecessor church was already elevated to a pilgrimage church. The pilgrimage church is an independent parish church in the Legau-Illerwinkel parish community of the Memmingen deanery in the Augsburg diocese.
Taken from For more in German see there.

Piva River
The Piva (Serbian Cyrillic: Пива, pronounced [pîʋa]) is a river in Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The river runs through Montenegro for the most of its course length, and in its last three kilometres represents the border between the two countries.
The canyon is cut between the mountains of Bioč, Volujak, Maglić and Pivska planina, its 33 km long, deep up to 1.200 m and river generates immense power used for the power station of Mratinje (342 MW) which dammed the canyon in 1975. The dam is 220 m high, one of the highest in Europe and creates Lake Piva, second largest in Montenegro (12,5 km², altitude 675 m, 188 m deep), which flooded the old location of the monastery of Piva from the 16th century, so the monastery was moved to the new one. The Vrbnica river flows from the left into the lake.
After the dam, the Piva continues straight to the north, meets the Tara at Šćepan Polje on the border with Bosnia and Herzegovina and creates the Drina.
Taken from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piva_(river).
The Mratinje Dam (Montenegrin: Брана Мратиње, romanized: Brana Mratinje) is a concrete arch dam in the canyon of the Piva River in Montenegro.
The dam was completed in 1975 with designs by Energoprojekt.[1] Its construction resulted in the flooding of the Piva canyon and the creation of Lake Piva, which, with its 12.5 km², is the second largest lake in Montenegro.
The dam is 220 metres (720 ft) high, one of the highest in Europe. The dam is 268 metres (879 ft) long and 4.5 metres (15 ft) thick at the crest, while it is 30 metres (98 ft) long and 36 metres (118 ft) thick at the base. The foundations go as deep as 38 metres (125 ft) into the ground. 820,000 cubic metres (1,070,000 cu yd) of concrete and 5,000 tonnes of steel were built into the dam.[2]
The hydroelectric power station at Mratinje is capable of producing 860 gigawatt-hours per annum. It has three turbines and generators, each with a generation capacity of 120 MW.
The location of the 16th century Piva Monastery was flooded by the lake, so while the dam was built, the monastery was broken into pieces and moved to a higher ground, 3.5 km away. It was reconstructed in the original way.
Taken from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mratinje_Dam.

Plitvice Lakes National Park
Opening hours:
Roughly 7:00-18:00, ticket sales until 15:00.
For details see
Entrance Fees:
Between 10 € in winter and 40 € in summer.
Plitvice Lakes National Park (Croatian: Nacionalni park Plitvička jezera, colloquially Plitvice, pronounced [plîtʋitse]) is one of the oldest and largest national parks in Croatia.[2] In 1979, Plitvice Lakes National Park was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list, due to its outstanding and picturesque series of tufa lakes, caves, connected by waterfalls.[3]
The national park is world-famous for its lakes arranged in cascades. Sixteen lakes can be seen from the surface.[6] These lakes are a result of the confluence of several small rivers and subterranean karst rivers. The lakes are all interconnected and follow the water flow. They are separated by natural dams of travertine, which is deposited by the action of moss, algae, and bacteria. The particularly sensitive travertine barriers are the result of an interplay between water, air and plants. The encrusted plants and bacteria accumulate on top of each other, forming travertine barriers which grow at the rate of about 1 cm (0.4 in) per year.
The 16 lakes are separated into an upper and lower cluster formed by runoff from the mountains, descending from an altitude of 636 to 503 m (2,087 to 1,650 ft) over a distance of some 8 kilometres (5.0 mi), aligned in a south–north direction. The lakes collectively cover an area of about 0.77 square miles, the water exiting from the lowest lake forming the Korana River.
The lakes are renowned for their distinctive colors, ranging from azure to green, grey or blue. The colors change constantly depending on the quantity of minerals or organisms in the water and the angle of sunlight.
Each year, more than 1 million visitors are recorded.[4][1] Entrance is subject to variable charges, up to 300 kuna or around €39 per adult per day in summer 2022.[5]
Taken from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plitvice_Lakes_National_Park. For more see there.

Plovdiv: Alyosha Monument
Alyosha (an affectionate diminutive of Aleksey) is an 11-metre (36-foot) tall reinforced concrete statue of a Soviet soldier on Bunarjik Hill in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. The statue tops a 6-metre (20-foot) pedestal lined with granite. The memorial commemorates Soviet casualties incurred during the Soviet occupation of Bulgaria (which had been an Axis ally) in World War II.[A] It was installed in 1954-57.[1]
"Alyosha" is also the name of Konstantin Vanshenkin and Eduard Kolmanovski's song that was adopted as Plovdiv's official anthem until 1989.[2] A well-known poem about the Plovdiv Soldier was written by Robert Rozhdestvensky.[3]
Plovdiv authorities sought to have the statue removed on at least two occasions, in 1989 and 1996. The 1989 decision led to a preservation campaign which included a guard by the statue day and night in order to prevent it from being demolished.[4]
Alyosha Skurlatov, a soldier of the 3rd Ukrainian Front who served as the model for this statue, died in 2013 at the age of 91.[5]
Taken from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alyosha_Monument,_Plovdiv.

Plovdiv: Amphitheatre
The Roman Amphitheatre, discovered in the 1970s during a construction project, is part of the pedestrian zone, and typically has merchants selling art and other items nearby.
Taken from https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Plovdiv.

Plovdiv: Church of St Constantine and Helena
The Church of St Constantine and Helena (Bulgarian: Св. Св. Константин и Елена) is a church in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. It is considered to be among the oldest churches in the city. It was built in 337 at the sight of an ancient pagan temple in the acropolis on one of the fortified hills. The church was named after Emperor Constantine the Great and his mother Elena. During the years, the building was destroyed and rebuilt several times. Its current edifice was constructed in 1832 with the help of local patriots. Its magnificent frescoes and icons were painted by masters of one of the most famous Bulgarian Icongraphic Schools: the Debar School. Some of the icons and painting of the church were made by the famous Bulgarian National Revival painter Zahari Zograf who lived and worked in Plovdiv between 1836 and 1840.

Plovdiv: Hillock of Fraternity
The monument "Hillock of Fraternity" (Brotherly Mound) is located at the beginning of the Park "Recreation and Culture" in the western part of the city. In the construction of the memorial complex dedicated to the fallen warriors of the Liberation of Bulgaria from Ottoman rule, during the Balkan wars, and the First and the Second World Wars, participated prominent Bulgarian artists like the sculptor Lyubomir Dalchev.
Taken from http://www.visitplovdiv.com/en/node/653.

Plovdiv: Old Town
Another must is the old town of Plovdiv which is full of art, free of cars and very enjoyable. Go take a walk. Try it at day, try it at night - it's amazing. Try some of the bars - there are life performances sometimes there. You might be even lucky enough to catch an opera performance in the old Roman theater.
Taken from https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Plovdiv.
The houses in the historical city center are mostly from the era of the National Revival. The few buildings that are really preserved in their original state give a good idea of the Bulgarian architecture and are architectural monuments. They have a characteristic facade, are richly decorated inside and with their coziness reflect the family spirit of that time. Two types of houses are distinguished.
The first type dates back to the period of early Turkish feudalism. This represents a two-story, rarely a one-story, asymmetrical house, representative of the Bulgarian villages in the highlands. The second floor projects above the first floor to the street, rarely to the garden, and is supported by wooden beams. The house usually has 2-3 rooms distributed on the two floors. The second type of house was built at the beginning of the 19th century and is known as a symmetrical house. Moreover, this type of house has a more stable construction, has a richer architecture with decorations. Recurring elements are the salon on the first floor and the staircase leading to a wide guest room and to the other rooms. Inside these houses there are wooden decorations that represent romantic lace or flower-like shapes. Typical for the atmosphere of the old town are the narrow streets.
Decisive in its construction was the requirement that two horses with riders or two loaded mules can pass each other.Remains of the old city fortifications are also among the structures worth seeing, such as the city gate Hisar Kapija.
Taken from https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plowdiw#Bauwerke.

Plovdiv: Roman Forum
When you go to the other end of the pedestrian street, next to the Tourist Information Centre and the post office, you will see the Roman Odeon and Forum. The forum was to Romans what the city centers are to modern human. This one had three sides of 13 shops on each side, and a fourth one for the bank, library, and other institutions of this sort. There's also a nice park with kid playgrounds and colour+music fountains.
Taken from https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Plovdiv.

Plovdiv: Roman Stadium
In the new center of the city, right before you go up into the old city, you will see the 3 Roman Stadium, which dates back to the late 1st/early 2nd century. It had a capacity of 30,000 people, and as the Roman laws dictated that the city stadium should have seating for at least half the population, it summarily shows the town had 60,000 inhabitants during Roman times. In addition, the ancient theatre is capable of seating 6,000 people at once, and yes, as you already guessed, Roman laws were dictating that the theatres should accommodate one-tenth of the population at a time.
Taken from https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Plovdiv.
For more see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stadium_of_Philippopolis.

Plovdiv: Rowing Canal and Bridge
The Plovdiv Rowing Channel (Bulgarian Гребна база Пловдив) is an artificial lake in the Bulgarian city of Plovdiv, used as a regatta course for rowing since 1988.
The Plovdiv Rowing Canal was opened in 1988. It is located parallel to the Maritsa River in a park southwest of the Plovdiv Stadium and is part of the Plovdiv Sports Complex.
It was renovated before the 2011 European Rowing Championships.
The Plovdiv Rowing Channel consists of a pool 2200 m long and 120 m wide.[1] Unlike many other regatta tracks, the facility does not have a separate training lane.
Seven or eight lanes are available for competitions.
The main grandstand in the finish area to the northeast of the rowing channel has a seating capacity of 800.[1]
Near the 1000-m mark, the canal is crossed by a sagging footbridge.
Taken from https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruderkanal_Plowdiw.

Plovdiv: Singing Fountains
The unusual singing (musical) fountain on the lake in the lovely Tsar Simeon garden is a frequent meeting place for locals. You can watch the colourful light display accompanied by classical music during the summer months every evening from 21:00.
The Singing Fountains light up again
The Music and Light Show of the Singing Fountains at Tsar Simeonov Garden begins today, July 1, 2021 and will be on every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night until the end of September. The program of the light show starts at 21:30 h.
A complete check-up of the facility, which has been operating since the beginning of last month, has been carried out, but without a program, in order to avoid crowds due to the epidemiological situation. Due to the serious decline in COVID-19 cases, the program is being reinstated. It includes 5 musical compositions that alternate each week. Their duration is up to 25 minutes.
All the fountains in the city are operating normally. We strongly advise citizens not to bathe in them, as the water is treated with special substances that can lead to allergic rashes, especially in children.
Taken from https://www.visitplovdiv.com/en/node/9940.

Plovdiv: St. Marina Church
It has a unique wooden tower.
“St. Marina” is the main temple of Plovdiv diocese and its church government – Plovdiv Bishopric. It is one of the oldest churches in the city. It was restored as a metropolitan church in 1853 on the ruins of a medieval church from the sixteenth century. Here is one of the most valuable carved icons, made from walnut wood with length of 21 m. Over the entrance on the north is situated wooden bell tower, built in 1870 with a peculiar traditions of Bulgarian architecture.

Plovdiv: Dzhumaya Mosque
The Friday Mosque or Dzhumaya Mosque (Bulgarian: Джумая джамия) is located in Plovdiv, Plovdiv Province, Bulgaria. Its Turkish name is Hüdavendigâr Camii or Cuma Camii. The mosque is located in the centre of Plovdiv and was built in 1363–1364 on the site of the Sveta Petka Tarnovska Cathedral Church after the conquest of Plovdiv by the Ottoman army. During the reign of Sultan Murad I in the 15th century the old building was demolished and replaced by the modern-day mosque. It was called Ulu Dzhumaya Mosque, or Main Friday Mosque.[1]
The mosque is large, with nine domes and a 33 m × 27 m (108 ft × 89 ft) prayer hall. There is a minaret at the northeast corner of the main façade. Interior wall paintings date to the late 18th to early 19th centuries.[1]
Taken from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dzhumaya_Mosque.

Podgorica: Catholic Church
Podgorica is not only the most boring capital if the world but also features the ugliest church.
The Church of the Holy Heart of Jesus (Cyrillic: Црква Пресветог Срца Исусовог) is the only Roman Catholic church in the city of Podgorica, Montenegro. It was built in 1969, replacing the city centre church which was destroyed during the bombing of Podgorica in World War II. The church is a unique example of brutalist architecture, and is located in the Konik neighborhood.
The cathedral was built in 1969, three years after the renewal of the city's Catholic parish. It was designed by prof. ing. Zvonimir Vrkljan of the Faculty of Architecture, University of Zagreb, Croatia, and was built to resemble a ship. It was consecrated on June 29, 1969, by Aleksandar Tokić, the then-Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Bar.[1] The church has a 40-metre-high (130 ft) freestanding bell tower, with concrete spiral staircases. From the dark interior, a 25-metre-high (82 ft) tower sticks up, filtering light to illuminate the main altar.[2] Its facade was never finished.

Podgorica: Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ
The Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ (Serbian: Саборни Храм Христовог Васкрсења, romanized: Saborni Hram Hristovog Vaskrsenja) in Podgorica, Montenegro, is a cathedral of the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral (MCP) of the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC). The cathedral is located in the New Town neighborhood of Podgorica, west of the Morača river.
Construction of the church of around 14,000 square feet began in 1993 to a design by Predrag Ristić.[1] Consecration occurred on October 7, 2013, on the occasion of the 1700th anniversary of the Edict of Milan on freedom of religion, and it was attended by the heads of the Eastern Orthodox Churches, Serbian Patriarch Irinej, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, Jerusalem Patriarch Theophilus III and Russian Patriarch Cyril, together with Metropolitan of Montenegro and the Littoral Amfilohije and other Metropolitanate clerics.
On 1 November 2020, the Metropolitan of Montenegro and the Littoral for the thirty years (1990–2020), Amfilohije was, at his own request, buried in the crypt of the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ, in a resting place prepared for his lifespan.[2]

Poljanak and Vukovići massacres
The Poljanak and Vukovići massacres was the mass murder of Croat civilians in the villages of Poljanak and Vukovići committed by SAO Krajina forces, supported by the JNA and TO forces on 7 November 1991.

Postojna caves and Vivarium
Postojna Cave 25,80 €
Vivarium 9,90 €
https://www.postojnska-jama.eu/en/
Postojna Cave is inhabited by over 150 animal species. You can meet some of the most interesting ones up close in the Vivarium – the undisputed star among them is the olm.
See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olm.
For more see https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/postojna-caves.

Prespa: Ezerani Nature Park
Covering 1,916 hectares (4,734 acres), this protected area contains important ecosystems within the wetlands and meadows of the northern shore of Lake Prespa. It is a great destination for bird-watching.
Taken from https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Prespa_(North_Macedonia).

Prespa: Monument to the Prespa Meeting of the Central Committee of the Communist Part of Macedonia
This interesting communist memorial sits in rough shape, like much of Oteševo. Of all such monuments in Prespa, this is the biggest. It consists of several detached white arched walls pointing upwards. The monument commemorates the historic meeting which took place in August 1943.
Taken from https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Prespa_(North_Macedonia).

Prilep
Prilep is a city in Western North Macedonia nicknamed "The city under Marko’s towers", alluding to its fortress. The city of 76,768 is the Macedonian tobacco and beer capital - tobacco leaves can be seen drying across the city and Prilep's brewery produces most of the country's most popular beers. The city was the capital of the medieval kingdom of Kings Vukašin and Marko which explains the large number of churches and monasteries in and around the city.
Curiosities
The whitest marble in the world is found in Prilep. The marble is called "Sivec". The pedestal of the Statue of Liberty is made of Sivec, and the marble has also been used in building the White House and other buildings in Washington, D.C.
Prilep and the village of Varosh are attached to each other. In the Middle Ages Varosh was actually the city and Prilep was a suburb attached to the city.
Taken from https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Prilep. For more see there.

Prilep: Cento Square
Prilep's central square is named for statesman Metodija Andonov-Čento, the first President of the Socialist Republic of Macedonia. The open space is bounded to the east by the Old Bazaar, to the north by Goce Delčev Boulevard, and by various buildings to the south, including the 11th of October Museum, and west. An equestrian statue of famed King Marko sits in the square facing the clock tower.
Alexander the Great statue. A prominent statue of Alexander the Great stands across the boulevard from Čento Square, beside a park area. The ancient Macedonian king is holding a spear in one hand and a shield in the other.
Kurşumli Han ruins (Куршумли ан). Just the western wall of this Ottoman-era han, meaning caravanserai or inn, remains. It is surrounded by walking paths and benches, immediately next to the statue of Alexander the Great. The detail from some of the remaining windows can be seen.
Taken from https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Prilep.

Prilep: Church of Saints Cyril and Methodius
A relatively large church built in 1936, though a small chapel within the church dates from the 19th century. Also, many of the icons in the church predate the church itself. It is located just north of the center.
Taken from https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Prilep.

Prilep: German War Cemetery
The German War Gravesite Prilep is located in the city of Prilep in Northern Macedonia on a hill at the edge of the Prilep Municipal Cemetery. It is a collective cemetery for the German soldiers who died in Macedonia during World War I and World War II. There are also 60 Bulgarian war dead and Hungarian soldiers buried here.[1]
The cemetery was originally established by 1933 for the war dead of the Saloniki Front of the First World War. Here were buried 1683 German war dead and 146 soldiers from the countries of Austria, Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, Serbia, Turkey and 8 Albanian nationals. During the Second World War there were buried about 50 fallen soldiers. Since 2003 the cemetery has been restored. The grave fields of the First World War are marked by symbolic cross groups made of granite. In a part of the cemetery that is not used yet, war dead from the Second World War from Macedonia are buried in individual graves. These graves are marked by grave crosses with names and dates. The graves of the Bulgarian war dead were marked by symbolic cross groups made of white marble and a name plaque. The Hungarian soldiers are commemorated by a separate memorial plaque.[1] The graves of those killed in World War II are stored digitally.[2]
Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

Prilep: Marko's Towers
Truly a Macedonian gem. While the towers themselves are quite interesting, it's the location and rock formations that make this hike well worth it. The trail begins above a residential area, at the "Stone Elephant" rock formation. The trail then steadily gets steeper and steeper. There is not a single tree to be found on the entire hike; bring water and avoid hiking during peak summer heat. With the lack of trees, it is easy to stay on the trail and not get lost. Enjoy the vistas from the trail that only get better as you climb further. The remains that can be seen are from the 10th to the 14th centuries, built under King Marko who was the last ruler in the region prior to Ottoman takeover. They exist at varying heights on the hill and are in varying conditions. Upon exploring the area, you'll likely find that you are alone in your exploration - no staff, no signs, no rules. Just yourself wandering ruins used to defend a medieval kingdom. This is a rare situation and may not always be the case, so be sure to visit Prilep soon. Macedonia is pushing in 2020 to get the site added to the World Heritage Site list. The fortress can also be reached by a more scenic but rough path from Varoš Monastery. You have the option of continuing on the original dirt road (before the fork) for another 5km/3.2miles towards Treskavec Monastery.
Taken from https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Prilep. For more see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Markovi_Kuli.

Prilep: Mount of the Unbeaten
A World War II memorial built in 1961 to honor the Prilep area's fallen in the Struggle for the Liberation of Macedonia. It consists of memorial urns made of marble, almost resembling life-sized chess pieces. The site also contains a crypt housing the remains of 462 soldiers whose names are inscribed on the marble slabs. It is part of the larger Park of the Revolution which features busts of prominent local heroes. The site is in area of greenery with scenic views of the surrounding mountains. A memorial service occurs here every 11th of October.
Taken from https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Prilep. For more see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mound_of_the_Unbeaten.

Prilep: Museum of Tobacco
M-F 8:30AM-4:30PM. As Macedonia's tobacco capital, Prilep is naturally home to the Museum of Tobacco. Established in 1973, it has one of the largest collections regarding tobacco farming, production, smoking, and other related topics. It is located on the far northwest side of the city, past Varoš.
Taken from https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Prilep.

Prilep: Old Bazaar
Old Bazaar (Стара чаршија). Prilep has a pleasant, compact, and well-maintained bazaar with orthogonal streets. It is likely the country's third-largest, following those in Skopje and Bitola. A small square within the bazaar features a fountain with a monument of Itar Pejo (Sly Peter), a folklore character who is considered to be a native of Prilep. Itar Pejo is presented as a typical Macedonian who always manages to outwit a typical Ottoman named Nasreddin.
Clock Tower (Саат кула). Towering above the Old Bazaar, this is the most beautiful clock tower in Macedonia. Built in 1826, it stands 55 m (181 ft) tall. It first received its clock in 1858.
Čarši Mosque ruins (Чарши џамија). Built in 1475 atop an older religious building, this mosque was the oldest in Europe to having a double balcony on its minaret. Following protests in 2001 against the massacre of ten Macedonian soldiers by Albanian rebels, the mosque was set afire and now sits in ruins. Most of the minaret remains, as well as many of the walls. The ruins are unprotected and open to public trespass.

Prilep: Stone Elephant
This strangely-shaped rock formation is said to look like an elephant. This is most obvious when looking at it from the trail side with the city below in the background. This trail is the one that leads all the way up to Marko's Towers so, while the view may be amazing at this spot, it gets so much better as you keep going. Before the Stone Elephant is just about the end of where a car could reasonably go.

Prilep: Varosh
Prilep's oldest neighborhood was considered a separate village not so long ago, but it was ultimately absorbed within the growing city's limits. Once home to 77 churches, several medieval monuments remain today. Varoš is northwest of the city center, under Marko's Towers.
Varoš Monastery (Варошки Манастир). On the mountain below Marko's Tower, this monastery is dedicated to Saint Michael the Archangel. With its Byzantine-style church built in the 12th centuries and dormitories on either side, it looks as if the monastery has grown out of the rocks. There are compositions of frescoes left inside as well as relics of Saints Cosmas and Damian. Ask the nuns to point you to entrance of the crypt below the church (entered from the outside). On the columns of the porch of the church look for the second-oldest inscription in Cyrillic letters dated from 996. Walk around the monastery to admire the scenic landscape and scattered ancient and early Byzantine ruins. Varoš monastery (Q12274643) on Wikidata edit
Varoš Monastery into the rocky mountain with the Church of Saint Demetrius in the foreground
Church of Saints Peter and Paul (Црква „Св. Петар и Павле“). This small church from the 14th century on the east side of the neighborhood consists of two main sections, both forming about half of the present church. The rear half dates from the original construction, built of stone. The front half is a more recent reconstruction. Portions of the interior frescoes are preserved from the original paintings. Sts. Peter and Paul Church (Varoš) (Q12911908) on Wikidata edit
Church of the Introduction of the Virgin Mary (Црква „Воведение на Пресвета Богородица“). This small medieval church was built in 1416 or 1438. edit
Church of Saint Nicholas (Црква „Св. Никола“). One of the loveliest churches of the area is this small yet tall church, built in 1298. The façades are elaborately and carefully decorated, but the frescoes inside are particularly remarkable. They are very vividly colored and well-preserved. Look for the outstanding Mocking of Christ and Judas's kiss frescoes. In the altar look for the frescoes of an earlier church painted in the 12th century. The church is open on weekends in the morning but ask around for a key if it is locked when visiting. St. Nicholas Church (Varoš) (Q12911874) on Wikidata edit
Church of Saint Demetrius (Црква „Св. Димитриј“), Blagoja Sukuroski, 12. Dating from the 13th century, this church is the neighborhood's largest. The present-day church is a conglomeration of buildings built in different eras, evidenced by the varied stone work on the exterior. The church is capped by a dome. Inside, carved royal doors from the 14th century are preserved. St. Demetrious Church (Q12911800) on Wikidata (updated Aug 2019 | edit)
Church of Saint Athanasius (Црква „Св. Атанасиј“). Near the center of Varoš is this partially ruined church with no roof. Its date of construction isn't known but it certainly existed by 1622 when it was mentioned in records at Mount Athos. Only fragments of the original frescoes remain. St. Athanasius Church (Varoš) (Q15816090) on Wikidata (updated Aug 2019 | edit)

Prilep: Church of the Annunciation
Known locally as the "Old Church", this church is an excellent example of revival period architecture. Built in 1838, it is three nave basilica with galleries and lavish woodcarving (furniture and 17 m long iconostasis). In the courtyard are the remains of Pere Tošev, a revolutionary who was an important member of the Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization. Tošev was murdered by the Turks in 1912 on his way home to Prilep and cut into pieces. The would not allow that his remains be buried in his native city, so they were buried in a village near Kavadarci until they were finally brought to Prilep within this church courtyard in 1996. It is located south of the city center, a block south of the river.

Pshna Cave
Just six kilometers (3.6 miles) from Makedonski Brod is the cave Pešna which features the largest cave opening in the Balkans. It is 124 m (407 ft) deep. The New York Times has compared the cave to something out of The Lord of the Rings. There are streams nearby including the mini-waterfall of Pešnica, as well as archaeological remains including Devini Towers (listed below). A church has been constructed near the cave.
Taken from https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Makedonski_Brod. For more see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pe%C5%A1na.

Radoviš: Church of the Holy Trinity
Radoviš's best-known attraction. This church is one of the most impressive built in the Balkans this century. Completed in 2003 with funds donated by Macedonian millionaire Risto Gušterov, a native of the city. Its frescoes were painted by Ukrainian artists, while its iconostasis was done by artists from Gevgelija. Along with the chairs, the iconostasis is made of 24-carat gold. The inside also shows inspiration from ancient Macedonia, particularly with the floor mosaic of the Vergina Sun. Architecturally, the church contains elements from styles from various Orthodox countries. There is a detached bell tower beside the church which rises 23.5 m (77 ft) tall.
Taken from https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Radovi%C5%A1.

RitterSport Museum
Open Hours ChocoExhibition: Mo-Su 11:00-17:00
Entry Fee: Free
https://www.ritter-sport.com/visit
Ritter Sport is a brand of chocolate bar from the family-owned Alfred Ritter GmbH & Co. KG, which has its headquarters in Waldenbuch, Germany.
Each 100 g (3.5 oz) square bar is divided into 16 smaller squares, creating a four-by-four pattern. In 2013 the company introduced a new version divided into 9 bigger squares using a three-by-three pattern. Large bars weighing 250 g (8.8 oz) and 16.67 g (0.588 oz) mini bars are also available, although in fewer varieties.
taken from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ritter_Sport

Saborsko Massacre Monument
Monument and mass grave for the victims of the Saborsko Massacre.
The Saborsko massacre (Pokolj u Saborskom,[1] Operacija Saborsko)[2] was the killing of 29 Croat residents of the village of Saborsko on 12 November 1991, following the seizure of the village in a Yugoslav People's Army (Jugoslovenska Narodna Armija – JNA) and Croatian Serb offensive during the Croatian War of Independence. The fall of the town occurred as part of a JNA and Croatian Serb operation to capture a Croatian-held pocket centered on the town of Slunj, southeast of Karlovac. While the bulk of the civilian population fled with the surviving Croatian forces, those who remained in Saborsko were rounded up and either killed or expelled. The bodies of the victims were retrieved from two mass graves and several individual graves in 1995.
The capture of Saborsko and the killing and expulsion of its civilian population was included in the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) indictments of Milan Babić and Milan Martić, high-ranking officials of the Croatian Serb-declared wartime breakaway region of SAO Krajina. Following the war, the ICTY convicted Babić and Martić for their role in the events. Saborsko was subsequently rebuilt.
Taken from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saborsko_massacre. For more see there.

Shiroka Laka
Tiny village, known for its old Bulgarian architecture and for its musical tradition, kept alive by a number of contemporary performers.
Taken from https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Rhodope_Mountains.
For more see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shiroka_Laka.

Shkodra: Mesi Bridge
Mesi Bridge (Albanian: Ura e Mesit "The bridge in the middle")[1] is a bridge in the village of Mes,[2] about 5 km (3.1 mi) (as the crow flies) northeast of Shkodër, in northwestern Albania. It is a monument of Postribë culture, turning the site into a tourist attraction with a lot of visitors from all around the world. For foreigners the architecture of the bridge is intriguing with round slick stones and stone plates. The surrounding panorama gives the bridge an even more picturesque view. The Albanian Development Fund invested 13 million lekë[3] so the tourists could step on the bridge and watch it closely because there was no entry way to the bridge.
It was built in the 18th century, around 1770, by Kara Mahmud Bushati, the local Ottoman pasha,[1] and spans the Kir River.[4] The building was divided in 2 phases where the first phase was only the middle arc and the arc near it and the second phase included the other 11 arches. The purpose was to connect the city of Shkodër with the city of Drisht and other cities of the northern side. It is 108m long, 3.4 meters wide, 12.5 meters high with 13 arches, and is one of the longest examples of an Ottoman bridge in the region.[5] It was built as part of the road that goes up the Kir Valley, eventually to Pristina.[4]
Today the bridge is at risk, having been damaged over time by devastating floods, which have resulted in floodwaters cutting away at the arches on the right side, causing cracking.
Taken from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesi_Bridge.

Shkodra: Molo Promenade
Romantic renovated promenade along the riverside.

Shkodra: Rozafa Castle
Entrance fee: 400 Leke
Rozafa Castle (Albanian: Kalaja e Rozafës), also known as the Shkodër Castle (Albanian: Kalaja e Shkodrës) is a castle near the city of Shkodër, in northwestern Albania. It rises imposingly on a rocky hill, 130 metres (430 ft) above sea level, surrounded by the Buna and Drin rivers. Shkodër is the seat of Shkodër County, and is one of Albania's oldest and most historic towns, as well as an important cultural and economic centre. Originally an Illyrian fortification, its remains are mostly of Venetian construction.
Taken from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rozafa_Castle. For more see there.

Shkodra: Five Heroes monument
This was "one of Albania's best examples of socialist-realist sculpture". Unfortunately, it was removed from there and replaced by a bland contemporary fountain. The monument was temporarily dumped at the city's garbage dump, only to be finally put back at the Dobrac Roundabout in the northern entrance of Shkodër. The site is still a useful reference point for finding your way around. Interestingly, the fountain is surrounded by seating, in the centre of a busy roundabout called Sheshi Demokracia (Democracy Square) with no pedestrian crossings! Only in Albania!

Shri i Sheganit (Eye of Shegan)
Located only a 40-minute drive from Shkodra, the Eye of Shegan has given this summer an entirely new feel! Many are choosing to head north this season, opting out of the more populated southern Riviera and into the invigorating new favorite that is the Eye of Shegan. Located near Gashaj Village, you can reach this destination via car but also by way of boats or kayaks. The entire area surrounding the Eye of Shegan is so beautiful that many people choose the waterways to properly explore it, including SUP.
A karst spring
The relatively rare natural phenomenon is made of crystal clear waters springing from the earth and flowing from the western Alps of Albania. The turquoise colors of the eye are framed by lush vegetation and the entire landscape is immersed in magnificently crisp air. At a known depth of about 80 meters, this large karst spring is surrounded by two other ponds that are also shaped by underground springs. While it is thought that the Eye of Shegan is much deeper, a damaged cave does not allow for further exploration of its unknown depths.
The legend
Local legend has it that many years ago, a traveler on his boat arrived to the area very late at night, seeking shelter in the place now occupied by the three ponds. The latter were once the houses of three brothers. The first two brothers did not open their door to the stranger while the third, named Shegan, welcomed the guest in. This is why, according to legend, the specific spot where the third brother’s door was located is now the Eye of Shegan and his curse on his two brothers who turned their backs on their fellow men transformed their houses into mere ponds.
A gorgeous region
A part of Shkodra Lake, the Eye of Shegan is rich in a variety of fish and other organisms. Its geographic position is close to so many other beautiful attractions in their own right, like Koplik, Razëm or Reç. As such, a weekend in this region represents a particularly gorgeous natural mosaic, combining lakes, hills, and mountains with farm fresh foods and delicious traditional dishes as well as the healthiest and freshest air imaginable.
Warnings and recommendations
Because of the high depths, you should be able to swim well and only swim in the areas designated by guides.
Keep in mind that the water temperature is much cooler relative to sea waters as a result of cold underwater currents.
The area is an ideal setting for picnics. However, all visitors must make sure to keep this new and relatively untouched destination clean.

Skopje: Bedesten
The most precious goods, like silk, spices, jewelry and perfumes were sold in the bedesten, a covered market within the Old Bazaar with gates which were closed in the evenings so the goods would be protected. Ottoman traveler Evliya Çelebi, who visited Skopje during the 17th century, wrote that only Damascus had a bigger and more beautiful bedesten than Skopje's at the time. The first market here was built in the 15th century, but, after various fires and disasters, it got its present appearance in 1899. It is now smaller but still has plenty of atmosphere. It has five short streets, small shops, and four gates.

Skopje: Bridge of Civilisations
Another new pedestrian bridge across the Vardar, the Bridge of Civilisations contains 28 sculptures of individuals of the various civilisations that have existed in Macedonia.
Taken from https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Skopje/Centar.

Skopje: Brücke der Kunst
A pedestrian bridge across the Vardar, the Art Bridge runs from the cafes east of Macedonia Square to the Financial Police Building. The bridge contains 29 sculptures of noted North Macedonian musicians and artists.
Taken from https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Skopje/Centar. For more see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Art_Bridge.

Skopje: Cifte Hamam
The Çifte Hamam (Turkish for "double bath") was built in the middle of the 15th century by Isa Bey Ishaković. It was used as both a male and female bath, but unlike Daut Pasha Hamam where both parts go parallel to each other, here the heating room is in the middle and the entrances are on the opposite sides. It has two main domes and multiple smaller ones. Today it is used as a gallery for temporary exhibits of the National Art Gallery, which is mainly housed in Skopje's other major hamam.

Skopje: Clock Tower
Skopje’s clock tower, built in 1572, was the first in the entire Ottoman Empire, showing the importance of Skopje as a trading center. It takes 105 steps to reach the top of the hexagonal tower. It has more Islamic appearance than most other clock towers in North Macedonia. The clock on the clock tower was brought from Szeged, Hungary but it disappeared during the chaos after the 1963 earthquake and today is in a clock museum in Switzerland. It is located near the Sultan Murat Mosque.

Skopje: Davut Pascha Hammam
Daut Pasha was the grand vizier of East Rumelia in the second half of the 15th century. He was based in Skopje and the legend goes that he built the hamam for the needs of his harem. Before he left, he donated the hamam to the city. It was a double bath, both for males and females (who bathed separately of course), with the male and the female sections going parallel to each other. The two big domes in the front covered the two dressing rooms, which had water fountains in the middle. Each of the small domes covered a separate room for bathing. The heating room was on the end. Today, the hamam serves as the National Art Gallery with a great collection of late 19th and 20th century art, though it is worth a visit alone to see the elaborate decorations of the domes.

Skopje: Feudal Tower
A 14-m-high residential tower from the 17th century, this is the oldest building on this side of the Vardar in central Skopje. Built for defense with 1.5-m-thick walls, a high door, and small windows on the lower floors. Today it serves as a souvenir shop and you can enter and see it from the inside.
Taken from https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Skopje/Centar.

Skopje: Fortress
Stands on the highest hill in the Skopje valley and offers great views over the city. The oldest section of the fortress is within the present-day fortifications. It was built in the Opus Quadrum style (huge stone blocks on the outside and small stones inside) by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I who was born in the village of Tauresium near Skopje. After the great earthquake of 518 when ancient Scupi was destroyed, Justinian decided to build Justiniana Prima on the site of present day Skopje. However, most of the present day fortifications originate from the 10th and 13th centuries. It was reinforced during the Turkish rule when the number of towers was up to 70 (today there are just a few standing) and the fortress went down to the river. The small gate from the side of the Old Bazaar is the only gate still standing and it was built in 1446. There are active excavations taking place within the fortress. Free.
Taken from  For more see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skopje_Fortress.

Skopje: Government of the Republic of North Macedonia
Built in a modern style, it received a complete makeover in the early 2010s transforming the complex into a white neoclassical style.
Taken from https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Skopje/Centar.

Skopje: Karavansarei Kapan Han
The Kapan Han was built in the 15th century by Isa Bey Ishaković. It operated as a han up until World War II. The ground floor housed the guests' horses and cattle, while the guests stayed in the 44 rooms on the second floor. Today, it houses a nice restaurant but anyone is free to simply walk in and roam the two floors to get an idea of what it was like to stay at one of these places in Ottoman times. After taking in the lovely atmosphere, you'll probably want to stick around for a meal anyway.
Taken from  For more see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kapan_Han.

Skopje: Karavansarei Kuršumli An
The Kurşumli Han (Turkish for "Lead Inn") is the largest and the most beautiful of the three remaining Ottoman caravansaries. It was built in 1550 by Mula Musledin Hoca, the son of a scientist on the court of Sultan Selim II. Both the ground and the first floor are made of stone and beautiful arches line the courtyard. The han has two courtyards, the second one was used to house the horses and the goods of the merchants and the guests, while the rooms around the first courtyard both on the ground and the first floor housed the guests. There is a water fountain in the middle of the first courtyard. The roof was covered with lead, and that is how the han got its name. Today, the Kurşumli Han is part of the Museum of Macedonia and houses the lapidary.

Skopje: Karavansarei Suli An
Like the Kapan Han, it was built in the 15th century by Ishak Bey. It is the second-biggest of the three caravansaries and has two floors. It has housed the Old Bazaar Museum since 1983, exhibiting pieces on archaeology, ethnology, fine arts, and history. It is also home to the Arts Faculty of Sts. Cyril and Methodius University.

Skopje: Macedonia Square
Macedonia Square has had two major changes in appearance in the past several decades. Following the 1963 earthquake, most of its neoclassical buildings were destroyed with the exception of the southern section crowned with the "СКОПСКО" sign. Then in the 2010s, after decades of being a mostly empty open space, it became a major site of the government-funded Skopje 2014 project which has constructed mostly neoclassical-style buildings and monuments across the central part of the city. The facades of socialist-era buildings on the square have been changed into neoclassical styles as well. It is now fronted by older-looking buildings and massive statues. The new buildings and monuments have generated much controversy but, regardless of your opinion, they have once again made Macedonia Square a major point of interest in the city.
Taken from https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Skopje/Centar. For more see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macedonia_Square,_Skopje.

Skopje: Macedonian Holocaust Museum
Tu-F 09:00-19:00; Sa Su 09:00-15:00; closed Mondays. The Holocaust Museum sits behind the Museum of the Macedonian Struggle in what was Skopje's Jewish Quarter until the residents were deported in the Holocaust. The museum commemorates the 7,148 Macedonian Jews killed with a variety of exhibits such as a wagon used to transport some of them to Treblinka.

Skopje: Mother Theresa Square
Between the new buildings for the Agency for Electronic Communications and the Financial Police on the river is Mother Teresa Square. Fronting it are the boldly modern Macedonian Philharmonic and the Macedonian Opera and Ballet building.

Skopje: Museum of Archaeology
Tu-Su 10:00-18:00. The Museum of Archaeology, in the new Greek revival building fronting the Vardar, houses a collection of over 6,000 pieces. Each of the three floors hold two sections. Much of the upper floors exhibits things like pottery and necklaces. The ground floor exhibits, on the southeast half, a coin collection starting from ancient times and, on the northwest half, a collection of statues and busts recovered from various sites in North Macedonia. One of the most significant pieces is the statue of Venus found at nearby Scupi in superb condition. 300 denars (general); 150 denars (students).

Skopje: Museum of the Macedonian Struggle
Tu-Su 10:00-18:00. Take a tour and have the guide walk you through this museum that chronicles the history of the struggle of those in North Macedonia in achieving an independent state, starting in Ottoman times through the creation of the Republic of Macedonia in the early 1990s. It contains countless wax figures of the individuals involved on all sides of the struggle. The entrance hall is nicely decorated with stained glass ceilings. The museum opened in 2011 to commemorate 20 years of North Macedonian independence. 300 denars.

Skopje: Mustafa-Pascha-Platz
Standing on a plateau above the Old Bazaar, this mosque is one of the most beautiful Islamic buildings in Macedonia. It was built in 1492 by Mustafa Pasha, vizier on the court of Sultan Selim I. The mosque is elegant and intact; no additions have been made through the years. It has a dome, a tall minaret, and a three-domed portico. The interior is beautiful, simple, and spacious. The courtyard is quite peaceful and has a türbe (tomb) where the daughter of Mustafa Pasha is buried. The mosque provides good views of the rest of the bazaar. Free.
For more see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mustafa_Pasha_Mosque.

Skopje: Nationaltheater
The Macedonian National Theatre building was first built in 1927, fronting the Vardar River. It was destroyed in the 1963 earthquake but was rebuilt in 2013 in largely the same design. It is a neoclassical building with many statues standing on it. The interior is even more lavish than the exterior would suggest.

Skopje: Old Airport and Sky City
Despite its name, Aerodrom (meaning "airport") is not home to Skopje's main airport which is outside the city in the village of Petrovec. Its name is the result of being home to a military airport in the early 20th century. The municipality is mostly residential and most settlements are relatively new.
The skyscrapers, which are topped out, are the tallest in North Macedonia. The four towers, each rising 142 m (466 ft), will be connected by a mixed-use building containing a shopping mall and sports facilities. The development is expected to be completed in 2021.
Taken from https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Skopje/Outer_Skopje.

Skopje: Old Railway Station/City Musem/Earthquake
7:00-15:00. The Old Railway Station stands half-ruined as a monument to the earthquake of 1963. The clock on the exterior remains fixed on the time it stopped working during the earthquake. It was built in 1938 by Velimir Gavrilovik in a modern style with Byzantine decoration. Today it houses an exhibition gallery and a small city museum on two floors. Its most important piece is the 7,000-year-old Adam of Govrlevo, a Neolithic sculpture depicting a sitting male body.

Skopje: Old Turkish Post Office and Vilayet Building
These neighboring buildings with preserved late Ottoman architecture are located right between the fortress and Mustafa Pasha Mosque. They were built in the 19th century and are yellow-ish in color. The Old Post Office housed the city's first telegraph. Today, it houses International Balkan University. The Vilayet Building was built to house administrative functions in Skopje, which was the capital of the Kosovo Vilayet of the Ottoman Empire until its fall in 1912.

Skopje: Parlament
Built in 1933 by Viktor Hudak in modernistic style. In the 2010s, large glass domes were incorporated onto the building's roof. A large equestrian statue of Nikola Karev, president of the historical Kruševo Republic, stands directly in front of the building.

Skopje: Porta Macedonia
A triumphal arch built in 2011 to commemorate 20 years of Macedonian independence. The 21 m (69 ft) arch contains marble reliefs on its exterior depicting various scenes from Macedonian history. It has interior rooms as well as an elevator to the observation deck. Access to the deck is included in the ticket price at the Museum of the Macedonian Struggle.
For more see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porta_Macedonia.

Skopje: Skanderbeg Square
The centerpiece of this under-construction square is an equestrian statue of Albanian national hero Skanderbeg. The square is to extend on top of Goce Delčev Boulevard from behind the Macedonian Philharmonic to the Old Bazaar.
For more see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skanderbeg_Square,_Skopje.

Skopje: Stone Bridge
A main symbol of Skopje since the 15th century, though bridges have existed at the location since perhaps the 6th century. It is built of solid stone blocks and has 12 arches, stretching 214 m (702 ft) long. The pedestrian bridge connects across the Vardar the historic Old Town to Macedonia Square and the modern commercial centre of the city.
Taken from https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Skopje/Centar. For more see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stone_Bridge_(Skopje).

Skopje: Sultan Murad Mosque
Built in 1436, the Sultan Murat Mosque may be the oldest surviving mosque in the Balkans. It is also one of the largest mosques in North Macedonia. It was built with money donated by Sultan Murat II himself and whenever adjustments or repairs were needed, the sultan at the time would pay for it. It stands on a plateau next to the Clock Tower, where a monastery used to stand prior to Ottoman invasion. The fortifications of the monastery still stand around the plateau. The main architect of the mosque was Hussein from Debar. It is rectangular in shape, with a porch including four columns with decorated caplets, connected by arcades. Near the eastern facade is a tomb build in 1774 containing the remains of the wife and daughter of Ali Pasha of Dagestan. It is hexagonal with an open design. Another mausoleum, perhaps the biggest Ottoman one in the country, stands south of the mosque.
Taken from  For more see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sultan_Murad_Mosque.

Skopje: Türbe of Ishak Bey
Near the Clock Tower and Sultan Murat Mosque is this türbe (mausoleum) which contains the remains of the second bey of Skopje, Ishak Bey. Originally built in the 15th century, most of what is seen today is a recent reconstruction after the structure suffered severe damage through earthquakes and fires over time.
Taken from  For more about Ishak Bey see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ishak_Bey.

Skopje: VMRO Square
A square anchored by the new white neoclassical VMRO building. Fans of the Skopje 2014 project will admire this building. It has a taller tower section attached to the south side. The center of the square contains a lion sculpture atop a white column within a white fountain.
Taken from https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Skopje/Centar. For more about the VMRO see

Skopje: Warrior on a Horse
Perhaps the main symbol of the Skopje 2014 project is the Warrior on a Horse (Macedonian: Воин на коњ) statue and fountain in the centre of Macedonia Square. It was typically thought to depict Alexander the Great, though it was not officially named for him.[72][73][74] A plaque was later added to the statue which confirmed that the statue was dedicated to Alexander the Great.[75]
The statue was sculpted by Valentina Stevanovska and cast in bronze with lost wax casting technique in the Ferdinando Marinelli Artistic Foundry of Florence.
"Alexander" was officially completed on September 8, 2011 to commemorate 20 years of the independence of the Republic of Macedonia. It is 14.5 m (47.6 ft) tall and it sits on a cylindrical column, which itself is 10 m (32.8 ft) in height. The column consists of three large ivory sections, each separated by a thinner bronze ring. Each section contains reliefs. The column stands in a fountain. At the base of the column are 8 bronze soldiers, each 3 m (9.8 ft) tall. There are also 8 bronze lions, each 2.5 m (8.3 ft) tall, around the edges of the fountain pool, four of which act as part of the fountain, releasing water from their mouths. The fountain also plays music.[76]
The total cost of the Warrior on a Horse monument is roughly 7.5 million euros.[77]
Taken from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skopje_2014. For more see there.

Skopje: Church of the Ascension of Jesus
The most important church in central Skopje. The church is small and has a pleasant courtyard which contains the sarcophagus of North Macedonia's greatest national hero, Goce Delčev. There is a small museum about him in the buildings around the courtyard. The Ottoman Turks usually didn’t permit the building of new churches during their occupation, but as the empire weakened in the 18th century they began issuing permits to appease the population. However, there were many rules to be followed: the exterior had to be without decorations and the floor of the church had to be at least one meter below ground so the church wouldn’t dominate the city skyline. St Saviour Church is example of one of these churches. It was built in the early 1800s on the site of a church destroyed in the 1689 fire (upon entering, on the right are remains of the frescoes and the level of the earlier church). While the exterior is rather simple, the church is famous for its interior and wood carving. The iconostasis is the work of Petre Filipovski-Garkata and Marko and Makarie Frčkovski, the best woodworking artists in the 19th century in North Macedonia. The beauty of it is that it is a deep wood carving from whole wood boards (the figures are not attached to each other), and it is not covered with golden paint, as it is tradition in Orthodox churches, so the game of light and dark shades is quite dramatic. The iconostasis was made from 1819 to 1824 and is 10 m long and 7 m tall. There are scenes from the Old and New testaments. The figurines are each 7 cm tall. Look for the creation of Adam and Eve on one of the columns next to the doors of the altar and the dance of Salome, where she dances for king Irod so he would give her the head of St John the Baptist. On the far right are self-portraits of the artists, presented as they are working on the iconostasis. The icons are some of the best of the Byzantine revival.
Taken from  For more see

Skopje: Karpoš's Rebellion Square
At the entrance from Centar to the Old Town. Across the Stone Bridge from Macedonia Square and the colossal statue and fountain of Alexander the Great, Karpoš's Rebellion Square has an equally massive statue and fountain of Philip II. Having received a major facelift in the Skopje 2014 project, it also now contains many monuments. Smaller monuments include those of Sts. Naum and Clement of Ohrid, Sts. Cyril and Methodius, "Horses", "Lions", and "Mothers of Macedonia."
Philip II Monument (Warrior). The centerpiece of the square is a 15-m (49-ft) statue of Philip II placed on top of a 13-m (43-ft) pedestal. The figure raises a clenched fists in the air toward the monument of his son across the river.
Church of Saint Demetrius (Црква „Св. Димитриј“). This church has been in existence since perhaps the 17th century, but got its present appearance after a renovation in 1896. The church also has a bell tower beside it. In 2012, it received media attention after the frescoes inside reportedly returned perfectly to their original colour miraculously.

Skopje: Mother Teresa Memorial House
M-F 09:00-20:00; Sa Su 09:00-14:00. Mother Teresa was born and lived in Skopje until she was 18. Her original house is no longer standing, but there is a tranquil modern chapel—architecturally remarkable in that it's a jumble of cubes, stone walls, and shiny mirrored glass, as if it's a real life interpretation of Escher's works, and, like everything built in Skopje in modern times, utterly kitschy—and interpretive museum centre on the site. Free
For more  see

Skopje: Park of the Woman Freedom Fighter
This park sits directly across Parliament and contains many new memorials. One is to the Fall Soldiers of Macedonia, a white monument and fountain consisting of many pillars. Another is to the Anti-Fascists Assembly for the National Liberation of Macedonia, which consists of the individuals involved in the assembly sitting at a table. Other includes those of Kuzman Josifovski-Pitu, the Defenders of Macedonia, and the Founders of the Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organisation.

Starkenberger Beer Pools

Stip: Bezisten
The historic covered Ottoman market is in the center of the city on the right bank of the Otinja. It was built of stone in the 16th or 17th century. It was destroyed by a fire during the Austro-Turkish war and rebuilt. Today, it is used as an art gallery.
Taken from https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/%C5%A0tip.

Stip: Church of St. Michael
One of the most valuable medieval monuments of Štip, this church was built in 1332 by Serbian nobleman Hrelja. It lost its frescoes during the Ottoman era when it was converted into a mosque. The church is cross-shaped and capped by a single dome. In 2000, it received a new marble iconostasis.
Taken from https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/%C5%A0tip.

Stip: Isar Fortress
Above the confluence of the Bregalnica and Otinja rivers, these fortress ruins overlook Štip and its surroundings from a strategic point. The original date of its construction in unknown, though today's ruins likey date from the Serbian Empire. Varying amounts of walls and foundations survive today. A cross was erected among the ruins and it is illuminated at night. Several churches were built on the slopes below the fortress. This includes the churches of Saint Michael the Archangel, Saint Nicholas, and Saint John the Bapist, among a couple of others.
Taken from Taken from https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/%C5%A0tip..

Stip: Church of Saint Nicholas
Built on the ruins of a 1341-built church, Saint Nicholas is the cathedral church of the Bregalnica Diocese of the Macedonian Orthodox Church. Consecrated in 1867, this dominant three-nave basilica is surrounded by porches on three sides. Its interior contains frescoes, vaulted arches, and woodwork. It contains a gallery of icons managed by the Museum of Štip.
Taken from https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/%C5%A0tip.

Stip: Dormition of the Theotokos Church
This large, three-aisle basilica, with beautiful icons and frescoes, is the main church of Novo Selo. It was built from 1836 to 1850 by Andrej Damjanov. The impressive wood-carved iconostasis and furnishings are the works of his brother, Nikola Damjanov. This church used to be the largest church in the country until the Saint Clement of Ohrid church was built in Skopje in the 1970s. It is also home to an icon gallery and art objects.

Stip: Emir Küçük Bridge
This historic stone bridge has spanned the Bregalnica River since 1672. During World War I, this bridge crossed a line between Serbian-controlled territory and Bulgarian-controlled territory.

Stip: Husa Medin Pasha Mosque
Built on the foundation of a church called Saint Elijah (Црква Свети Пророк Илија), this Ottoman mosque was built sometime in the 16th century and named after a local Turkish pasha who donated the funds for its construction. His grave is located right beside the mosque. The mosque is on a hill on the south side of town. It is capped by one large dome and features a portico topped by three smaller domes. The building has been in poor condition since the 1950s.

Stip: Memorial Complex of the Fallen Soldiers of the Revolution
On the Isar hill above the city is this monument to the partisans who perished in the National Liberation War of Macedonia. It consists of several separate elaborately carved blocks standing alongside each other. The site was built from 1969 to 1973. Inscribed here are 814 names of fallen soldiers from Štip and its surroundings.

Stobi
open daily; 08:30-20:00 April-September, 08:30-16:30 October-March. Adult: 120 denars; student/senior: 50 denars; children under six: free.
Stobi is a large set of ruins in the Povardarie region of North Macedonia, near the village of Gradsko. The nearest city is Kavadarci roughly 20 km (12 mi) south. Stobi was first a Paeonian settlement and then annexed by Macedonia. It fell under the Romans around the 2nd century BC, where it was the capital of the Macedonia Salutaris province and enjoyed significant growth. By the 6th century, following robberies, an earthquake, and Slavic invasions, the city's economy and infrastructure were destroyed.
Excavations of the site began in 1924 under the Museum of Belgrade and continue today.
Stobi was once the ancient town of Paionia, later conquered by Macedon, and later still incorporated into the Roman province of Macedonia Salutaris. It is on the main road that leads from the Danube to the Aegean Sea and is considered by many to be the most famous archaeological site in North Macedonia. Stobi was built where the Erigon river (Crna) joins the Axios river (Vardar), making it important strategically as a center for both trade and warfare. Today Stobi is in Gradsko, a village with about 3,000 people.
The Stobi National Institution hopes to build a museum on the site to house findings and showcase the history of Stobi.
Taken from https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Stobi.

Stone Mushrooms of Beli Plast
The stone mushrooms are a rock phenomenon near the village of Beli Plast. They reach a height of 2.5–3 m.
Taken from https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Rhodope_Mountains.

Strumica: Altstadt
Strumica (Macedonian Cyrillic: Струмица) is a city in Eastern North Macedonia, situated near the tripoint with Bulgaria and Greece. Strumica is a well developed small city with about 40,000 residents and is the seat of its own municipality. It is a great place to stop by and, depending on your time, you have a lot of things to do. You can go shopping, take a walk through downtown and enjoy the cafés and restaraunts, which are in quite a number, or you can surprise yourself with the historical and natural wealth that this area offers.
Understand
The Goce Delčev city square, reconstructed in 2010, hosts multiple events, including the local Strumica Open Festival and Strumica Carnival.
To the east the city is connected to the Novo Selo-Petrich border crossing between Bulgaria and North Macedonia. Driving north on the A4 highway you can reach Štip and Skopje. By following the regional road R1401 westbound you will reach the European route E75 which starts from Greece and connects North Macedonia, Serbia, Hungary with other European countries.
The Strumica valley is surrounded with the Belasica, Elenica and Ograzhden mountains. The mountain tourism is well developed in the Strumica region. The old neighborhoods of the city lay on the lower parts of the Elenica mountain, offering multiple easily accessible viewpoints of the city and its villages that are scattered throughout the rich agricultural fields; hence Strumica is called the agricultural capital of the country.
Apart from its traditional association to the agriculture, in the 21st century, the city has developed new features that call on visitors. The city has a good infrastructure. In 2010 the city square was reconstructed and expanded, offering a wide area for pedestrians, today used for many events such as Strumica Open Festival and Strumica Carnival. Strumica also has a lively nightlife scene, so the weekends are marked with loud music and performances by famous domestic and foreign artists, especially in the summer.
History
Strumica and the surrounding villages are filled with archeological sites that testify about the long history of settlements in the area. A site called Stranata, near the village of Angelci, reveals evidence of a Neolithic settlement dating back to the 6th millennium BC.
In 1014, Strumica was the site of an important battle between Tsar Samuel's Bulgarian Empire and the Byzantine Empire. The Bulgarians achieved victory; in order to break their spirit, Byzantine Emperor Basil II blinded thousands of Bulgarian soldiers captured at the previous Battle of Kleidion and sent them to Samuel.
The Strumica-area village of Kosturino was the site of an important battle of World War I in December 1915. This was a decisive victory for Bulgaria and the Central Powers, enabling them to build a Berlin to Constantinople rail line.
Taken from https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Strumica.

Strumica: City Park
If you decide to take a casual walk through the city, then first rule is never miss the park. Strumica offers locals and tourists a common place, a greatly managed urban park that will let you enjoy the nature away from the traffic, but more importantly, walking through the park you will get to know the spirit of the locals. The park has a large area and is accessible from anywhere. If you are on the city square, just head down towards the café street (Blagoj Jankov Mučeto St). The park in Strumica has a good number of features: A few restaurants, playgrounds, but also the Amphitheatre and the football stadium are here. However, the number one place where everyone go to while at the park is the small artificial lake (ezero), in front of the stadium.
Taken from https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Strumica.

Strumica: Orta Mosque
This building was built as a church during the Byzatine period, presumably in the 11th or 12th centuries. Some remnants of frescoes can be found in the foundations of the structure. Following the arrival of the Ottomans, the church was converted to a mosque. The square-based mosque has one minaret. Within the complex of the mosque are archaeological excavations. While it was in use by the city museum, the building has been closed for years because of fears that it can be damaged. Thus, it can only be viewed by visitors today from the outside.
Across the Street:
This 19th-century building served as a post office during Ottoman rule. The building is a good example of traditional Ottoman architecture. It was a private residence until 2005 when it was converted into a museum.
Taken from https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Strumica.

Strumica: Goce Delčev Square
Goce Delčev Square (Macedonian: Плоштад "Гоце Делчев", romanized: Ploštad "Goce Delčev") is the main public square in the town of Strumica, situated in the southeastern part of North Macedonia. It is one of the biggest city squares in the country with a total area of 23,485 square metres. It is named after the revolutionary Goce Delčev, who has a monument on the square, built in the 1970s.[1] The square was reconstructed in 2010 and is split on two floors. The first level is an underground road junction with a parking lot, while the second floor is an open pedestrian space filled with statues, buildings and decorative equipment.[2] Before the reconstruction the square had only a small area focused on Delčev's monument.
A copper star was placed in the center of the open space in honor of the Macedonian footballer Goran Pandev, who in 2010 won the titles of the Champions League and the Club World Cup in the FC Inter jersey. The star was torn off and stolen in November 2018 by unknown perpetrators.[3]
About 3.5 million euros were spent for the reconstruction, provided by the Municipality of Strumica. The funds for the bronze casting of the monument "Strumica woman under a mask" were provided by the International Art Colony. The clock tower is a donation from the construction company Adora Engineering. The square was officially opened on December 10, 2010, the day before the patron saint's day of Strumica.[4]
Taken from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goce_Del%C4%8Dev_Square.

Tauresium (Geburtsort Justinian I.)
Tauresium (Latin; Macedonian: Тауресиум), today as Gradište (Macedonian: Градиште), is an archaeological site in North Macedonia, approximately 20 kilometres (12 mi) southeast of the capital Skopje. Tauresium is the birthplace of Byzantine Emperor Justinian I (ca. 482) and King Theodahad of the Ostrogoths (480).[1][2]
Taken from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tauresium. For more see there.

The Mummies of Venzone
In the chapel of the cemetry.
Summer opening hours: 9:00-19:00
Winter opening hours: 9:00-17:00
The mummies of Venzone are a number of mummies found in Venzone, Italy, in the 1600s. They were mummified by natural processes, and, while such mummies exist elsewhere, the cause of the Venzone mummies' preservation in particular still remains a mystery.
Taken from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mummies_of_Venzone. For more see there.

Three Peaks of Lavaredo
The Tre Cime di Lavaredo (Italian for 'Three Peaks of Lavaredo'; pronounced [ˌtre tˈtʃiːme di lavaˈreːdo]), also called the Drei Zinnen (German for 'Three Merlons'); pronounced [ˌdʁaɪ ˈtsɪnən] ⓘ), are three distinctive battlement-like peaks, in the Sexten Dolomites of northeastern Italy. They are probably one of the best-known mountain groups in the Alps. The three peaks, from east to west, are:
Cima Piccola / Kleine Zinne ("little peak")
Cima Grande / Große Zinne ("big peak")
Cima Ovest / Westliche Zinne ("western peak").
Tre Cime as seen from the foot of Torre di Toblin mountain
The peaks are composed of well-layered dolomites of the Dolomia Principale (Hauptdolomit) formation, Carnian to Rhaetian in age, as are many other groups in the Dolomites (e.g., the Tofane, the Pelmo or the Cinque Torri).
Until 1919 the peaks formed part of the border between Italy and Austria-Hungary. Now they lie on the border between the Italian provinces of South Tyrol and Belluno and still are a part of the linguistic boundary between German-speaking and Italian-speaking majorities. The Cima Grande has an elevation of 2,999 metres (9,839 ft). It stands between the Cima Piccola, at 2,857 metres (9,373 ft), and the Cima Ovest, at 2,973 metres (9,754 ft).
Taken from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tre_Cime_di_Lavaredo. For more see there.

Tirana: Botanical Garden and Zoo
The Botanical Gardens of Tirana is a scenic botanical gardens complex located in southern Tirana, Albania.
It is the only botanical gardens complex in Albania. Construction commenced in 1964, with the original site covering approximately 15 hectares. It was completed in 1971.
It is situated towards the south of the city and is overlooked by the Tirana and Kruja mountains.
The Botanic Garden of Tirana, which is part of the University of Tirana, has become institutionalised with international links with Canadian, Hungarian, Chinese and Romanian gardens.[1]
The garden contains around 2,000 species of plants and is maintained by horticultural experts and scientists who also use the gardens for study purposes.[1] The Gardens are part of Botanic Gardens Conservation International.[2]
Current areas of study include the ecology of introduced plant species, the threatened endemic species and other areas of study are concentrated in the phytosociological study of the black pine, oak and natural pasture lands.[3]
Taken from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botanical_Gardens_(Tirana).
Zoo:
09:00-18:00. Visiting this zoo is an odd experience; there are few animals but you will see them at remarkably close range. Nearby is the Botanical Garden featuring the best of Albania's fauna. 50 lek.
Taken from https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Tirana.
Zoopark Tirana (Albanian: Parku Zoologjik i Tiranës) is a public zoo located in Tirana, Albania. It is the only zoo of its kind in the country. Built during 1960–1961, the zoo is concentrated in an area of 6.09 ha (15.0 acres) in the southern part of the city, between the Grand Park and the Botanical Gardens.
Infrastructure
Presently the infrastructure of the zoo is in a bad state, needing funds for reparations and animal care. There are not many animals on display, just some: bears, lions, llamas, monkeys, wolves, foxes, and some birds. The cages are small, not very clean and visitors are advised not to stress the animals. Despite its poor appearance, the zoo is still popular with local visitors and children who come here to play.
Controversy
The zoo has been described by many visitors as an animal prison, mostly because of the bad conditions in which the animals live.[1]
On 2015 it was closed because a video footage was released, in which a bull attacked a donkey and nothing was done to help the poor animal. Animal Activists and Environmentalists always pressured the local authorities to close the zoo down and end the cruelty towards the animals kept there.[2]
Tirana's Municipality recently announced its intention to extend the zoo into a park, creating better conditions for the animals. The natural landscape of the zoo full of trees and green spaces has been tarnished considerably with the rise of new apartment flats in the area.[3] [4]
Taken from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoopark_Tirana.

Tirana: Clock Tower
Clock Tower (Kulla e Sahatit), Skanderbeg Square (city centre). Sa-M W 09:00-13:00, 16:00-18:00. This tower has become a symbol of Tirana. It is one of the oldest constructions in Tirana, built in the 1820s. Don't forget to visit the nearby Clock Towers of Albania Museum featuring Clock Towers from around Albania, and traditional costumes from Tirana region. The stairs have 90 steps that go in a spiral fashion. It is 35 m (115 ft) tall and was the tallest building in Tirana at the time. 10 lek.
Taken from https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Tirana.
The Clock Tower of Tirana (Albanian: Kulla e Sahatit të Tiranës), was built in 1822 in Tirana, Albania by Et'hem bey Mollaj, a Bejtexhinj poet who also finished the Et'hem Bey Mosque next to the clock tower.[3] Watchmaster Ismail Tufina was the first to assemble the Tirana clock mechanism in 1822. It is a monument of culture of first category, approved on 24 May 1948.
The stairs have 90 steps that go in a spiral fashion. It is 35 metres (115 ft) tall and was the tallest building in the city at the time. Since the restoration of 2016, 9,833 visitors were counted, who have visited the tower.[4] The installation of the clock was done by the renowned Tufina watchmakers.[5] The Tufina's took care of the clock from 1822 until 1973 when forcefully removed by the communist regime.[6]
Taken from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tirana_Clock_Tower. For more see there.

Tirana: Dëshmorët e Kombit Boulevard
A panoramic boulevard built by the Italians in the 1930s similar to the Champs de Elysee extending south from Skanderberg Square. The boulevard features Fascist, Communist, and modern architecture of government buildings, business centres and hotels. Many local parks are found here. This street runs from the south end of Skenderbeg Square, across the Lana River, to Mother Teresa Square. The sidewalks and crosswalks on this street are wider and more walkable than most in the city. If you walk southbound, the Polytechnic University of Tirana building is beautifully framed in the centre of the street. It's nice at night when all of the buildings, including the Polytechnic building, are lit up (and especially nice in December and early January when the trees and the buildings along the street are decorated with lights for the Holidays). The street passes by several Tirana landmarks, including the Park Rinia, the Pyramid, the Rogner Hotel, the President's Office, and the Palace of Congresses (event centre).
Taken from https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Tirana.

Tirana: Et’hem-Bey-Moschee
The Hajji Et'hem Bey Mosque (Albanian: Xhamia e Haxhi Et'hem Beut, Turkish: Hacı Edhem Bey Camii) is a mosque in Tirana, Albania. Closed under communist rule, the mosque reopened as a house of worship in 1991. Without permission from the authorities, 10,000 people attended and the police did not interfere. Frescoes outside and in the portico depict trees, waterfalls and bridges.
Taken from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Et%27hem_Bey_Mosque. For more see there.

Tirana: Fortress of Justinian
The history of this castle in dates back before 1300 and is a remnant from the Byzantine-era. The fortress is the place where the main east-west and north-south roads crossed, and formed the heart of Tirana. About all that's left of the fortress above ground is a 6-m-high Ottoman-era wall, covered in vines. In the 21st century, uncovered wall foundations were uncovered and incorporated into the pedestrianised Murat Toptani Street, while a mosaic commemorating the 100th Anniversary of Albania's Independence was unveiled near the Albanian Parliament. In December 2018, a new traditional bazaar was opened inside Tirana Castle with various traditional hand crafts stores and traditional cuisine restaurants.
Fortress of Justinian (Albanian: Kalaja e Justinianit) or simply known as Tirana Castle (Albanian: Kalaja e Tiranës) is a castle in Tirana, Albania. Its history dates back before 1300 and is a remnant from the Byzantine-era. The fortress is the place where the main east–west and north–south roads crossed, and formed the heart of Tirana. The current fortification has three known towers and it is undergoing a process of restoration, for touristic purposes. Inside the fortified walls of the former fortress, there are many buildings that can be visited, including restaurants, hotels, and cultural institutions.[1]
About all that is left of the fortress above ground is a 6-metre (20 ft) high Ottoman-era wall, covered in vines. The recently uncovered wall foundations were incorporated into the pedestrianised Murat Toptani Street, while a mosaic commemorating the 100th Anniversary of Albania's Independence was unveiled near the Albanian Parliament.[2]
The Castle of Tirana was declared a monument of culture of first category on 10 June 1973 and the new tracks of walls of Tirana Castle were declared a cultural monument on 15 May 2008.[3]
Taken from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fortress_of_Justinian.

Tirana: Grand Park
The Grand Park of Tirana (Albanian: Parku i Madh i Tiranës), or the Park on the Artificial Lake, is a 289 hectare public park situated on the southern part of Tirana, Albania, and administered by the Agency of Parks and Recreation of the Municipality of Tirana.
The Park includes an artificial lake and many other landmarks such as the Saint Procopius Church, the Presidential Palace, and memorials to several Albanian personalities. It remains one of the most relaxing places in the city, despite increasing buildings being developed near the park, an early-morning run or promenade is a daily routines for many citizens. To the southern end of the Park, there is the Zoo and the Botanical Garden. The latter includes many flowers and plants that are common to the Albanian environment.
There are almost 120 species of trees, bushes and flowers. The Botanical Garden area is of 14.5 hectares and the lake's size is of 55 hectares, whereas the area of the Park itself is of 230 hectares.[2]
The Park was built between 1955 and 1956 based on a Bulgarian plan and used to be called the Gogo stable, in a green area. The Park starts at the southern end of the Dëshmorët e Kombit Boulevard, after the University of Tirana, south of the main Skanderbeg Square. It was formerly called 'Park of Saint Procopius' (Albanian: Parku i Shën Prokopit) from the Saint Procopius Church, which is located in the area. In the internal parts, there can be found the memorials of 45 British and Australian[3] soldiers fallen during World War II, as well as a memorial of hundreds of German soldiers from the same war.
Taken from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Park_of_Tirana. For more see there.

Tirana: Great Mosque
The Great Mosque of Tirana (Albanian: Xhamia e Madhe e Tiranës) or Namazgah Mosque (Albanian: Xhamia e Namazgjasë; English: Mosque of Prayer) is a mosque which is currently being built in Tirana, Albania. When completed, it will be the largest mosque in the Balkans.[1]
After the fall of communism in Albania, in 1991, Albanian Muslims often complained about being discriminated against. While two cathedrals (Catholic and Eastern Orthodox) were built, as of 2016 Muslims in Albania still had no central mosque and had to pray in the streets. In 1992, then president, Sali Berisha, laid the first stone of a mosque to be constructed near Namazgja square, close to the parliament. Construction was delayed after the speaker of parliament, Pjetër Arbnori, contested the plans.[2]
The decision of building the mosque was taken in 2010, by then mayor of Tirana, Edi Rama.[2]
The building of the mosque is considered necessary because there are only 8 mosques in the city, down from 28 in 1967. During Islamic holidays, the Skanderbeg Square is filled with Muslim worshipers, because the Ottoman-era Ethem Bey mosque, currently Tirana's principal mosque, has a capacity of only 60 persons. Rain makes Friday sermons impossible.[3]
The mosque will have four minarets, each 50 meters high, while the central dome will have a height of 30 meters. The first floor of the mosque will include a cultural center and other facilities.[4] The mosque is being constructed on a 10,000-square-meter parcel of land near Albania's parliament building and will have the capacity for up to 4,500 people to pray at one time within the mosque.[5]
The financing for the mosque's construction partly came from the main state-run Turkish Muslim organisation Diyanet.[1] In 2015, Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan visited Albania for the inauguration ceremony of the mosque.[1]
Taken from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Namazgah_Mosque.

Tirana: Historical Pedestrian Bridge
This is an 18th-century Ottoman period stone footbridge. The bridge was once part of the Shëngjergj Road that linked Tirana with the eastern highlands. The Shëngjergj Road furnished the city with agricultural produce and livestock. The bridge went across the Lanë stream and was adjacent to the area of butchers and leather workers. The Lanë was rerouted in the 1930s and the bridge was neglected. In the 1990s the bridge was restored to its former glory and is now used by pedestrians only. The Tanners' Bridge is composed by a main arch, on which the bridge raises in a back shape. This arch has the light span of 8 m and is built with two ranks of sideway arches which are 1 meter thick. The height from the water was 3.5 m. The pavement of the bridge with 2.5 m in width, constructed with river stones and placed without any apparent order. In the two sides of the main arch, there are two arches in the shape of circular segments with a small space.
For more see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanners%27_Bridge.

Tirana: House of Leaves
This grand old 1930s building started life as Albania's first maternity hospital, but within a few years the focus turned from creating new lives to ending lives as the hospital was converted to an interrogation and surveillance centre (read: torture house). It remained as such until the fall of the communist regime. Today, the House of Leaves is a museum dedicated to surveillance and interrogation in Albania.
The building known as the “House of Leaves” (so called because of the clambering plant covering its facade) has now returned to the Museum of Secret Surveillance. Opened on 23rd of May, it is the newest museum in Albania and certainly the most intriguing one that tries to narrate to young people and to foreigners, one of the darkest periods of the country’s history.
Located in the center of Tirana, in front of Orthodox Church: “The Resurrection of Christ” and near the National Bank, the building that temporarily housed Gestapo during the occupation of Albania in WWII was the Central Directorate of the Secret Service from 1944 to 1991.
As the history of Albania itself under the Communist dictatorship that was installed at the end of World War II and continued for almost half a century, the House of Leaves also, was covered for a long time with all sorts of legends and it comprised the unknown, a mystery. Whispers of people and rustling of leaves… By opening the doors of this house, presenting the activities that were conducted in it and many other things related to it, this museum will unfold simultaneously aspects of Albanian society in the conditions of a regime that aimed at the total control over the human bodies and souls.
Interceptions, checks, spying … that brought arrests, internments, tortures, severe punishments for quite many innocent people. This museum is dedicated to them…
Sections
Conceived in 9 sections, the “House of Leaves” consists of 31 rooms which are connected in coherence with each other and each of them have a special function.
Taken from https://muzeugjethi.gov.al/?lang=en.

Tirana: Ish-Blloku
(The Block), Mainly Rr. Ismail Qemali and nearby streets. Limits from West Rruga Sami Frashëri, from North Bulevardi Bajram Curri, from East Bulevardi Desmoret e Combit , from South Rruga Lek Dukagjini (take the bus signed 'Tirana e Re'; get off at the namesake station). Among the apartment blocks, one can find some of Tirana's trendiest cafés, shops, and restaurants. Here is also located the villa of the former dictator, Enver Hoxha. During communism, the area was reserved solely for government officials and was not allowed to be entered by the commoner. It was opened to the public in 1991 and since became the number one spot for Tirana's youth. At night the area gets full of people especially on weekends when most night clubs are full. The streets, especially in summer afternoons, are filled with Tirana's citizens and expensive cars cruising around. From the Block you can go almost anywhere for less than 10-15 minutes. If you need to have a coffee or relax while taking a look at the parade of trendy and elegant people, the block is a perfect place for you. In the Block you can buy trendy clothing items and French delicacies. You can also get taxis.

Tirana: Kokonozi Mosque
The Mosque of Mahmud Agha Kokonozi (Albanian: Xhamia e Mahmut Agë Kokonozit) or New Bazaar Mosque (Albanian: Xhamia e Pazarit të Ri) is a mosque in Tirana, Central Albania, Albania. It is an Ottoman-era mosque built in 1750 and one of the few mosques that survived the communist dictatorship under the Hoxhaist regime.
In 1966, the Kokonozi Mosque was closed and transformed into a food storehouse, and later it was used as a tobacco store. The Kokonozi mosque was reopened on February 18, 1991.
Taken from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kokonozi_Mosque.

Tirana: Mother Teresa Square
The Mother Teresa Square (Albanian: Sheshi Nënë Tereza) is the second largest square in Tirana, Albania. It is named after the Albanian-born Indian Roman Catholic nun, missionary and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Mother Teresa.[1]
The square was planned by the Italian architect Gherardo Bosio, and built together with the main Boulevard in 1939 to 1941, during the Italian occupation of Albania, in a Rationalist style. When the square was first constructed, it was named Victor Emmanuel III Square in honor of Victor Emmanuel III of Italy.[2]
It is located on the south end of the Dëshmorët e Kombit Boulevard and important buildings are situated on this square. The building include the University of Tirana, the Polytechnic University, the University of Arts, the Archeological Museum and the Centre of Albanological Studies.
On 1980 a fountain was placed on the middle of the square and after the Fall of communism in Albania it was named after Mother Teresa and a statue of her was placed on the east side of the square. Both the statue and the fountain were later removed, after the restoration of the square in 2014 caused by the preparations for the Pope Francis visit in Tirana. Today it is a pedestrian zone, mostly used for different activities and concerts by the Municipality of Tirana.[3]
Taken from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mother_Teresa_Square_(Tirana).

Tirana: National Martyrs Cemetery and Mother Albania Statue
The National Martyrs Cemetery of Albania (Albanian: Varrezat e Dëshmorëve të Kombit) is the largest cemetery in Albania, located on a hill overlooking Tirana.[2]
The Mother Albania statue is located at the Cemetery. It figuratively represents the country as a mother guarding over the eternal slumber of those who gave their lives for her. The statue is made of concrete and it is a work of the sculptors Kristaq Rama, Muntaz Dhrami and Shaban Hadëri. It stands atop a 3 m pedestal; is 12 m tall and engraved on the pedestal are the words "Lavdi e perjetshme deshmoreve te Atdheut" ("Eternal Glory to the Martyrs of the Fatherland").
The cemetery was also the resting place of former leader Enver Hoxha, who was subsequently disinterred and given a more humble grave in another public cemetery.[3] The dictator's former resting place has been occupied with the remains of Azem Hajdari, the student leader behind the fight against the regime in the late 1980s who was assassinated in Tirana in 1998.[4]
Some 900 partisans who died during World War II are buried in the cemetery.
Mother Albania (Albanian: Nëna Shqipëri) is a 12 m statue located at the National Martyrs Cemetery of Albania (Albanian: Dëshmorët e Kombit) in Albania, dedicated in 1971.
The statue represents the country as a mother guarding over the eternal slumber of those who gave their lives for her. There are up to 28,000 graves of Albanian partisans in the cemetery, all of whom perished during World War II. The massive statue holds a wreath of laurels and a star. The cemetery was also the resting place of former leader Enver Hoxha, who was subsequently disinterred and given a more humble grave in another public cemetery.
The statue is made of concrete and it is a work of the sculptors Kristaq Rama, Muntaz Dhrami and Shaban Hadërri. It stands atop a 3-metre pedestal; engraved on the pedestal are the words "Lavdi e përjetshme dëshmorëve të atdheut" ("Eternal glory to the martyrs of the fatherland").
Taken from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mother_Albania_(statue).

Tirana: National Museum
Entry fee: 200 Leke.
The National History Museum (Albanian: Muzeu Historik Kombëtar) is a historical museum in Tirana, Albania. It was opened on 28 October 1981 and is 27,000 square metres in size, while 18,000 square metres are available for expositions.
Above the entrance of the museum is a large mural mosaic titled The Albanians that depicts purported ancient to modern figures from Albania's history.[2][3] The museum includes the following pavilions: the Pavilion of Antiquity, Middle Ages, Renaissance, Independence, Iconography, National Liberation Antifascist War, Communist Terror, and Mother Teresa.

Tirana: Parlament (Kuvendi i Shqipërisë)
The Parliament of Albania (Albanian: Kuvendi i Shqipërisë) or Kuvendi is the unicameral representative body of the citizens of the Republic of Albania; it is Albania's legislature. The Parliament is composed of no less than 140 members elected to a four-year term on the basis of direct, universal, periodic and equal suffrage by secret ballot.[2][3][4] The Parliament is presided over by the Speaker, who is assisted by at least one deputy speaker. The electoral system is based on party-list proportional representation. There are 12 multi-seat constituencies, corresponding to the country's counties.
Taken from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parliament_of_Albania. For more see there.

Tirana: Pyramid
The now-derelict pyramid was built in 1987 according to the design of Enver Hoxha's daughter and was opened as a museum dedicated to her father. In 2007 US President George W. Bush gave a speech in front of this building. The building was the most expensive erected under communism, and there are plans for changes into it. As of October 2023 it is possible to walk up the stairs to its peak and get a nice view of the city.
For more see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyramid_of_Tirana.

Tirana: Ruga Ukraina e Lirë
The mayor of Tirana, Erion Veliaj wrote on Twitter on Monday that the street on which the Russian, Ukrainian, Serbian and Kosovo embassies stand in the Albanian capital is now called Free Ukraine Street.
“The Serbia war on Kosovo and the Russian war on Ukraine have defined our generation. The street will define our city,” Veliaj said.
“All embassies will need to change their business cards,” he added.
There has been no reaction from the Russian embassy in Tirana so far, but on Monday Russia included Albania on a list of what it described as “enemy states”.
Albania on February 27 joined EU sanctions on Russia, including asset freezes on over 650 individuals and a complete ban on Russian flights.
Economic sanctions include measures in the finance, energy, transport and technology fields. Albania also joined the EU and Britain in closing its airspace to all aircraft registered in Russia, excluding only cases in which flights need to take place for an emergency, humanitarian or medical purposes.
Albania joined the EU in imposing sanctions on the assets of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and members of Russia’s National Security Council.
“Economic sanctions include restrictive measures in finance, energy, transport and technology. In total, these restrictive measures will apply to 654 individuals and 52 entities,” said Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Olta Xhacka.
Albania’s honorary consulate in the Albanian city of Kharkiv was demolished by Russian missiles on Sunday, and Xhacka said that “the perpetrators should be held accountable”.
Albania’s parliament approved a resolution that supports the territorial integrity of Ukraine on Monday. The vote on the resolution was unanimous.
An MP from the Social Movement for Integration, SMI party, Petrit Vasili, asked that the resolution should include a request to parliament for the Albanian government “to take Albania out of the Open Balkan initiative”, which includes Serbia, for as long as “Serbia maintains its support for Russia”. His suggestion was not approved.
By the way, the former name of the road was “Ruga Donika Kastrioti”, named after Donika Kastrioti, the wife of Skanderberg.

Tirana: Skanderbeg Square
The Skanderbeg Square (Albanian: Sheshi Skënderbej) is the main plaza in the centre of Tirana, Albania. The square is named after the Albanian national hero Gjergj Kastrioti Skënderbeu. The total area is about 40,000 square metres. The Skanderbeg Monument dominates the square.
The city plan for Tirana was initially designed by Armando Brasini in 1925 and continued by Florestano Di Fausto in a Neo-Renaissance style with articulate angular solutions and giant order fascias. Following the Italian invasion of Albania the master plan was updated in 1939 by Gherardo Bosio.
Many buildings including the Tirana International Hotel, the Palace of Culture, the National Opera, the National Library, the National Bank, the Ethem Bey Mosque, the Clock Tower, the City Hall, the Ministry of Infrastructure, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Economy, the Ministry of Energy, and the National Historical Museum are situated at the square.
Taken from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skanderbeg_Square. For more see there.

Tirana: Taiwan-Komplex
24 hours/day, 7 days/week. This beautiful place in the heart of downtown Tirana. It includes restaurants, casinos, bars, a club, etc. It is surrounded by a huge lit water fountain with a glowing bridge that reaches to the restaurant, and is an ideal place for all ages. Children enjoy gourmet ice cream and iced European soft drinks, whilst adults and teens can enjoy fun casinos. This is an excellent tourist attraction, and many Albanian celebrities can be found in the area.
It is known as Taivani or "Taiwan" as it is said to resemble a small island, in the middle of a park.

Tirana: TID Tower and Kapllan Pasha Tomb
Maritim Plaza Tirana is a luxury hotel in Tirana, Albania owned by German Maritim hotel chain. It is located on 28 Nëntori Street, near the Skanderbeg Square.
The hotel building is also known as the TID Tower, after the Tirana International Development corporation that originally commissioned its construction. The design comes from Belgian architectural firm 51N4E, and construction started on 14 January 2007.[2] "The building is designed as a constellation of 3 singular buildings: the tower of 85 m height coming down to the ground, a 5 story glass building with a cantilevering roof that creates a public open air galleria; and a concrete building with a hollowed out quarter dome, embracing the tomb of Suleiman Pasha [sic; actually the Kapllan Pasha Tomb]."[3] The central tower stands at 85 metres (279 ft) tall, and consists of 24 floors.[4] The TID Tower's architectural design is notable for its sensitive incorporation of the Kapllan Pasha Tomb, tucked in a void in one of the complex’s low-slung concrete buildings, and for its use of concrete panels cast on-site.[5][6] The building design was featured in the 15th Venice Architecture Biennale in 2016.[5]
Maritim Plaza Tirana is the second tallest building in Albania.[7]
Taken from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maritim_Plaza_Tirana.
The Kapllan Pasha Tomb (Albanian: Tyrbja e Kapllan Pashës) is a Muslim Türbe of Albania, located in the center of Tirana.[1] It is a Cultural Monument of the first category and was so declared by the government of Albania in 1948.[2] It was built in the early 19th century, with carved stones and has an octagonal shape. The columns are made of stone, and placed also on stone bases and capitals with plant decor on the surface. The former ruler of Tirana was interned here in the 19th century, but was later repatriated back to Istanbul, Turkey.
It stood next to the Sylejman Pasha Mosque, which was destroyed during World War II[3] and is not to be confused with the Suleyman Pasha Tomb. It has recently been restored by the Municipality of Tirana.
Taken from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kapllan_Pasha_Tomb.

Tirana: Resurrection Cathedral
The Resurrection Cathedral (Katedralja Ngjallja e Krishtit) is an Albanian Orthodox church situated in the center of Tirana, Albania. It is considered among the largest Eastern Orthodox churches in the Balkans.[1]
It was officially opened on June 24, 2012, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the revival of the Albanian Orthodox Church and the election of Archbishop Anastasios of Albania.[2]

Tirana: St Paul's Cathedral
St Paul's Cathedral is a cathedral in Tirana, Albania. It belongs to the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Tiranë-Durrës. The stained glass window to the left of the front door features Pope John Paul II and Mother Teresa.[1] Also a statue of Mother Teresa can be found at the entrance of the cathedral. It is a modern-looking building and does not resemble a traditional church.
When Pope John Paull II visited Albania in 1993, he laid the cornerstone for the church. It was inaugurated on 26 January 2002.[2]
The cathedral is built using a combined triangle and circle shape, representing the Trinity and God's Eternity respectively, and features a relatively plain interior. At the back is a baptismal font with a Paschal candle. A statue of the apostle Paul is set on the top of the building.[3]

Tirana: The Museum of the Bank of Albania
Tu W Th 09:00-15:00. Free. Online Booking Required!:
The museum lies on two floors, each of which is conceived as an independent space from the other. On the first floor is presented the rich numismatic collection of the Bank of Albania from antiquity to the present day. The second floor of the museum presents the history of the central bank institution in Albania, its role in maintaining price stability and ensuring the country's financial stability, as well as its constitutional functions. Visitors can learn more about all aspects of money and economy, as well as better understand the function of Central Bank. Enter the building from Ibrahim Rugova street. To enter the Museum of the Bank of Albania, you must book your visit online and be provided with an identification document. Free.

Tjentiste War Memorial
See https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/tjeniste-war-memorial.

Tounjski Most
See https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/tounj-bridge.

Troy
Troy (Turkish: Truva or Troya) is the site of an ancient city 30 km southwest of Çanakkale in the Southern Marmara Region of Turkey. In Greek it was called Ilion (Ίλιον), hence the name of Homer’s epic poem Iliad, which describes the climax of the legendary ten-year Trojan War. Archaeological excavations began in 1870 and these continue.
Taken from https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Troy_(Turkey).

Ulm: Birthplace of Albert Einstein
Birthplace of Albert Einstein. The original house in which he was born in 1879 is not standing anymore, though. There is a monument in his honor nowadays.
About Albert Einstein: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_Einstein.

Ulm: Bread and Art Museum
Museum Brot und Kunst (Bread and Art Museum).
History of the Bread. Guided tours 2 €. Opening Hours: daily 10:00 - 17:00, Mo only until 15:00, Mi until 19:00. Entry Fee: 6 €.
For more in German see https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Museum_Brot_und_Kunst.

Ulm: Fischerviertel
A scenic old part of town with half-timbered houses, around the Blau River. Contains the crookedest hotel in the world.
Taken from https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Ulm.
For more in German see

Ulm: Fortress of Ulm
The fortress of Ulm (Bundesfestung Ulm) was one of five federal fortresses of the German Confederation around the cities of Ulm and Neu-Ulm. With its 9 km polygonal main circumvallation Ulm had the biggest fortress in Germany in the 19th century and it is still one of the biggest in Europe.[1]
After the final defeat of Napoleon in 1815, the victorious powers agreed to defend the states from the inside. The fortresses were one of the few realised projects of the confederation. The fortress Ulm was planned by the Prussian construction manager Moritz Karl Ernst von Prittwitz und Gaffron and built under his supervision between 1842 and 1859.[2]
In peacetimes the fortress should hold 5,000 men of the federal army, in wartimes up to 20,000 soldiers. A plan to expand the fortress to hold 100,000 men was never realised. The building costs were valued at 16,5 mio. guilders.
The fortress is a closed, polygonal wall system around the cities of Ulm in the Kingdom of Württemberg and Neu-Ulm in the Kingdom of Bavaria. In some distance detached works were added. The at this time first stone bridge across the Danube laid between both cities inside of the fortress. The next stone bridge was in Regensburg.
For the first time the bastion system was given up and replaced by a polygonal system with detached works, which is called Neupreußische Manier (New Prussian Fortress System) or Neudeutsche Manier (New German Fortress System). The later constructed works at the upper Eselsberg were built as so-called "Biehler-Forts".
Taken from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fortress_of_Ulm.

Ulm: Hans and Sophie Scholl Monument
Hans and Sophie Scholl, often referred to in German as die Geschwister Scholl (the Scholl siblings), were a brother and sister who were members of the White Rose, a student group in Munich that was active in the non-violent resistance movement in Nazi Germany, especially in distributing flyers against the war and the dictatorship of Adolf Hitler. In post-war Germany, Hans and Sophie Scholl are recognized as symbols of German resistance against the totalitarian Nazi regime.
Taken from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hans_and_Sophie_Scholl. For more see there.

Ulm: Metzgerturm (Butcher's Tower)
The Metzgerturm in Ulm is a city gate of the medieval city fortification on the Danube, which is still preserved today. The square brick tower with pointed arch gates was built around 1340 as an outlet of the Staufer city fortifications to the Stadtmetzig, the city's slaughterhouse, in front of it. The upper storey with projecting semi-circular arches is topped off by a steep hipped roof.[1]
At a height of about 36 m, the Metzgerturm is inclined 2.05 m to the northwest, which corresponds to a slope of 3.3°[2] (for comparison Slate Tower of Pisa: 3.97°). The cause is a subsequent subsidence of the marshy subsoil.
According to legend, the inclination of the tower was caused by the fact that there corpulent butchers locked up in a corner for fear of being punished for for fear of punishment for inferior goods when the angry mayor entered.
Taken from https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metzgerturm_(Ulm).

Ulm: Rathaus (City Hall)
With its ancient colourful painted walls and the astronomical clock (dating from 1520).
Taken from https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Ulm.
For more in German see https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rathaus_(Ulm).

Ulm: Schiefes Haus (Leaning House)
The Leaning House is a late Gothic half-timbered house in Ulm, which has a slope of 9 to 10°.
The original half-timbered house from the 14th century acquired its present appearance of a five-story house in 1443 after several additions and alterations. It was used by the shipmasters of Ulm.
With its southern foundation located directly on the Blau River, the house partially overhangs the river from the second floor onwards thanks to diagonal bracing. Thus, boats could moor there in a protected manner. Investigations by the State Archaeological Office also suggest that the basement of the house, which was used by fishermen at the time as a room for repairing their nets, also contained fish chambers with a natural fresh water supply, where the fishermen's live catch waited for market day.[1] In the course of time, the basement of the house was lowered to the ground.
Over time, the side of the house facing the river sank sharply, so that support measures had to be initiated as early as the beginning of the 17th century.
Taken from https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schiefes_Haus_Ulm. For more in German see there.

Ulm: Stadtmauer (City Wall)
Iron rings are still stuck in the city wall on the Danube side. They are an indication that this was once located directly on the river.
A walk on the city wall is a must for Ulm explorers. There is much to see in its central section, pretty gardens on one side, the Danube meadow, much frequented on sunny days, on the other. The stomping ground for meeting and recreation is a stroke of luck for the city, centrally located, attractive to the young as well as the young at heart.

Ulm: Ulm Minster
Construction on this Gothic cathedral began in the 14th century, but the current version was only fully completed in 1890. The interior of the Münster contains gorgeous choir stalls by Jörg Syrlin (1469–1474) from the 15th century. The top of the steeple, which is the tallest in the world, can be reached by climbing 768 steps and offers an amazing view of Ulm and the region (7€ for adults). On clear days, it is possible to see the Alps.
Taken from https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Ulm.
For more see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulm_Minster.

Una National Park
Most of the national park has no gate/entry fee, but certain local sites (especially waterfalls) do.
Una National Park (Serbo-Croatian: Национални парк Уна, Nacionalni park Una) was established on 29 May 2008 around the rivers Upper Una River, Krka and the Unac. It is Bosnia and Herzegovina's largest national park. The main purpose of the park is to protect the unspoiled Una river and its tributaries Krka and Unac, which run through it.[2]
Taken from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Una_National_Park. For more see there.

Wiblingen Monastery
Founded in 1092 by Benedictine monks. Points of interest are the late Baroque basilica and the Rococo library room. There is also a museum in the convent building. The monastery is the starting point of the Upper-Swabian Baroque Route.
For more see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wiblingen_Abbey.

Wildbad Innichen
See https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/bagni-wildbad.

Zelengora
Zelengora (Serbian Cyrillic: Зеленгора) is a mountain range in the Sutjeska National Park of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It has a highest altitude of 2,014 metres (6,608 ft).[1]
Geologically, the Zelengora range is part of the Dinaric Alps and formed largely of secondary and tertiary sedimentary rock, mostly limestone.[2] The Zelengora range is bordered to the south-west by the Neretva river, to the east by the Sutjeska river and to the north by the Lelija range. A number of mountain lakes are scattered throughout the group, among which the beautiful Orlovačko Jezero. The Neretva river sources from these mountains: as also the Hrčavka, tributary of the Sutjeska river and the Bjelava, tributary of the Drina river. Highest peak is Bregoč (2014 m.), other notable peaks are Kozje Strane (2013 m.), Dhrtar (1970 m.), Trebova Planina (1872 m.) and Orlovača (1969 m.).
Taken from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zelengora.

Željava Airbase
Željava Air Base, situated on the border between Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina under the Plješevica mountain, near the city of Bihać, was the largest underground airport and military air base in the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (SFRY), and one of the largest in Europe. The facilities are shared by the local governments of Bihać and Lika-Senj County of Croatia.
Taken from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%BDeljava_Air_Base.
For more see there or at the following websites:
https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/zeljava-airbase
https://www.exutopia.com/zeljava-airbase-croatia/

Zovikj
The western portion of Mariovo makes up much of Novaci Municipality, considered part of the Bitola area. Most of the places of interest here are found at Zovikj.
See:
1. Stone Bridge of Zovikj (Камен мост (Зовиќ)), village of Zovikj. A single-arch stone bridge crosses the Gradeška River, forming quite a picturesque scene. A bridge has existed at this spot for centuries, but it was wooden until the 1950s, when the it collapsed as a herd of oxen were crossing. The villagers then decided to reconstruct it in stone. Saint George is painted on its underside. It has been featured in Macedonian films.
2. Church of Saint Nicholas (Црква „Св. Никола“), village of Zovikj. Built in 1862, this is the main church for the village and contains the village cemetery in its courtyard. It features a long porch and a detached bell tower. It suffered damage in World War I but was subsequently restored. Inside the church is an engraved tile from the date of its construction. Notably, the engraving states the name of the village to be "Bzoikj".
3. Church of Saint Athanasius (Црква „Св. Атанасиј“), village of Zovikj. The oldest church of Zovikj, this one was built in the 17th century but it is smaller than the village's main church. It sits upon a hill beside the village that provides a view above it, including the Stone Bridge. Inside the church are some significant icons.
Taken from https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Mariovo.