PRO[ETKA NIZ PORE^E A WALK THROUGH PORECHE

PRO[ETKA NIZ PORE^E A WALK THROUGH PORECHE 1

Sodr`ina 1. NEKOLKU PRI^INI ZA PRO[ETKA NIZ PORE^E 2. PRIRODA 3 6 Contents 1. FEW REASONS FOR TAKING A WALK THROUGH PORECHE 2. NATURE 3 6 Planini Reki Ezera Flora i fauna Mountains Rivers Lakes Flora and Fauna 3. KULTURA 10 3. CULTURE 10 Karakteristiki na naselenieto Istra`uva~ite za Pore~e Tradicionalna arhitektura Tradicionalna ishrana, lokalni specijaliteti i pijaloci Tradicionalna nosija Narodno stopanstvo Narodna religija Ustno narodno tvore{tvo Narodna muzika i igri Population features Researchers on Poreche Traditional architecture Traditional food, local dishes and beverages Traditional costume Traditional economy Folk religion Oral folk tradition Folk music and games 4. [TO DA SE POSETI VO PORE^E 33 4. PLACES TO VISIT IN PORECHE 33 2

PRO[ETKA NIZ PORE^E NEKOLKU PRI^INI ZA PRO[ETKA NIZ PORE^E Prirodnite i kulturnite vrednosti na etni~kiot predel Pore~e dosega ne im se prezentirani na makedonskata i na po- {irokata javnost. Prirodata vo ovoj predel, kako i lu eto {to `iveat vo nego i kulturnite vrednosti {to tie gi soobrazuvaat vo minatoto i denes, mo`at da bidat interesni za poedincite i za grupite {to se zainteresirani za nekon vencionalen, odnosno al ter nativen turizam. Predelot Pore~e ne e aktuelen turisti~ki prostor vo Makedonija, no so svoite prirodni i kulturni specifi~nosti nudi golemi mo`nosti za razvivawe na alternativni vidovi turizam. Poradi toa smetame deka qubopitnite patnici, kako od Makedonija taka i od stranstvo, treba da se zapoznaat so vrednostite na Pore~e. Patnicite {to se intere si raat za nedoprenata priroda i avtenti~nata kultura na predelot }e se sretnat so uslovi koi ni oddaleku ne nalikuvaat na voobi ~aenite turisti~ki ponudi vo svetot. Predelot e vo proces na celosna de- A WALK THROUGH PORECHE FEW REASONS FOR TAKING A WALK THROUGH PORECHE The natural and cultural wealth of the area of Poreche has neither been presented to the Macedonian public, nor to a more general one. The natural setting of this area, the people that live in it, as well as the interesting cultural practices that they have produced in the past and which are still produced today, can attract individuals and groups that are interested in non-conventional, that is, alternative tou rism. The area of Poreche is not the most popular tourist resort in Macedonia. However, with its natural and cultural uniqueness, it offers many possibilities for the development of alternative types of tourism. Thus, we find that the curious traveler, from Macedonia or from abroad, should get acquainted with Poreche s natural and cultural splendor. Poreche offers travelers interested in untouched nature and authentic traditional culture with a unique opportunity. The area 3

PRO[ETKA NIZ PORE^E po pulacija, poradi {to, osven vo nekolku pogolemi naselbi i sela, vo preostanatite pove}e od 30 sela mirno go `iveat svojot `ivot samo starci. Toa e predel vo koj ne postoi nitu eden pogolem industriski kapacitet koj na kakov bilo na~in bi go zagaduval prostorot. Zna~i, onie {to se zainteresirani za spokojni pro{etki pokraj re~nite korita ili visokite planinski, {umski i trevni prostori, onie {to u`ivaat vo pesnite na pticite, razli~nite boi na {umite vo razli~nite godi{ni vremiwa, prekrasnite mirizbi na planinskite bilki, }e go pronajdat svojot mir i zadovolstvo. Vo Pore~e nema da pronajdete specijalizirani restorani ili hoteli kade {to }e gi probate lokalnite specijaliteti, no posetitelite mo`at, kako gosti na doma}inite, da do`iveat prekrasni momenti jadej}i gi pore~kite specijaliteti i piej}i ja slivovata rakija. Tuka nema muzei, nitu posebni muzejski postavki. Pove}eto od selata vo Pore~e nalikuvaat na muzei na otvoreno, vo koi sè u{te se odviva `ivot. Namesto vo muzejskite vitrini, vrednostite na tradicionalnoto tekstilno tvore{tvo }e gi pronajdete vo sandacite na staricite, koi vnimatelno gi ~uvaat, sakaj}i da im gi podarat na svoite pokolenija ili da gi upotrebat na patot kon nivniot ve~en dom. Sekoja starica vo Pore~e ~uva delovi od najubavite i najreprezentativnite delovi od nevestinskata obleka, nostalgi~no se}avaj}i se na minatoto, so `elba da bide oble ~ena vo taa obleka na nej zino to po sledno patuvawe. is going through a process of a complete depopulation: besides a few major settlements and villages, the rest of the 30 villages are populated only with a small number of old people. Furthermore, the area supports no industry which would pollute the environment. Thus, individuals interested in relaxing walks along river banks or on the high mountains, forest and meadows of the area, or those who enjoy birdsongs, the various colors of the forest in different seasons, the beautiful smell of mountain plants, will find peace and pleasure here. In Poreche there are no specialized restaurants or hotels where you can taste the local dishes, but the visitors can experience beautiful moments eating Poreche specialties and drinking slivova rakiya (plum brandy) in the homes of their hosts. Similarly, while there are no museums or special exhibitions, most of the villages of Poreche look like open-air museums, which are still alive. Instead of the museum show windows, the valuable products of the traditional textile creative work can be found in the chests of the villages old ladies who still take good care of them for future generations, or in order to use them on their way to their eternal homes. That is, each older woman in Poreche keeps the most beautiful and representative parts of her bridal costume, remembering the past with nostalgia, and desiring to be dressed in this costume at her funeral. 4

A WALK THROUGH PORECHE Od druga strana, Pore~e denes ja ima najgolemata vodna akumulacija vo Makedonija. So sozdavaweto na ezeroto Kozjak, vo predelot se slu~ija zna~itelni ambientalni i kulturni promeni. Eden ogromen del od re~nata klisura na Treska sega e Korisni informacii Smestuvawe i hrana Ugostitelskite kapaciteti vo Pore~e ne se soodvetni za podolgotraen prestoj. Postojat dva motela: Suvenir i Pe{na. Motelot Suvenir se nao a vo Samokov. Toj nudi uslugi za smestuvawe i za ishrana. Motelot Pe{na e dvaesetina kilometri oddale~en od Samokov. Toj nudi uslugi za smestuvawe i za ishrana. Gostilnici ima vo Makedonski brod i vo Samokov. Vo Samokov postoi samo edna gostilnica - UNITEH vo sopstvenost na Nikol~e Joveski, so telefonski broj 045/278-128, koja e nameneta najmnogu za organizacija na kulturno-zabavniot `ivot na lokalnoto naselenie i kade po pora~ka mo`e da se probaat pore~kite specijaliteti. Pristapnost Postojat tri pati{ta {to vodat kon Samokov i go povrzuvaat so Skopje, glavniot grad na Republika Makedonija. Tie se navedeni vo prodol`enie. Skopje - Samokov. Patot e dolg okolu 70 km (vo izgradba, ne e vo upotreba). Skopje - Tetovo - Gostivar - Ki~evo - Makedonski Brod - Samokov. Patot e dolg okolu 160 km i zasega e najkratkata pristapna vrska so Samokov. Skopje - Veles - Prilep - Samokov. Patot e dolg okolu 200 km, no e vo dobra sostojba. Lokalnata patna mre`a e vo dobra sostojba. Re~isi do sekoe selo ima ureden asfalten pat. On the other hand, Poreche today has the biggest hydro plant in Macedonia. After the creation of the Kozjak lake, the area suffered a number of important environmental and cultural changes. A huge part of the river canyon of Treska is now under the waters of the wide and long lake Kozjak. The Useful information Accommodation and food Accommodation facilities in Poreche are poor. There are two motels: Souvenir and Peshna. The Souvenir motel is located in Samokov. It offers accommodation and food. Peshna motel is 20km from Samokov. It offers accommodation and food. There are restaurants in Makedonski Brod and Samokov. In Samokov there is only one restaurant Uniteh, owned by Joveski Nikolche (telephone: 045/278-128), which is used mainly by locals, but can make preordered Poreche specialties. Accessibility: There are three roads that lead to Samokov and connect it to Skopje, the capital of the Republic of Macedonia. Skopje-Samokov. The road is 70km long (currently it is out of use as it is under construction) Skopje-Tetovo-Gostivar-Kichevo- Makedonski Brod-Samokov. The road is about 160km long and at the moment is the shortest way to Samokov. Skopje-Veles-Prilep-Samokov. The road is about 200km long, but it is in good condition. The local road network, however, is in good condition. There are asphalt roads to almost all villages. 5

PRO[ETKA NIZ PORE^E pod vodite na prostranoto i dolgo ezero Kozjak. Seloto Zduwe i del od seloto Blizansko bea dislocirani od nivnite porane{ni pozicii na novi, so {to vo predelot se slu~ija specifi~ni op {testveni i kulturni procesi. Vo tekot na dislociraweto na seloto, crkvata, grobi{tata i na site drugi pridru`ni elementi bea realizirani specijalizirani istra`uva~ki i rekonstrukcisko-konzervatorski zafati od st rana na pove}e institucii vo dr `avata. Pra{awata povrzani so dislokacijata i rekonstrukcijata na objektite, kako i sozdavaweto na novite naselbi pokraj ezeroto, mo`at da bidat interesni i provokativni temi za razgovori na posetitelite so lokalnoto naselenie i so stru~nite lica {to rabotele na terenot. Sozdavaweto na akumulacijata pridonese i za zna~itelno vidoizmenuvawe na `ivotnata srednina, {to najverojatno }e pridonese da se slu~at i drugi promeni vo pejza`ot na Pore~e. Ovie pra{awa se sè poaktuelen problem za mnogumina koi vo `ivo sakaat da vidat kako se slu~uvaat promenite vo `ivotnata sredina. Od druga strana, akumulacijata i novoizgradenite naselbi }e sozdadat uslovi za toa predelot da prerasne vo interesno izletni~ko i turisti~ko mesto, kade {to na mnogu mal prostor e vospostaven spoj pome u ezerskiot, pla ninskiot i kulturniot tu rizam. PRIRODA Planini Pore~e e planinski predel. Od istok e zat voreno village of Zdunje and a part of the village Blizansko were relocated, which initiated certain social and cultural shifts. During the village s relocation, the church, the graveyard and their related objects were subjected to specialized research, reconstruction and conservation by a number of state institutions. Indeed, the issues related to the relocation and reconstruction of these objects, as well as to the creation of new settlements along the lake, could serve as interesting and provocative topics for discussion between visitors, the local population and the experts that worked in the area. The creation of the lake drastically changed the environment, which could initiate future changes of Poreche s landscape. These issues are intriguing for those interested in monitoring the environmental changes in progress. On the other hand, the lake and the newly built settlements can aid the development of tourism, since all in a small territory, and present a harmony between the lake, the mountains and cultural tourism. NATURE Mountains Poreche is a mountainous region. To the east there are the mountains of Suva and Jakupica, also known as Karadzica and Dautica, which are part of this mountain ridge. To the south, Poreche borders with a part of Busheva Mountain, to the west, with Pesjak and Cheloica, and on the north, with Suva Gora. 6

A WALK THROUGH PORECHE so pla ninite Suva i Jakupica ili, poto~no, so Karaxica i Dautica, koi se sostaven del od ovoj planinskiot masiv. Na jug se grani~i so del od Bu{eva Planina, na zapad so Pesjak i so ^eloica i na sever so Suva Gora. Site planini se specifi~ni i atraktivni za ednodnevni i pove}ednevni pe{a~ki i velosipedski turi. Od niv, Jakupica pretstavuva najgolema planinarska i turisti~ka atrakcija. Na nea osobeno mo- `at da se istaknat vrvovite Solunska Glava (2540 m), Marina Rupa (2469 m), Dautica (2178 m), Ubava (2353 m), prostranite pasi{ta i buj nata raznovidna vegetacija. Jakupica e prirodna bariera koja go oddeluva Pore~e od Skopskata Kotlina i od Veles i poradi toa pretstavuva i dopolnitelen predizvik za turistite {to sakaat da gi povrzat civilizaciskite elementi so do`ivuvawa vo divinata. Na planinata ^eloica osobeno e atraktiven vrvot Dobra Voda (2062 m), a na Suva Gora mesnosta Pekli{te, sedlovina (planinski premin), koja pretstavuva i prirodna vrska pome u severnite pore~ki sela i gostivarskite sela. Mo`e da se dodade deka, pokraj prirodnite ubavini na ovie planini, postojat ostatoci od postarite kulturi i sè u{te `ivi tradicionalni elementi, koi se osobeno atraktivni za turistite {to sa kaat da gi povrzat u`ivaweto vo priroda so zapoznavaweto novi kulturi. Kako osobeno interesni mo`at da se navedat nekoi za~u vani elementi od tradicionalnoto ov ~arstvo na pla ninata Suva Gora, da se probaat ne koi tradicionalni jadewa ili da se u~estvuva vo prigotvuvawe na jadewa ta. All these mountains offer attractive opportunities for one-day or longer walking and biking tours. The biggest attraction for tourists and mountain climbers is Jakupica Mountain. It has several beautiful peaks: Solunska Glava (2540m), Marina Rupa (2469m), Dautica (2178m), Ubava (2353m), as well as wide pastures and large variety of flora. Jakupica is a natural barrier that separates Porche from the Skopje valley and Veles, and thus presents an additional intrigue for tourists that like to connect civilization with adventures in the wild. The mountain Cheloica has an at tractive peak known as Dobra Voda (2062m), while Suva Gora is wellknown for its mountain pass Peklishte - a natural link between northern Poreche villages and those that surround Gostivar. Besides the na tural beauties of these mountains, there are also remains of older cultures and elements of their traditional life can still be vividly seen. The mountain is thus an especially attractive option for those tourists that would like to connect the relaxation provided by nature with the experience of learning about different cultures. Of special interest are the conserved aspects of the traditional sheep husbandry at Suva Gora, where one can taste traditional dishes or participating in food preparation. 7

PRO[ETKA NIZ PORE^E Reki Dolinite na rekite pretstavuvaat prirodna vrska pome u lu eto i ja poednostavuvaat kulturnata razmena so te{ko dostapnite predeli. Treska e najgolema reka vo Pore~e. Dolinata na r. Treska pretstavuva prirodna vrska na Pore~e so Ki~evskata Kotlina na zapad i Skopskata Kotlina na istok. Site drugi vrski se preku planinskite premini. So izgradba na branata Kozjak, rekata Treska e pregradena i po nejziniot tek e formirano ve{ta~koto ezero Kozjak. Re kata Treska i ezeroto Kozjak nudat golemi mo`nosti za razvoj na vodenite sportovi. Vtora po golemina e Mala Reka, pritoka na Treska. Dolinata na Mala Reka e prirodna vrska pome u Gorno i Dolno Pore~e. Osobeno atraktivni za turisti~ka poseta se izvorite na Beli~ka Reka vo seloto Belica, koe se nao a vo podno`jeto na planinata Jakupica. Ezera Edinstvenoto ezero vo Pore~e e ve{ta~koto ezero Kozjak. Izgradeno e so pregraduvawe na rekata Treska so istoimenata brana Kozjak i so namera da se podobri snabduvaweto so elektri~na energija i vodosnabduvaweto na Skopje, glavniot grad na Republika Makedonija. Izgrad bata i polneweto na ezeroto zavr{ija do po~etokot na 2003 godina. Eze roto ima kapacitet od 550 milioni m 3 voda i pret sta - Rivers The river valleys are a natural link between people and make the cultural exchange with the isolated areas easier. Treska is the biggest river in Poreche. Its valley is a natural connection of Poreche with the Kichevo valley on the west and the Skopje valley on the east. All other connections lead through mountain passes. After the construction of the Kozjak dam, the river Treska has been blocked, forming the Kozjak reservoir. The Treska River and the Kozjak Lake offer wonderful possibilities for the development of water sports. Mala Reka, a tributary of the Treska, is second largest river in the area. The Mala Reka valley provides a natural passage between the regions of Gorno and Dolno Poreche. Especially attractive for a tourist visit are the springs of Belichka Reka in the village of Belica, located at the bottom of Jakupica Mountain. Lakes The only lake in Poreche is the artificial lake Kozjak. It was built by blocking river Treska with the Kozjak dam, which was built to improve the electric energy supply and the water supply of Skopje, Macedonia s capitol. The construction of the lake was finished at the beginning of 2003. It has a capacity of 550 million m3 of water and is the biggest man-made lake in the Republic of Macedonia. In addition to supporting industrial development, it also offers many 8

A WALK THROUGH PORECHE vu va naj go lemo ve{ta~ko ezero vo Republika Makedo nija. Pokraj poddr{kata na indu s tris kiot razvoj, nudi i ogromni mo`nosti za turisti~ki razvoj. Ve}e po~naa da se formiraat turisti~ki naselbi na negoviot zapaden breg. Flora i fauna Kako planinski predel, Pore~e izobiluva so raznovidna vegetacija i `ivotinski svet. Na teritorijata na Pore~e se nao a i prirodnata za{titena zona Jasen, kade {to e ograni~eno dvi`eweto na lu eto zaradi za{tita na rasitelniot i na `ivotinskiot svet. [umskata vegetacija e sostavena od bor (lat. Pinus nigra var. pallasianai), buka (lat. Fagus sylvatica), smreka (lat. Uniperis comunis), kosten (lat. Castanea sativa) i posebniot vid na dab nare~en cer (lat. Quercus trojana). No, kako osobeno karakteristi~ni mo`e da se izdvojat rastenijata koi imaat zna~ewe za na rod noto sobira~ko stopanstvo. Zavisno od godi{niot period se sobiraat lekoviti bilki za ~aj, pe~urki, borova smola, plodovi od smreka, mov (lat. Bryophita). Od lekovitite bilki se sobiraat najmnogu onie od koi se pravat ~aevi kako Planinski ~aj (lat. Sidoritis scardica), Maj~ina du{ica (lat. Thymus serpyllum) i Kantarion (lat. Hypericum perforatum). Od borovata smola se pravat neft i katran koi se koristat za lekuvawe na reumatski zaboluva wa. Od pe ~ur - kite naj~esto se possibilities for the development of tourism. There are already a few tourist spots that have opened along its west coast. Flora and fauna Being a mountainous area, Poreche is rich with various flora and fauna. In fact, Poreche s territory includes the protected wildlife area of Jasen, where movement is restricted in order to preserve the area s flora and fauna. The forest vegetation includes black pines (pinus nigra var. pallasianai), European beeches (fagus sylvatica), junipers (uniperis comunis), Spanish chestnuts (castanea sativa) and Macedonian oak (Quercus trojana). However, most interesting are those plants that play and important role in the traditional economy. According to the season, various medicinal plants are still collected, for example different types of tea, mushrooms, pines, black pine fruits, mosses (bryophita) etc. Many of these medicinal plants are also incorporated themselves into teas, for example, the mountain tea (sidoritis scardica), mother of thyme (thymus serpyllum) and St. John s wort (hypericum perforatum). Pine resin is used for turpentine and tar production that is used to heal certain rheumatic diseases. There are also dif ferent types of mushrooms like Boletus spe cies, Cantharellus cibarius, Morchella rotunda and Amanita species. The mush- 9

PRO[ETKA NIZ PORE^E sre}ava vrgaw (lat. Boletus species), a potoa lisi~arka (lat. Cantharellus cibarius), smr~ka (lat. Morchella rotunda) i jaj~arka (lat. Amanita species). Pe~urkite, plodovite od smreka i movta se prodavaat za potrebite na prehranbenata i farmacevtskata industrija i naj~esto se izvezuvaat vo treti zemji. Lekovitite bilki za ~aevi se sobiraat od maj do avgust, plodovite od smreka i od borovata smola se sobiraat od maj do septemvri, pe~urkite se sobiraat od maj do septemvri, vo zavisnost od vrne`ite od do`d, dodeka movta se sobira vo zimskiot period od fevruari do april. @ivotinskiot svet e, isto taka, mnogu raznoviden. Pore~e izobiluva so raznoviden dive~, kako zajak, diva sviwa, volk, srna, diva koza. Od vodnite `ivotni e karakteristi~na re~nata pastrmka, koja, spored ka`uvaweto na lokalnoto naselenie, mnogu brgu se prisposobila od re~nite na ezerskite uslovi, koi se sozdadoa so izgradbata na branata i na ezeroto Kozjak. Kako poseben vid turisti~ka atrakcija, mo`e da se organizira fotosafari niz Pore~e. KULTURA Etni~kiot predel Pore~e opfa}a okolu 40 sela, naseleni so makedonsko pravoslavno naselenie. Spored svoite kulturni karakteristiki, etni~kiot predel Pore~e - pripa a na Brsja~kata etnografska celina. Predelot, spored pretstavite na naselenieto, e podelen na Dolno i na Gorno Pore~e. rooms, the black pine and the moss are typically sold to the food-production and pharmaceutical industry, and are also often exported abroad. The healing herbs that are used for tea preparation are collected from May until August, the black pine and the pine resin are collected from May to September, the mushrooms from May to September, depending on the rain, while the moss is collected during winter, from February until April. The fauna is also quite diverse. Poreche has many types of wild animals, such as rabbits, wild hogs, wolfs, bears, deer and wild goats. The river trout, which according to the local population has adapted itself rapidly to the lake conditions that appeared after the construction of lake Kozjak, is another characteristic specie of this region. A photo safari can be organized as a special kind of tourist attraction. CULTURE The area of Poreche consists of 40 villages, populated with Macedonian Orthodox Christian population. According to its cultural features, the ethnic area of Poreche is a part of the Brsjak ethnographic region. The area, according to the local population, is further divided to Dolno (Lower) and Gorno (Upper) Poreche. Administrative center of Dolno Poreche is the settlement Makedonski Brod, while Samokov is the center of Gorno Poreche. The following villages are part of the area of Poreche: Trebovle, Volche, Zagrad, 10

A WALK THROUGH PORECHE Administrativen centar na Dolno Pore~e e naselbata Makedonski Brod, a na Gorno Pore~e - naselbata Samokov. Vo predelot Pore~e se selata: Trebovle, Vol~e, Zagrad, Blizansko, Raste{, Breznica, Kosovo, Botu{e, Brest, Ta`evo, Zve~an, Ben~e, Ramne, Lup{te, Kov~e, Kova~, Kalu- erec, Belica, Gorno Zrkle, Dolno Zrkle, Zduwe, Su{ica, In~e, Mogilec, Trebino, Bar baros, Suvodol, Devi~, Krapa, Gre{nica, Sla tina, Dolno Kru{je, Gorno Kru{je, Dragov Dol, Lokvica, Vir, Gorna Topolnica, Dolna Topolnica, Tomino Selo, Manastirec, Modri{te, Cre{nevo. Makedonski Brod Makedonski Brod bil i e administrativen centar na Dolno Pore~e i vo minatoto i denes. Se spomenuva u{te vo hrisovulite na kralot Stefan Uro{ II od 1300 godina, koga toj mu go podaril Brod na manastirot Sveti \or i (Gorg) vo Skopje. Pritoa, vo hrisovulata se spomenuva deka vo Brod pazaren den bila nedelata, a pana urot bil na 8 septemvri. Vo 1300 godina se spomenuva i crkvata Sveta Bogorodica. Denes vo Brod postoi crkvata Sveta Bogorodica, koja e od ponov datum, izgradena, najverojatno, na temelite od srednovekovnata crkva. Vo Brod se nao a i manastirot Sveti Nikola ili te}eto na Ad r Baba. Toa e zaedni~ko kultno i sveto mesto, vo koe i hristijanite i muslimanite zaedni~ki mu se molat na sveti Nikola ili na Ad r Baba so cel da im pomogne vo razre{uvaweto na nivnite problemi. Blizansko, Rastesh, Breznica, Kosovo, Botushe, Brest, Tazevo, Zvechan, Benche, Ramne, Lupishte, Kovche, Kovach, Kalugerec, Belica, Gorno Zrkle, Dolno Zrkle, Zdunje, Sushica, Inche, Mogilec, Trebino, Barbaros, Suvodol, Devich, Krapa, Greshnica, Slatina, Dolno Krushe, Gorno Krushe, Dragov Dol, Lokvica, Vir, Gorna Topolnica, Dolna Topolnica, Tomino Selo, Manastirec, modrishte, Creshnevo. Makedonski Brod Makedonski Brod in the past, as well as today, has been the administrative center of Dolno Poreche. It is mentioned in the documents of King Stephan Urosh II from 1300, when he presented Brod to the monastery St. George in Skopje. The document mentions that in Brod Sunday was market day, while the largest village festivity happened 8 th of September. In 1300 the church Virgin Mary is mentioned. Today in Brod there is a church named Virgin Mary that dates from recent times, but has been probably built upon the foundations of a middle-age church. Also found in Brod there is the joint St. Nicola monastery and Teke (Dervish Lodge) of Ad r Baba. This is communal ritual and holy place in which both Christians and Muslims pray to St. Nicola or to A dr Baba for solutions to their problems. Samokov Samokov is the administrative center of Gorno Poreche. This settlement most likely 11

36 Mesna zaednica s. Raste{, op{tina Samokov