Polog

Polog (Macedonian: Полог, Albanian: Pollog) is a region in the northwestern corner of North Macedonia, bordering Kosovo to the north and Albania to the west.

• 🌍 Gostivar
• 🌍 Tetovo

• 🌍 Mavrovo National Park
• 🌍 Brvenica
• 🌍 Tearce-Jegunovce

• Aside from breathtaking nature, Mavrovo National Park is also home to some of the most picturesque villages in the Balkans. Galičnik may be the best-known village in North Macedonia due to its well-preserved architecture and the annual Galičnik Wedding occurring in July. Lazaropole is also well-known, especially for the Church of St George and its frescoes. Historic Janče sits high up, across a valley from the Monastery of St John Bigorski.
• The Monastery of St John Bigorski, within Mavrovo National Park, may be the most important landmark in Polog. It was established roughly one thousand years ago, though it got its present look in the 16th century. One of its most valuable treasures is its wood-carved iconostasis.
• The Ottoman heritage of Tetovo, the region's largest city, is visible in the uniquely decorated Šarena Džamija, the Arabati Baba Tekje, the best surviving Bektashi Tekje in Europe, the ruined Tetovo Fortress, and the Bey's Hamam.
• The village of Vrutok, near Gostivar, is home to the source of the Vardar, North Macedonia's most important river.