 Project description
A group of Malovista young local people have been trained to develop fabrics of goat hair and to carve. The goal of the project called “Malovista - the lasting tradition” has been to stop the trend of disappearing with old traditional crafts, and to support initiatives to restore the “mutavdzija” craft and the craft of making wooden objects and souvenirs. A brochure has been published and a website has been developed. A collection has been established of old objects and handicrafts that is continuously exhibited in the village. The development of local tourism and production has been encouraged, and local people have gained self-confidence regarding the value of their tradition.
 Contact
Risto Paligora, “Association for Sustainable Development of Malovista and Villages beneath the Pelister Mountain” EKE, Bitola, 070/591-681, eke1@freemail.com.mk
www.malovishta-eke.org.mk
Location
Malovista, southern Macedonia.
 About Malovista
The village of Malovista is located in the vicinity of the town of Bitola. It is a mountain village at the foot of the Pelister Mountain and it is the only settlement within the “Pelister” national park. There are some 300 people living in Malovista, and 300 more people come to the village during weekends.
How to reach Malovista?
You can reach Malovista from the main road between Bitola and Ohrid. At an 18-kilometre distance from Bitola, on your rights side, you will notice a road leading directly to the Malovista village. The village is reachable by car, using an asphalt paved road.
 Where to stay overnight?
Visitors can stay overnight in a private house in the village; in summer, you can also use the rooms at the monastery of St. Anna located in a nearby forest.
 Local specifics
Malovista is a specific village with interesting, authentic architecture. The village has nice, large houses built of stone in a traditional manner. A feature of the old architecture here are the maintained old cobblestone small streets, the stone bridges, and the appearance of a small town settlement. In the centre of the village is located the church of St. Petka with its fresco paintings and with its extraordinary wooden iconostasis with deep carving. There is a public building in the village displaying an exhibition of the village's traditional culture items.
There is no catering facility in Malovista; yet, with prior announcement, local people can organize lunch in the village itself including famous Vlach specialties such as the Vlach pie, lamb roasted in an oven, and other traditional local dishes.
What can you see in the surroundings?
The surroundings of Malovista in itself deserves to be visited and seen. Malovista is visited by numerous nature lovers, mountain climbers, and recreation fans staying in nearby nature. There are many pedestrian paths around the Malovista village. The flow of the Sebnica River above the village represents one of the most vivid sights in the “Pelister” national park. In the vicinity, several kilometres away from the village, the very famous monastery of St. Anna is located that should indeed be seen. The town of Bitola is situated near Malovista, a town having very rich cultural and historical offer.
 |
