Project’s description
The inhabitants from Lesnovo, the monastery “Saint Gavril Lesnovski” and the association “Zletovica” from Probistip, in a joint action, will landscape the area in the vicinity of the monastery, where traditionally villagers and visitors gathered together, especially on religious holidays. The location called “Borja” will be landscaped with grass, flowers, benches, info-board, litter boxes and other infrastructure as to become a valuable gathering site with a breathtaking view of the village, the monastery and the dramatic view of interesting rocks.
The Project “Cultural and Historical Monuments and the Tradition of the Monastery St. Gavril Lesnovski and Village Lesnovo” will also include the making of a brochure to promote the cultural and natural heritage of the village Lesnovo. The project outcomes, at the end of the project, will be promoted on the ceremony organized for the upcoming religious holiday “Mary’s Birth” that attracts many visitors (20th September).

Location
village Lesnovo, municipality of Probistip, Eastern Macedonia

Contact
Vlastimir Mihajlovski
Neighborhood unit Lesnovo
Tel. 032/483-256; 070/512-433

Aleksandar Mihajlovski
Environmental Society “Zletovica”
Jordan Stojanov Street, no. 47, Probistip
Tel. 032/483-256; mihace@yahoo.com

About Lesnovo
Village Lesnovo is located in the vicinity of Probistip, 900-1000 meters above sea level. The village monastery “St. Gavril Lesnovski” was constructed in 1347 by the ruler Oliver I. The monastery is known for its manuscript-writing school and the wood-carved iconostasis from 1811, a work of art performed by the Mijak craftsman. The monastery is the centre of the Christianity in this part of the country and has been visited by many during religious holiday services.

How to reach Lesnovo?
The village Lesnovo is 17 kilometers from Probistip. An asphalted road leads to it. From Skopje, one can get to the village from the motorway Skopje-Kumanovo-Kratovo-Probistip-Zletovo and Skopje-Veles-Stip. There is a regular bus from Probistip. By railways, you get off the train at Vanco Prke station, from where you need to take a car or a bus to reach Lesnovo, through Zletovo.

Where can one stay overnight?
Provided you have arranged with the monastery keeper, you can stay overnight in the monastery inn. Another possibility is private accommodation, for which you need to contact the community centre. In Probistip, you can stay in the hotels “Cresovo Topce” (Cherry-wood Cannon) and “San Niko”, as well as the motel “Brioni”.

Local particularities
The village has its own authentic architecture and an enormous very old ethnological collection. Wild nature is abundant with plum and fig trees (organically grown, without the use of chemical substances). Very tasteful preserves and marmalade is made from these fruits. Almost every house in the village prepares milk or home made yogurt, as well as local specialties – the famous Lesnovo roasted lamb or goat (even the Sultan from Ottoman times enjoyed feasts), as well as rakija from Lesnovo and the home made pastry. The village is also famous for its production of mill stones. Because of their perfect craftsmanship, they used to be sold in Thesallonica and Istanbul. The Lesnovo environment is very interesting - the landscape is predominately rocks, naturally “sculptured”, among which the most impressive one is the so-called “Virgin Mary with a Child”.

What Do the Surroundings Offer?
A walk in the nearby forests and valleys is a unique experience – in the vicinity of the village there are 25 smaller churches, some of them nested in the many caves encarved in the rocky area. The cave churches are extremely interesting – the icons painted on the walls hold a special authentic expression. You must also see the natural work of art – the Lesnovo crater and the remains from the mill stone production. From the rocky site, you can enjoy the never-ending stretch of Probistip and Zletovo, and when the weather is clear (summertime) Stip and Ovce Pole can also be seen.