Kumanovo

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Kumanovo
Куманово

Seal
Kumanovo is located in Republic of Macedonia
Kumanovo
Location in the Republic of Macedonia
Coordinates: 42°05′N 21°40′E / 42.083°N 21.667°E / 42.083; 21.667
Country  Republic of Macedonia
Municipality Kumanovo Municipality
Government
 - Mayor Zoran Damjanovski
Elevation +340 m (1,115 ft)
Population (2002)
 - Total 105 484
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
Postal codes 1300
Area code(s) 389 031
Patron saints St. George
Website http://www.kumanovo.gov.mk

Kumanovo (Macedonian: Куманово, Albanian: Kumanovë) is thе third largest city in the Republic of Macedonia (after Skopje and Bitola) and is the seat of Kumanovo Municipality which is the largest municipality in the country. Municipal institutions include a city council, mayor and other administrative bodies.

Contents

Name

The name of the city in Albanian and Turkish is Kumanova; whilst in Serbian and Bulgarian, it is the same as in Macedonian: Kumanovo (Куманово). The etymology of the name is connected with Cumans' invasion in the area in the early 12th century.

Geography

Kumanovo overview from plane.

Kumanovo is situated in the northeastern part of the Republic of Macedonia, near the capital city of Skopje. The coordinates of the city are approximately 42°05'N and 21°40'E. Kumanovo lies 340 m above sea level and is surrounded by the Karadag part of Skopska Crna Gora mountain on its western side, Gradishtanska planina mountain on its southern side, and Mangovica and German mountain on the eastern side. Kumanovo has a temperate climate. Skopje airport also serves Kumanovo.

Demographics

The population of Kumanovo municipality according to the 2002 census numbers 105,484, the majority of which are ethnic Macedonians (63.746), with a significant minority of ethnic Albanians (27.290) and Serbs (9062).[1]

History

Prehistory

The area boasts several prehistoric settlements, among which are the Kostoperska karpa, the Bronze Age Gradiste near the village of Pelince, the Neolithic site of Mlado Nagoričane, the Iron Age tumulus Groblje at Vojnik, the Roman Necropolis Drezga of Lopate, and the Roman Settlement Vicianus at Klečovce.

Early History

The city was first mentioned in 1519 in a document housed in a Turkish archive in Istanbul.[citation needed] The most comprehensive and relevant information on Kumanovo is provided by Evliya Çelebi in 1660/1661:

"The colony of Kumanovo is situated on the territory of the Skopje sanjak and represents one county. The city is embellished with many rivers and 600 tile-roofs houses. The mosque in the downtown is beautiful, there are teke, madrassa, hammam, a number of shops and water mills; and the climate is pleasant and agreeable. There are many vineyards and gardens".[citation needed]

Kumanovo became an urban settlement and administrative center of the region at the end of the 16th century or the beginning of the 17th century. Following the turbulent events (notably, the Karposh Uprising in 1689) the city experienced a period of stagnation, and by the end of 18th century Kumanovo epitomized an Ottoman provincial town.

Karposh Rebelion

According to the Turkish historian Silahdar Findikli Mehmed Aga, its leader Karposh initially was a vojvod of haiduks near Dospat, in present-day Bulgaria, but later the Turks named him chief of Christian auxiliary forces in the area between Sofia, Veles, Dojran, Kjustendil and Nevrokop. Initially, he was a vassal of Turks, but when the Ottoman empire began to weaken in 1689 and discontent rose concerning new higher taxation policies, Karpoš became a turning point in the battle versus the Turks. In that period Austria staged an attack on the Ottoman Empire. Then the Karpoš seized upon the situation and the uprising quickly spread to the rebels freeing Kratovo, Kriva Palanka, Kumanovo, Kačanik and in other towns. Then, together with the Austrian army, lead by Emperor Leopold I, they fought to liberate Skopje and Štip.

Later there was a change in the military and political situation in the Balkans, which had a crucial effect on the rebellion. The Austrian army was forced to withdraw and powerful Turkish forces, reinforced by Tatar detachments belonging to the Crimean Khan Selim I Giray, attacked the rebels. After fierce battles the Turks took Kriva Palanka, the rebel stronghold, and then attacked Kumanovo and its newly-constructed fortress. Karpoš was captured, removed to Skopje, and put to death on the Stone Bridge across the Vardar.

First Balkan War

Ottoman soldiers, photographed during the battle.

In October 1912, during the First Balkan War, Serbian forces under the command of General Radomir Putnik won a decisive victory over the Ottomans north of the town. The two-day Battle of Kumanovo ended Ottoman authority in Vardar Macedonia and prepared the way for the region's integration into Yugoslavia.[2]

World War II

Hristijan Todorovski - Karposh.

The anti-fascist insurrection of Macedonians and the struggle for national and social liberation began in Kumanovo and Prilep on October 11, 1941. On 11 October 1941, in Kumanovo and Prilep started the antifashist struggle of the Macedonian people. The struggle ended with victory and formation of the Macedonian federative state inside Yugoslavia Federation (SFRY). One of the famous partizans from Kumanovo was Hristijan Todorovski Karposh shown on the picture. After 1945 Kumanovo experienced fast economic, administrative and cultural development.

Modern history

It developed economically in the late 19th century (agriculture, handcrafts and trade). Still, industrial development occurred only at the end of the Second World War. The rapid economic, administrative and cultural expansion of Kumanovo began in 1945. Today, it is a modern city with approximately 100,000 inhabitants.

2001 Albanian Insurgency

See also: 2001 insurgency in the Republic of Macedonia

The Albanin insurgenccy in Macedonia first started in the mountains otskirts of Tetovo and then spread in May 2001 to the region of Kumanovo moustly to the north.

Economy

The town's metal-processing, tobacco, agriculture, footwear and textile industries have made it an economic, trading and cultural center of approximately 135,529 people. Agriculture and trade developed mainly in the 19th century, but the city's modern look was established after the Second World War.

Roads

A 40 kilometre highway exists between Skopje and Kumanovo, going near Kumanovo in the north and crossing the border with Serbia. A railway also connects Skopje with Kumanovo and Serbia. Another important road goes from Kumanovo to Kriva Palanka and then to the border with Bulgaria.

Culture

Kumanovo has several monuments dating back to the prehistoric period. The most important ones are: Gradishte, an archaeological place of interest that is situated near the village of Pelince and dates from the Bronze Age. Near the village of Mlado Nagorichane is another interesting site dating from the period of Neolith. Near the village of Lopate is the Drezga place that represents a Roman necropolis.

The oldest folklore assemble in the Republic of Macedonia, KUD "Pance Pesev" is placed in Kumanovo. This year the assemble is celebrating 80 years of existence. It has represented Kumanovo and Macedonia on many international folklore festivals in Serbia, Montenegro, Bulgaria, Turkey, Croatia, Romania, Hungary, Poland, France, etc. The president is Mr. Miroslav Krstevski.

Kumanovo has a library “ Tane Georgievski Library” , cultural center Trajko Prokopiev, museum and national theatre. Several painting colonies and exhibitions take place every year in Kumanovo or in nearby villages. Kumanovo is distinguished by its jazz festival which features bands from all over the world. In 2002 the Macedonian bands Foltin and Dragan Dautovski Quartet, as well as bands from Croatia, Hungary, Netherlands, Slovenia, Serbia and Montenegro participated in the festival and in 2005 bands from as far as the Netherlands and Norway participated.

Every year Kumanovo has a “Days of comedy” festival, sponsored by the Macedonian Ministry of Culture, featuring comedies from several Macedonian theatres and also from neighbouring Serbia and Bulgaria.

Kumanovo municipality was organizing the manifestation “City of culture 2006”.

Neighborhoods

Goce Delchev, Pero Chicho (Banevo Trlo), Bedinje, Karposh, Ajduchka Cheshma, Pukovsko, Jane Sandanski (Babin Dol), Sredorek.

Streets

Oktomvriska Revolucija, 3 MUB, Goce Delchev, Narodna Revolucija, Nikola Tesla, Leninova, 11 Oktomvri, Ivo Ribar Lola and Pero Chicho.

Old Neighborhoods

Varosh maalo, Endek maalo, Muhamedbegovo maalo, Ortabunar maalo, Bedinsko maalo, Veleshka maalo, Karapsko maalo, Novo maalo, Lipkovsko maalo, Teke maalo, Tatar maalo and Muandzisko maalo.

Old Streets

Opancharsko sokace, Nagorichki sokak, Proevski sokak, Veleshki sokak, Romanovski sokak, Ukumat sokak and Vranjsko Dzade.

Landmarks

Kokino

One of the most important sites located near the Kumanovo is the 4,000 year old megalithic astronomical observatory of Kokino, located 30 km northeast of Kumanovo and discovered in 2001. It is ranked fourth on the list of old observatories by NASA. Sculpture of Batko Gjorgjija located in the center of the city, Monument Four Poles also located in the center of the city on the main square. Monument Kosturnica. House Museum of Hristijan Todorovski - Karposh. The oldest and biggest church in the town is the Church of St. Nikolas. There are icons from the XIII century in the church. The church represents a masterwork of Andreja Damjanov, an important Macedonian renaissance architect. Church Holy Trinity built in 1902, Church of St. George, Staro Nagoričane, Church of St. Petka in the village of Mlado Nagoričane, the Karpino Monastery, the Ascension of Holy Mother in the village of Matejce, Eski Mosque built in 1751, Monument Zebrnjak, Kumanovo Spa in the village of Proevce and Sports Hall Sokolana. Other landmarks are: staue of Woman Fighter, buildings: Zanatski dom and Kasapski Krug and ASNOM memorial center in the village Pelince.

Sport

Main article: Sports in Kumanovo

Macedonian National Football Team played friendly match with Egypt in Kumanovo on the 29th of September 1998. The game took place at City Stadium Kumanovo and the scorrers for macedonin team were Zaharievski Srgjan and Sainovski Djevdat. The match ended 2:2

FK Milano Kumanovo it is the only team that now plays in the Makedonska Prva Liga from Kumanovo. The club was founded in 1990 and their home terrein is Milano Arena.

Night Life

Clubs: Linka, Club, Tunel, NAMA Cafe, Versaj. Discothèques: Amnesia. Restorants:The Harp Irish Pub, Fra Giorgio and many more.

Crime

see: Macedonian mafia

International relations

Main article: List of twin towns and sister cities in Macedonia

Twin towns — Sister cities

Kumanovo is twinned with following cities and municipalities:[3]

Gallery

Mount Kozjak

Monument Kosturnica

Zebrnjak

Building in Kumanovo's centre

See also

v • d • e
Kumanovo
Geography
Landmarks
Churches
Sport Centers
Education
Transportaioin
People

References

  1. ^ 2002 Macedonian Census results
  2. ^ Hall, Richard C. (2000). The Balkan Wars 1912-1913: prelude to the First World War. New York: Routledge. pp. 47–9. ISBN 0415229472. 
  3. ^ Kumanovo sister cities (Збратимени градови со Општина Куманово)

External links

v • d • e
Cities and towns in the Republic of Macedonia
Flag-map of FYR Macedonia.svg
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kumanovo"

Questions for article: dragan dautovski kvartet

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