SHORT STUDENT
SHORT STUDENT
Visiting Places
PAINTED MOSQUE
The Painted mosque was made in 1459 on the foundation of an older edifice. An
example of early Constantinople style, this mosque is adorned with anelaborate
painted fasade and interior, making it unique in Macedonia. It is located by the Pena
River. In the turbe next to the mosque is the body of the two women who provided
money for the mosque to be built in 1459.
FORTRESS OF TETOVO
A testament to the Ottoman past offering panoramic views of Tetovo and its
environs. On a hill above Tetovo, some 3-4 km from the downtown, with a
spectacular view of the Polog plain.
TURKISH AMAM
The bath (amam) built in the 15th centry. It covers a surface of 335m2. In 1962 it was
transformed into an art gallery and in 1984 it was declared cultural heritage.
POPOVA SAPKA SKI RESORT
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Popova Sapka is the ski resort on Mt. Shar, which can be found at an altitude of
1,704 meters. Situated 18 km from Tetovo, high on the Sar Mountain - the third
largest mountain in the country. It's one of the most famous winter-recreational and
ski resorts in Macedonia. The ski slopes on Popova Sapka are first class, with a total
lenght of 10 km. They are connected by 6 ski-lifts and 3 chair-lifts. The total capacity
is 8,000 skiers per hour. On average, the snow on Popova Sapka lasts for 135 days.
For more detailed info, please go to Popova Sapka.
ARABATI BABA TEKE
On the road out of Tetovo on the way to Gostivar, under the Shar Mountain, there is
the Dervish Arabat Baba or Sersem Ali Baba Teke. Arabati Baba Teke was built in the
second half of the 18th Century by Redzep Pasha and his son Abdurahman Pasha,
who were also involved in the construction of the Painted Mosque in Tetovo and the
Tetovo Fortress. There is also a theory that says that Sersem Ali Baba was the one
who began the construction of The Teke. The Arabati Teke is a complex of religious
objects around the grave of Sersem Ali Baba, a dervish who belonged to the Bekteshi
Order. Some of these religious objects that still exist today are: "sadrvan",
"bogomolja", "turbe", the tower, the drinking fountain, the kitchen and the dining
room, the guest bedroom, "dervishane" and "haremlak". The Arabati Baba Teke was
abandoned in 1945 and is now used as a museum. The Bekteshes lived in the Teke
for 120 years. They learned the secrets of their cult, one of the most significant
among over 20 known Dervish cults. The Dervishes are known for their particularly
cherished cult towards the late "babas" and "shehs". Once a year, in memory of the
Imam Hussein and his family that was slaughtered in Kerberi, Syria, the Dervishes
have their religious service. The service includes a prayer with rhythmical music and
movement, during which they mention God, sway from the left to the right, back and
forth and fall into a mystical trance. At the end they poke themselves with needles
and other sharp objects all over their bodies. The active Dervish life in the Teke
existed until 1912. In 1914 it was reintroduced and lasted until 1945, when the Teke
was completely deserted.