Krivolak and nearby Orlovo Brdo

Near Krivolak, Orlovo Brdo lies in the Serta mountain range. It is described as the only semi-desert in the Balkans and offers an unusual connection with nature when planning a trip. Orlovo Brdo, also called Orlov Bair, is also considered a unique botanical site. Endemic plant species have been recorded there, including Tulipa mariannae, Hedysarum macedonicum and Salvia jurisicii. In 2003, the Municipality of Negotino designated part of the area as a protected natural monument. Its landscape, plant life and the designation of part of the area offer different insights into this nearby place.

Culture in the wider destination of Negotino

In Negotino, the wider destination, culture complements the connection with nature. The town museum houses an ethnological and wine-related exhibition and a lapidarium. The Ethnology Department presents the material and spiritual culture of the settlements in the municipality and the town of Negotino: traditional costumes, household items and agricultural objects bring the collection’s different themes to life. The museum also conveys the municipality’s winemaking tradition, which has been known there since antiquity.

Negotino’s churches also offer specific points of reference for regional history. The town’s residents built the Monastery of St. George in 1860 at the site of Crkviste. The Church of St. Athanasius was built in 1837 and is considered a typical 19th-century church. After a complete renovation of its exterior and interior, it was reconsecrated in 2017 with a new iconostasis and new frescoes. The wider destination thus brings together religious buildings from different periods.

Wine, festivals and regional activities

The wineries in Negotino differ in their history and offerings. Bovin was founded in 1998 as the first privately built winery in Macedonia and has a tasting room for its premium wines. Dudin has been operating since 2004, is one of the newer private wineries in Negotino, and produces white and red wines. Maksimilijan, a small family winery, is also located in the village of Pepelishte in the Municipality of Negotino. If you plan to include a tasting, it is advisable to check current visitor options directly.

Several recurring festivals take place on different dates. The annual festival of the Monastery of St. George begins on September 20 with the monastery evening and is celebrated on September 21 as the Feast of the Nativity of the Mother of God; the specific program may vary. The patronal feast of the Church of St. Athanasius falls on January 31 according to the Gregorian calendar, or January 18 according to the Julian calendar. The traditional St. Tryphon’s Day festival takes place every February and promotes the local wine and winemaking tradition. The Negotino Fair is also an annual economic and cultural event that attracts visitors from across Macedonia.

For those interested in fishing, the Vardar and Dosh nica rivers are designated fishing spots in the Municipality of Negotino. Fish found there include catfish, carp, barbel, chub and whitefish. The landscape, culture, wineries and festivals offer different themes to consider when planning your trip.

Choosing where to stay

Transport information also relates to different locations. The Tabanovce–Skopje–Gevgelija railway line passes through the Municipality of Negotino; the stations within the municipality are Kukurecani, Krivolak, Negotino and Dubrovo. The town of Negotino has direct links to the A1 motorway and the railway line to Thessaloniki. When looking for a holiday apartment, you can therefore consider whether the natural setting of nearby Orlovo Brdo near Krivolak or the cultural and wine-related attractions in the wider destination of Negotino is more important for your trip.

Discover more destinations: Negotino.

Back to the wider trip overview: Negotino.