Bitola

Coordinates: 410155N 212005E

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Bitola (Macedonian: [bita] known also by several alternative names) is

a city in the southwestern part of the Republic of Macedonia. It is located in the Bitola
southern part of the Pelagonia valley, surrounded by the Baba, Nide and
Kajmakalan mountain ranges, 14 kilometres (9 miles) north of the Meditlija-
Nki border crossing with Greece. The city stands at an important junction
connecting the south of the Adriatic Sea region with the Aegean Sea and Central
Europe, and is an administrative, cultural, industrial, commercial, and educational
centre. It has been known since the Ottoman period as "The City of The Consuls",
since many European countries had consulates in Bitola.
Bitola is one of the oldest cities on the territory of The Republic of Macedonia,
having been founded as Heraclea Lyncestis in the middle of the 4th century BC by
Philip II of Macedon. The city was the last capital of Ottoman Rumelia, from
18361867. According to the 2002 census, Bitola is the second-largest city in the irok Sokak street
country.[2] Bitola is also the seat of the Bitola Municipality.

Contents
1 Etymology
Flag
2 Geography
3 Climate Coat of arms
4 History Nickname(s): "The City of
4.1 Prehistory Consuls"
4.2 Ancient and early Byzantine periods Motto: Bitola, babam Bitola
4.3 Middle Ages
4.4 Ottoman rule
4.5 Ilinden Uprising
4.6 Balkan Wars
4.7 World War I
4.8 Inter-war period
4.9 World War II
5 Main sights
5.1 irok Sokak
5.2 Clock Tower Bitola
5.3 Church of Saint Demetrius
5.4 Heraclea Lyncestis
5.5 The covered bazaar Coordinates: 410155N 212005E
5.6 Gazi Hajdar Kadi Mosque
5.7 Jeni Mosque Country Macedonia
5.8 Ishak elebi Mosque Region Pellagonia Statistical Region
5.9 Koda Kadi Mosque Municipality Bitola Municipality
5.10 The old bazaar
5.11 Deboj Bath Government
6 Bitola today
Mayor Vladimir Taleski (VMRO-
6.1 Media DPMNE)
7 City Council
8 Sports Area
9 Demography City 422.39 km2 (163.09 sq mi)
10 Culture Elevation +576 m (1,890 ft)
11 Education
12 People from Bitola Population (2002)
13 Twin towns sister cities City 74,550
14 Gallery Density 180/km2 (460/sq mi)
15 References Metro 105,644
15.1 Bibliography Time zone CET (UTC+1)
16 External links
Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postal codes 7000
Area code(s) +389 (0)47
Etymology
Car plates BT
Climate Cfb
The name Bitola is derived from the Old Church Slavonic word
(obit, meaning "monastery, cloister") as the city was formerly noted for its Website www.bitola.gov.mk
monastery. When the meaning of the name was no longer understood, it lost its

prefix "o-".[3] The name Bitola is mentioned in the Bitola inscription, related to the old city fortress built in 1015. Modern Slavic
prefix "o-".[3] The name Bitola is mentioned in the Bitola inscription, related to the old city fortress built in 1015. Modern Slavic
variants include the Macedonian Bitola (), the Serbian Bitolj () and Bulgarian Bitolya (). In Byzantine times, the
name was Hellenized to Voutlion () or Vitlia (), hence the names Butella used by William of Tyre and Butili by the
Arab geographer al-Idrisi. During the ruling of Radomir Gavril(10141015) Bitola is mentioned under the name of Buteliu. The
Aromanian name is Bituli.

The Greek name for the city (Monastri, ), also meaning "monastery", is a calque of the Slavic name. The Turkish name
Manastr (Ottoman Turkish: )is derived from the Greek name, as is the Albanian name (Manastir).

Geography
Bitola is located in the southwestern part of Macedonia. The Dragor River flows through the city. Bitola lies at an elevation of 615
meters above sea level, at the foot of Baba Mountain. Its magnificent Pelister mountain (2601 m) is a national park with exquisite flora
and fauna, among which is the rarest species of pine, known as Macedonian pine or pinus peuce, as well as a well-known ski resort.

Covering an area of 1,798 km2 (694 sq mi). and with a population of 122,173 (1991), Bitola is an important industrial, agricultural,
commercial, educational, and cultural center. It represents an important junction that connects the Adriatic Sea to the south with the
Aegean Sea and Central Europe.

Panorama of Bitola from Krkarda.

Climate
Bitola has a mild continental climate typical of the Pelagonija region, experiencing warm and dry summers, and cold and snowy
winters. The Koppen classification for this climate is Cfb.
 Climate data for Bitola (19611990, extremes 19481993)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high 17.2 21.2 31.2 30.0 32.5 38.0 40.6 39.0 36.0 30.8 26.1 19.4 40.6
C (F) (63) (70.2) (88.2) (86) (90.5) (100.4) (105.1) (102.2) (96.8) (87.4) (79) (66.9) (105.1)
Average 3.3 6.5 11.3 16.5 21.7 25.9 28.6 28.5 24.8 18.3 11.5 5.3 16.9
high C (F) (37.9) (43.7) (52.3) (61.7) (71.1) (78.6) (83.5) (83.3) (76.6) (64.9) (52.7) (41.5) (62.4)
Daily mean 0.8 1.9 6.3 11.1 15.7 19.5 21.7 21.1 17.2 11.4 6.2 1.0 11.0
C (F) (30.6) (35.4) (43.3) (52) (60.3) (67.1) (71.1) (70) (63) (52.5) (43.2) (33.8) (51.8)
Average low 4.5 2.3 1.3 5.0 8.7 11.7 13.1 12.8 9.9 5.6 1.7 2.6 5.0
C (F) (23.9) (27.9) (34.3) (41) (47.7) (53.1) (55.6) (55) (49.8) (42.1) (35.1) (27.3) (41)
Record low 29.4 26.1 18.7 3.5 1.6 3.3 5.4 2.6 1.0 6.1 15.3 26.7 29.4
C (F) (20.9) (15) (1.7) (25.7) (29.1) (37.9) (41.7) (36.7) (30.2) (21) (4.5) (16.1) (20.9)
Average
50.1 49.9 51.2 43.8 61.0 40.4 40.2 31.2 35.0 55.9 73.2 68.0 599.9
precipitation
(1.972) (1.965) (2.016) (1.724) (2.402) (1.591) (1.583) (1.228) (1.378) (2.201) (2.882) (2.677) (23.618)
mm (inches)
Average
precipitation
8 8 8 7 8 6 5 4 5 6 8 9 82
days
( 1.0 mm)

Average
relative
83 78 71 65 65 60 56 57 64 72 79 83 69
humidity
(%)
Mean
monthly
81.1 106.9 155.2 199.2 250.5 291.3 334.0 312.2 241.0 176.5 111.1 75.9 2,334.9
sunshine
hours

Source #1: NOAA [4]

Source #2: Deutscher Wetterdienst (extremes) [5]

History
Prehistory

Bitola is very rich in monuments from the prehistoric period. Two important ones are Veluka
Tumba, and Bara Tumba near the village of Porodin. From the Copper Age there are the
settlements of Tumba near the village of Crnobuki, uplevec near the village of Suvodol, and
Visok Rid near the village of Bukri. The Bronze Age is represented by the settlements of Tumba
near the village of Kanino and the settlement with the same name near the village of Karamani.

Ancient and early Byzantine periods

The area of the town is located in ancient Lynkestis, a region of Upper Macedonia, which was
ruled by semi-independent chieftains till the later Argead rulers of Macedon. The tribes of
Lynkestis were known as Lynkestai. They were a Greek tribe and belonged to the Molossian
group of the Epirotes.[6][7] There are important metal artifacts from the ancient period at the
necropolis of Crkvishte near the village of Beranci. A golden earring dating from the 4th century
BC is depicted on the obverse of the Macedonian 10 denar banknote, issued in 1996.[8]

Heraclea Lyncestis (Greek: [9] - City of Hercules upon the Land of the
The Catholic Church "Holy Heart of Lynx) was an important settlement from the Hellenistic period till the early Middle Ages. It was
Jesus", on the main street of Bitola. founded by Philip II of Macedon by the middle of the 4th century BC, and named after the
Greek hero Heracles. With its strategic location, it became a prosperous city. The Romans
conquered this part of Macedon in 148 BC and destroyed the political power of the city.
However, its prosperity continued mainly due to the Roman Via Egnatia road which passed near the city. Several monuments from the
Roman times remain in Heraclea, including a portico, thermae (baths), an amphitheater and a number of basilicas. The theatre was once
capable of housing an audience of around 3,000 people.

In the early Byzantine period (4th to 6th centuries AD) Heraclea was an important episcopal centre. Some of its bishops were
mentioned in the acts of the Church Councils, including Bishop Evagrius of Heraclea in the Acts of the Sardica Council of 343 AD. A
small and a great (Large) basilica, the bishop's residence, and a funeral basilica near the necropolis are some of the remains of this
period. Three naves in the Great Basilica are covered with mosaics of very rich floral and figurative iconography; these well preserved
mosaics are often regarded as fine examples of the early Christian art period. During the 4th and 6th centuries, the names of other
bishops from Heraclea were recorded. The city was sacked by Ostrogothic forces, commanded by Theodoric the Great in 472 and,
despite a large gift to him from the city's bishop, it was sacked again in 479. It was restored in the late 5th and early 6th centuries. In the
late 6th century the city suffered successive attacks by Slavic tribes and was gradually abandoned.

Middle Ages

In the 6th and 7th centuries, the region around Bitola experienced a demographic shift as more and more Slavic tribes settled in the area.
In place of the deserted theater, several houses were built during that time. The Slavs also built a fortress around their settlement. Bitola
became a part of the First Bulgarian Empire from late in the 8th to early 11th centuries. The spread of Christianity was assisted by St.
Clement of Ohrid and Naum of Preslav in the 9th and early 10th centuries. Many monasteries and churches were built in the city.

In the 10th century, Bitola was under the rule of the Bulgarian Tsar Samuil. He built a castle in the town, later used by his successor
Gavril Radomir of Bulgaria. The town is mentioned in several medieval sources. John Skylitzes's 11th-century chronicle mentions that
Emperor Basil II burned Gavril's castles in Bitola, when passing through and ravaging Pelagonia. The second chrysobull (1019) of Basil
II mentioned that the Bishop of Bitola depended on the Archbishopric of Ohrid. During the reign of Samuil, the city was an important
centre in the Bulgarian state and the seat of the Bitola Bishopric. In many medieval sources, especially Western, the name Pelagonia
was synonymous with the Bitola Bishopric, and in some of them Bitola was known under the name of Heraclea due to the church
tradition that turned the Heraclea Bishopric into the Pelagonian Metropolitan's Diocese. In 1015, Tsar Gavril Radomir was killed by his
cousin Ivan Vladislav, who declared himself tsar and rebuilt the city fortress. To celebrate the occasion, a stone inscription written in the
Cyrillic alphabet was set in the fortress; in it the Slavic name of the city is mentioned: Bitol.

Following battles with the Tsar Ivan Vladislav, Byzantine emperor Basil II recaptured Monastiri in 1015. The town is mentioned as an
episcopal centre in 1019 in a record by Basil II. Two important uprisings against Byzantine rule took place in the Bitola area in 1040
and 1072. After the Bulgarian state was restored in the late 12th century, Bitola was incorporated under the rule of Tsar Kaloyan of
Bulgaria. It was conquered again by Byzantium at the end of the 13th century, but it became part of Serbia in the first half of the 14th
century, after the conquests of Stefan Duan.

As a military, political and cultural center, Bitola played a very important role in the life of the medieval society in the region, prior to
the Ottoman conquest in the mid-14th century. On the eve of the Ottoman conquest, Bitola (Monastir in Ottoman Turkish) experienced
great growth with its well-established trading links all over the Balkan Peninsula, especially with big economic centers like
Constantinople, Thessalonica, Ragusa and Tarnovo. Caravans of various goods moved to and from Bitola.

Ottoman rule

From 1382 to 1912, Manastr (now Bitola) was part of the Ottoman Empire. Fierce battles took
place near the city during the arrival of Ottoman forces. Ottoman rule was completely
established after the death of Prince Marko in 1395 when Ottoman Empire established the
Sanjak of Ohrid as a part of the Rumelia Eyalet and one of earliest established sanjaks in
Europe.[10] Before it became part of the Ottoman Empire in 1395 its initial territory belonged to
the realm of Prince Marko.[11][12] Initially its county town was Bitola and later it was Ohrid, so
it was initially sometimes referred to as Sanjak of Monastir or Sanjak of Bitola.[13]
Bitola in the 19th century
After the Austro-Ottoman wars, the trade development and the overall thriving of the city was
stifled. But in the late 19th century, it again it became the second-biggest city in the wider
southern Balkan region after Salonica.

In 1874, Manastr became the center of Monastir Vilayet which included the sanjaks of Debra,
Serfidze, Elbasan, Manastr (Bitola), Grice and towns of Krcaova, Pirlepe, Florina, Kesriye
and Grevena.

Traditionally a strong trading center, Bitola is also known as "the city of the consuls". In the
final period of the Ottoman rule (1878-1912), Bitola had consulates from twelve countries.
During the same period, there were a number of prestigious schools in the city, including a
military academy that, among others, was attended by the famous Turkish reformer Mustafa
Greek school in Bitola, late 19th to early
Kemal Atatrk. Bitola was also the headquarters of many cultural organizations that were 20th century
established at that time.

There are opposing ethnographic data from that period, but it appears that no specific ethnic or
religious group could claim an absolute majority of the population. According to the 1911 Ottoman census, Greeks were the largest
Christian population in the vilayet, with 740,000 Greeks, 517,000 Bulgarians and 1,061,000 Muslims in the vilayets of Selanik
(Thessaloniki) and Manastr. However, it should be noted that the basis of the Ottoman censuses was the millet system. People were
assigned an ethnicity according to their religion. So all Sunni Muslims were categorised as Turks, although many of them were
Albanians, and all members of the Greek Orthodox church as Greeks, although their numbers included a vast majority of Aromanians,
South Albanians,[14][15] and some Macedonian Slavs. The rest were divided between Bulgarian and Serb Orthodox churches.[16]
 Bitolas population itself was very various. It numbered
some 50,000 at the end of the 19th century. There were
around 7,000 Aromanians most of whom fully embraced
the Hellenist ideas, although many of them joined the
Romanian idea. Bitola also had significant Muslim
population - 11,000 (Turks, Roma, and Albanians) as
well Jewish commununity - 5,200. The Slavic-speakers
were divided between the Bulgarian Exarchate - 8,000,
Typical neoclassical architecture from
and the Greek Patriarchate - 6,300.[17]
the 19th century Congress of Manastir
In 1894, Manastr was connected with Selanik by train.
The first motion picture made in the Balkans was
recorded by the Aromanian Manakis brothers in Manastr in 1903. In their honour, the annual
Manaki Brothers International Film Camera Festival is held in modern Bitola.

In November 1905, the Secret Committee for the Liberation of Albania, a secret organization to fight for the liberation of Albania from
the Ottoman Empire, was founded by Bajo Topulli and other Albanian nationalists and intellectuals.[18] Three years later, the Congress
of Manastir of 1908 which defined the modern Albanian alphabet was held in the city.[19] The congress was held at the house of Fehim
Zavalani and led by Mit'hat Frashri, chairman of the congress. The participants in the Congress were prominent figures of the cultural
and political life from Albanian-inhabited territories in the Balkans, as well as throughout the Albanian diaspora.

Ilinden Uprising

The Bitola region was a stronghold of the Ilinden Uprising. The uprising was started as decided
in 1903 in Thessaloniki by the Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization (IMRO). The
uprising in the Bitola region was planned in Smilevo village in May 1903. The battles were
fought in the villages of Bistrica, Rakovo, Buf, Skocivir, Paralovo, Brod, Novaci, Smilevo,
Gjavato, Capari and others. Smilevo was defended by 600 rebels led by Dame Gruev and Georgi
Sugarev, but when they were defeated, villages were burned.

Balkan Wars
Street in Bitola in 1914
In 1912, Montenegro, Serbia, Bulgaria and Greece fought the Ottomans in the First Balkan War.
After victory at Sarantaporo, Greek troops advanced towards Monastir but were defeated by the
Ottomans at Sorovich. The Battle of Monastir (1619 November 1912) led to Serbian
occupation. According to the Treaty of Bucharest, 1913, the region of Macedonia was divided into three parts between Greece, Serbia
and Bulgaria, with Monastir ceded to Serbia, given the name Bitola.

World War I

During World War I Bitola was on the Salonica Front. Bulgaria, a Central Power, took the city on 21 November
1915, while the Allied forces recaptured it in 1916. Bitola was divided into French, Russian, Italian and Serbian
sections, under the command of French general Maurice Sarrail. Until Bulgaria's surrender in late autumn 1918,
Bitola remained a front line city and was almost daily bombarded by air and battery and suffered almost total
destruction.

Inter-war period

AT the end of World War I Bitola was restored to the Kingdom of Serbia, and, consequently, became part in 1918
of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, renamed Yugoslavia in 1929. Bitola became one of the major cities
of the Vardarska banovina.

World War II

During the World War II (194145), the Germans (on 9 April 1941) and later Bulgarians (on 18 April 1941) took
control of the city. But in September 1944, Bulgaria switched sides in the war and withdrew from Yugoslavia, and
Bitola was freed by the Yugoslav Partisans. On 4 November, the 7th Macedonian Liberation Brigade entered Bitola
victoriously. A historical Jewish community, of Sephardic origin, lived in the city until World War II, when mostly
German Vivat were killed or migrated to the United States and Chile.[20] After the end of the war, a Macedonian state was
ribbon established for the first time in modern history, within Yugoslavia. This had cost about 25,000 human lives. In
commemorating 1945, the first Gymnasium (named "Josip Broz Tito") to use the Macedonian language, was opened in Bitola.
the Bulgarian
occupation
(1915).
Main sights
The city has many historical building dating from many historical periods. The most notable ones are from the
Ottoman age, but there are some from the more recent past.
irok Sokak

irok Sokak (Macedonian: , meaning "Wide Alley") is a long pedestrian street that runs from Magnolia Square to the
City Park.

Clock Tower

It is unknown when Bitola's clock tower was built.

Written sources from the 16th century mention a clock
tower, but it is not clear if it is the same one. Some
believe it was built at the same time as St. Dimitrija
Church, in 1830. Legend says that the Ottoman
authorities collected around 60,000 eggs from nearby
villages and mixed them in the mortar to make the walls Traditional architecture in Bitola
stronger.

The tower has a rectangular base and is about 30 meters

high. Near the top is a rectangular terrace with an iron
fence. On each side of the fence is an iron console
construction which holds the lamps for lighting the
The clock tower in Bitola. clock. The clock is on the highest of three levels. The
original clock was replaced during World War II with a Magnolia Square with Russian Cosulate
working one, given by the Nazis because the city had
maintained German graves from World War I. The massive tower is composed of walls, massive
spiral stairs, wooden mezzanine constructions, pendentives and the dome. During the
construction of the tower, the faade was simultaneously decorated with simple stone plastic.

Church of Saint Demetrius

The Church of Saint Demetrius was built in 1830 with voluntary contributions of local
merchants and craftsmen. It is plain on the outside, as all churches in the Ottoman Empire had to
be, but of rare beauty inside, lavishly decorated with chandeliers, a carved bishop throne and an
engraved iconostasis. According to some theories, the iconostasis is a work of the Mijak
Hamam Deboj-Turkish bath
engravers. Its most impressive feature is the arc above the imperial quarters with modeled
figures of Jesus and the apostles.

Other engraved wood items include the bishop's throne made in the spirit of Mijak engravers, several icon frames and five more-recent
pillars shaped like thrones. The frescoes originate from two periods: the end of the 19th century, and the end of World War I to the
present. The icons and frescoes were created thanks to voluntary contributions of local businessmen and citizens. The authors of many
of the icons had a vast knowledge of iconography schemes of the New Testament. The icons show a great sense of color, dominated by
red, green and ochra shades. The abundance of golden ornaments is noticeable and points to the presence of late-Byzantine artwork and
baroque style. The icon of Saint Demetrius is signed with the initials "D. A. Z.", showing that it was made by iconographer Dimitar
Andonov the zograph in 1889. There are many other items, including the chalices made by local masters, a darohranilka of Russian
origin, and several paintings of scenes from the New Testament, brought from Jerusalem by pilgrims.

The opening scenes of the film The Peacemaker were shot in the "St. Dimitrija" church in Bitola, as well as some Welcome to Sarajevo
scenes.

Heraclea Lyncestis

Heraclea Lyncestis (Macedonian: ) was an important ancient settlement from the Hellenistic period till the early
Middle Ages. It was founded by Philip II of Macedon by the middle of the 4th century BC. Today, its ruins fall in the southern part of
Bitola, 2 km (1 mi) from the city center.

The covered bazaar

Situated near the city centre, the covered bazaar (Macedonian: Bezisten, ) is one of the most impressive and oldest buildings in
Bitola from the Turkish period. With its numerous cupolas that look like a fortress, with its tree-branch-like inner streets and four big
metal doors it is one of the biggest covered markets in the region.

It was built in the 15th century by Kara Daut Pasha Uzuncarsili, then Rumelia's Beylerbey. Although the object looks secure, many
times during its existence has been robbed and set on fire, but it managed to survive. The Bezisten, from the 15th to the 19th centuries,
was rebuilt, and many stores, often changing over time, were located there. Most of them were selling textile and other luxurious
fabrics. At the same time the Bezisten was a treasury, where in specially made small rooms the money from the whole Rumelian Vilaet
was kept, before it was transferred into the royal treasury. In the 19th century the Bezisten held a total of 84 shops. Today most of them
are contemporary and they sell different types of products, but no matter what the internal transformations, the outer appearance has
stayed unchanged.
Gazi Hajdar Kadi Mosque

The Gazi Hajdar Kadi Mosque is one of the most attractive monuments of Islamic
architecture in Bitola. It was built in the early 1560s, as the project of the famous architect
Mimar Sinan, ordered by the Bitola kadija Ajdar-kadi. Over time, it was abandoned and
heavily damaged, and at one point used as a stare,[21] but recent restoration and
conservation has restored to some extent its original appearance.

Jeni Mosque
The Monastir bazaar in 1914

The Jeni Mosque is located in the center of the city. It has a square base, topped with a
dome. Near the mosque is a minaret, 40 m high. Today, the mosque's rooms house
permanent and temporary art exhibitions. Recent archaeological excavations have revealed that it has
been built upon an old church.

Ishak elebi Mosque

The Ishak elebi Mosque is the inheritance of the kadi Ishak elebi. In its spacious yard are several
tombs, attractive because of the soft, molded shapes of the sarcophagi.

Koda Kadi Mosque

The old bazaar

The old bazaar (Macedonian: ) is mentioned in a description of the city from the 16th
and the 17th centuries. The present bezisten does not differ much in appearance from the original one. Jeni Mosque
The bezisten had eighty-six shops and four large iron gates. The shops used to sell textiles, and today
sell food products.

Deboj Bath

The Deboj Bath is a Turkish bath (hamam). It is not known when exactly it was constructed. At one point, it was heavily damaged, but
after repairs it regained its original appearance: a beautiful faade, two large domes and several minor ones.

Bitola today
Bitola is the economic and industrial center of southwestern Macedonia. Many of the largest
companies in the country are based in the city. The Pelagonia agricultural combine is the largest
producer of food in the country. The Streevo water system is the largest in the Republic of
Macedonia and has the best technological facilities. The three thermoelectric power stations of
REK Bitola produce nearly 80% of electricity in the state. The Frinko refrigerate factory was a
leading electrical and metal company. Bitola also has significant capacity in the textile and food
industries.

Bitola is also home to twelve consulates, which gives the city the nickname "the city of
consuls."
The lions in their cage at Bitola zoo
General consulates

Bulgaria (since 2006)

Greece (since 2006)

Honorary consulates

Austria (since 2014)[22]

Bosnia and Herzegovina (since 2014)[23]
France (since 1996)
Hungary (since 2012)[24]
Montenegro (since 2008)
Romania (since 2007)
Russia (since 2001)
Serbia (since 2007)
Turkey (since 1998)
Ukraine (since 2011)[25]

Former consulates
Croatia (2006-2014)[26]
 Croatia (2006-2014)[26]
Slovenia (2005-2014)[27]
United Kingdom (2000-2014)[28]

Also, Albania[29] and Italy[30] expressed interest in opening a consulate in Bitola.

Media

There are three Bitola Television Stations: Tera, Orbis and Mega, two regional radio stations: the private Radio 105, Aktuel Bombarder
and Radio Delfin as well as a local weekly newspaper Bitolski Vesnik.

City Council
The Bitola Municipality Council (Macedonian: ) is the governing
body of the city and municipality of Bitola. The city council approves and rejects projects that
would have place inside the municipality given by its members and the Mayor of Bitola. The
Council consists of representatives of citizens elected by direct and free elections. The number
of members of the council is determined according to the number of residents in the community
and can not be fewer than nine nor more than 33. Accordingly, the number of residents, the
Council of Bitola municipality is composed of 31 councilors. Council members are elected for a
term of four years. The composition of the council:
Internal Macedonian Revolutionary
Since 2013, the council consists of representatives of five political parties: VMRO-DPMNE - Organization Democratic Party for
17, SDSM - 9, VMRO-NP - 2, PODEM - 1 and Liberal Democratic Party of Macedonia - 2. Macedonian National Unity(17)
Social Democratic Union of
Examining matters within its competence, the Council set up committees. Council committees Macedonia (9)
are formed as permanent and temporary. Internal Macedonian Revolutionary
Organization People's Party(2)
Permanent committees of the Council: Liberal Democratic Party of
Macedonia (2)
Finance and Budget Committee; Party of United Democrats of
Commission for Public Utilities; Macedonia (1)
Committee on Urban Planning, public works and environmental protection;
Commission for social activities;
Commission for local government;
Commission to mark holidays, events and award certificates and awards;

Sports
The most popular sports in Bitola are football and handball.

The main football team is FK Pelister and they play at the Tumbe Kafe Stadium which has a capacity of 8,000. Gjorgji Hristov, Dragan
Kanatlarovski, Toni Micevski, Nikole Noveski, Toni Savevski and Mitko Stojkovski are some of the famous Bitola natives to start
their careers with the club.

The main handball club and most famous sports team from Bitola is RK Pelister. RK Bitola is the second club from the city and both
teams play their games at the Sports Hall Mladost.

In the Macedonian Second League, FK Novaci are competing, which is located in the Region of Bitola.

All the sports teams under the name Pelister are supported by the fans known as kembari.

Demography
Ethnic groups

According to the 1948 census Bitola had 30,761 inhabitants. 77.2% (or 23,734 inhabitants) were Macedonians, 11.5% (or 3,543
inhabitants) were Turks, 4.3% (or 1,327 inhabitants) were Albanians, 3% (or 912 inhabitants) were Serbs and 1.3% (or 402 inhabitants)
were Aromanians. As of 2002, the city of Bitola has 74,550 inhabitants and the ethnic composition is the following:[31]

Ethnic groups[31]
Macedonians 88.6%
Romani 3.5%
Albanians 3.2%
Turks 2.1%
Aromanians 1.3%
 Serbs 0.7%
% from total
Ethnic groups Total number Bosniaks 0.02%
population
Others 0.6%
Macedonians 66.038 88.6

Romani 2.577 3.5

Albanians 2.360 3.2

Turks 1.562 2.1

Aromanians 997 1.3

Serbs 499 0.7

Bosniaks 20 0.02

Others 497 0.6

Language

According to the 2002 census the most common languages in the city are the following:[31]

% from total
Language Total number Languages[31]
population
Macedonian 92.9%
Macedonian 69.255 92.9 Albanian 3.2%
Turkish 1.9%
Albanian 2.399 3.2
Aromanian 0.7%
Turkish 1.392 1.9 Serbian 0.5%
Romani 0.4%
Aromanian 548 0.7 Bosnian 0.01%
Others 0.4%
Serbian 390 0.5

Romani 287 0.4

Bosnian 10 0.01

Others 269 0.4

Religion

Bitola is a bishopric city and the seat of the Diocese of Prespa- Pelagonia. In World War II the
diocese was named Ohrid - Bitola. With the restoration of the autocephaly of the Macedonian
Orthodox Church in 1967, it got its present name Prespa- Pelagonia diocese which covers the
following regions and cities: Bitola, Resen, Prilep, Krusevo and Demir Hisar.

The first bishop of the diocese (1958 - 1979) was Mr. Kliment. The second and current bishop
and administrator of the diocese, responsible as bishop since 1981 is Mr. Petar. The Prespa-
Pelagonia diocese has about 500 churches and monasteries. In the last ten years in the diocese
have been built or are being built about 40 churches and 140 church buildings. The diocese has The seat of Prespa- Pelagonia diocese of
two church museums- the cathedral "St. Martyr Demetrius" in Bitola and at the Church "St. the Macedonian Orthodox Church -
John" in Krusevo and permanent exhibition of icons and libraries in the building of the seat of Ohrid Archbishopric in Bitola
the diocese. The seat building was built between 1901 and 1902 and is one of the most beautiful
examples of the baroque architecture. Besides the dominant Macedonian Orthodox Church in
Bitola there are other major religious groups such as the Islamic community, the Roman Catholic Church and others.

According to the 2002 census the religious composition of the city is the following:[31]

% from total
Religion Total number Religion[31]
population
Orthodox 89.2%
Orthodox 66.492 89.2 Islam 9.2%
Catholicism 0.2%
Muslims 6.843 9.2
Protestantism 0.01%
Catholics 140 0.2 Others 1.4%

Protestants 9 0.01

Others 1.066 1.4

 Bitola's Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is the co-cathedral of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Skopje.

Culture
Manaki Festival of Film and Camera

Is the oldest film festival in the world who value the work of cinematographers.In memories of the first cameramen on the Balkans,
Milton Manaki, every September the Film and Photo festival "Brothers Manaki" takes place. It is a combination of documentary and
full-length films that are being shown. The festival is a world class event and it is a must see.Every year the festival brings world
recognized actors including Catherine Deneuve, Isabelle Huppert, Victoria Abril, Predrag Manojlovic, Michael York, Juliette Binoche,
Rade Sherbedgia.

Ilindenski Denovi

Every year, the traditional folk festival "Ilinden Days" takes place in Bitola. It is a 4-5 day
festival of music, songs, and dances that is dedicated to the Ilinden Uprising against the Turks,
where the main concentration is placed on the folk culture of Macedonia. Folk dances and songs
are presented with many folklore groups and organizations taking part in it.

Small Monmartre of Bitola

In the last few years, the Art manifestation "Small Monmartre of Bitola" that is organized by the
art studio "Kiril and Metodij" has turned into a successful children's art festival. Children from The Magaza, a gallery in the center of
all over the world come to express their imagination through art, creating important and the city.
priceless art that is presented in the country and around the world. "Small Monmartre of Bitola"
is a winner of numerous awards and nominations.

Bitolino

Bitolino is an annual children's theater festival held in August with the Babec Theater. Every year professional children's theaters from
all over the world participate in the festival. The main prize is the grand prix for best performance.

Si-Do

Every May, Bitola hosts the international children's song festival Si-Do, which in recent years has gained much popularity. Children
from all over Europe participate in this event which usually consists of about 20 songs. This festival is supported by ProMedia which
organizes the event with a new topic each year. Many Macedonian musicians have participated in the festival including: Next Time and
Karolina Goceva who both represented Macedonia at the Eurovision Song Contest.

Festival for classical music Interfest

It is an international festival dedicated mainly to classical music where many creative and reproductive artist from all over the world
take place. In addition to the classical music concerts, there are also few nights for pop-modern music, theater plays, art exhibitions, and
a day for literature presentation during the event. In the last few years there have been artists from Russia, Slovakia, Poland, and many
other countries. For the reason of Bitola being called the city with most pianos, there is one night of the festival dedicated to piano
competitions. One award is given for the best young piano player, and another for competitors under 30.

Akto Festival

The Akto Festival for Contemporary Arts is a regional festival. The festival includes visual arts, performing arts, music and theory of
culture. The first Akto festival was held in 2006. The aim of the festival is to open the cultural frameworks of a modern society through
"recomposing" and redefining them in a new context. In the past, the festival featured artists from regional countries like Slovenia,
Greece or Bulgaria, but also from Germany, Italy, France and Austria.

International Monodrama Festival

Is annual festival of monodrama held in April in organization of Centre of Culture of Bitola every year many actors from all over the
world come in Bitola to play monodramas.

Lokum fest

Is authentic cultural and tourist event which has existed since 2007. Founder and organizer of the festival is the Association of Citizens
Center for Cultural Decontamination Bitola. The festival is held every year in mid-July in the heart of the old Turkish bazaar in Bitola,
as part of Bitola Cultural Summer Bit Fest.

Education
St. Clement of Ohrid University of Bitola (Macedonian: . ) was founded in 1979, as a
result of dispersed processes that occurred in education in the 1970s, and increasing demand of highly skilled professionals outside the
country's capital. Since 1994, it has carried the name of the Slavic educator St. Clement of Ohrid. The university has institutes in Bitola,
Ohrid, and Prilep, and headquarters in Bitola. With its additions in education and science, it has established itself, and cooperates with
University of St. Cyril and Methodius from Skopje and other universities in the Balkans and Europe. The following institutes and
scientific organizations are part of the university:

Technical Faculty Bitola

Economical Faculty Prilep
Faculty of Tourism and Leisure management Ohrid
Teachers Faculty Bitola
Faculty of biotechnological sciences Bitola
Faculty of Information and Communication Technologies Bitola
Medical college Bitola
Faculty of Veterinary Sciences Bitola
Tobacco institute Prilep
Hydro-biological institute Ohrid
Technical Faculty in Bitola
Slavic cultural institute Prilep

There are seven high schools in Bitola:

"Josip Broz-Tito", a gymnasium

"Taki Daskalo", a gymnasium

- Stopansko School (mining survey, part of Taki Daskalo)

"Dr. Jovan Kalauzi", a medical high school

"Jane Sandanski", an economical high school
"Gjorgji Naumov", a technological high school
"Kuzman apkarev", an agricultural high school
"Toe Proeski", a musical high school

Ten Primary Schools in Bitola are:

Gymnasium "Josip Broz-Tito"
"Todor Angelevski"
"Sv. Kliment Ohridski"
"Goce Delev"
"Elpida Karamandi"
"Dame Gruev"
"Kiril i MEtodij"
"Kole Kaninski"
"Trifun Panovski"
"Stiv Naumov"
"Gjorgji Sugarev"
The building of the elementary school
People from Bitola "Kliment Ohridski" in Bitola. 1918-1941

Some notable people born in Bitola are:

Ajri Demirovski (Macedonian: , Turkish: Hayri nder) (born 1927 in

Bitola (Monastiri), died 2009 in Turkey) was an ethnic Turkish singer.
Karolina Goeva, pop singer
Dimitar Ilievski-Murato, first Macedonian to climb Mount Everest
Miljan Miljani, football coach
Nikole Noveski, footballer
Georgi Sugarev, IMRO revolutionary

School "Sv. Bogoroditsa "in Bitola,

Twin towns sister cities 1898- 1912

Bitola participates in town twinning to foster good international relations. Its current partners
include:
 pinal, France since 1968
Pushkin, Russia since 2005[32]
Nizhny Novgorod, Russia since 2010
Bursa, Turkey since 1994[33]
Trelleborg, Sweden since 1981
Kremenchuk, Ukraine since 2006
Rockdale, Australia since 1985
Ningbo, China since 2014[34]
Kranj, Slovenia since 1965
Rijeka, Croatia since 2009
Herceg Novi, Montenegro since 1976
Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria since 2006

Pleven, Bulgaria since 1999

Stari Grad, Belgrade, Serbia since 2006
Poarevac, Serbia since 1976
Gornji Milanovac, Serbia
Hotel Epinal in the centre of Bitola, named
after the French city of pinal, a twin town
of Bitola. In return, a quarter in the city of
pinal is called Bitola, and aMacedonian
flag is flown there.

Gallery

St. Demetrius Church, Shirok Sokak The old bazzar Orthodox St. Hajdar Kadi mosque
Cathedral church of Bogorodica church
Prespa-Pelagonium
Eparchy

The Jewish cemetery View from Krkarda Bitola museum A monument of an The tower clock
angel for the defenders
of Macedonia
 A mosaic from Heraclea A monument of Phillip A view to Bitola from Pelister National Park Dragor River
Lyncestis II of Macedon Baba mountain

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Bibliography
Basil Gounaris, "From Peasants into Urbanites, from Village into Nation: Ottoman Monastir in the Early Twentieth Century",
European History Quarterly 31:1 (2001), pp. 4363. online copy

External links
Bitola Municipality Official Page
Bitola Municipality Official Info Page
Bitola - Gallery
The Bitola museum
Bitola Tourist Info
Bitola Photo Gallery
The Story of the Jewish Community in Monastir - an online exhibition by Yad Vashem
The Story of the Jewish Community in Monastir - an online exhibition by Yad Vashem

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