Struga

Struga X36 - |Struga

Struga city in Western North Macedonia, nicknamed "city of poetry." The population is 63,376 (Struga municipality).

Struga Halal Travel Guide

Struga has always been in the shadow of Ohrid, as Ohrid has more monuments and better preserved houses. But Struga can still be a fun daytrip from Ohrid if one combines it with a trip to the villages on the west coast of lake Ohrid where main sight, aside from the nice quiet beaches, are the cave churches. Unlike Ohrid which is situated on hills, Struga is flat, spread around Drim river. It is a great place to relax with a cup of Coffee by the river.

Unike Ohrid, today's Struga has largely ethnically Albanian population.

History

In ancient time the city was known as Enchalon, which means eel (fishing eels in Drim river was very popular in Struga up until recently). The Via Egnatia road that connected Rome with Thesaloniki and Constantinople passed through Struga. The name Struga was used for the first time in a document in the 11th c, but it originates from the 7th c. The Byzantine travel writer Ana Komnina visited Struga in the 11th century and named it “City of 100 bridges”.

While the nearby Ohrid was always cultural and religious centre, Struga played the role of trading centre of the region. It still does and a visit on market day can be fun.

In the 19th century Struga played important part in the national revival as it was home town of Konstantin and Dimitar Miladinovi, brothers who collected and published a collection of folk songs (named "Folk songs from Macedonia") in 1862. Konstantin Miladinov wrote Sorrow for the south (also translated as 'Longing for the South') during his studies in Saint Petersburg. Today, in his honour and the biggest poetry festivals in the world is held in Struga every year.

Curiosities

• The river Drim, which enters Ohrid lake in the St.Naum monastery, comes out in Struga after going through the whole lake.
• Before the Drim had been blocked by several dams downstream of Struga, Lake Ohrid was home to a large population of eels. The annual run of the eels, when they left the lake en masse every fall, to spawn in the Atlantic Ocean, was a major event in Struga, where weirs were constructed to catch the fish. The towns' eel lore is celebrated in Luan Starova's novel The Path of Eels] ("Патот на јагулите").
• Vlado Maleski, a poet from Struga wrote the Macedonian national anthem "Denes nad Makedonija se raga". It was sung for the first time in Struga.
• The Vasilica carnival in Vevčani village has been held on 14th & 15th of January for over 1500 years.

Travel to Struga

Travel on a Bus in Struga

There are direct buses from Skopje and other cities in Macedonia to Struga. Also there are buses to Tirana, Albania.

• Long distance bus station - 41.185473, 20.674156 ☎ +389 46-782770
• Minibus stop - 41.1764, 20.6760 - Gathering point for shuttle vanes going to Ohrid (E 15km). Buses leave once every 20-40 minutes and cost 100 denars. There are also shared taxis to Ohrid, which cost 100 denars per person as well.
• Bus companies' offices Partizanska 15 bb 41.17329, 20.68438 ☎ +389 46 787 467 price= A few kiosks selling tickets to various destinations. One of them, /pages/Euro-Linia/129136000453602 Euro linia, operates buses to/from Vlore in Albania (passing Elbasan, Tirana €13, Durres), and departs from Struga at 05:00 and 06:00. Coaches to Skopje (via Tetovo) leave at 05:00, 08:00, 10:00, 17:00. Bus connection with Germany.

Get Around

GPS 41.177|20.674|layer=W Struga is small and easiest to get around is by walking. To visit the cave churches on the west coast of Ohrid lake take a taxi or check out the bus schedule. A 15 minutes walk along the lake will take you to Kalishta village and cave monastery.

What to see in Struga

Unfortunately Struga has lost most of its old houses and atmosphere due to mass tourism. Still one can enjoy a pleasant walk around the city and spend an hour or two here. - Old Bazaar City Market, Градски пазар Marshal Tito Street GPS 41.1769,20.6738 ☎ . is a straight street, and today has more cafes than shops. It ends with a lively market.

• St.George Church Црква Свети Ѓорги Marshal Tito Street GPS 41.177, 20.674 On the end of 'Old Bazaar straight street' after the crossroad content=This is a good example of revival period architecture built in 1835. The church is most famous for the St.George Icon painted in 1267, and considered miraculous as it was found in the lake. The only part of the city which has managed to preserve couple of old houses and atmosphere is along Goce Delcev Street left of the old bazaar. It starts with a lovely small stone house which once was a residence of church officials (notice the small altar of the chapel that once was in the house).

• Traditional houses - next to St.George Church content=there are couple of traditional houses preserved, including the so-called island house as it stands alone in the middle of a small square. - Halveti Teke Халвети Теќе GPS 41.17787,20.68321 ☎ - is one of the most representative examples of Ottoman architecture in Struga and it is protected by the Macedonian Cultural Memorial Institute. The tekke (Muslim monastery) was established by Hasan Baba (Asan Dede) in the beginning of the 18th century and consists of five rooms in the shape of the letter T.
• Miladinovci House Куќата на браќата Миладиновци GPS 41.178314 ,20.677172 on Braka Miladinovci and Niko Nestor Streets right from the bazaar interesting examples of traditional architecture. The brothers were born and lived in this building, and today it serves as a museum dedicated to them.

• Vangel Kodzoman Gallery Галерија Вангел Коџоман GPS 41.178428 ,20.677450 Right opposite of Miladinovci House ☎ . one of the most famous Macedonian painters of the 20th c. Checking out his paintings will show you Struga which unfortunately does not exist any more.

• Nikola Nezlobinski Nature Museum - Никола Незлобински Музејот на природата | Niko Nestor Street 41.180317, 20.677322 ☎ +389 46 786 664 The museum was founded in 1928 by Nikola Nezlobinski, a Russian doctor who lived and worked in Struga after the October Revolution, and who was the prototype of one of the main characters of Starova's "Path of the Eels".

Further afield

West coast of Ohrid Lake

• Kalishta cave monastery - Манастир Калишта | 41.144389, 20.650156 South 4 kilometers, on the lake shore, near Kalista village It constitutes 3 churches: the main 17th century Holy Mother of God church, 13th century cave church built into the rock and smaller Saint Peter and Paul's church built in 1990.
• St. Atanasie Cave Church - Пештерска црква Свети Атанасиј - 41.139833, 20.647989 South 5 kilometers, close to Kalishta monastery - It has ancient frescoes which dates back to the 14th century. Some of them were painted in the 19th century as well.
• Radozda village and St. Mihail cave church - 41.104578, 20.631939 South 9 kilometers A 14th century cave church built in the natural caves and decorated with frescoes.

Away from the lake:

• Vevčani|Vevčani village (NW 14 kilometers)

• Gorna Belica village - 41.224247, 20.557136 Northwest 11 km

Almost abandoned mountain village 1600 m above sea level. It has a few apartments and a new hotel

What to Do

• Struga Poetry Evenings - Струшки вечери на поезијата (СВП) | Struga Poetry Evenings - The international poetry festival held in the summer (usually, in the second half of August) every year since 1961. There are two rewards given, one for lifetime achievement, and one for a young poet (if you have just published your first book of poetry send it to UNESCO, as they decide who gets this award).

Halal Restaurants in Struga

• Klimetica - ☎ +389 755-178
• T'ga Za Jug - ☎ +389 46 788741
• Dardania - ☎ +389 46 785088
• Sv.Nikola | Goce Delcev 88 ☎ +389 70 362720 - Macedonian national restaurant where you can find the most amazing national food. The location of this restaurant is very good, next to the river Drim, where you can enjoy food and relaxing music.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Struga

Struga - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Struga, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Struga. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Struga and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Struga. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Struga. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inStruga: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Struga.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Struga: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Struga, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Struga.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Struga, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Struga, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Struga and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Struga, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Struga, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Struga without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Struga is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Struga.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Struga is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Struga, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Struga Media: info@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly Hotels

Same as in Ohrid, accommodation is easy in Struga as many people rent rooms starting from €15 per person per day. Here is a list of some hotels in Struga:

• Inex Drim - Kej Boris Kidric 51 41.17365, 20.67958 ☎ +389 46 782611 - This is a four star hotel that is perfectly matching with the old architecture of this town and the old bazaar around it. It is on the bank of the Drim River. There are 50 rooms inside, a few restaurants, a night club, a casino, an automatic bowling room, indoor and outdoor pools, a congress center, and a tennis court.
• Royal - Marshal Tito Road ☎ +389 46 784-136 - This new hotel is one of the finest in Struga. It is located within 5 minutes walk from the town center and the town market. The hotel disposes to its guests 31 rooms (single, double and triple), equipped with everything necessary to make your stay complete, a restaurant and a summer terrace-garden.
• Montenegro - Dimce Kovaceski 20 ☎ +389 46 780 330 +Sgl/dbl/tpl €19/30/45 (2023) - New family-run hotel on a great location.
• Motel Venecia - Apartments Venecia | Marsal Tito bb 41.177585, 20.675234 100 m away from central promenade ☎ +389 71 390 809 - €15 - €20 per apartment Decent, big (60m2) apartments. Good location. Fantastic owners. Wi-Fi. 2 big shops right underneath the building. Fully equipped kitchen. Long term rent is also feasible. There is no lake view from apartments and bedroom lacks sunlight.

Explore more Halal friendly Destinations from Struga

• Ohrid and the most famous city on Lake Ohrid, is just 15 kilometers away and full of culture.
• Shebenik-Jabllanice National Park is a mountainous national park just across the border in Albania.

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