Belasica mountain
About Belasica mountain
Along the South-East of the republic of Macedonia is the Belasica mountain parallel to the East – West with a length over 70 km. Belasica belongs to a group of the most ancient mountains not only in Macedonia, but also of the Balkan Peninsula. Belasica came into existence during the creation of the Rodopian mountains. Later on Belasica was devastated and mounted again during the last alpine crease. According to its morphological structure Belasica is a carst mountain with very steep inclinations on the north and south.
River Vardar Valley on the west, river Struma on the east, Strumica Valley on the north, and the valleys of Dojran and Serez (known as Serrai in Greece) on the south separate Belasica from the neighbouring mountains. According to its height (2,019 meters above the sea level), Belasica belongs to the group of high mountains. The triple cross-border between the Republic of Macedonia, Bulgaria and Greece is located on Mountain Belasica. There is a border stone in a pyramidal shape on Belasica signifying the triple border-crossings of the three countries. Belasica has very rich woods among which are oak, pine, fir etc.
Belasica mountain tourism
However, Belasica is even richer with pastures where during the summer months many flocks come. Only the most highest peaks of Belasica are rocky. Many thermal and mineral streams spring from Belasica. The most famous spring is in village Banjsko, where the Banjsko spa is located.
The surrounding plains are like real natural oases where rare subtropical plants grow such as peanut, poppy, sesame, cotton, anason, pomegrante, kiwi ect. Belasica is also a historical mountain. The battle between the army of Tzar Samoil and the army of the Byzantine Emperor Vasilius 2nd in 1014 took place on Mountain Belasica. Being defeated the 14,000 Macedonian soldiers were blinded. Belasica is a beautiful mountain with favourable conditions for developing health, recreative and hunting tourism.