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Along the west shore of the
Dojran
Lake, in the south-eastern part of Macedonia, there are the small fisherman's towns Nov Dojran and Star Dojran,
which are a fusion of old ruins and newly built buildings, modern hotels
and holiday resorts and restaurants. Nov Dojran,
represents a settlement from the period between the world wars. Nov & Star
Dojran are located on 170 km from the capital
Skopje and from the nearby city
Strumica, are just 59 away.
This area has been settled since
pre-historic times. In the 5th century AD, the Greek
historian Herodotus, writes of the Peons, people who settled the lake
shores. According to his notes, they lived in dweller settlements
accessible only by boats. These constructions can be seen in the present
day, as well, on the west and the north shores of the lake, in between the
cane zones and the peaceful lake waters. Fishing has always represented
the basic economic activity of the citizens on the lake. Especially
interesting for the tourists as mentioned is the traditional ancient
fishing method used by the Dojran fishermen.
In 1431, Dojran was conquered by the
Turkish
invaders, led by the colonel Evrenos-bey. A legend still lives among the
population, connected to the day when the Turks conquered the city. That
day, the lake was frozen and covered with snow. Everywhere around, there
were fierce snow storms which made recognition of the roads almost
impossible. Not knowing of the lake, the Turks actually passed over it.
When the next day, Evrenos-bey found out that the soldiers had crossed the
ice, he believed that Allah had taken his army under his protection. He
ordered immediate preparations for a large feast. The memory of that feast
and the joy gave the city, the name: "Dojurmak", or
"Dojaran" - which translated means feast. During the Turkish
rule, the city developed following the typical Turkish model of an Islamic
city. The upper part was Turkish, with narrow streets, and the lower part
was Macedonian, crossed with wide streets and modern public buildings. The
houses were two-storeyed, arranged amphitheatrically, with a view onto the
lake. Such an appearance resembled Salonica, therefore Dojran was called
"Small Salonica". Close to the lake shore, was the Bazaar with
300 shops and crafts workshops. Because of the beauty of the city, it was
settled by many Turkish dignitaries.
During the First World War, the
airplanes and the cannons of the Entente completely destroyed the city.
The former beautiful city with beautiful houses, numerous restaurants
along the lake shores and the vivid Bazaar, vanished for ever. The
population, which during the terrifying bombardments, deserted the city,
after the war returned to the city, and formed the new fisherman's village
Nov Dojran. Today, the two villages, Nov and Star Dojran, spillover in one
urban entity. The newly built modern buildings, mainly for the purpose of
developing the tourism, are located in Star Dojran. In the vicinity, there
are several cultural-historic monuments; what is left of those more
numerous ones, destroyed during the First World War.
The Clock - Tower was built in the 14th
century. According to the legend passed down through many generations, the
Tower was built by Evrenos-bey, in honor of the conquest of Dojran. During
the First World War, the Tower was partially destroyed, and it remains in
the same condition today.
The
Amam - Turkish bath is located in the upper part of the city, inhabited by
the Turkish population, in the past. The time of construction is not
known. Only some parts of this tower have been preserved to the present
day.
 The church of St. Ilija was built in
1874. There are remains of this church in the north part of the city.
Judging by the remaining walls and the big altar inside, the church was an
impressive building. Some of the walls, retain fragments of paintings,
which suggests that the church walls were originally covered with frescos.
This area is very significant
archeologically. The numerous findings of accidental or systematic
excavations, have often attracted the attention of archeologists. These
include lot of relief, marble plates with Greek inscriptions, remainders
of walls, coins and tombs with epitaphs which all are witness to the
settlement of the area since ancient times. |
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