Driving the WEIRD & WONDERFUL Mountain Roads of NORTH MACEDONIA 🇲🇰

[@MattWhitingsEurope]

THANKS FOR WATCHING!! 👍 If you enjoyed the video please consider LIKING & SUBSCRIBING - they really help me out! 👍 🇲🇰 My NORTH MACEDONIA Travel Vlogs → bit.ly/mwt_northmacedonia | 📷 Connect on INSTAGRAM → bit.ly/mwt_instagram | 📍 My videos on a TRAVEL MAP → bit.ly/mwt_map

[@valorf666]

The Ilinden Uprising was a coordinated effort involving multiple regions, Krusevo standing out as a symbolic and strategic location due to the establishment of Krusevo Republic. Krusevo had 800 to 1,200 rebels, however the majority of the fighting force came from the broader Macedonian territory, 27 000 + rebels came from other regions of Macedonia, particularly from central and southern Macedonia. Composed of local fighters, volunteers lead by the Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization (IMRO). In areas like Kruševo, the rebels attempted to hold territory and establish temporary governance, However, this defensive strategy proved difficult to sustain in the face of overwhelming Ottoman military power. The Ottoman Empire responded to the uprising with a large-scale military operation, deploying 350,000 troops. The overwhelming military superiority of the ottoman forces led to suppression of the uprising. The Ottoman response was brutal repression. 200 + villages were burned, 70 000 people were left homeless, we had 30 000 refugees that ended in Bulgaria. 5000 + women and girls were dishonored. 4700 + women, children and old people were killed. Ilinden Uprising is one of the most important uprisings, that holds profound historical and cultural significance for Macedonia, it represents a critical moment in the Macedonian struggle for autonomy and independence from the Ottoman Empire. Fun fact, our anthem is also based on this uprising.

[@MattWhitingsEurope]

That's really interesting, thanks for the detailed information. Much appreciated.

[@cistamakedonija8210]

Welcome to MACEDONIA mate!

[@MattWhitingsEurope]

Thank you my friend 🇲🇰

[@WITYTRAVELS]

Love the future monument. You wrestled bears before, you can't be afraid of wild dogs. The Macedonia flag is so beautiful 🇲🇰

[@MattWhitingsEurope]

That is one epic flag for sure! Dogs were no match for me, I just didn't want to hurt any of them! 👿

[@WITYTRAVELS]

@@MattWhitingsEurope 🐶

[@dianezell78]

Really love your videos- so informative- will be in Macedonia in 2 weeks

[@MattWhitingsEurope]

Thanks for tuning in! Glad you're enjoying them. I hope you have a great time - it's a wonderful place for sure!

[@Watfordherts]

Lovely day with amazing views , although I’m sure you were fed up with the roads you deffo made the right choice as I would have done the same especially in a rental and foreign country , loving Macedonia 🇲🇰

[@MattWhitingsEurope]

Intrigue usually gets the better of me but I think I made the right choice to turn back. Possibly if it had of been earlier in the day and I had more time I would have walked a little way to get an idea of the conditions and incline. Didn't want to get stuck though, especially with no phone signal and the night fast approaching.

[@BeginningsAndPaths]

A great trip! It was worth all the troubles with the roads. The views from the mountains was great! 🙏😊 ~Philip

[@MattWhitingsEurope]

Thanks Philip, I think you're right about those mountain views - it was definitely worth the pain in getting there!

[@Babel7078]

Hi Matt! Great video once again, thank's! Those roads are mainly for the loggers, and local folks using FWD's, so good that you turn back. There are many roads and hiking paths in Macedonia, but that is for another journey, maybe with sime friends of yours😊

[@MattWhitingsEurope]

I suspected they might not be passable with a car as I couldn't really get any details on them through Google maps and the route planner was trying it's best to help me avoid them. Fascinating place though, looks like an epic area for walking and hiking. Thanks for tuning in.

[@markgolden6060]

Thanks for the several videos about travel in North Macedonia. It's one of our favorite countries to visit.

[@MattWhitingsEurope]

Thanks for watching, Mark. It certainly is a fascinating country! 👍

[@PhilipWalker-no1jb]

Loved the video Beautiful place

[@MattWhitingsEurope]

Thanks a lot 👍

[@lackingempathy]

Just a reminder for the people watching that the name of the country was changed forcibly against the will of the Macedonian people. The actual name of this wonderful country at least what people identifying as Macedonians declare it is Macedonia. "North: is just a fascist adjective brought from powerful external political movements.

[@AnastasiaAna-v3b]

True!

[@tonimel4226]

Macedonia 🇲🇰❤️

[@MattWhitingsEurope]

Cool place for sure!

[@vs123]

Beautiful place

[@MattWhitingsEurope]

It really is!

[@mikele9878]

A nice pass, and an interesting trip through the region and nature👍

[@MattWhitingsEurope]

Thanks for tuning in! Really enjoyed it, shame I had to turn back twice but I think I made the right decision considering the circumstances.

[@petrovvskiii]

While you were in Krushevo, you should have visited the memorial house and grave of the greatest Macedonian singer and star, Tose Proeski. BBC News named him the "Elvis Presley from Balkans." Krushevo was the town where he grew up, although he was born in Prilep.

[@MattWhitingsEurope]

Thanks for the information, I do wish I had of stopped at Krushevo for a while and taken a look around - looks like a really interesting place. I had only planned to pass through the area so time was a factor in me not stopping on this occasion, next time maybe!

[@Hongaars1969]

Hi Matt Hope you are well. If you are back in the UK, that you have an enjoyable bank holiday long weekend, irrespective of weather I was in Zagreb last weekend for a three day visit to a friend who is back from Sydney at the moment (I think I did post something on instagram) We finally had some much needed, pleasant rain last Monday but it remains hot here. Thanks for yet another informative, interesting and scenic upload. I think the flags of N Macedonia is one of the coolest national flags around. The sealed roads, albeit narrow in places generally seem in good nick. I think you are very sensible not to risk the unsealed narrow and windy roads. Best be safe than sorry. How often would you come across a passing car. Good one you. “I saw a road, I took a chance, lush forests”. Doesn’t get much better than that. More stray dogs, poor creatures. I feel most for the animals and the creatures that suffer most because of human neglect or abuse. I could go on, let me watch to the end….a pleasure to watch your weekly edits. Never stop what you do, you are a natural. Sending you best wishes and more safe travels. I hope you slept like a baby. Love it… Zoltán

[@MattWhitingsEurope]

Thanks Zoltán and good evening to you! Hope you've had a good week and the rain cooled you down just a little bit! I saw the clips on Instagram and it looks like you had a wonderful time in Zagreb. I'd not connected with that before but you're right - that may be one of the best flags of any country. It certainly stands out from the rest. I was so tempted to continue down those roads and in hindsight perhaps I could have walked a little further up the first one to see if it improved. The second one really was a non-starter considering the time and the fact that it was pure mud going up a fairly steep hill. That had disaster written all over it. Disappointed though as I'm sure both would have been a cool ride. Thanks as always for tuning in and I appreciate the feedback. All the best!

[@FranP93]

You did the right thing in not trying your luck on that road. One of my worst nightmares is getting stuck in a place without signal and where you don't know the language.

[@MattWhitingsEurope]

Yeah that would have been pretty bad, I guess curiosity killed the cat but I was so tempted!

[@mariamm9460]

Hi Matt😊 ..That white memorial statue looks like hudge underwater valves, different kind of statue ..beautiful up there wow those views . that cross amazing too....oh thanks God you made it back to your hotel..your food looks tasty ..Thank you for sharing, enjoy your shower and sleep, good night ✨😴❤

[@MattWhitingsEurope]

Thank you! It was a crazy journey that's for sure but really enjoyed seeing all that scenery. Sometimes the place feels abandoned as I couldn't believe that once again I was the only one visiting that giant cross and view point. Incredible place and loving the mountains.

[@biljanafidanoska1242]

Ilinden uprising. Macedonians celebrates 2nd of August as the day of uprising 1903. They formed first Independent Republic that only lasted 10 days. It is one of the most important day, unfortunately sad as well for Macedonians, but still we celebrate in the name of the bravery of very small Macedonians patriots, against massive Turkish army. Also the same day is a Saint Ilija. People named Ilija (Iliya) celebrate as name day

[@MattWhitingsEurope]

Thank you for the information, very interesting!

[@CalmKayak]

Wow. Shouldn’t have gone there. Those roads look like road construction access roads and you might get sandwiched between two massive trucks. Very fun tho!

[@MattWhitingsEurope]

You're right about them looking like construction roads. On both occasions I found the other end of those roads and they were paved, so it got me wondering at what point the mud met the tarmac.

[@AnastasiaAna-v3b]

15:00 Don't believe in Google Route, better believe in the signposts and road signs. I also had to wander around Portugal with Google guidance.

[@MattWhitingsEurope]

Usually I'd have a look at Google Streetview in advance but there wasn't any coverage in those areas - I guess that should have answered my question.

[@AnastasiaAna-v3b]

@@MattWhitingsEurope Thank You very much and know that such *friendly people like You* are *always welcome in Macedonia.* Please only say *Macedonia* in your future videos because North *#Macedonia* is the only country in the world that has the name *Macedonia* in its own name. There is no other country that has the name *Macedonia* in its own name. The addition of North to the name *Macedonia* was made through racist coercion by people who do not want to accept that over the last 15 centuries the *Macedonian people* adopted the Slavic language and mixed with the southernmost Slavs. Please do not support such racist and even fascist world views as those supported by the EU and NATO, because such behavior reveals the worst hypocrisy. We as children of *God* should not be hypocrites, racists, fascists, ... or anything similar.

[@d-rzarkocubrinoski]

Македонија.