Tourist must see

• DEBAR SPA – BANJISTE The powerful springs of the Debar spa-resort in Banjiste, with a total velocity if 70 l/s, are located northwest of Debar at a height of 880 m in the village Banjiste, which is very close to the border with Albania. The Debar spa (Banjiste) resort is famous for its radioactivity and healing properties. 3.89 km N from Debar center
• GALICNIK VILLAGE The village is located about 10 km from the artificial lake of Mavrovo and the ski resort of Zare Lazaresvki, deep in the Mavrovo national park. Galicnik is famous for the Galicka Svadba, a traditional and public summer wedding, held annually on the day of the village feast of the Patron Saint Petrovden (St. Peter’s day). During the wedding, local men will dance the Teskoto (the hard or heavy) – a dance that is meant to symbolize the overcoming of difficulties in life. People from Galicnik and northwestern Macedonia appreciate its mature yellow cheese kaskaval as well as the local salt brine white cheese belo sirenje. Galicnik is also famous for its local traditional architecture, including an amphitheatre in the village square, its summer Galicnik Art Colony and its countryside and nature reserve. 13.09 km NE from Debar center
• DEBAR SPA – KOSOVRASTI Kosovrasti spa is located east of Debar, by the Debar lake, at the distance of 8 km and at height of 585 meters above the sea level. The mineral waters of the Kosovrasti spa resort in many small waterfalls and through numerous rocks used to flow into the river Radika. 4.28 km ENE from Debar center
• RAJCICA MONASTERY The monastery is located in the village Rajcica and the church is dedicated to St. George the Victorious (Gjorgjija Pobedonosec). In this all-female monastery, from the 11th century, a piece of the cross of Jesus is kept and a small part of the hand of Saint George the Victorious. The monastery complex was recently rebuilt. 2.06 km ESE from Debar center
• SAINT JOVAN BIGORSKI MONASTERY The Saint Jovan Bigorski monastery is located in the surroudings of Rostuse village very close to Debar. The monastery church is dedicated to St. John the Baptist (Saint John the Forerunner). The Saint Jovan Bigorski monastery complex is comprised of monastery church, ossuary located next to the church, the seymen defense tower, complex of monastery mansions as well as the newly built guest mansion. The Bigorski church most probably is built on the foundations of an older basilica from the 11th century, more precisely from 1021. This is written in the icon-painters record. There is a great probability that the icon of Sveti Jovan Preteca (St. John Forerunner) was painted the same year when the old church was built and fresco-painted. According to the monastery’s 1833 chronicle, it was built in 1020 by Archbishop Jovan. The Ottomans destroyed the monastery in the 16th century. The Saint Jovan Bigorski monastery was restored in 1743 by the monk Ilarion, who also built several monk cells. Later, in the period from 1812 to 1825 the monastery was expanded by archimandrite Arsenius. One of the most valuable treasures of the Saint Jovan Bigorski monastery is the iconostasis created by Petre Filipovski – Garkata and Makarie Frckovski, which is done in tiny woodcarving. They did not miss to present in woodcarving their own figures through the scene of the master in contemplation and his associates while working. This scene is present at the iconostasis in both churches where these masters worked. The Bigorski monastery ambient is redeemed with the old mansions with the spacious wooden balconies and the dining room furnished with authentic furniture from the time of construction, late 17th and early 19th century. The special guest mansions offer possibility to each of the visitors, under certain conditions, to stay longer and to enjoy the marvelous sunrise of this heavenly site. 12.83 km NNE from Debar center
• SHPILJE LAKE – DEBAR LAKE The artificial Debar lake known as Shpilje, has greatly enhanced the attractiveness of the Debar area. In immediate vicinity of the small town, along the course of the rivers Radika and Crni Drim, travelers may enjoy the vivid scenery. 3.16 km S from Debar center
• DEER LEAP BRIDGE TThe Deer jump bridge (Elenski skok), is built on the Garska river, very close to the Mogorche village, in Mavrovo-Rostuse municipality. The bridge is just 600m. away from the Gostivar-Debar road and was built in the 16th-17th century. According the local story, the local people have built this bridge, after unsuccessful jump of a deer, chased by the hunters. The dear has jumped at the location, but few inches were missing to jump over the river, so he broke his legs. Impressed by the deer’s bravery and driven to catch that deer, the Bey honored the deer by building this bridge and had it built in the shape of a deer’s leap. It is why the peasants named “leap of a deer (elenski skok)”. 8.82 km ENE from Debar center