The largest town in the Tikves region in Macedonia, Kavadarci is located in the south-central part of Macedonia. Situated in the heart of largest Macedonian wine region, it is home to the Macedonia’s largest man made lake and the largest winery in south-eastern Europe, both named Tikves. Kavadarci is seat of the Kavadarci municipality.

According to the 2002 census, Kavadarci had a population of around 29,188. Kavadarci lies at an altitude of 150 meters above the sea level. The E-75 road is passing near the town and connects Kavadarci with Skopje (105 km) on the north, with Veles (52 km) and nearby Negotino (10 km) on the east. Kavadarci is well known and famous by its wineyards and wine production, all over Macedonia as well in Greece, former Yugoslavia and other European countries, where the Tikves wines are being exported. Kavadarci is main source for wine production all over Macedonia. Traditionally, every year in September, as being largest settlement in the wine disctict a wine carnival – Tikveski Grozdober is being held.

Kavadarci tourist attractions

• POLOG MONASTERY On the shore of the Tikves lake (very close to Pravednik village) is the Monastery Polog and the church St. Gjorgi, a significant monument of culture from 14th century richly decorated with frescoes. Built in the first half of 14th century, 20 km southwest of Kavadarci, in the foothills of Mount Visesnica, nowadays it is on the left bank of Tikves Lake. It is assumed that it dates back to 9th century because the architectural style is very similar to the architectural style of the churches of Ohrid. Church, standing alone in the beautifully arranged rose garden, was built in a shape of naval construction, with a dome on eight-sided tambour and three-apse from outside. The church is made of stone and bricks, with a nave and porch. The interior of the church is entirely picturesque. It is famous for its 14 century frescos, and even more for the church chandeliers carved in wood, dating from 1492, which is the oldest dated woodcut in Macedonia. Very impressive is the large iconostasis cross with crucifixion made of wood carving in 1584. The throne icons of St. Mary (St. Bogorodica) dating from 1649, “Jesus Christ – the Savoir with the apostles”, from the beginning of 16 century, as well as the royal gates originating from the end of the century, are of great value. 14.15 km SSW from Kavadarci center
• STONE COLUMNS OF KONOPISTE TThey can be found hidden in the rocky hills of the Kozhuf Mountain, southern of Kavadarci, near the village Konopishte. The stone columns are only 20, high above 20 meters and exist on this region for many centuries. Not everybody has heard for the existence of these stone columns, called by the local population Kanjata or Cucki (Tzutzki). They are protected as a monument of the nature. But anyway nobody pays them any attention, there is not asphalt road leading to them, not even a sign. To approach to this location first you must cross the river Boshavica. After you cross this river as you have entered a whole new world. The entire terrain is fill of trees and bushes. After spending few minutes walking through them, there they are. The locals say: “The view of them is very beautiful in winter and in autumn, period when the trees do not have leaves.” According to Goran Todorov, citizen of Konopishte the stone columns have always been helping those who were incapable of having children. The first legends is that everyone who is incapable of having children has to scratch a piece of the columns, then to put into milk, add some honey and drink it. Many people who were having problems have visited this village and the stone columns. The other legend is that the columns are radiating some special energy, so the young couples should have an act of love in front of them, so the columns can help in the production process. Places like this on the Balkans, can be found in Serbia (City of Devils) and in Bulgaria (Pyramids of Melnik). 22.1 km SSE from Kavadarci center
• TIKVES LAKE Tikves Lake is located 12km south-west of Kavadarci on the River Crna or 3km from the village Vozarci. Tikves lake was built in 1968 by directing the waters of the river and building a 104m high dam. The dam is built of stones and it is 338m long. Tikves lake is the largest and the oldest artificial lake in Macedonia. Tikves lake covers an area of 14km2 and 29km with a capacity of 475 million m3 water. The water of the Tikves lake is used for irrigation and deriving electricity. The irrigation is performed by the hydro-system Tikves and in the vicinity of the dam the hydroelectric plant Tikvesh is located. The lake is rich with fish. Most dominant is the sheat-fish that can reach the size of 2m. Thanks to the irrigation Tikves Lake made Tikves valley a real oasis with endless vineyards and orchards. Today Tikves Lake with its micro-climate establishes itself as an recreational and tourist resort. 8.31 km SSW from Kavadarci center
• VATASHA VILLAGE Few kilometers from Kavadarci’s settlement of Vatasha, is situated the monument from the Second World War, where 12 young communists & partisans, were brutally killed by the Bulgarian occupator. Straso Pindzur, a National Hero from the World War 2, was born here in Vatasha. If you are getting here, try to visit the memorial house. 4.63 km SSE from Kavadarci center
• GRKOV WINERY, KRNJEVO Grkov winery is situated 26 km away from Kavadarci, on the foothils of Kozuf mountain in the village Krnjevo. The total production capacity is 120.000 liters with a possibility of increasing. Where the Sun kisses the freshness and creates the most tasteful wine, the love poured in a glass of Pinot Noir, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon from the wine cellar Grkov, only beautifies and continue Macedonian wine history. The winery “Grkov” has a production capacity of 120000 litres of wine. The raw materials for our production are our own with total of 11 hectares of grape plantations near the winery at the altitude 550m. The terrain of Krnjevo, as well as the climate, the altitude provide perfect condition for a high quality grapes such as Pinot Noir, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. We used first-class imported planting material while planting the grape plantations. The grape quality depends on the characteristic climate which is a mixture of the Mediterranean climate under the influence of the Aegean Sea in the south and the continental climate influenced by the mountain Kozuf in the north. In the first quarter of 2007 the grape plantations were certified for organic production with the goal to give the final product an organic auspice. 16.41 km SE from Kavadarci center