30.01.2021
We Left Skopje to Renovate the Rural Eco House
We Left Skopje to Renovate the Rural Eco House
The two are a young married couple who, in recent years, decided to invest in something unusual and extraordinary. It is an old family house built exclusively from natural materials.
The village is nestled between the Vlaina and Sredno mountains. Like most villages in the country, Star Istevnik is facing a rapid migration to the cities.
Their house is built with natural and local materials such as earth, sand, wood, lime, and straw, and they are now using the same materials for its restoration.
In recent years, volunteers from various European countries, such as Spain, Italy, France, Poland, Slovenia, and from Argentina, have participated in the restoration of the home. Their interest lies in eco-building and sustainable living.
The story would not be complete without mentioning that the yard of their house is planted with numerous local ecological fruits that thrive in this region. The eco-building is further complemented by homegrown food, cultivated without the use of pesticides.
Borche and Simona say that what attracts them most to the village is the vast array of outdoor activities. The potential offered by nature and the freedom it brings provide an opportunity for a new adventure every day. After two years, they say they are truly proud of what they have achieved.
Their goal is to preserve tradition and share the knowledge held by the local population in the Pijanec region. For them, the villages here represent the true potential for developing eco-tourism.
Clean mountain drinking water and fresh air are their top priorities. Their vision is to create a center for sustainable practices, named 'Natural Perspective.' The center's work will focus on developing ideas and practices for sustainable living, practices for the well-being of the body, mind, and spirit, ecological food production, and rural tourism.
The innovation of this place lies in its ability to combine various forms of exchange, such as volunteering, organizing educational workshops, and offering a tourism experience that allows visitors to immerse themselves in village life by participating in daily activities that blend tradition with the modern.
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