Motivating Berovo Locals to Preserve Ancestral Traditions

If our team strives to constantly discover new local heroes who make small but meaningful contributions to tourism development, the Manastir Hotel in Berovo shares the same mission by actively supporting the local community.

We were glad to exchange a few words with Dina, the woman who, together with her father and Vlado, has been a key driver in encouraging many locals to stay in Berovo and continue working on what they inherited from their ancestors.

Dina says that from the very beginning, the hotel has operated based on their intuition, which guided them toward benefiting both nature and the local community. Early on, they aimed to create a tourist offer aligned with the spirit of sustainable development.

After many years, Hotel Manastir has built a large family of locals who tirelessly take care of producing high-quality and delicious food for the hotel guests. Besides food, the locals have also contributed to the hotel’s interior and exterior design, as well as the attractions offered to visitors.

The hotel boasts an excellent ethno style, with materials and resources sourced from local craftsmen and artisans. The carved chandeliers are the work of Mr. Slobodan, the copper trays by Slavcho, and the tapestries and embroideries come from my mother and grandmother, says Dina.

What our team especially appreciates is that the hotel employs local residents, often training them in the skills needed for their roles. Over time, they become part of the Manastir team, whose spirit of collegiality greatly contributes to the hotel's progress.

It must be highlighted that the homemade specialties and drinks served at the Manastir Hotel restaurant are prepared from organic and eco-friendly ingredients grown on the fields and farms around Berovo. For example, the cheese and traditional bunać are made by Aunt Vesna, who has cooperated with the hotel for nearly two decades. Also featured is the famous Berovo potato from the village of Dvorishte, produced by Vancho.

The fruits from the surrounding forests—such as wild strawberries, wild raspberries, blackcurrants, and blueberries—are gathered by the hardworking Ilcho and his family, who prepare homemade juices and jams for the guests.

Vancho takes care of the natural honey, while Borche is responsible for the traditional specialties prepared at the hotel, skillfully combining local mountain porcini mushrooms with various regional herbs and teas.

Hotel Manastir also collaborates with local mountain guides, such as the young enthusiasts Kire and Kate. The hotel management frequently promotes hiking and mountain biking tours to guests, aiming to enrich their leisure time.

Guests at the hotel have access to 25 mountain bikes to explore the region.

For those who choose to stay at the hotel, the Kajak.mk team recommends the tour organized by the hotel, which includes a visit to Grandpa Kjiro’s swamp.

What makes the tour especially interesting is the food served at Grandpa Kjiro’s swamp, featuring lamb meat, traditional pies, dairy products, and garden vegetables—all grown by Grandpa Kjiro himself around the swamp area.

The tour also includes visits to the monasteries of St. Archangel Michael, known for its intriguing legend and a mosaic workshop, and St. Mary Balaklija, famous for its workshops on natural cosmetics and oils, as well as homemade monastery Turkish delight.