Putting Lesnovo on the Gastronomic Tourist Map

Just two hours from Skopje lies Lesnovo — a destination you definitely must visit this summer. Explore the Lesnovo Monastery, the captivating caves, and the ethnic restaurant "Lesnovska Kuќa."

Today, we talk with host Kocev, whose restaurant prepares food in a traditional way. Kocev says he stayed to work and live in Lesnovo because he believes he can help develop tourism in this region.

For Kajak.mk, he says the story began with an ethno house transformed into a restaurant offering excellent specialties and a beautiful view of the monastery.

Kocev is well acquainted with the area, which he believes will soon be recognized as a UNESCO site. For years, he has studied the caves in the region and the volcanic rocks.

According to him, if tourists spend a day in Lesnovo, they will learn an important lesson. For those tourists wondering how to spend their day in Lesnovo, Kocev suggests starting with a visit to the monastery, followed by a visit to the local museum where they can learn a lot about the lives of the people from this region.
Фото: mojportal.mk

"Tourists are most interested in the caves, which in the past served as cells where a large number of monks stayed. According to tradition, these caves were formed when the local population mined ore. Later, these caves were inhabited by hermits and ascetics, who were numerous in this region," he says.

Фото: Google/Tosee - Own work

One of the caves was the retreat of the hermit Gavril Lesnovski, for whom a monastery has been built today.

These caves now serve as small sanctuaries adorned with numerous icons, from which a pleasant scent of incense spreads.

Фото: mojportal.mk

Kocev says that besides its history, Lesnovo is an ideal gastronomic destination. What makes his restaurant recognizable is the specialty of lamb and mutton cooked under the “sač” (a traditional bell-shaped lid). According to him, the food must be prepared in a traditional way to preserve its authenticity.

Starting today, everyone can book a gastronomic experience at "Lesnovska Kuќa." This attraction, organized by host Kocev, is now part of our database, and you can find more information about it HERE.