Šiševo Monastery, Medieval monastery in Šiševo village, North Macedonia
Šiševo Monastery sits on a sloped section of Mount Vodno in a village of the same name in North Macedonia, with views extending across surrounding valleys. The structure consists of the church building and its interior spaces, integrated into the hillside and accessible via several established walking routes.
The monastery was established in 1345, with priest Nenad and other benefactors involved in its construction. During this period, the region received support from prominent rulers who contributed to the development of religious sites.
The interior walls display layers of religious artwork spanning centuries, with earlier paintings visible beneath later depictions of warriors and holy figures. Visitors can observe how different artistic periods are physically layered on top of each other.
Several marked walking paths lead to the site: one starts from a bridge near the Treska River kayaking area, another from Šiševo village, and a third from the Mount Vodno summit. Wear sturdy footwear and bring enough water, as the routes pass through varied terrain with elevation changes.
Between 1860 and 1924, numerous visitors carved and wrote their names and signatures into the monastery's frescoes as graffiti. This unintended collection of inscriptions creates a record of the many pilgrims and travelers who passed through during those decades.
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