Markovi Kuli, Heritage site in Prilep Municipality, North Macedonia.
Markovi Kuli is a fortified complex located on a hilltop near Prilep, featuring medieval towers and defensive walls built from limestone blocks. The structures reveal different construction periods spanning from ancient times through the medieval era.
The site contains evidence of habitation from the Bronze Age through medieval times, including remains of one of the largest early Slavic settlements discovered in the Balkans. The fortress itself was expanded and reinforced in the 14th century under local rule.
The site takes its name from Prince Marko, a legendary figure in South Slavic stories who completed the fortress in the 14th century. Visitors walking through the ruins can sense how this ruler shaped the region's identity and memory.
The site is accessible from Prilep via marked paths, and guided tours are available to explain the medieval structures. Visitors should wear sturdy shoes, as the paths cross rough terrain and the walk requires physical effort.
The fortress stands on gneiss and granite rock formed by volcanic activity 720 million years ago, offering a window into the Balkans' geological past. From the top, visitors overlook the Pelagonia plain and witness the diverse landscape that defines this region.
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