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Kičevo is a city in the western part of the Republic of Macedonia, located in a valley in the south-eastern slopes of Mount Bistra, between the cities of Ohrid and Gostivar. According to the last census data from 2002, the municipality of Kičevo has 30,138 inhabitants. Macedonians constitute more than a half of the population - 16 140, followed by Albanians and Turks. The capital Skopje is 112 km away.

Name

The name of the city in Macedonian language is Kičevo / Кичево and in Albanian Kërçovë. Kičevo was first mentioned as Uskana in the reign of Perseus, king of Macedon during the Third Macedonian War (171-169 BC). The next written record of the town did not come until 1018, under the name of Kičavis, noted in one of the documents of the Byzantine emperor Basil II. It is presumed that the today's name of the town originates from the name of this settlement populated by the Slavic Brsjaci tribe.

History

Kičevo was noted in one of the documents of the Byzantine emperor Basil II in 1018, and also mentioned by the Ohrid archbishop Theophilact in XI century.

When the region was conquered by the Ottoman Empire, Kičevo was turned into the military and administrative center of the region. Notable monument of that period is a clock tower built in the foothills of the nearby hill called Kichevsko Kale.

The activities of the IMRO (Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization) in the region of Kičevo were initiated by the priest Josif from the monastery of Bogorodica Prečista near the city, supported by many teachers from the neighbouring villages. Priest Josif and Pere Toshev formed the first armed detachment in Kičevo in 1878, led by Duko Tasev. On August 2nd, 1903, the citizens of Kičevo joined the struggle for Macedonian independence, led by Arso Vojvoda and Jordan Piperkata.

In 1919 Kičevo and the whole region were incorporated in the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes.

During World War II, Kičevo was occupied by forces from Fascist Italy. On September 11th, 1943, Kičevo became the first liberated city in Macedonia.

Monuments

Saint Bogorodica Precista Monastery (Monastery of Immaculate Mother of God) is a significant monastery near Kičevo. Dedicated to the Virgin Mary, Mother of God, the feast day of this monastery is "Mala Bogorodica", (Birthday of the Virgin Mary on the 21st of September). The monastery, dedicated to the Annunciation and lodgings for devout monks, represents a medieval monastery that was known under the name Krninski monastery in the past.

Another important monument is the monastery of St. George located in the vicinity of Kičevo.

External links

• Kičevo web site
• Monastery of St. Bogorodica Precista

v t e Cities of North Macedonia by population
50,000+	Bitola Kumanovo Prilep Skopje Tetovo
10,000+	Debar Delčevo Gevgelija Gostivar Kavadarci Kičevo Kočani Kriva Palanka Negotino Ohrid Probištip Radoviš Struga Strumica Sveti Nikole Štip Veles Vinica
2,000+	Berovo Bogdanci Demir Hisar Demir Kapija Kratovo Kruševo Makedonska Kamenica Makedonski Brod Pehčevo Resen Valandovo

• Cities in the Republic of Macedonia