- Velmej
Velmej is village in
Debarca municipality .Location
The village
Velmej is located atDolna Debarca region, 13 km. east from the western high roadOhrid -Kicevo . Situated on the western slopes of mountainIlinska Bigla , from the north and the east side the village is surrounded with the mountain massifs ofIlinska Bigla , (at the east is mountain topKilaec - 1068 m, at north isČuki -1303 m.) and at the west and south side is spreading TheVelmej field .The willage is at 860 m altitude. The area of the villageVelmej takes 39,3 square km or 10 %of the territory ofDebarca .The closest airport to
Velmej is OHD -Ohrid , located 18.7 km south west of Velmej. More nearby airports include SKP -Skopje 95.0 km north east, TIA -Tirana Rinas 99.7 km west.Places nearVelmej ,Macedonia : 3.2km toGrko Pole , 3.5km toSošani , 4.1km toLešani , 4.1km toGorno Sredoreče , 4.7km toDolno Sredoreče , 6.3km toKuratica , 5.4km toOzdoleni , 6.3km toSlatino , 5.8km toBrežani , 6.0km toBelčišta , 6.2km toZlesti , 7.6km toIzdeglavje , 8.5km toSirula , 10.1km toArbinovo , 10.7km toPlakje .History
During the Second World War, in the course of 1943, Mountain Karaorman,about 30 km. from
Ohrid , covered with dense vegetation and abounding ingame, and particularly the region aroundDebarca on its eastern slopes,became the center of Partisan activity. The first free territtory inWestern Macedonia was established there. The region of Debarca wasespecially favorable for the development of Partisan warfare, in whichthe local population engaged in large numbers.The first National Liberation Committiees were set up in Debarca on liberated territory in the spring of 1943. Their task was to organizelife throughout the free territory. The Debarca District National Liberation Committee devoted special attention to educational activity.The first schools with classes on Macedonian language were openedin October and November 1943 in
Velmej ,Vrbjani ,Belciste ,Botun andotherOhrid villages.Economy
55,3% of the surface area of the village
Velmej is under the forestand alp, 22,4% is farmland and 22, 3% is moorland.Administration
Culture
In the
Ohrid region there are several Neolithic settlements:Dolno Trnovo inOhrid andZlastrana in the village ofGorno Sredorece (Debarca ), as well as theKutlina site in the village ofVelmej (Debarca ) that dates back to the Eneolithic period.At the center of
Velmej dominates high bell tower ofSt Nikolas church. There is another churchSt. Geoge look down on northwards part of the village.Also, impressive fountain called ”Istok” (East) which disposes large amount of water running through 18 sources is situated at the western part of the village. That is the place where traditional wedding ceremonial called ”Bringing water by the bride” happens. Nowadays, there is a water-system through the village, built 1982, but “Istok” still brings together the habitants of
Velmej .Near the fountain a tablet of fallen fighters of
People's Liberation War andIlinden rebellion is set.Sports
•
FC Ilinden Velmej - win the Cup of the region 2006Events
Famous Peoples
*
Ljube Trpeski - ex governor of [National Bank of the Republic of Macedonia
*Ilija Iloski - ex Director ofCustoms Administration of the Republic of Macedonia , ex member ofAssembly of the Republic of Macedonia - Chief Operating Officer, Director of KMB -Komercijalna Banka Skopje
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