Kokino Observatory
Кокино
A Bronze Age stone observatory about 3,800 years old, which used rock notches to mark the position of the sunrise. It is listed among the world's ancient observatories.
The Kokino site sits on the summit of Mount Tatićev, about 30 kilometres northeast of Kumanovo, at roughly 1,030 metres above sea level. In the Bronze Age, people carved notches into volcanic rock to observe the sunrise and moonrise at the summer solstice, the winter solstice and the spring and autumn equinoxes. They used these observations to determine planting seasons and the timing of rituals. NASA listed the site in its catalogue of ancient observatories in 2005. The summit has trails and interpretive signs, and entry is free. It is about 80 kilometres from Skopje, roughly 1.5 hours' drive, with the final stretch on a mountain road.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Bit Pazar
- Kuršumli An
- Old Bazaar
- Kapan Han
- Mustafa Pasha Mosque
- Church of St. Saviour
- Daut Pasha Hamam (National Gallery)
- Museum of Contemporary Art, Skopje