Macedonian Cities Berovo Bitola Debar Delchevo Demir Hisar Gevgelija Gostivar Kavadarci Kichevo Kochani Kratovo Kriva Palanka Krushevo Kumanovo Makedonski Brod Negotino Ohrid Prilep Probishtip Radovish Resen Shtip Skopje Struga Strumica Sveti Nikole Tetovo Valandovo Veles Vinica   Macedonia   Kumanovo   Photo Gallery   History History of the city of Kumanovo Do you have any old photos of Kumanovo on your PC? Click here to send them to us! Prehistory The area boasts several prehistoric settlements, among which are the Kostoperska karpa, the Bronze Age Gradiste near the village of Pelince, the Neolithic site of Mlado Nagorichane, the Iron Age tumulus Groblje at Vojnik, the Roman Necropolis Drezga of Lopate, and the Roman Settlement Vicianus at Klechovce. (Click on the thumbnail to see a larger image) Early History The city was first mentioned in 1519 in a document housed in a Turkish archive in Istanbul.[citation needed] The most comprehensive and relevant information on Kumanovo is provided by Evliya Çelebi in 1660/1661: "The colony of Kumanovo is situated on the territory of the Skopje sanjak and represents one county. The city is embellished with many rivers and 600 tile-roofs houses. The mosque in the downtown is beautiful, there are teke, madrassa, hammam, a number of shops and water mills; and the climate is pleasant and agreeable. There are many vineyards and gardens". Kumanovo became an urban settlement and administrative center of the region at the end of the 16th century or the beginning of the 17th century. Following the turbulent events (notably, the Karposh Uprising in 1689) the city experienced a period of stagnation, and by the end of 18th century Kumanovo epitomized an Ottoman provincial town. (Click on the thumbnail to see a larger image) Karposh Rebelion According to the Turkish historian Silahdar Findikli Mehmed Aga, its leader Karposh initially was a vojvod of haiduks near Dospat, in present-day Bulgaria, but later the Turks named him chief of Christian auxiliary forces in the area between Sofia, Veles, Dojran, Kjustendil and Nevrokop. Initially, he was a vassal of Turks, but when the Ottoman empire began to weaken in 1689 and discontent rose concerning new higher taxation policies, Karposh became a turning point in the battle versus the Turks. In that period Austria staged an attack on the Ottoman Empire. Then the Karposh seized upon the situation and the uprising quickly spread to the rebels freeing Kratovo, Kriva Palanka, Kumanovo, Kachanik and in other towns. Then, together with the Austrian army, lead by Emperor Leopold I, they fought to liberate Skopje and Shtip. Later there was a change in the military and political situation in the Balkans, which had a crucial effect on the rebellion. The Austrian army was forced to withdraw and powerful Turkish forces, reinforced by Tatar detachments belonging to the Crimean Khan Selim I Giray, attacked the rebels. After fierce battles the Turks took Kriva Palanka, the rebel stronghold, and then attacked Kumanovo and its newly-constructed fortress. Karposh was captured, removed to Skopje, and put to death on the Stone Bridge across the Vardar. (Click on the thumbnail to see a larger image) First Balkan War In October 1912, during the First Balkan War, Serbian forces under the command of General Radomir Putnik won a decisive victory over the Ottomans north of the town. The two-day Battle of Kumanovo ended Ottoman authority in Vardar Macedonia and prepared the way for the region's integration into Yugoslavia. World War II The anti-fascist insurrection of Macedonians and the struggle for national and social liberation began in Kumanovo and Prilep on October 11, 1941. On 11 October 1941, in Kumanovo and Prilep started the antifashist struggle of the Macedonian people. The struggle ended with victory and formation of the Macedonian federative state inside Yugoslavia Federation (SFRY). One of the famous partizans from Kumanovo was Hristijan Todorovski Karposh shown on the picture. After 1945 Kumanovo experienced fast economic, administrative and cultural development. (Click on the thumbnail to see a larger image) Modern history It developed economically in the late 19th century (agriculture, handcrafts and trade). Still, industrial development occurred only at the end of the Second World War. The rapid economic, administrative and cultural expansion of Kumanovo began in 1945. Today, it is a modern city with approximately 100,000 inhabitants. 2001 Albanian Insurgency The Albanin insurgenccy in Macedonia first started in the mountains otskirts of Tetovo and then spread in May 2001 to the region of Kumanovo moustly to the north. (Click on the thumbnail to see a larger image) Created and hosted by: TJ-Hosting © 2005-2011 Macedonian Cities. All Rights Reserved.