Gevgelija is more than a town — it is the southern gate of Macedonia, the first embrace for those who arrive and the last farewell for those who leave.
Nestled in the Gevgelija–Valandovo Valley, in the heart of the Bojmija region, only 3 km from Aegean Macedonia, it carries the warmth of the Mediterranean climate and the soul of our ancestors.
At an elevation of 64 meters above sea level, Gevgelija shines under more days of sunshine than any other Macedonian town. According to the 2021 census, it has 15,156 inhabitants.
The name “Gevgelija” is believed to come from the Turkish gölgeli — “a place with many shadows.” But the legend says more: when a dervish who loved the place was once driven away, the people cried out “gel geri” — “come back.” And so Gevgelija became a vow: a town that always welcomes.
Gevgelija has always been a crossroads — a point where empires, armies, traders, and pilgrims passed, but where the people remained. Its story begins with the Paeonians and Romans, whose traces are still found on its land. Later, under Ottoman rule, it grew into a recognizable settlement, first mentioned in documents in 1664.
The real transformation came with the construction of the Skopje–Thessaloniki railway in 1873, which turned Gevgelija into a transit and trade hub. Positioned just 70 km from Thessaloniki and 165 km from Skopje, it became a European gateway — a door through which the north meets the south.
In World War II, the town paid dearly: 54 of its residents gave their lives, forever engraved in memory and gratitude.
Gevgelija breathes through culture. Traditional ensembles preserve Macedonian songs and dances, while contemporary artists bring new voices and colors. The city is home to theater plays, concerts, exhibitions, and youth gatherings where old and new meet. Here, culture is not luxury — it is daily bread.
The Mediterranean sun blesses Gevgelija’s cuisine. Every meal is a song, every fruit a memory.
In Gevgelija, sport is passion. FK Kozhuf is more than a football club — it is pride. Basketball, handball, tennis, and athletics thrive, while the surrounding mountains and valleys invite for hiking, cycling, and running. Every step here is a return to strength and spirit.
For those in America, Canada, Australia, or Europe — Gevgelija lives in every glass of homemade wine, in the summer taste of figs, in the sound of tambura music at celebrations.
It is the town that never closes its doors, the gate of Macedonia, the land of sunshine and warmth. Gevgelija is not just a place — it is a root, a memory, and a love that never fades.
And Macedonia — through Gevgelija — is always waiting with open arms.
