Kumanovo – a city that carries history, pride, and a heartbeat all its own.
Situated in the northeastern part of the Republic of Macedonia, at an altitude of 340 meters, Kumanovo stretches along both sides of the Lipkovska, Konjarska, and Kumanovska rivers. Surrounded by mountains, it is the administrative and economic center of the Žegligovo region. With a population of 75,051, Kumanovo is the third-largest city in the country.
According to legend, the name comes from the warlike tribe of the Cumans, who in 1094 entered this region and stayed for some time in today’s Kumanovo and beyond.
Another version suggests the name derives from the Slavic word kum (“godfather”).
Kumanovo is not just a city – it is a symbol of defiance, strength, and sincerity. Its roots go back to the ancient city of Uparation, later becoming an important Ottoman stronghold. From Karpoš’s Uprising in 1689 to the revolutionary struggles of the 19th and 20th centuries, Kumanovo has always stood as a guardian of freedom.
During the Austrian advance into the Balkans, the insurgent leader Karpoš declared himself “King of Kumanovo.” This proved the town’s significance even then. At the crossroads of trade routes, Kumanovo prospered with commerce and influence.
The Macedonian Revolutionary Organization (MRO/VMRO) extended its activity to Kumanovo in 1894, when Dimitar Miraschiev formed the local committee in the house of Gjorgji Jovanov Borozanov. Among the first members were Gjorgji Karaman, Janko Arsov, Petko Kostov–Dumanovski, Aksentij Jovanov Borozanov, and Dime Ćumbetčija.
In 1895, Goce Delčev visited Kumanovo and stayed for ten days, holding meetings with local revolutionaries.
During the Ilinden Uprising, the Kumanovo detachment prepared to join the rebels in Kruševo, but when news came of its suppression, they carried out sabotage operations locally. In August 1903, explosives were planted at the Kumanovo railway station, causing significant damage.
On October 11, 1941, in Kumanovo and Prilep, the anti-fascist uprising of the Macedonian people began. After 1945, Kumanovo grew rapidly as an economic, cultural, and administrative center.
Kumanovo is a city of actors, musicians, poets, and artists. Its theater has a decades-long tradition, while its streets are alive with murals, street art, and festivals. The cultural mix of ethnicities and traditions gives the city a unique and authentic identity.
Kumanovo’s table is rich, hearty, and filled with love. Traditional dishes include:
Food in Kumanovo is more than taste – it is an act of love and community.
Kumanovo thrives on sport. Known for its strong basketball scene, its football club, and wrestling champions, the city carries a proud athletic tradition. Sports halls, stadiums, and playgrounds are always full, with the youth embracing sport as discipline, unity, and pride.
Kumanovo and Macedonia are emotion, feeling, and hope. For those far away, Kumanovo remains not just a memory, but a heartbeat of home waiting to welcome you back.
