Perched above Kochani is the renowned Freedom Monument, a prominent sight while cycling from our residence into the town. This monument stands tall on Lokubija Hill, situated to the north of the city.

Although I’ve witnessed this view for years, I never ventured to explore it, mainly because I had heard rumors about its deteriorated state, being reduced to an abandoned area.

However, armed with my dependable e-mountain bike, I finally deemed it the perfect moment to embark on an investigative journey. It took me on a different route than the small villages described in Cycling around Kocani.

Believe me, even with a power battery behind me it was a steep climb up to the monument, which is actually pretty hard to locate but eventually I found the steps leading up to the monument.

Wat is the Freedom monument

The building of the Freedom monument commenced in 1975 and was completed in 1977, the official unveiling took place in 1981 and consists of 355 square meters of mosaic on concrete walls.

The monument depicts the struggles of the Macedonian people from the Llinden uprising until World War II. The Llinden uprising is the day that the Macedonians formed an attack against their Turkish oppressors and in an attack that lasted 3 months, in which the Macedonians declared and independent Macedonian state at the Krusevo Republic. unfortunately this victory only lasted 11 days after which the Turks retook the area leaving thousands of Macedonians homeless and many lost their lives.

Llinden, or St Elijahs day is celebrated on the 2nd of August every year and is the most important national holiday for North Macedonia.

The monument is made up of 8 mosiaces representing different times in history for the Macedonians.

• Mosaic 1: Lady of Victory
• Mosaic 2: Freedom
• Mosiac 3: The Great Resistance – Llinden
• Mosiac 4: Resistance – Revolution
• Mosiac 5: Altar of the victims
• Mosiac 6: Warm country
• Mosiac 7: Man & Light
• Mosiacs 8 & 9: The Pillars of Suffering and Resistance.

With that being noted, the mosaics’ magnificence bears little resemblance to what you witness during your visit. Graffiti adorns the deteriorating stone steps that ascend towards the monument, while the monument itself appears faded, deteriorating, and marred by graffiti.

Numerous initiatives have been undertaken to revitalize the area and reinstate its significance, aiming to create a monument that fills Macedonia with pride. Currently, the requested subsidies have yielded limited results, possibly due to the existence of more urgent priorities that require attention.

However, there is hope that one day this space will transform into a source of pride for the nation.

For now its is a place to visit from which to admire the picturesque views of Kochani and the distant mountain range and is also a good place to walk, see also my blog about Walks around Kocani.