Veles

Under Ottoman rule, Veles was named Köprülü after a noble family that produced six grand viziers of the empire and several other high-ranking officers. During World War II, the Veles village of Rudnik was the site of a massacre committed by the occupying Bulgarian forces result in seven deaths. A monument was erected at the site in 2017. After the war, a massacre of 53 individuals in Veles accused of being opposed to the communist government was committed by Yugoslav forces. This was the largest massacre committed during communist rule of Macedonia. A mass grave containing the remains of the individuals was discovered in 1996.

Following World War II, the city was named Titov Veles in honour of Yugoslavian president Josip Broz Tito. In 1996, several years after Macedonian independence, "Titov" was dropped from the name.

The city briefly received international attention after it was revealed that a group of teenagers in Veles were producing fake news related to the 2016 US presidential election as a way of generating income.

• 🌍 Veles Bus Station (Автобуска Станица Велес). Veles's bus station is in the city center, on the east side of the river. The city is well-connected to neighbouring cities. 

Veles is on the international highway, E-75, which connects Central Europe to the Aegean Sea. The city lies 55 km (33 mi) southeast from Skopje.

• 🌍 Veles Railway Station (Железничка Станица Велес). Veles is served by a railway station on North Macedonia's main north-south rail line, running from Niš in Serbia to Thessaloniki. The station is in the north of the city, on the west side of the river. 

Skopje Airport, the country's main airport, is about 36 km (21.6 mi) north of Veles.

Veles is home to four medieval-era churches, which all sit near each other at the south of the city. The 19th-century Saint Pantaleon sits perched above the city.

• 🌍 Church of Saint Pantaleon (Црква „Св. Пантелејмон“). This large, three-aisle basilica-type church was built in 1840 by famed builder Andrej Damjanov and his brothers who originated from a Veles area village. It is the cathedral church of the Diocese of Povardarie. It sits on a high terrace above the town, making it dominant in the skyline and a good place for views of Veles. The interior of the church is richly decorated with arches, columns, and frescoes. Near the church is the grave of VMRO revolutionary Mile Pop Jordanov. (updated Mar 2020)
• 🌍 Monastery of Saint Demetrius (Манастир Св. Димитрија). Situated at the south end of town near the Church of Saint John the Baptist, this monastery church was built in the 14th century by King Stefan Dušan. It is believed, however, that a church stood on this spot since the 6th century, especially given its proximity to the ancient town of Bylazora. The Byzantine-style church has a bell tower built into its western side. (updated Mar 2020)
• 🌍 Church of Saint John the Baptist (Црква „Св. Јован Крстител“). The oldest church in Veles, Saint John the Baptist was likely constructed in the 13th century. It sits at the south entrance to the city on a rock on the right bank of the Vardar, about 100 m north of the Monastery of Saint Demetrius. The small church is built of stone and features a portico on one side. On the interior, its original frescoes are not preserved and only one section of the original iconostasis is preserved. (updated Mar 2020)
• 🌍 Church of Saint Nicholas (Црква „Св. Никола“). Just one hundred meters south of Saint Demetrius is the small medieval church. It probably dates from the 10th century but got its present appearance in the 14th century. It became more or less abandoned during Ottoman times and was renovated in 1939. Just traces of interior details remain from the pre-Ottoman era. (updated Mar 2020)
• 🌍 Church of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary (Црква „Успение на Пресвета Богородица“; Vlach Church). Built in a neighborhood on the east side of Veles that was once considered the Vlach (Aromanian) district, this church has been one of the city's most prominent since its construction from 1882 to 1905. It has interesting details on the exterior and interior. The church was considered the main church of Veles until the completion of Saints Cyril and Methodius, though it remains a popular church for weddings. (updated Mar 2020)
• 🌍 Church of Saints Cyril and Methodius (Црква „Св. Кирил и Методиј“). Veles's new large cathedral was built from 2006 to 2017. It sits in a park with a large fountain and has a detached bell tower. (updated Mar 2020)

Most of the places of interest in the Veles area are in the city itself.

• 🌍 Church of the Ascension of Christ (Црква „Вознесение Христово“), village of Oraovec. Built in 1839, this church is the work of artists from Debar. The white church features a bell tower above its front entrance. (updated Mar 2020)

• 🌍 Church of Saint Athansius (Црква „Свети Атанас“), village of Novačani. This 1845-built church sits in one of the Veles area's dying villages. It has not been renovated since its original construction. (updated Mar 2020)