The "Elenski skok" ("Deer Leap") bridge, Debar region
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In the vicinity of the St. Jovan Bigorski monastery, on the left side of the highway Gostivar-Debar, above Garska river, the bridge Elenski skok is elevated. The grace of his form corresponds to the name it bears. Namely, the highly elevated arc reminds of the hop of the deer. There is a legend related to it that, together with the nicely polished stones, connects the days of the past, the future and the times that will follow. |
The legend draws as back to the times when the Ottoman Empire ruled these regions. It speaks of the Bey and his army who were trying to capture a deer who was constantly running away and never allowed them to get near to him. Although he was wounded, the deer did not surrender even in the moments when escape seemed impossible. When he found himself on the bank of the Garska River he unhesitatingly jumped to the other bank and died there. Amazed by his bravery and persistence not to surrender to the enemy until the very end, the Bey ordered a bridge to be built in the honor of the deer, a bridge that will symbolize the destinous hop of the deer.
D. Kareva
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