View source for Prilep

{{Other uses}}
{{EngvarB|date=December 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2017}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Prilep
| native_name        = {{native name|mk|Прилеп|italics=off}}
| nickname           = "The city under [[Markovi Kuli|Marko's Towers]]"
| settlement_type    = [[List of cities in North Macedonia|Town]]
| website            = {{URL|http://www.Prilep.gov.mk}}
| image_skyline      = {{Photomontage|position=center
|photo1a = Panorama_of_Prilep,_2019.jpg
|photo2a = Prilep 023.JPG
|photo2b = Prilepski ploštad.JPG
|photo3a = Prilep, Macedonia (FYROM) - panoramio (2).jpg
|photo3b = Saat Dzamija-sml.jpg
|photo4a = Меморијален музеј “11-ти октомври 1941“ IMG 4857.jpg
|photo4b = Споменици на паднатите борци во Прилеп.jpg
|size = 270
|spacing = 1
|color = #FFFFFF
|border = 1
|foot_montage = }}
| image_caption      = From top, clockwise: panorama of Prilep from Hotel Kristal Palas; Čento Square; [[Old Bazaar, Prilep#Čarši Mosque|Čarši Mosque ruins]]; [[Mound of the Unbeaten]]; [[11 October 1941 Memorial Museum|Memorial Museum of October 11, 1941]]; Church of Saints Cyril and Methodius; commercial building in city centre
| image_flag         = Flag of Prilep Municipality.svg
| image_seal         = Coat of arms of Prilep Municipality.svg
| image_map          = Прилеп во Општина Прилеп.svg
| map_caption        = Location in Prilep Municipality
| pushpin_map        = North Macedonia#Balkans
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in North Macedonia
| subdivision_type   = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name   = {{NMK}}
| subdivision_type1  = [[Statistical Regions of North Macedonia|Region]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[File:Logo of Pelagonia Region.svg|13px]] [[Pelagonia Statistical Region|Pelagonia]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[Municipalities of North Macedonia|Municipality]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[File:Coat of arms of Prilep Municipality.svg|13px]] [[Prilep Municipality|Prilep]]
| leader_title       = Mayor
| leader_name        = Dejan Prodanoski ([[VMRO-DPMNE]])
| area_total_sq_mi   = 
| area_total_km2     = 1194.44
| area_urban_km2     = 19.29
| population_as_of   = 2021
| population_total   = 63,308
| population_urban   = 63,308
|population_demonym       = Prilepian <small>({{langx|mk|Прилепчанец}}{{\}}
{{Lang|sh-Latn|Prilepchanec}}</small>
| population_metro   = 79,834
| population_density_km2 = 64.27
| population_density_urban_km2 = auto
| population_density_sq_mi = 
| timezone           = [[Central European Time|CET]]
| utc_offset         = +1
| timezone_DST       = 
| utc_offset_DST     = 
| coordinates        = {{coord|41|20|40|N|21|33|10|E|region:MK|display=inline,title}}
| elevation_m        = +620
| elevation_ft       = 
| postal_code_type   = Postal codes
| postal_code        = 7500
| area_code          = (+389) 048
| blank_name         = Patron saints
| blank_info         = [[Saint Nicholas]]
| blank1_name        = [[Köppen climate classification|Climate]]
| blank1_info        = [[Humid subtropical climate|Cfa]]
| blank_name_sec1    = [[Vehicle registration plates of North Macedonia|Vehicle registration]]
| blank_info_sec1    = PP
| footnotes          = 
}}

'''Prilep''' ({{langx|mk|Прилеп}} {{IPA|mk|ˈpriːlɛp||Mk-Prilep.ogg}}) is the [[List of cities in North Macedonia|fourth-largest city]] in [[North Macedonia]], after [[Skopje]], [[Kumanovo]], and [[Bitola]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mapcarta.com/Prilep |title=Prilep Map - Western Macedonia |publisher=Mapcarta.com |date=2017 |access-date=1 December 2017}}</ref> According to the 2021 census, it had a population of 63,308, while its broader municipal area has 79,834 inhabitants in total.

==Name==
[[File:Prilep and Marko's Towers.jpg|thumbnail|View of Prilep and the surrounding mountains]]

The name of Prilep appeared first as ''Πρίλαπος'' in Greek (''Prilapos''){{refn|group=nb|Appearing as ''Πρίλαπον'' in the source.<ref>{{cite web |title=Σύνοψις Ἱστοριῶν |trans-title=Synopsis of Histories |last=Scylitzes |first=Ioannes |author-link=John Skylitzes|url=http://users.uoa.gr/~nektar/history/tributes/byzantine_historians/joannes_scylitzes_synopsis_historiarum.htm |language=el |access-date=2025-05-16}}</ref>}} in 1014 as the place where [[Samuel of Bulgaria]] had died after the [[Battle of Kleidion]]. The town was attached literally to the rocky hilltop above, and its name derives from [[Old Slavic]], and means "stuck on the rock" (pri- + lep = on + stuck).<ref>Mihajlovski, Robert. (2011). The Medieval Town of Prilep, p. 217. In: Basileia, Essays on Imperium and Culture in Honour of E.M. and M.J. Jeffreys, Editors: Geoffrey Nathan and [[Lynda Garland]], Brill, {{ISBN|9004344896}}, pp. 217-230.</ref>

In other languages it is:
* [[Greek language|Greek]]: ''Prilapos'', Πρίλαπος
* {{langx|sq|Përlep}} or ''Përlepi'', or ''Prilep'' or ''Prilepi''
* [[Bulgarian language|Bulgarian]] and [[Serbo-Croatian]]: Прилеп / ''Prilep''
* [[Latin language|Latin]]: ''Prilapum''
* {{langx|rup|Pãrleap}}<ref>[https://repository.ukim.mk/bitstream/20.500.12188/6782/1/The_war_of_numbers_and_its_first_victim.pdf The War of Numbers and its First Victim: The Aromanians in Macedonia (End of 19th – Beginning of 20th century)]</ref>
* {{langx|tr|Pirlepe}}, or ''Perlepe''

==Economy==
Prilep is a regional centre for high-quality [[tobacco]] and [[cigarettes]], as well as metal processing, [[electronics]], [[timber]], [[textiles]], and [[food industry|food]] industries. The city also produces a large quantity of Macedonian Bianco Sivec (pure [[white marble]]).

Tobacco is one of Prilep's traditional cash crops and prospers in the Macedonian climate. Many of the world's largest cigarette makers, such as [[Marlboro (cigarette)|Marlboro]], [[West (cigarette)|West]] and [[Camel (cigarette)|Camel]] use Prilep's tobacco in their cigarettes after it is processed in local factories such as [[Tutunski kombinat Prilep]]. A ''Tobacco Institute'' is established in the city in order to produce new types of tobacco and it was the first example of applying genetics to agriculture in the [[Balkans]].{{Citation needed|date=March 2009}}

[[Vitaminka]] JSC, which is based in Prilep, specialises in [[food processing]] and is one of the largest and most successful companies of its kind in North Macedonia.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Askovic |first=Marija |date=2022-03-25 |title=Vitaminka |url=https://ecatalogue.wb6cif.eu/vitaminka/ |access-date=2025-07-14 |website=WB6 CIF |language=en-GB}}</ref>

A [[Gentherm Incorporated|Gentherm]] production plant is located in Prilep's southern outskirts.

==History==
[[File:Kingdom of Prilep.png|200px|thumb|Kingdom of Prilep - Realm of [[Prince Marko]]]]
[[File:Prilep - Postcard.jpg|thumb|200px|A postcard of Prilep in 1915]]
[[File:Прилеп 1930.jpg|thumb|right|Photo of a panoramic view of Prilep in 1930]]

In antiquity, the region of Prilep was part of ancient Pelagonia that was inhabited by the [[Pelagones]], an ancient Greek tribe of [[Upper Macedonia]], who according to [[Strabo]],<ref>Strabo 9.5: For in consequence of the renown and ascendency of the Thessalians and Macedonians, those Epeirote, who bordered nearest upon them, became, some voluntarily, others by force, incorporated among the Macedonians and Thessalians. In this manner the Athamanes, Aethices, and Talares were joined to the Thessalians, and the Orestae, Pelagones, and Elimiotae to the Macedonians.</ref> were Epirote [[Molossians]].<ref>John Boardman and N. G. L. Hammond. The Cambridge Ancient History Volume 3, Part 3: The Expansion of the Greek World, Eighth to Sixth Centuries BC. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1982, p. 284. A J Toynbee. Some Problems of Greek History, Pp 80; 99-103</ref> The region was annexed to the Macedonian kingdom during the 4th century BC. In September 2007 archeological excavations in [[Bonče]], revealed a tomb of what is believed to be the burial site of a Macedonian ruler dating from the 4th century BC.<ref>Visoka and Staro Bonche: Center of the Kingdom of Pelagonia and the Royal Tomb of Pavla Chuka, Viktor Lilchikj Adams and Antonio Jakimovski</ref> Near Prilep, close to the village of [[Čepigovo]], are the ruins of the [[Ancient Macedonians|ancient Macedonian]] city of [[Styberra]] ({{langx|grc|Στύβερρα}}), first a town in [[Macedonia (ancient kingdom)|Macedonia]] and later incorporated into the [[Roman Empire]].<ref>{{Cite Barrington|49}}</ref><ref>{{Cite DARE|22248}}</ref> Styberra, though razed by the [[Goths]] in 268, remained partly inhabited.

The town was first mentioned in Greek as ''Πρίλαπον'' (''Prilapon'') in 1014, as the place where [[Samuel of Bulgaria|Tsar Samuel]] allegedly had a heart attack upon seeing thousands of his soldiers who had been blinded by the Byzantines after the [[Battle of Kleidion]]. In 1041, Byzantine emperor [[Michael IV the Paphlagonian|Michael IV]] defeated [[Petar Delyan]]'s [[Uprising of Petar Delyan|rebellion]] in the region of Prilep.<ref name="rossos">{{cite book |author=Andrew Rossos |title=Macedonia and the Macedonians: A History |date=2013 |publisher=Hoover Press |isbn=9780817948832 |pages=37, 192, 203}}</ref> [[Byzantium]] lost the town to the [[Second Bulgarian Empire]], but later retook it. Prilep was taken over in 1334 by [[Kingdom of Serbia (medieval)|Serbian]] King [[Stefan Uroš IV Dušan|Dušan]] and after 1365 the town belonged to King [[Vukašin]], co-ruler of Dušan's son, Tzar [[Stefan Uroš V]]. After the death of Vukašin in 1371, Prilep was ruled by his son [[Prince Marko|Marko]].<ref>John Van Antwerp Fine (1994). ''The Late Medieval Balkans: A Critical Survey from the Late Twelfth Century to the Ottoman Conquest''. The [[University of Michigan Press]]. {{ISBN|0-472-08260-4}}. pp. 288, 380–2.</ref> In 1395 it was incorporated into the [[Ottoman Empire]], of which it remained a part of until 1913, when it was annexed by the [[Kingdom of Serbia]].

During the Ottoman period, besides the ethnic Turks and the majority Slavic population, Prilep was also home to both a [[Sunni Islam|Sunni Muslim]] and [[Eastern Orthodoxy|Orthodox Christian]] [[Albanians|Albanian]] community, which lived alongside the majority Orthodox Macedonians. Serbian historiographer [[Jovan Hadži-Vasiljević]] wrote:<ref>Mustafa Ibrahimi. "SHQIPTARËT ORTODOKSË NË MAQEDONINË E VERIUT DHE DISA SHKRIME TË TYRE  ME ALFABET CIRILIK". Gjurmime Albanologjike - Seria e shkencave filologjike 50:139-152."</ref> 
:''"Between Turks and Muslim Albanians who have lived in the city (Prilep), it is very difficult to distinguish, especially between the old families of the city. The Mohammedan Albanian families, as soon as they arrived in the city, merged with the Turks, just as the Christian Albanian families merged with the Slavs or the Greeks"''
Bulgarian researcher, Georgi Traychev, wrote:<ref>Mustafa Ibrahimi. "SHQIPTARËT ORTODOKSË NË MAQEDONINË E VERIUT DHE DISA SHKRIME TË TYRE  ME ALFABET CIRILIK". Gjurmime Albanologjike - Seria e shkencave filologjike 50:139-152."</ref>
:''"In the city of Prilep, there were no pure Greeks, but there are several (dozens) of Grecomans supported by schismatic Vlachs and Albanian Christians."'' 
The newspaper ''Прилеп преди 100 години'' ("Prilep 100 years ago". Sofia, 1938) puts forward data about the presence of Orthodox Albanians in Prilep. There it is emphasized that after their arrival in the city around the 18th-19th century, the Christian Vlach and Albanian elements have assimilated under the influence of Bulgarian population, and that there are no longer any traces of them. Information is also given for Albanians of both denominations. It is emphasised that in total there are 2412 Muslim Albanian residents in the city. Of the Orthodox Albanians, a part has been [[Bulgarisation|Bulgarianised]], while others have been [[Hellenization|Hellenised]]. In the newspaper, there also exists a report about the Orthodox Albanian named ''Ico Kishari'', whose family, along with the ''Tilevci, Georgimajkovci'' and ''Ladcovci'', were Orthodox Albanian refugees from [[Moscopole]] who had settled at the beginning of the 19th century. The newspaper also describes a great Albanian religious man, who has spent his whole life as a churchgoer. Out of respect for his work, the church granted him a pension.<ref>Mustafa Ibrahimi. "SHQIPTARËT ORTODOKSË NË MAQEDONINË E VERIUT DHE DISA SHKRIME TË TYRE  ME ALFABET CIRILIK". Gjurmime Albanologjike - Seria e shkencave filologjike 50:139-152."</ref> 

The main struggle in the late 19th century was between the Bulgarian Exarchate and the Greek Patriarchate. Following the establishment of the [[Bulgarian Exarchate]] in 1870, as a result of [[plebiscites]] held between 1872 and 1875, the [[Slavic speakers in Ottoman Macedonia|Slavic population]] in the bishoprics of Skopje and Ohrid voted overwhelmingly in favor of joining the new Bulgarian National Church ([[Sanjak of Üsküp]] - 91%, [[Sanjak of Ohrid]] - 97%).<ref>The Politics of Terror: The Macеdonian Liberation Movements, 1893–1903, Duncan M. Perry, Duke University Press, 1988, {{ISBN|0822308134}}, p. 15.</ref> In the plebiscite of 1873 the inhabitants of the town voted  en masse to join the Bulgarian Exarchate.<ref>Zahova, Sofiya, and Risto Blomster. “Roma Writings. Romani Literature and Press in Central, South-Eastern and Eastern Europe from the 19th Century until World War II.,” 2021, p. 27. doi:10.30965/9783657705207_002.</ref> In this way the Slavic population in the town became "[[Bulgarian Exarchists]]."<ref>Nadine Lange-Akhund (1998) The Macedonian Question, 1893-1908, from Western Sources, East European Monographs, {{ISBN|9780880333832}}, p. 9.</ref> Over 97% of the citizens in the Prilep region per 1881-82 Ottoman Census, were listed as adherents of the Bulgarian Church.<ref name="Karpat1881">{{cite book|last=Karpat |first=K.H. |title=Ottoman population, 1830-1914: demographic and social characteristics |publisher=University of Wisconsin Pres |location=Madison, Wis|url=https://www.academia.edu/27913581/OTTOMAN_POPULATION_1830_1914_Demographic_and_Social_Characteristics_By_KEMAL_H_KARPAT |year=1985|page=134-135, 140-141, 144-145}}</ref> According to the [[IMRO]] revolutionary [[Hristo Shaldev]], who was also the director of Bulgarian schools in Prilep, the town was a major centre of the Bulgarian national revival in Western Macedonia in the 19th century.<ref>[http://www.strumski.com/books/Hristo_Shaldev_Grad_Prilep.pdf Шалдев, Христо. Град Прилеп в Българското възраждане (1838 – 1878 год.), София, 1916, с. 4-70.]</ref> 

Per [[Yugoslavia|Yugoslav]] and [[Macedonian historiography|Macedonian sources]] in the late 19th century, the Macedonian Orthodox community in Prilep began resisting the Greek and Bulgarian pressures, rejecting the authority of the Patriarchate of Constantinople and sought an independent church. They replaced Greek with Macedonian in religious services and education and prepared textbooks in their native language. During this push for national identity, Bulgarian intellectuals tried to impose the use of the Bulgarian language, especially after the establishment of the Bulgarian Exarchate in 1870 and the Principality of Bulgaria in 1878. The celebration of [[Vidovdan]] in Prilep was prohibited by the Bulgarian church.<ref>{{cite book|title = Протоколи од заседанијата на Прилепската општина, 1872-1886|url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Les_protocoles_de_la_Municipalit%C3%A9_de_Pr/rVjRAAAAMAAJ|publisher=Institute for National History|location=Skopje|year = 1956|page=76}}</ref> Despite this pressure, Prilep resisted Bulgarian control, maintaining its own school and religious practices. According to an official letter from [[Dimitrije Bodi]], the Serbian consul in Bitola to the Serbian minister of exterior at that time, the people that were dissatisfied with the Exarchate formed a strong anti-Exarchate movement reaching 1,200 households.<ref>{{cite book|title = Rad Srbije na zaštiti srpskih državnih i nacionalnih interesa u Makedoniji od 1885. do 1912. godine|url=https://books.google.com/books/about/Rad_Srbije_na_za%C5%A1titi_srpskih_dr%C5%BEavnih.html?id=gPOe0AEACAAJ| publisher = Istorijski Arhiv Kraljevo, 2021
|year=2016|author=Vukašin D. Dedović|page=281}}</ref> The locals, led by priest Spase Igumenov, petitioned Sultan Abdul Hamid II, declaring their desire for a Macedonian national school and rejecting Bulgarian ecclesiastical authority, while affirming their Orthodox faith under papal protection. The petition was signed in 1887 by 25 prominent people from Prilep.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/%D0%9C%D0%B0%D0%BA%D0%B5%D0%B4%D0%BE%D0%BD%D1%86%D0%B8/QtfpzgEACAAJ|title=
Македонци - милениумски сведошва за идентитетското име: (извори и анализи)|year=2021|last=Svetozarevikj|first=Branislav|page=330|quote=...следат 25 потписи на угледни прилепчани.}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=ДВА ДОКУМЕНТА ЗА АКЦИЈАТА НА ПРИЛЕПЧАНИ ОД 1887 ГОДИНА ЗА МАКЕДОНСКОГО НАРОДНО УЧИЛИШТЕ И САМОСТОЈНА ЦРКВА|year=1983|last=Minovski|first=Mihajlo|p=327}}</ref>In their letter to the Sultan, they wrote:<ref>{{cite book|title = Balcanica |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Balcanica/RYovAQAAMAAJ  | publisher = Institute for Balkan Studies - Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts
|year = 1982 | issue=1 | page=106| location=Belgrade|quote="Nel 1867 la comunita macedone ortodossa di Prilep aveva informate le autorità turche di non riconoscere più la imposta giurisdizione del Patriarcato di Costantinopoli e di volere la loro Chiesa autocefala. Dalla locale scuola , dipendente dalla Chiesa e dalla liturgia ecclesiastica fu estromesso l'uso della lingua greca e reintrodotta la lingua macedone. Per l'uso scolastico furono preparati i testi in lingua macedone . Autori. Mentre era in atto a Prilep questa lotta per l'affermazione nazionale macedone, nella Chiesa e nella scuola locale, si intensificava l'azione degli intellettuali bulgari per imporre, alla gente di Prilep, l'uso della lingua bulgara. La loro azione si rafforzava dopo la formazione dell'Esarcato bulgaro del 28 febbraio 1870 e del Principato bulgaro nel 1878. L'Esarcato, grazie all'appoggio della diplomazia russa a Costantinopoli aveva ottenuto il permesso dal Sultano di nominare nella Macedonia diversi vescovi bulgari . Anche le scuole passavano sotto il controllo dell'Esercito bulgaro. Tra le comunità religiose locali che resistevano a questa nuova ondata denazionalizzatrice, questa volta bulgara, si distingueva un'altra volta la comunità di Prilep, che rifiutò di sottomettersi all'Esarcato bulgaro e riuscì a mantenere il proprio controllo sulla scuola locale. La resistenza patriottica contro l'Esarcato, fu diretta a Prilep dal prete locale macedone Spase Igumenov. Egli si fece promotore di una petizione, firmata da ventisei cittadini di Prilep inviata al sultano Abdul Hamid. Il testo del documento è breve ma chiaro: " Dichiarazione Noi sottoscritti della città di Prilep, sudditi di Sua Altezza Imperiale, augusto sultano Abdul Hamid II, desideriamo avere la scuola nazionale macedone. E non essendo noi dei bulgari, non riconosciamo la Comunità Ecclesiastica Bulgara né le scuole. Per la protezione religiosa noi riconosciamo il Papa, ma senza mutare i dogmi della Chiesa Ortodossa"...}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title = The Macedonian Times|url=https://www.google.mk/books/edition/The_Macedonian_Times/GnsWAQAAMAAJ| publisher = MI-AN
|year = 1998 | issue=39-50 | page=33|location=Skopje|quote=
:''"We, the undersigned from the city of Prilep, subjects of His Imperial Majesty, the august Sultan Abdul Hamid II, wish to have a national Macedonian school. And since we are not Bulgarians, we do not recognize the Bulgarian Ecclesiastical Community and schools. We recognize the Pope with respect to religious protection, however without changing the dogmas of the Orthodox Church.' July 2, 1887 (a seal) Dimche Trapkov, Dime Talev, Georgos Hriz, Ace Todor, Dame Ile, Posva Jankov, Cvetan, Ico Chutan, Jose Azarche, Tale Kostov, Kone Naprov, Jona Ilar, Jovan Menir, Nikola Jonov, Mirche Bozhino , Father Spase Igumenov, Todor V. Pantov, Ace Trajkov, Ice Josov , Risto Konev, Janko Tanov a teacher, Ognan Dimov, Todo Krapche, Kone Dimov, Grujo and Kono Narazov."''}}</ref>
:''"We, the undersigned from the city of Prilep, subjects of His Imperial Majesty, the august Sultan Abdul Hamid II, wish to have a national Macedonian school. And since we are not Bulgarians, we do not recognize the Bulgarian Ecclesiastical Community nor its schools. For religious protection, we recognize the Pope, but without changing the dogmas of the Orthodox Church."''

In 1891, the initiator of the action, Spas Igumenov, who was the former head of the Bulgarian Exarchist community in Prilep, published in the Constantinople newspaper of the Bulgarian Exarchate "Novini" a refutation in response to accusations that he was an accomplice and perpetrator of Uniate and Serbian propaganda, stating "''With pride, I confess my Bulgarian nationality and recognize the spiritual authority of the Holy Bulgarian Exarchate in Constantinople.''"<ref>Мария Полимирова, Цетинските инкунабули в България, В Дългият осемнадесети век, Книгите като събития в Европа и Османската империя (ХVІІ–ХІХ в.), редактор/и: Н. Александрова, Р. Заимова, А. Алексиева, 2020, стр. 130-155, ISSN (online): 2603-4492, {{ISBN|978-619-91614-0-1}}.</ref> By the end of 1893, the Bulgarian Exarchate took over nearly all of the villages in the Prilep area.<ref>{{cite book|title = Ethnic rivalry and the quest for Macedonia, 1870-1913 |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Ethnic_Rivalry_and_the_Quest_for_Macedon/rzptAAAAMAAJ | publisher = East European Monographs
|year = 2003|page=70}}</ref> According to the statistics of the secretary of the Bulgarian Exarchate, Dimitar Mishev ("La Macédoine et sa Population Chrétienne") in 1905, the Christian population of Prilep consisted of 17,085 Bulgarian Exarchists, 240 Slavic Patriarchists (Serbomans and Grecomans), 50 Greeks and 420 Vlachs.<ref>Brancoff, D. M. La Macédoine et sa Population Chrétienne : Avec deux cartes etnographiques. Paris, Librarie Plon, Plon-Nourrit et Cie, Imprimeurs-Éditeurs, 1905. p. 148 – 149</ref>

[[Old Bazaar, Prilep|Prilep's bazaar]] began to develop in the 18th century. One of the largest annual [[fair]]s in Macedonia was held in Prilep in the middle of the 19th century. European consulate exhibitions of 1887 estimate the population of Prilep to approximately 6.500 individuals, of which 4.000 were [[Bulgarians]], 2.000 were [[Turkish people|Turks]] and the rest were [[Serbs]] along with [[Greeks]] and [[Aromanians]].<ref>HHS, PA, XXXVIII, t. 264, Saloniki, 7 September 1887, no. 88.</ref> During the [[Great Eastern Crisis]], the local Bulgarian movement of the day was defeated when armed Bulgarian groups were repelled by the [[League of Prizren]], an Albanian organisation opposing Bulgarian geopolitical aims in areas like Prilep that contained an [[Albanians|Albanian]] population.<ref name="Rama90">{{cite book|last=Rama|first=Shinasi A.|title=Nation Failure, Ethnic Elites, and Balance of Power: The International Administration of Kosova|year=2019|publisher=Springer|isbn=9783030051921|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oJaDDwAAQBAJ&q=Velesht|page=90}}</ref>

In the late 19th and early 20th century, Prilep was part of the [[Manastir Vilayet]] of the Ottoman Empire. It was occupied by Bulgaria between 17 November 1915 and 25 September 1918 during [[World War I]]. In 1918 Prilep became part of the [[Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes]], and from 1929 to 1941 it was part of the [[Vardar Banovina]] of the [[Kingdom of Yugoslavia]]. On 8 April 1941, just two days after the start of the [[World War II in Yugoslavia|Axis invasion of Yugoslavia]], Prilep was occupied by the [[Wehrmacht|German Army]], and on 26 April 1941 by the [[Bulgarian Army]]. Together with most of [[Vardar Macedonia]], Prilep was annexed by the [[Kingdom of Bulgaria]] from 1941 to 1944. The regional committee of the [[Communist Party of Yugoslavia]] in 1941 planned a resistance against the [[Axis powers]], establishing a partisan unit in Prilep. On 11 October 1941, local partisans [[Day of the Macedonian Uprising|attacked the local police station and other objects]], initiating the beginning of the [[World War II in Yugoslav Macedonia|National Liberation Struggle]].<ref name="rossos" /> Afterwards, the German Army retook the town. After the [[9 September coup d'etat]], the commander of the Bulgarian garrison refused to withdraw and remained in the city with the Yugoslav guerrillas, managing to hold it for 10 days, blocking the movement of the German troops.<ref>Ташев, Ташо. Българската войска 1941 – 1945 – енциклопедичен справочник. „Военно издателство“. {{ISBN|978-954-509-407-1}}, стр. 173-174.</ref> Afterwards the German Army retook the town. Prilep was definitively retaken by communist partisans on 3 November 1944. After World War II, Prilep was proclaimed as a [[Order of the People's Hero#Hero Cities|city-hero]].<ref name="etno">{{cite journal |title=Monuments in the post-socialistic period: Examples from the city-hero in Macedonia |journal=ЕтноАнтропоЗум/EthnoAnthropoZoom |date=2009 |author=Davorin Trpeski |doi=10.37620/EAZ0960097t |pages=101, 105, 107, 109}}</ref> From 1944 to 1991 the town belonged to the [[Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia]], as part of its constituent [[Socialist Republic of Macedonia]]. Since 1991 the town has been part of the Republic of North Macedonia. During the [[2001 insurgency in Macedonia|2001 conflict]], the Charshi Mosque dating from the 15th century was burned by ethnic Macedonians after the [[Karpalak ambush|ambush near Karpalak]].<ref name="etno" /><ref>{{cite web |title=Macedonia Mayor Dismisses Threat of Divine Punishment |website=Balkan Insight |url=https://balkaninsight.com/2014/02/20/macedonia-cleric-casts-death-from-allah-against-mayor/ |date=20 February 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Media Discourse and the Yugoslav Conflicts: Representations of Self and Other |isbn=9781317098928 |date=2016 |editor=Pål Kolstø |publisher=Routledge |page=190}}</ref> They also destroyed several ethnic Albanian shops.<ref>{{cite web |title=North Macedonia Marks Karpalak Massacre’s 21st Anniversary |website=Balkan Insight |url=https://balkaninsight.com/2022/08/08/north-macedonia-marks-karpalak-massacres-21st-anniversary/ |date=8 August 2022}}</ref>

==Culture==
[[File:Macedonia2007 PICT4214.JPG|thumb|right|220px|The mountain over Prilep - Zlatovrv]]
[[File:Црква “Благовештение“.jpg|thumb|right|220px|Church of the Annunciation in Prilep]]
{{Unsourced section|date=November 2025}}
* One of the most important institutions in the city is the Institute of Old Slavic Culture.
* An art colony is hosted in the town centre of Prilep in the Center of Contemporary Visual Arts. The colony was founded in 1957 by the archaeologist Prof. Boško Babikj, organized by the initiative of Prof. Babikj and the academic painter Prof. Risto Lozanovski, making it perhaps one of the oldest colonies in southeastern Europe and perhaps the oldest in the Balkans. It hosts various painters and sculptors (working in marble, metal and wood) every year and, periodically, it hosts workshops and symposia for vitrage (glass design), mosaics, photography, graphics and clay, from countries around the world. The collection of sculptures carved in wood was acknowledged as cultural heritage by the most relevant criticizers and opinion makers. 
* Every year in October the [[International Children's Music Festival "Asterisks"]] brings together children from all over the world.
* The Professional Theatre Festival of Macedonia, honouring [[Vojdan Chernodrinski|Vojdan Černodrinski]], who was born in the village of Selci near [[Struga]] and [[Debar]], occurs annually.
* The Zrze Monastery and the Monastery of the Holy Archangel Michael with their 12th and 14th-century frescoes are notable sites of the culture of Prilep.
* Pivofest (Beer fest) is an annual four-day party held in the middle of July that attracts around 200,000 visitors to the city. There are international and regional popular music acts performing nightly on the main stage in the town square as well as at the various clubs around town. Pivo Fest features a growing number of foreign and domestic beers as well as an opportunity for Prilep to showcase its famous barbecue which is  considered the best in North Macedonia.
* [[Slavic carnival|Pročka]] is a centuries-old religious holiday of forgiveness and celebration that in 2001 found an organised manifestation as the "Prilep Carnival" and has been a member of the Federation of European Carnival Cities since 2006. Despite the new official name, the festival is still known as Pročka by the locals and is referred to as such in the official tourist guide. The highlight of the festival is the mask parade which runs through the centre of the town and hosts participants from multiple European countries. There is a prize given for the best costume and many of the costumes are elaborate. There are also concerts, parties, and much traditional food during the festival which is held in February.

==Language==

The dialect of Prilep forms the basis for the [[Standard Macedonian]]. When the [[Socialist Republic of Macedonia]] was formed as part of Yugoslavia at the end of the Second World War, the Macedonian language was recognized as distinct one. Then the dialects of Prilep, [[Veles (city)|Veles]], [[Bitola]] and [[Ohrid]] were chosen as the basis for the new official language, because of their central position in the  [[Macedonia (region)|region of Macedonia]].

==Art and architecture==
[[File:Clock Tower Prilep.jpg|thumb|right|220px|The Clock Tower in Prilep]]
[[File:Prilep, razglednica, Saat kula.jpg|thumb|180px|The Clock Tower in the 1920s]]
[[File:ЖС Прилеп 20120807 124308.jpg|thumbnail|right|Prilep railway station]]

The main square in Prilep is called "Alexandria", in honour of [[Alexander the Great]]. The reconstruction of the square began in 2005 and it was completed in 2006. The reconstruction cost €700,000 and its investor was the municipality of Prilep. During its reconstruction, a monument to Alexander the Great was erected, among other things.<ref>[http://www.prilep.gov.mk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=618&Itemid=329 Square "Alexandria"] on prilep.gov.mk {{dead link|date=November 2025}}</ref> The monument of Alexander the Great was placed in 2006, built by a local sculptor and funded by a Macedonian emigrant to the United States originating from Prilep.<ref name="etno" /><ref name="ik">{{cite web |url=https://infokompas.com.mk/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-%D0%BF%D0%BE%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B0%D0%B2%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%B0-%D0%B8%D0%BD%D1%84%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%BC%D0%B0%D1%82%D0%B8%D0%B2%D0%BD%D0%B0-%D1%82%D0%B0%D0%B1%D0%BB%D0%B0-%D0%BD/ |title=Поставена информативна табла на споменикот на Александар Македонски во Прилеп, согласно Преспанскиот договор  |website=Info Kompas |language=mk |date=17 August 2019}}</ref> A plaque clarifying that Alexander the Great belonged to ancient Hellenic history and civilisation was placed on the monument, in compliance with the [[Prespa agreement]].<ref name="ik" /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://arhiva2.republika.mk/vesti/makedonija/postavena-nova-tabla-pred-spomenikot-vo-prilep-alekcandar-makedonski-proglasen-za-gpk/ |title=Поставена нова табла пред споменикот во Прилеп: Алекcaндар Македонски прогласен за Гpк |date=5 October 2020 |website=Republika |language=mk}}</ref>

Several ancient and medieval-era sites grace Prilep including those at [[Markovi Kuli]], St. Nicholas's church built in the 13th century, the Treskavec Monastery (Ascension of the Holy Mother of God), the Sv. Preobraženie (Holy Annunciation) church and the Tomb of the Unconquered, a memorial in honour of the victims of fascism located in Prilep's Mogila park. A large Roman necropolis is known there and parts of numerous walls have been found; the settlement was probably the ancient Ceramiae<ref>Marijiana Ricl, "New Greek Inscriptions from Pelagonia and Derriopos" ''Zeitschrift für Papyrologie und Epigraphik'' 101 (1994) 151–163</ref> mentioned in the [[Peutinger Table]].<ref>{{cite web|first=Sorin|last=Olteanu|url=http://soltdm.com/sources/mss/tp/tops/tp_c.htm|title=Tabula Peutingeriana - C - Ceramiae VII 1 m|publisher=Sorin Olteanu's Thracology|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150222085512/http://soltdm.com/sources/mss/tp/tops/tp_c.htm|archive-date=22 February 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Roman remains can also be found near the Varoš monastery, built on the steep slopes of the hill, which was later inhabited by a medieval community. Many early Roman funeral monuments, some with sculpted reliefs of the deceased or of the Thracian Rider and other inscribed monuments of an official nature, are in the courtyard of the church below the southern slope of [[Varoš, Prilep|Varoš]]. Some of the larger of those monuments were built into the walls of the church.

The most important ancient monument is the old city of Styberra situated on Bedem hill near Čepigovo, in the central region of Pelagonia. As early as the time of the Roman–Macedonian wars, this city was known as a base from which the Macedonian king [[Perseus of Macedon]] set out to conquer the Penestian cities. An important site in the area is [[Bela Crkva, Krivogaštani|Bela Crkva]], {{convert|6|km|0|abbr=on}} west of Styberra, where the town of [[Alkomenai]] was probably located. It was a stronghold of the Macedonian kings after it was rebuilt in the early Roman period and was at the Pelagonian entrance to a pass leading to [[Illyria]]. Part of the city wall, a gate, and a few buildings of the Roman period were uncovered here in excavations. All recent finds from these sites are featured in the Museum of the City of Prilep.

The [[Treskavec monastery]], built in the 12th century in the mountains about {{convert|10|km|0|abbr=on}} north of Prilep under Zlatovrv peak, at the edge of a small upland plain 1100 meters [[Above mean sea level|above sea level]]. Prilep has frescoes from the 14th and 15th centuries and is probably the site of the early Roman town of Kolobaise. The name of the early town is recorded on a long inscription on stone which deals with a local cult of Ephesian Artemis.<ref>[http://epigraphy.packhum.org/inscriptions/main?url=gis%3Fregion%3D4%26subregion%3D11%26area%3DPelagonia%26site%3DKolobaise%2520%28Treskavec%29 IG X,2 2 233 Northern Greece (IG X), Macedonia, Pelagonia, Kolobaise (Treskavec)]</ref> The inscription was reused as a base for a cross on top of one of the church domes. Other inscriptions at Treskavec include several 1st century Roman dedications to [[Apollo]]. The old fortress was used by the Romans, and later the Byzantines. Tsar Samuil came to Prilep after the defeat at [[Belasica]] in 1014. During the Middle Ages, after 1371, Prince Marko rebuilt the citadel extensively, making it an important military stronghold.

==Geography==
Prilep covers {{convert|1675|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on}} and is located in the northern [[Pelagonia]] plain, in the southern part of North Macedonia. Prilep is the eponymous seat of the [[Prilep municipality]], the largest municipality by area size in the country, and access is gained via the [[A3 motorway (North Macedonia)|A3 motroway]]. It is {{convert|74|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} (as the crow flies) from the capital [[Skopje]], {{convert|44|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} from [[Bitola]], and {{convert|32|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} from [[Kruševo]].

==Demographics==
As of the [[2021 North Macedonia census|2021 census]], Prilep had 63,308 residents with the following ethnic composition:
*[[Macedonians (ethnic group)|Macedonians]]: 54,028
*[[Turks in North Macedonia|Turks]]: 82
*Persons for whom data are taken from administrative sources: 4,692
*[[Serbs in North Macedonia|Serbs]]: 107
*[[Romani people in North Macedonia|Romani]]: 3,966
*[[Albanians in North Macedonia|Albanians]]: 106
*[[Aromanians in North Macedonia|Vlachs]]: 30
*Others: 3
==Climate==

<div style="width:75%">
{{Weather box
|location = Prilep
|single line = Yes
|metric first = Yes

|Jan high C = 4.8
|Feb high C = 9.0
|Mar high C = 12.5
|Apr high C = 17.6
|May high C = 22.2
|Jun high C = 26.7
|Jul high C = 29.9
|Aug high C = 30.3
|Sep high C = 25.0
|Oct high C = 18.8
|Nov high C = 13.6
|Dec high C = 7.4

|Jan mean C = 1.2
|Feb mean C = 4.4
|Mar mean C = 7.3
|Apr mean C = 12.0
|May mean C = 16.1
|Jun mean C = 20.4
|Jul mean C = 23.0
|Aug mean C = 23.2
|Sep mean C = 18.7
|Oct mean C = 13.1
|Nov mean C = 8.9
|Dec mean C = 3.5

|Jan low C = -2.5
|Feb low C = -0.2
|Mar low C = 2.3
|Apr low C = 6.2
|May low C = 10.1
|Jun low C = 13.9
|Jul low C = 16.1
|Aug low C = 16.1
|Sep low C = 12.3
|Oct low C = 7.4
|Nov low C = 4.2
|Dec low C = -0.2

|source 1 = Weatheronline<ref name=Weatheronline>{{cite web|url=https://www.weatheronline.co.uk/weather/maps/city?LANG=en&PLZ=_____&PLZN=_____&WMO=13585&CONT=euro&R=161&LEVEL=162&REGION=0005&LAND=MD&MOD=tab&ART=TEM&NOREGION=1&FMM=1&FYY=2008&LMM=12&LYY=2022|title=Climate data for Prilep, Macedonia|publisher=Weatheronline.co.uk|access-date=1 September 2023}}</ref>
|date=September 2023
}}
</div>

==Sports==
Prilep is the home of several sports teams, the best known of which are:
* [http://www.oldprilep.com/fk-pobeda/pobeda-2000-200.html ФК Победа 2000-2009]
* [http://www.oldprilep.com/11ti-oktomvri/11-oktomvri-1999-2011.html ФК 11ти Октомври 1999-2011]
* [http://www.oldprilep.com/ostanati-ekipi/fk-korzo-1975.html ФК Корзо]
* [http://www.oldprilep.com/fudbal/fk-prilep-gluvi.html ФУДБАЛСКА ЕКИПА ЗА ГЛУВИ ОД ПРИЛЕП]
* 
* [http://www.oldprilep.com/rakomet/rk-pobed.html Ракометен Клуб „ПОБЕДА“]
* [http://www.oldprilep.com/rakomet/rk-metalotehnika.html Ракометен Клуб „МЕТАЛОТЕХНИКА“]
* [http://www.oldprilep.com/rakomet/rk-pegaz.html Ракометен Клуб „ПЕГАЗ“]
* [http://www.oldprilep.com/rakomet/tutunski-kombinat-mladinci.html Ракометен Клуб „ТУТУНСКИ КОМБИНАТ“ – МЛАДИНЦИ]
* [http://www.oldprilep.com/rakomet/zrk-tutunski-kombinat.html Женски Ракометен Клуб „ТУТУНСКИ КОМБИНАТ“]
* [http://www.oldprilep.com/rakomet/zrk-prilep.html Женски Ракометен Клуб „Прилеп“]
* [http://www.oldprilep.com/rakomet/zrk-tutunski-kombinat-mladinki.html Женски Ракометен Клуб „ТУТУНСКИ КОМБИНАТ“ – МЛАДИНЦИКИ]
* [http://www.oldprilep.com/rakomet/rk-partizan-2.html Ракометен Клуб „ПАРТИЗАН“]
*
* [http://www.oldprilep.com/sport/sportska-sala-makedonija.html СПОРТСКА САЛА „МАКЕДОНИЈА“]
* [http://www.oldprilep.com/sport/univerzalna-sportska-sala.html УНИВЕРЗАЛНА СПОРТСКА САЛА]
* [http://www.oldprilep.com/sport/planinarski-dom-derven.html ПЛАНИНАРСКИ ДОМ „ДЕРВЕН“]

==Notable people==
[[File:Prilep spomenik Aleksandar Makedonski).JPG|thumb|right|220px|A statue in Prilep commemorating [[Alexander the Great]].]]
{{Main|List of people from Prilep}}

==Twin towns – sister cities==
{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in North Macedonia}}
Prilep Municipality is [[Sister city|twinned]] with:<ref>{{cite web |title=за нас|url=http://www.tkprilep.com.mk/aboutusmk.html|website=tkprilep.com.mk|publisher=Tutunski Kombinat Prilep|language=mk|access-date=2023-01-14}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|BUL}} [[Asenovgrad]], Bulgaria
*{{flagicon|UKR}} [[Chernihiv]], Ukraine
<!--Radom - not twinning-->
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Garfield, New Jersey|Garfield]], United States
*{{flagicon|TUR}} [[Tire, İzmir|Tire]], Turkey
*{{flagicon|SVK}} [[Topoľčany]], Slovakia
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[City of Vincent|Vincent]], Australia

==Notes==
{{reflist|group=nb}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{wikivoyage|Prilep}}
* [http://www.oldprilep.com/ Прилеп, Prilep]
* [http://www.prilep.gov.mk/?jazik=2&id=01 Official Prilep Municipality website]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20050309070213/http://www.b-info.com/places/Macedonia/republic/images/citiesPrilep.shtml Prilep at the Balkan Info Home website]
* [http://uklo.edu.mk/ "St. Kliment Ohridski" University - Bitola]
* [http://www.f1.net.au/cybermacedonia/prilep.html Prilep] at the Cyber Macedonia website
* [http://zvezdicki.fest.mk/en/ "Asterisks"]: International children's music festival
* [http://www.oldprilep.com/ Стари фотографии од Прилеп]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20151117014624/http://www.oldprilep.com/prilepcani/marko-cepenkov.html Марко Цепенков]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20151117031905/http://www.oldprilep.com/muzika/pece-atanasoski.html Пеце Атанасоски]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20151117024152/http://www.oldprilep.com/prilepcani/blaze-koneski.html Блаже Конески]
*[https://www.gentherm.com Gentherm]
{{Prilep}}
{{Towns in North Macedonia}}
{{Hero Cities of SFRJ}}
{{Inhabited places in Prilep Municipality}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Prilep| ]]
[[Category:Cities in North Macedonia]]