About Museum

The Museum of Wine Demir Kapija was opened to the public on the day of the absolution of Demir Kapija, 07.11.2010. It is located in the downtown (central city area), on Marshal Tito Street in Demir Kapija.

Working hours:
Monday to Friday from 8h to 15h, Saturday and Sunday by appointment

Museum Phone 043 366 502, e-mail:museumdk@gmail.com
Contact person Zvonimir Budimiroviḱ 077 764 290

Staff at the Museum of Wine:
1. Zvonimir Budimirovik, project manager;
2. Cvetanka Todorovska Mitreva, custodian archaeologist;
3. Marija Mitreva, ethnologist;

Demir Kapija is part of the area Tikvesh where agriculture is the main source of income for the population – especially the cultivation of grapes and wine production. The grapes produced in Demir Kapija are of excellent quality because there are no polluting industries nearby. The vineyards are irrigated with pure water flowing from three rivers, the Boshava, Doshnica and Vardar. As a result, several wineries are located in this micro-vine region and their superb wines have found their way into the European markets.

About Us

The History

IN VINO VERITAS – in the wine is the truth

2010

The inauguration of the Museum of Wine in Demir Kapija was officially made by the Mayor of the Municipality in the presence of senior officials of the state institutions, officials of the foreign embassies and local citizens on 07.11.2010 year. 

This museum is the only one of its kind in the Republic of Macedonia, one of 5 in Europe and 12 in the world. The museum celebrates wine, culture, and the reason for the existence of wine.

Demir Kapija is part of the area Tikvesh where agriculture is the main source of income for the population – especially the cultivation of grapes and wine production. The grapes produced in Demir Kapija are of excellent quality because there are no polluting industries nearby. The vineyards are irrigated with pure water flowing from three rivers, the Boshava, Doshnica and Vardar. As a result, several wineries are located in this micro-vine region and their superb wines have found their way into the European markets.

The museum is comprised of three departments: archeology, wine gallery and an historical gallery for exhibitions and presentations. Artifacts in the museum reflect the history of Demir Kapija to the present. There are also exhibits which display the rich tradition of the wine culture as seen through numerous representations of Dionysus – the God of Wine and bahanaliite (multiday festivities and orgies in honor of Bach, the god of wine), on an assortment of cups and antique vessels for mixing wine which originate from the Demir Kapija area. Archeological finds also include tools for farming the land and other items.

The richly colored dark wine from this “Kratoshijata” Region existed since ancient times. One wine in particular called “Akrato” was drunk by Alexander the Great and his army.

The power and special beauty of wine as a mediator for the goodwill of the soul is immortalized by numerous Latin phrases; VINA DANT ANIMOS – wine gives goodwill, VINO INTRANTE FORAS SUBITO SAPIENTIA VADIT – when the wine enters mind immediately turns off, IN VINO VERITAS – in the wine is the truth, VINUM LAK SENUM – wine is milk for elders, POST VINUM VERBA POST IMREM HERBA – after wine words are born after the rain the grass grows.

Here in Demir Kapija the central event is the feast of the Saint Trifun 14th of February patron of the wine-grower and the vintner, in the presence of priests, wine and with “zakrojuvanje” (cut branch of the vine) vineyard activities begin.

Museum Logo

Museum Logo

The museum logo is a CRATER – Bronze container for dilution (mixing) of wine. The logo shows the crater of the village Trebenishte – Ohrid, made of bronze with a height of 72 centimeter, the upper part is vividly decorated with Medusas and snake heads, as well as representations of horsemen in gallop, with volute handles at the neck. It stands on a three leg pedestal – and is from the end of the 6th century BC.

                                                                                                                         Reed more about CRATER

                                       You can see the video about CRATER from Koreshnica near Demir Kapija – with comment only on Macedonian language                    

Colaboration, Strategy and Iniatives

The museum of wine realized collaboration with a number of institutions – primary wineries, for the short time of its existence. Actually the museum of wine is marketing facility for the wine producers from the Tikvesh region, because it presents a real finale in the promotion of the production of the wine. With the the royal winery Villa Maria, the winery Stobi, Tikvesh, Popova Kula and from the small wineries Bovin, Kapija and the winery Filevski is established close cooperation.

The museum of wine in Demir Kapija actively cooperate with the Agency for Support and Development of the Tourism of the Republic of Macedonia; the board of trade of the municipality Florina – Rrepublic of Greece; with the Ministry of Tourism of the Republic of Serbia; CENET – the European project – wine route; “Hotam” – Hotel Tourist Association of the Republic of Macedonia; Department of Culture of the municipality Dolgopol – Republic of Bulgaria; the museums from Republic of Macedonia and the foreign countries; tour operators, media and others. It has one interesting fact that the presentation of our museum has been rerun over 50 times on the national television Channel 5, which is as an absolute record when it comes to coverage of any kind of electronic medium.

The museum in its development strategy has outlined three more departments which will complete its internal content. It is planned opening of the department of natural rarities with an emphasis on ornithology, ethnological exhibition – Macedonian room and establishment of the underground part of the museum into the gallery for wine-tasting. This will serve for the promotion of the wineries in the Republic of Macedonia.

Our initiatives has a tendency toward greater collaboration with the museums with a similar nature in Europe and beyond, collaboration with a scientific institutions and drafting compatible publications and other. A part of the priorities in the strategy of the work of our museum are the organization of an archaeological camp with the world universities; active participation in all events of the field of wine culture; and participation in the project implementation of the agricultural tourism; participation in the implementation of the conceptual projects such as the restoration of the railway station in Demir Kapija by setting the steam locomotive and wagon from the past; the restoration of the peeper-plan; the wathermill; forge workshop; the meteorological station; the post office; the opening of the cave Bela Voda and the exploring of the cave Goren Zmejove;, archaeological localit; the exploring of the ancient city Stenae; the restoration of the medieval city Prosek; the restoration of the mausoleum in the village Barovo.

Also the natural rarities – the crevasse in Demir Kapija; the valley of the sycamore maple trees in the village Iberli; the valley of the cactus in village Klisura; the valley of Lina-Tisa as and the protection of the white-headed eagle and the black walnut are activities which stands highly on the list of priorities of our institution.

In the initiatives of the museum are also and the protection of the characteristic architectural structure, religious objects, bridges and natural scenery ….