Public Institution National Park Pelister — Guardian of Natural and Cultural Heritage
National Park Pelister — the first national park in Macedonia, established on November 30, 1948 — is today an institution dedicated to the preservation, education, and sustainable development of natural heritage.
As a public institution established under the Law on Nature Protection, Public Institution ‘NP Pelister’ is the main manager of the park, responsible for its protection, sustainable management, and development.
Located on the northern slopes of the Baba Mountain massif, between Pelagonia and the Prespa Valley, the park covers approximately 17,150 hectares, with elevations ranging from 891 to 2,601 meters — including its highest peak, Pelister.
Within its management framework, the Park introduces innovative practices through connection with local communities: employment of local staff, environmental education, infrastructural services, and, equally importantly, a sustainable tourism offering such as hiking, skiing, mountain biking, eco-programs, and winter events.
Additionally, the Park actively encourages environmental education, particularly through the ‘Lazo-Villa’ Info Center and new info-center projects that combine promotion with protection and ecological awareness within the tourism network.
Through its activities, mission, and vision, Pelister is not only a natural symbol but also an institutional pillar in protecting the state’s biodiversity and cultural heritage.