Gradsko village is the seat of the Gradsko Municipality located in central Macedonia. Historically this village is known as a significant traffic and trade junction on the Balkans.
About 3 km from Gradsko is the ancient settlement of Stobi, that is, the remains of the eponymous ancient city that was destroyed in a catastrophic earthquake in 518 AD. According to the legend, following the destruction, the population from the surrounding villages called the city of Stobi "Пуст Град" (Пуст= Empty, Град/Grad=City). This name was later accepted by the inhabitants of the village of Gradsko.
In the period 1871 - 1873, during the rule of the Turkish Empire, the railroad Thessaloniki - Skopje was built, and the new settlement Gradsko was formed along the railway line.
During the First World War, Gradsko was the main communication center of the Central Forces on the Macedonian Front. Around the railway station there were a large number of warehouses with military supplies that were distributed to the positions on the front. During the breakthrough of the front-line in September 1918, due to the rapid advance of the Entente forces, the warehouses in Gradsko were burned by the Central Powers during their retreat.
Especially interesting in this village are the remains of the memorial complex in memory of several German soldiers buried in this place. What was once an impressive monumental complex today is a mere ruin that visitors can hardly locate without the help of a guide.
Although neglected and in bad condition, the German military WW1 cemetery in Gradsko are interesting for visitors, primarily due to the impressive tombstones, and the remains of the monument, dedicated to the German soldiers who died during operations in 1916 and 1917.
How to reach the cemetery
Its best to leave the car at the asphalt road, and to continue on foot approximately 200 meters using the dust road.
The monument photographed during WW2
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