Vratnica

Entrance in Vratnica from Tetovo. In the back of the photo is mountain peak Ljuboten (2498m) at Šar Planina

Vratnica (Macedonian: Вратница) is a small village located in the northwestern part of the Republic of Macedonia, 22 km away from the city of Tetovo and 5 km away from Jazince, the border crossing point with Serbia (for Kosovo).

It is situated in the upper part of the Polog plain, at the foothills of northern part of Šar mountain, under the Ljuboten peak. The village is about 720-750 meters above the sea level.

Origin of the name

It is probable that it is because of those movements that Vratnica got its name (to return/to come back = se vraća/се враќа, in English/Macedonian), but there are two other theories. The first is about Vratnica being some kind of gateway (vrata - in Macedonian) between Kačanik and Polog valley. The other one tells that the western side of Ljuboten, a mountain peak above Vratnica, looks like a neck (vrat, shija - Shija Ljubotenska, in Macedonian), which gave it its name.

Vratnica community

The Vratnica community consists of seven populated places: Belovište, Vratnica, the center of the community, Staro Selo, Rogacevo, Orašje (Gorno And Dolno) and Jazince. There are over 3,500 citizens living in this community.

Sport

Football: FK "Hajduk" - Vratnica

Regular Events

• Traditional Mayday Tournament "VRATNICA" (May 1). One of the biggest sport events in the Polog region. The tournament includes soccer and streetball competition.