The Bitola reference article from the English Wikipedia on 24-Apr-2004
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Bitola

Bitola (Greek Monastir) is a city in the present day Republic of Macedonia. As Heraclea Lyncestis, founded by Philip II of Macedon, it was a major city during the Roman Empire, lying on the Via Egnatia. Later it was settled by Slavs and in 1395 it was conquered by Ottoman Empire, which made the city a major military and commercial center. The Macedonians liberated the city from the Ottoman Empire during the Second Balkan War.