There is one legend about the city, regarding the origin of the city's name. In the Middle Ages, the city was highly visited by guests from all over the country, and in the summer days a large trade gathering (fair) was traditionally held every year. Such a tradition continued during the Ottoman Empire. Due to the great visiting to the settlement by people from other parts, the Turks among themselves in Turkish, often called it "gosti var" (having guests). Then there were many inns in the city, so it is assumed that the "hospitable city" - "the city of guests" became - Gostivar. Volkashin built "towns" (fortresses) for all his children. The city was then the site of the Suva Gora monasteries. The monastic people often visited the chifliks, where they were well-housed. The legend says that after the "guests" the settlement was also called Gostivar.