'''Skopje''', Macedonia's capital city, located in the Povardarie region, is the largest and most diverse city in the country. Skopje has been occupied by many different peoples since its foundation. This is evidenced by the several Byzantine churches and monasteries around the city, also by a few Roman sites, such as Scupi and Skopje's Aqueduct. However, the group that left the greatest mark on Skopje were the Ottomans. The Ottomans ruled Macedonia for hundreds of years and built a large amount of mosques and other Islamic buildings. It was once said that the only city that had a greater blessing from Allah was Damascus.
Today, Skopje is becoming a modern city. Home to about quarter of the entire population of the country, it is also home to many different types of people. Besides the majority Macedonians, many Albanians, Turks, Roma, Serbs, Bosniaks and others call Skopje home.
Municipalities
The city of Skopje is divided into ten municipalities. They are:
'''Aerodrom'''
'''Butel'''
'''?air'''
'''Centar'''
'''Gazi Baba'''
'''Gjor?e Petrov'''
'''Karpo?'''
'''Kisela Voda'''
'''Saraj'''
?uto Orizari
Understand
The 26th of July 1963 is one of the worst dates in the history of Skopje. An earthquake struck the city at 5:17am. 75% of the buildings in the city disappeared in just a few seconds. After that, the big rebuilding project began, trying to make Skopje the model city of the socialist world. The plan was drawn by the Japanese architect Kenzo Tange, who also designed the new railway station. The plan was never fully carried out. Lately many reconstruction projects have started. Some towers of Kale Fortress and the old cathedral are being reconstructed, and the old theater is also awaiting reconstruction. Skopje is an ecclectic mix of Christian and Islamic culture, with both vying to make themselves visible. However, this cultural mix has also spawned a lively and varied society, you can see people playing chess in the morning in the numerous cafes and green spaces in the summer. In the evening, Skopje comes to life as the locals dine in the cafes before heading to the bars and live music clubs, most of which are open until 3am.
History
Apart from being the capital of the modern Republic of Macedonia, Skopje has always been a center of power long coveted by various empires.The city founded by the Dardanians in the 3rd century B.C.E. under the name of _eSkupi_f was prized for its strategic location, in a long valley between two hills, situated on the banks of the Vardar River, a vital trade route. Under the Romans, Skopje was made administrative center of the Dardanian Province. The city_fs prestige grew when the Orthodox Church made it an episcopal seat during the early Byzantine Empire. The arrival of migrating Slavic tribes from the Carpathians in the 6th century C.E. changed both the city_fs name and the composition of its people were assimilated by the Slavic newcomers. Throughout the remaining Byzantine centuries, Skopje continued to be an important mercantile center, situated as it was at the crossroads of Balkan trade and communications routes. It was celebrated for its urban life and fortress, and renowned for having the most beautiful church in the region. In 14th century, Skopje became the capital of the strongest Empire of Serbia, which was one of the largest and strongest Europe's countries that period. At the very end of the 14th century, Skopje and all of Macedonia fell under the rule of the Ottoman Turks. In the ensuing centuries, the look of the town changed with the construction of many mosques, Turkish baths, bridges, and other buildings attesting to the new Oriental influence. Today, the Ottoman legacy remains extremely visible in Skopje_fs architecture and small Islamic minority. After Macedonia was liberated from the Turks in the early 20th century, became a part of Kingdom of Serbia, then it became a republic of the Yugoslav Federation, with Skopje as the capital. At that time, the prosperous city boasted many ornate, Neoclassical buildings laid out harmoniously in a more or less Central European style. However, in 1963 a disastrous earthquake leveled much of the regal old city, and Skopje was reborn in the imaginative, futuristic style in vogue at the time. Today, Skopje is a modern city and Macedonia_fs major political, economical, educational, and cultural center.
Get in
By plane
Skopje's airport, '''Skopje Aleksandar Makedonski International Airport''' (Alexander the Great) (IATA: SKP), is 20 kilometres from Skopje. Cities that are connected to Skopje are: Ljubljana, Milan, Vienna, Sarajevo, Sofia, Split, Zagreb, Prague, Cologne, Bonn, Zurich, Belgrade, Ohrid, Dusseldorf, Budapest, Amsterdam, Berlin, Copenhagen, Hamburg, Istanbul, Paris, and Rome. Airlines that serve Skopje are: MAT(Macedonian Airlines), Adria Airways, MALEV, Austrian Airlines, Cirrus, Alitalia, B&H Airlines, Croatia Airlines, Czech Airlines, Helvetic Airways, Jat Airways, LTU International, and Turkish Airlines. The airport is accessed by the main highway Belgrade-Skopje-Thessaloniki which connects it directly with the city. Unfortunately there is no public transport that connects the airport with Skopje so you would have to take a taxi or arrange personal transportation.
By train
To come to Skopje by train you could come either from Serbia or Greece. Skopje is connected on the main line Belgrade-Thessaloniki. From Belgrade it will take 9 hours by train. On the other hand from Thessaloniki it takes 5 hours by train. There is one daily train from either direction.
If you come from Greece, you have to give your passport to a policeman at the border (in the train). Then you have to get out of the train and go into a small house outside the train station, to get your passport back again. If you don_Lt know what to do, ask other passengers and look at what they are doing. Usually they are very friendly and want to help you. The transport center includes the train and the bus station together. They are located in the center of the city near the National Central Bank.
By bus
There are buses to Skopje from Sofia, Belgrade, Thessaloniki (Mon. and Wed. only), Istanbul, Zagreb, Austria, Germany, Dubrovnik, and Podgorica. The buses arrive in the bus station which is below the train station. All the domestic and international buses arrive in the bus station. It is a new bus station and very modern [http://www.sas.com.mk], tel. (+389) (2) 246 60 11 (speaking english)
Get around
By car
See
Most people in Skopje just see the concrete buildings and run away, but if one looks deeper one will find some excellent examples of Ottoman architecture and much more. Most of the sights in Skopje are situateded in and around the old bazaar.
'''Kale Fortress''' - it stands on the highest hill in the Skopje valley and it offers great views over the city. The oldest section of the fortress is within the presentday fortifications. It is 121 meters long and is built in opus qvadrum style (huge stone blocks on the outside and small stones inside). It was built by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian who was born in the village of Taorion near Skopje. After the great earthquake of 518 when ancient Skupi was destroyed, Justinian decided to do something for his birthtown and built Justinijana Prima on the site of presentday Skopje. Unfortunately no major archeological work has been done for discovering the remains of Justinijana Prima. Most of the presentday fortifications originate from the 10th century (the square tower) and 13th century (the round tower). It was reinforced during them turkish rule when the number of towers was up to 70 (today there are just 3 standing) and the fortress went down to river Vardar and up on the hill where today the Museum of Conteporary Art stands. The small gate from the side of the old bazaar is the only gate still standing and it was built in 1446. The fortress was badly damaged in the fire in 1689 and even more during the eartquake of 1963.
'''Stone Bridge''' - The Stone Bridge was built in the 6th century by the Byzantine emperor Justinian. Since then it has been the symbol of the city and every ruler tried to leave a mark on it, even Skopje's last major who has been restoring it for 10 years now. The biggest reconstruction of the bridge was made in the second half of the 15th century by Sultan Mehmed II. The stone fence and guard tower were added then. Unfortunately the guard tower fell down during the most recent restoration and is waiting to be reconstructed. It still is the main connection of the main square and the old bazaar. While walking over it try to notice the 6th century big stone bloks. The bridge has 13 arches and is 214 meters long.
'''Old Bazaar''' - Even though some parts of the old bazaar have been destroyed to make streets and parking lots, it still is the largest one in the Balkans. It has developed and changed during the centuries but it still has its original use as a shopping place. The old bazaar was never used for living, it always was a shopping area and contact zone of the christian and the muslim population as they lived in separate parts of the town. It is a structure of many streets lined with small shops. The crafts were divided between the Christians and the Muslims. All the shops used to be same size no matter if they belonged to a Christian or a Muslim. Each street hosted different craft, and all stores from that craft were on one street (for example gold street, shoes street, pots street, dress street, etc). The stores were closed with wooden shutters which were lowered when the stores were opened and the goods were displayed on them. The old bazaar was surrounded with markets. Hygenical care was taken and different markets were placed on opposite sides of the bazaar (for example the food market was on the opposite side of the bazaar from the animal market; milk, milk products and honey market opposite from the wood matket etc). Beside the stores there were other objects in the old bazaar too, like amams (turkish baths), hans (hotels), mosques, and some churches. The outside walls were usually were surrounded with stores so no space would be wasted. Even today it is hard to spot some of this object.
'''Kapan An''' - is one of the three remaining medieval hotels still standing in the old bazaar. The ground floor used to house the horses and the goods of the merchants that visited the bazaar and the city, while on the first floor were the rooms where the people slept. The han was built in the 15 th century. Today it houses a nice restaurant.
'''Suli An''' - a medieval hotel, was built in the first half of the 15th century by Ishak beg. It was badly damaged during 1963 earthquake and today it houses the arts faculty of Skopje University. It also houses the Old Bazaar Museum.
'''Kurshumli An''' - is the largest and the most beautiful of the three remaining medieval hotels. It was built in 1550 by Mula Musledin Hodza, son of Abdul Gani scientist on the court of Sultan Selikm II. Both the ground and the first floor are made of stone and beautiful arches line the courtyard. The han has two courtyards, the second one was used to house the horses and the goods of the merchants and the guests, while the rooms around the first courtyard both on the ground and the first floor housed the guests. There is a water fountain in the middle of the first courtyard. The roof was covered with lead, and that is how the an got its name (lead is used for making bullets, and bullet is called kurshum in Turkish). Next to the han is where a mosque and an amam (turkish bath) used to stand, they both suffered in the big fire of 1689 and the earthquake of 1963, so today the mosque is gone and the amam stands in ruins. Today the Kurshumli Han is on the grounds of the Macedonian National Museum and houses the lapydarium.
'''Daut Pasha Hamam''' - Daut Pasha was the grand vesir of East Rumelia in the second half of the 15th century. He was based in Skopje and the legend goes that he built the hamam (turkish bath) for the needs of his harem. Before he left, he donated the hamam to the city. It was a double bath both for males and females (who bathed separately of course), the male and the female part going parallel next to each other. The two big domes in the front covered the two dressing rooms, which had water fountains in the middle. Each of the small domes covered a separate room for bathing. The heating room was on the end. Today the bath serves as a national gallery with a great collection of late 19 and 20 century art, and even if you are not interested in the art, you should go inside to see the elaborate decorations of the domes. thumb|Skopje's Old Bazaar & Double Hamam
'''Double Hamam''' - The Double Hamam was built in the middle of the 15th century by Isa beg. It was used as both male and female bath, but unlike Daut Pasha Hamam where both parts go parallel to eachother, here the heating room is in the middle and the entrances are on the opposite sides. Today is used as a gallery for temporary exhibits.
'''Bedesten''' - The most precious goods, like silk, spices, jewelery and perfumes, were sold in the bedesten, an object within the old bazaar, with gates which were closed in the evenings so the goods would be protected. Evlija Celebija who visited Skopje during the 17th century wrote that the only bigger and more beautiful bedesten from the one in Skopje was the one in Damascus. It was covered with 12 valutes and it held a whole bazaar inside. Unfortunately that bedesten disappeared in the fire of 1689. After the fire Skopje became much smaller and lost its importance as a trading center, so somewhere in the beginning of the 17th century the present bedesten was built. It is small and it is not even covered, but it still has a lot of atmosphere in it. It has just 5 short streets, small shops and four gates. In the past it was covered with wine grape, so it would protect the shoppers from the sun and the rain.
'''Macedonian National Museum & Icon Gallery''' - it is divided in three departments: Archeological, Historical, and Ethnological (the same ticket covers them all). It is highly advise to visit the eyhnological section, since it is a very good one. It has about 70 original national costumes from different parts of Macedonia, all decorated with highly stylezed patterns. Look for the wedding dress from Mariovo, it is 40 kg heavy, and the wig that the bride had to wear for a month after the wedding as a symbol of her virginity. Also different customs are explained, and there is also a good presentation of traditional architecture through models and photographs. The archaeological section has a rich collection of objects from the neolithic times 5000 years B.C. up to the 7th century. Unfortunately many artifacts have been taken to Belgrade or Sofia through the years and they have never been returned. The highlights are the Tetovo Menada figurine (from the 6th c. BC) and the prehistoric figurines of the Great Mother. Unique are the 6th century terracotta icons from Vinica (icons like this have been found only in Tunisia and Macedonia). The historic department is not as interesting, but also presented here are copies of the best frescoes from all around Macedonia (which is good if one is interested in Byzantine art but doen_ft have time to travel around). The gallery of icons is also here, it has icons from the 10th to the 19th century, and even some of them are the best ones from Macedonia (including the Bogorodica Pelagonitisa), but the Ohrid collection is still much nicer and more valuable.
'''Mustafa Pasha Mosque''' - it stands on a plateau above the old bazaar and is one of the most beautiful Islamic buildings in Macedonia. It was built in 1492 by Mustafa Pasha, vesir on the court of Sultan Selim I. The mosque is quite elegant and intact, and no additions have been made through the years. The interior is beautiful, simple, and spacious. Take few steps back to observe the game of the domes of the fountain, the porch, and the mosque. In the turbe next to the mosque, the daughter of Mustafa Pasha is buried. The mosque has a pleasant rose garden and it offers fine views over the bazaar. Free entrance.
'''St. Bogorodica''' - This church was built in 1835 and was the cathedral church in Skopje. It was also known as the protector of the city. The iconostatis was finished in 1842. On April 7th, 1944 the cathedral church, was burned down by fascists. The entire iconostasis was burned, while important subjects were stolen. It's located on the Krste Misirkov bvd., opposite of the Macedonian Academy of Science and Art (MANU).
'''St. Saviour Church''' - Just few steps below Mustafa Pasha mosque. The church is tiny and it has a pleasant courtyard. In the courtyard is the grave of Macedonia's greatest national hero who was leader of the national movement for liberation from the Turks, and Macedonian independence, Goce Delchev. There is a small museum about him in the buildings around the courtyard (you have to enter the museum to buy a ticket for the church). Among the paving of the courtyard there are some 18th and 19th century gravestones. Turks didn_ft allow building of new churches during their occupation, but as the empire was weakening in the 18th century they started giving permitions for building of churches to keep the population happy. There were many rules to be followed like the exterior had to be without decorations and the floor of the church had to be at least one meter below the ground so the church wouldn_ft dominate the skyline of the city. St. Saviour Church is example of one of these churches. It was built in the beginning of 19th century on the site of a church destroyed in the 1689 fire (as you enter, turn right to see remains of the frescoes and the level of the earlier church). The church is famous for its interior and wood carving. The iconscreen is work of Petre Filipovski Garkata and Marko and Makarie Frckovski, the best wood artists in the 19th century in Macedonia. In 1926 a British museum offered a blank check for the iconscreen, the state to fill in the amount if they decide to sell it. The beauty of it is that it is a deep wood carving from whole wood boards (the figures are not attached to eachother), and it is not covered with golden paint, as it is tradition in Orthodox churches so the game of light and dark shades is quite dramatic (the doors into the altar and the cross on the top are covered with gold paint, so you can compare). The iconscreen was made from 1819 to 1824 and is 10 meters long and 7 meters high. There are scenes from the old and the new testament. The figurines are 7 cm tall. Look for the creation of Adam and Eve on one of the columns next to the doors of the altar and the dance of Salome, where she dances for king Irod so he would give her the head of St.John the Baptist (she is dressed in traditional a dress from Galichnik). All around there are flowers and animals typical for the region presented. On the far right look for the self-portrait of the artists presented as they are working on the iconscreen. The icons are some of the best of the Byzantine revival.
'''Bit Pazar''' - it is the biggest of the food markets in Skopje. It begins where the bazaar ends and has existed on the same spot for hundreds of years. A walk around can be fun, but you can also get cheap fresh fruits, vegetables, salads, cheese, teas, spices and flowers. Another good food market to visit is the Green Market (Zeleno Pazarce), near the Parliment Building and Bunjakovec Market near the Cathedral.
'''Clock Tower''' - every bazaar in Macedonia has a clock tower, as muslims had to close their stores five times a day to attend prayer. Working hours were introduced in the old bazaar, and nobody had a chance to work and earn more than the other, so the clock towers were built. Skopje_fs clock tower is the first one ever to be built in the Ottoman Empire, which show us the importance of Skopje as a trading center. It was built during 1566-72. It has more Islamic appearance than the other clock towers in Macedonia. The clock on the clock tower was brought from Szeged, Hungary. Unfortunately the clock disappeared during the chaos after the earthquake and today is in a clock museum in Switzerland.
'''Bey's Tower''' - A 14-metre high residential tower from the 17th century, this is the oldest building in Centar Municipality (central Skopje). Built for defense, with 1,5-metre thick walls, a high door and small windows on the lower floors, the tower would protect the family living here against all attackers. In the tower are the Mother Teresa memorial and the National Museum shop. The square in front of the tower was the location of the small catholic Church, which was destroyed in 1963.
''other mosques: ''
'''Sultan Murat Mosque''' - tel. 077 633 267 The biggest mosque in the Balkans. It was built with money donated by the Sultan himself and when ever adjustments or repairs were needed it was his responsibility (Sultan Suleiman the Great donated money for the repairs after the fire of 1537, and Sultan Ahmet III for the repairs after the fire of 1689). It was built in 1436. The unusual 3 naved basilica shape and the flat ceiling (instead of domes) comes from the fact that it was built (or adjusted) over St. George monastery, the main monastery in Skopje before the coming of the Turks. It stands on a plateau next to the clock tower (built 1566). The fortifications of the monastery still stand around the plateau. The main architect of the mosque was Husein from Debar. The imam Liman Ismail likes to introduce the mosque to visitors (in English, Turkish) against a donation for the mosque.
'''Ishak beg Mosque''' - on the end of Bit Pazar is Ishak beg Mosque, built in 1438 by Ishak beg, a commander in the Turkish army. He leaded the army that conquered Macedonia and after he retired he settled in Skopje. The mosque was beautifly decorated with glazed tiles in different shades of blue, but it suffered greatly during the fire of 1689, and was rebuilt afterwards without the tile decorations. The six sided turbe (grave mausoleum) that stands next to the mosque didn_ft suffer in the fire and it still has the tiles. The turbe was built just for the aristocracy, usually for the one who donated the money for the mosque to be built or for members of his family, but Ishak beg was so grateful to his accountant that he built this turbe for him.
'''Isa beg Mosque''' - Isa beg Mosque was built in 1475 by Isa beg. It is the only seljuk mosque in Europe. The difference of this mosque is that it has two main domes (two joined rooms). It has a 5 domed porch. The mosque is situated behind the ?air Hospital across the street from Bit Pazar.
'''Jahja Pasha Mosque''' - it is in the beginning of ?air quarter close to the Bit Pazar. It was built in 1504 by Jahja Pasha, a commander in the Turkish army and son in law of Sultan Bajazit II and vesir on his court. The mosque is interesting because the roof is in the shape of a pyramid instead of the usual dome. The minaret is the tallest one in Skopje, it is 50 meters tall, and has been hit by a lighting twice.
''other sights: ''
'''Macedonia Square''' - even though most of the interesting sights are on the other side of the Stone Bridge, there are couple of interesting sights around Macedonia Square. The square has changed a lot after the earthquake, most of the neoclasical buildings are gone except for a small section of houses in the center. Some more are on Maksim Gorki street and around (look for the Italian Embassy and the Arabian House Hotel). From the main square when you turn to enter the shopping mall look for a marked place. This is the place where the house of Mother Theresa used to stand. She was born in this house and lived here until she turned 18 when she left first for Ireland and then for India.
'''Parliament Building''' - across the street from the shopping mall is the Parliament building. It was built in 1933 by Viktor Hudak in modernistic style.
'''City Hospital''' - the City Hospital is diagonal from the Parliament Building. It was built in 1931 by the Croatian architect Drago Ibler and is the most beautiful example of modern architecture in Skopje.
'''St. Kliment of Ohrid Cathedral''' - Back on the main square, about a 5 minute walk is St. Kliment of Ohrid Cathedral. After Virgin Mary Cathedral was burned by the fascists on the end of WWII, and St. Dimitrie church was unable to meet the needs of the people, building of the new cathedral started in 1970. The architect is Slavko Brezovski, and it is a bold and contemporary interpretation of Orthodox architecture. The Jesus Pantocrator fresco painted in the main dome covers area of 70 meters squared and just his eye is 1,5 meters long.
'''Feudal Tower''' - Back on the main square, take Macedonia Street leading towards the Old Railway Station. The street has a couple of nice cafes. Right after you pass the crossroad look left to see the Feudal Tower. It is not known when was it built or what its purpose was. It probably served as a defence tower on a property of a Turkish aristocrat. Today it serves as a souvenir shop and you can enter and see it from the inside. Right in front of it on the site of the old catholic church (distroyed in the earthquake) there is a monument to Mother Theresa.
'''Old Railway Station ? Skopje City Museum''' - the Old Railway Station stands half ruined as a monument to the earthquake of 1963. It was built in 1938 by Velimir Gavrilovik in a modern style with Byzantine decoration. Today it houses an exhibition gallery and a small city museum (it can be a good substitute if you don_ft have time for the National Museum).
'''Museum of Contemporary Art''' - the collection of the Museum of Contemporary Art has a collection of 4,800 artworks, out of which 1,760 are gifts from artists from 61 countries, including Picasso, Aleshinski, Leze, Sulaz, Lui Can, Hartung, Gaitis, Buri, Millares, Kemeni, Kalder, Vasarely, and others. All these artists donated their works to the city after the earthquake in 1963 for the new art museum. The building itself is a gift from Poland. Around 1,600 works are from Macedonian artists. With all of this Skopje actually has the most complete and biggest collection of contemporary art in Southeastern Europe. Unfortunatly because the building badly needs repairs just parts of the collection are periodcaly on display.
'''Natural Science Museum''' - located within the zoo, this museum was made by Stanko Karaman in the 1920s. Here you can see the petrographic-mineralogy exhibition, botanical exhibition, palaeontology exhibition, entomological exhibition, and vertebrates_f exhibition, exhibition of indigenous fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and animals. The museum is one of the richest in the Balkans with palaeontology materials of fauna from the Pickering region.
'''Macedonian National Theatre''' - was made in 1945. With its big white walls, and almost without windows and with an incline, it is known as "the bounce board." It was made by Stefan Kacin, Jurij Princes, Bogdan Splindler, and Marjan Urshic. The theatre has a large stage and seats for 850 spectators, and also a small stage for 200 spectators. The State Ballet is also stationed in this building. This theatre holds theatre, opera, and ballet performances all year round.
'''City Park''' - a large green area in the center of Skopje. A part of it is a museum, with several monuments within. It is a nice place to go for recreation, as there are pathways around the small lakes, tennis courts, the children_fs amusement park, cafes, restaurants, etc. The city Zoo and stadium are also within the park. In the summer, the Skopje's nightlife concentrates on the several nightclubs in this park.
''Outside the city center:''
'''Aqueduct''' - thumb|Skopje's Aqueduct is situated on the exit of Skopje towards Kosovo, right before the village of Vizbegovo. Turn right at the first traffic signal you encounter on the road to Kosovo (you can only turn right). Turn right again immediately at the first opportunity. The pavement ends abruptly. Follow the unpaved road to the left that runs alongside the canal. After about 300 meters, you will see the aqueduct in front of you. It is still not known when it was built. Many people claim it is from Roman times but it goes opposite of Skupi so that theory doesn_ft make much sense. It was probably built during Byzantine times and it is sure that it was still used during Turkish times when it provided water for the public baths. 55 stone arches of the Aqueduct are still standing.
'''Skupi''' - the ancient city of Skupi is almost not worth the effort to reach. There is almost nothing left except for part of a street, a bath, and a basilica. After the city was ruined by the earhtquake of 518, all the building material was used in the building of Justinijana Prima (one can see almost all of the seats of the Roman theatre incorporated in Kale Fortress). It is interesting that even though the earthquake was very strong and completely ruined Skupi there were almost no casualties. The inhabitans fled the city just two days before fearing from Avar atacks and settled in the small fortresses they had built on Vodno and in Matka.
'''Vodno Mountain''' - 1066 meters above sea level it towers over Skopje. It is popular hiking place with marked paths leading through the woods and there are a couple of rest areas. On the top of Vodno the '''Millennium Cross''' was built to mark 2000 years of Christianiy in Macedonia. It is 66 meters high and it is the highest structure in Macedonia.
Do
'''Explore Matka Canyon''' - Some twenty minutes outside if Skopje you can visit the narrow Canyon of Matka, with a lake and a hydrodam. Climbers enjoy a variety of tours of varying diffculty there. If you go don't miss the restaurant "Bear's Cave" (in Macedonian: Mechkina dupka) near the cayak trail which is built into a cave.
'''Kadina Reka Hunting Site''' - On the mountain massif of Mountain Karadjica, part of Mountain Jakupica, Dautica and Aliagica, on a total area of 21.100 Ha, only 25 km of Skopje, the hunting area Kadina Reka is located. The relief of the mountain massifs in the hunting area is characterized with heterogeneousness and significant differences in altitude of 2240 m, which enables zonal distribution of the game.
Shopping
'''GTC''' - this is the biggest shopping center in the city. It was made in the 1970s by Zivko Popovski. It includes cafes, restaurants, bars, banks, shops,and even has a bowling court.
'''Ramstore Mall''' - if you are looking for an American looking mall, this is where you'll want to go. It has shops, restaurants, cafes and cinema.
'''Biser''' - a new shopping center with very nice cafes, bar, and shops. Many young people from the city come to spend their extra time here.
'''Bunjakovec''' - this is one of the malls were everybody can find something to buy. It is located in one of the busiest thoroughfares in Skopje. In includes many shops and boutiques.
'''City Gallery''' - new shopping center in Skopje with lots of high quality fashion stores and very interesting structure,like a labyrinth
Events
'''Skopje Summer Festival''' - The epithets such as the most abundant, the most various, the longest and, according to many authorized marks, one of the most qualitative cultural manifestation of international character which is held in Macedonia, characterize Skopje Summer. This manifestation has even received an acknowledgement of its reputation outside the Macedonian borders which is verified by the membership of the International Festivals & Events Association - IFEA.
'''Offest''' - This festival takes place on several locations in Skopje, such as the Universal Hall, Skopje Square, the Youth Cultural Center, and many attractive night clubs in the city.
'''Skopje Jazz Festival''' - For one week every October, Skopje hosts eminent jazz musicians from all over the world. The Skopje Jazz Festival is considered to be one of the best of its kind in Europe.
'''May Opera Evenings''' - The May Opera Evenings have been one of the most visited events in Skopje. Over the years, the stage of the Macedonian Ballet and Opera Theatre has hosted a number of ballet performances, operas, and many concerts. This event represents a true professional challenge for the artists and a wonderful musical experience for the audience.
'''Autumn Music''' - This manifestation traditionally takes place in November. It is organized to enrich the music life with its genres and themes in accordance to its conception and to provide another place for the performances of the native and foreign artist. There is the classical music as a base of this manifestation_fs programme, yet it always leaves space for the other types of music genres such as jazz, popular song, ethno music etc.
'''VINO SKOP '''- Skopje Wine Festival, including wine tasting, vineyard visits, live musical entertainment from international artists in the heart of the city. October 16th -19th 2008.
'''BuskerFest'''-Skopje, street performers Festival, starting for three years now, at the end of May till June for 10 days. From 2009, will tour Macedonian cities, Budva Montenegro and Sibenik Croatia.
'''PIVOLEND'''-Gourmet weekend with beer, first time in Skopje, Macedonia, in September 2008.
Learn
'''Ss. Cyril and Methodius University''' - The Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje was founded in 1949 consisting three faculties and today it represents a family of twenty-three faculties, ten institutes and other institutions. The present structure of the Ss. Cyril and Methodius University can be illustrated with the following figures: over 36,000 students from the Republic of Macedonia as well as over 700 foreign students are enrolled at all faculties; over 2,300 teaching and scientific staff and associates are engaged in the teaching, educational and scientific process at the faculties and over 300 at the institutes.
'''University American College Skopje''' - an institution for higher education, that combines the best of the American and European educational experience.
Buy
The currency is "Macedonian Denar". You can get it from one of the many ATMs in the centre. 61.5 denars are approximately one euro, 39 denars are approximately 1 U.S. dollar, and 77 denars are approximately one British Pound. Make sure you don't take out too many at once, as when you leave the country you won't find many places that will exchange them for you !!!
Eat
Macedonia_fs capital offers something to satisfy all modern tastes and appetites.
Make sure to try the famous Macedonian foods such as burek, Shopska Salata, and others.
Skopje_fs eateries are almost beyond number, and offer a diverse range of local and international flavors. International cuisine is well represented in Skopje with Chinese, Italian, Indian, Greek, Mexican, Middle Eastern and French restaurants all found within the city center. In addition, pizza and fast food places abound, as do small bakery cafes selling pastries such as the ubiquitous burek (a flaky filo pie stuffed with meat, cheese or spinach).
Some popular restaurants in Skopje include:
'''Uranija''', Tel: 389-3118-030.
'''Tri Biseri''', Tel: 389-2461-171.
'''Kamnik''', Tel: 389-2523-522 Fax: 389-2580-540.
'''Gino Italian Restaurant''', Tel: 389-3121-109.
'''Sofka''', Tel: 389-3224-225.
'''Marakana''', Tel: 389-3221-548.
'''Irski Pab'''(Irish Pub), Tel: 389-3220-431 Fax: 389-3128-289.
'''Enriko''', Tel: 389-3061-273.
'''Ezerce''', Tel: 389-3122-389.
'''Makedonska Kuka''', Tel: 389-3296-415 Fax: 389-3296-416
'''Restaurant 14''', Tel: 389-3076-411. Location: Taftalidze, near the green market, a few minutes drive away from the center of the city. Beside the traditional Macedonian food, macrobiotic and vegetarian dishes are available for the guests.
Drink
While most cafes and bars will have foreign beers, the local ones are tasty and much cheaper, and most outlets will carry either Skopsko or Zlaten Dab. There's no shortage of places to drink them, most cafes expect you to take at least one beer with your meal. Its not hard to find good cafes but a good place to start is by the riverside near the old bridge, and at night this becomes a lively party area as well. In addition to local cafe's, you'll also find the city's Irish bar where you can go if you feel the need for a more familiar drinks menu.
'''London Pub''' - On the "Macedonian" side of the river opposite the old bridge, a fine selection of imported lager.
HoteL NewStar Restaurant. izbegovo. Tel:02/2600-601,2600-333.
HoteL NewStar Restaurant. izbegovo. el:02/2601-600,2600-333.
Sleep
'''The Imperial Hotel''', Tel: 389-2-273 60 53(Fax: 389-2-273 50 53, email: contact@imperial.com.mk). This comfortable hotel that offers excellent accommodation is located just 1.5 km from all the shopping malls and the Skopje Square.The Hotel offers free 24 hours wifi/wlan internet and free laundry service.
'''Hostel Hostel''', Tel: +389 23 222 321, email: info@hostel.com.mk), [http://www.hostel.com.mk/]. Admittedly, it doesn't have the most original name, but this friendly little hostel is a great place to stay if you're on a budget. Nice and warm, free internet and friendly staff. Recommended for any backpacking in Skopje.
'''Holiday Inn Skopje''', Vasil Agilarski 2, Skopje 1000, Tel: 389-2-3292929 (Fax: 389-2-3115503), [http://www.holiday-inn.com.mk/]. It's next to the river, situated at the end of stretch that has all the bars and restaurants which are great in the summer.
'''Hotel Stone Bridge''', Tel: 389-3244-900 (Fax: 389-3244-901). The guest rooms and suites, many with superb views of the Vardar River, Stone Bridge, Square Macedonia with modern city, Fortress Kale, Old City with Churches and Mosques, are spacious and luxurious, giving an extremely comfortable and elegant feel.
'''Hotel Continental''', Tel: 389-3116-599. Hotel Continental is the largest luxury Hotel located in the city, in a 10000 m2 landscaped garden, adjacent to the Skopje Fair, 5 minutes from downtown Skopje.
'''Hotel Aleksander Palace''', Tel: 389-3092-392. This 5-star hotel is probably the finest and most expensive in all of Skopje. It is about a five minute drive from the center.
'''The Ambassador Hotel''', Tel: 389-3212-353 (Fax: 389-3121-383, email: info@hotelambassador-sk.com.mk). This modern hotel is located in the center of Skopje in a quiet neighborhood close to the St. Kliment of Ohrid cathederal.
. HoteL NewStar Restaurant Vizbegovo Tel:+3892 2601-600,2600-333
_T___q_p_~ _V_____u_| _R_{____?_u. H Skopje. __|. _P_p_____y_x_p_~___{_p 48. ear the Universal Hall. /a. ww.urbanhotel.com.mk. The new Star Hotel in Macedonia. Business Hotel Reinvented!
Hotel Square. icola Vapcaov 2 6.floor. 389 (0) 23 225 090. 5,00 euro. The top floor of a office building. Very nice rooms, friendly staff, and a open air balcony with a excellent view to Square Macedonia and the stone bridge. Rooms with air-con and TV.
Hotel Arka *****. otel Arka. itpazarska 90/2. n the Old Bazaar. 389 2 3230603. ttp://www.hotel-arka.com.mk. 8 euro and up. 2.0016. 1.4387. Arka is modern, luxurious and comfortable five star hotel. Its interior is furnished according to newest trends in the modern interior architecture. It is situated in the historic nucleus of the Old Skopje Town.
Stay safe
Skopje, just like most of the rest of Macedonia, is a relatively safe place. But, the usual rules about common sense apply here as they would anywhere. The places were crime occurs most often are in the places where tourists have little reason to be at. Night time in the old market may have roving bands of youth. Exercise a high level of caution in these areas or avoid this area at night.
Cope
Newspapers
'''_D_~_u_r_~_y_{ (Dnevnik)''' - www.dnevnik.com.mk - is a daily newspaper in the Republic of Macedonia. It is published every day except Sunday. The first issue of Dnevnik was published on March 20, 1996. Its current circulation is 50,000. Its current editor is Katerina Blazevska.
'''_N___r_p _M_p_{_u_t___~_y?_p (Nova Makedonija)''' - www.novamakedonija.com.mk - is the oldest daily newspaper in the Republic of Macedonia. It was established with decision of the presidium of ASNOM and remained a state owned newspaper, promoting the government line. The first edition was in 1944, in Gorno Vranovci, and contitutes the first document written in the literary standard Macedonian language.
'''_T_____y_~___{_y _B_u___~_y_{ (Utrinski Vesnik)''' - www.utrinskivesnik.com.mk - the first issue of Utrinski vesnik was published on June 23, 1999. Its current editor is Erol Rizaov. It is published every day except Sunday.
'''_B_u____ (Vest)''' - www.vest.com.mk
'''_B___u_}_u (Vreme)''' - www.vreme.com.mk
'''_Y___y__ (Spic)''' - www.spic.com.mk
'''_B_u___u__ (Vecer)''' - www.vecer.com.mk
'''Skopje Diem ''' - www.skopjediem.com ''' Provides daily news from Macedonia in English, as well as many usefull info for expats in the country. The Team used to be NATO Press Centre in Skopje, and provides daily info on Macedonian matters for almost all embassies, international organisations and foreign media.
Get out
'''Marko_fs Monastery''' is an active monastery situated outside Sushica village on Kitka mountain. It was founded by king Volkashin in 1345 and finished by his son King Marko in 1366, who is also the donor of the frescoes painted between 1366 and 1371. It is unknown why the monastery is built in the vicinity of Skopje instead of Prilep the capital of their medieval kingdom. It is presumed that the grave of king Marko (who died in Romania fighting the Turks) is here but it was destroyed by the Turks. The architecture of the church is a cross in square with a central dome and a blind dome in the narthex. The elegant exonarthex (open porch) was added in 1830 by Hamzi Pasha, who was a generous donor of the monastery throughout the 19th century. It is quite surprising a Turkish aristocrat to be a donor of an Christian monument. The frescoes are work of more artists with different skills and are well preserved. Visible is the tendency for adding dramatization and narrative painting of the scenes. Most interesting is the unique scene '''The cry of Rahela''' (Mathew 2:18). On the southern facade the portraits of king Volkashin and king Marko are painted. There is a bus going to the village but just few times per day. From the village there is half hour walk to the monastery. Behind it there is a river and a small picnic area. While in the area also visit '''St.Bogorodica church''' (also referred as St.Nikola church) in Sushica village, built in the 13th century.
'''Skopska Crna Gora and its medieval churches and monasteries''' ? even though Vodno is the most popular hiking option in Skopje, a fun and educational day trip from Skopje is visiting the villages, churches and monasteries on Skopska Crna Gora Mountain. Easiest way to do it is with a car, but also one can take a bus to one of the villages like Banjani or Kuceviste, and hike to the surrounding points of interest. '''St.Nikita monastery in Banjani village''' was built in by Serbian king Milutin in 1307-08 on a site of an earlier church. It is a single domed church of a written cross architectonical solution. The frescoes are work of the famous Ohrid painters Mihailo and Eftihie. Unfortunately they lack the energy and the technique of Bogorodica Perivlepta church in Ohrid. It is quite probable that by now they had a big group of students around them and they just controlled the work. If one looks carefully one can see where them two picked up the brush and corrected the work. Most significant fresco is the Pursuit of the Merchants from the temple where one can see the human elements characteristic for their work. '''St.Bogorodica Church in Kucevishte village''' the naos was built closely before 1348. The narthex was built somewhere between 1355 and 1358 by local aristocrat Radoslav and his wife Vladislava. Above the nathex there is a grave chapel for Radoslav and Vladislava. The painter of the frescoes of the naos is quite good, educated, well acquainted with the work of Mihailo and Eftihie, quite probable their student. Still his work doesn_ft reach their energy, colors and elegance, but he is quite good in composition and placing figures in it. Like his teachers he did sign his name on the northern column by the iconscreen, his name is Grigorie. The frescoes of the narthex have been damaged by fire and the grave chapel was painted by a less skilled painter. '''Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel Monastery in Kucevishte village''' was built towards the end of the 14th or maybe the beginning of the 15th century. The church is threeconhos with a dome, and elaborate ceramic decorations on the facades. There are two inscriptions dating the frescoes from 1631 and 1701. The figures are presented small in size, poor in colors but with bold drawing with an attempt to present landscape. Most famous is the large presentation Tree of Jesse. '''St. Nikola church in Ljuboten village''' was built in 1337 by Mrs. Danica a local aristocrat whose sons had important positions (something like mayors or governors) of strategic positions on the entrance of the city. She built the church in honor of her passed husband. It is a single domed church of a written cross architectonical solution. Parts of the frescoes are in bad condition. Influenced by the works of Mihailo and Eftihie. The Serbian royal family is presented (king Dushan, queen Elena and prince Urosh), it is interesting that the painting treatment of them, especially the colors are different than those for the saints. Unfortunately the village was part of the 2001 conflict and many of the frescoes were damaged by Albanians who used the frescoes of the saints for shooting practice.
'''Tumba''' - an archaeological site from the Early Stone Age. Ceramic models of houses formed in the shape of the female body are among its valuable finds.
'''Cerje''' - an archaeological site from the Early Stone Age. Its unique finds include the figurine known as Adam from Govrlevo, one of the earliest prehistoric male figurines.
'''Gradishte''' - a fortified settlement from the Early Byzantine period. It is believed to be Taoresion, the native town of Emperor Justinian.
'''Marko's Castle''' - An Early Byzantine fortress, heavily fortified with 40 towers. It was the site of the medival town of Crnce.
'''Matka''' - A gorge in which a rich complex of medival monasteries and remnants of a fortress remain.
'''Skopje/?uto Orizari''' one of the largest Roma settlements in the world.