Skopje is a city with a rich history that saw numerous conquerors in the past, starting from Illyrian tribes through Romans, Byzantines, Slavs, and Ottomans. Today’s Skopje is an actual city of contrast, where the lines between the east and the west are fading away. And I’m not just saying that. If you’re wondering if Skopje is worth visiting, I can wholeheartedly answer “yes”!
Skopje was built on the banks of the Vardar River, which splits the city into two halves, and there are a lot of bridges connecting the two parts of the city. One of those is Stone Bridge, one of the oldest bridges in Europe. The Stone Bridge was built during the rule of the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I, and it was reconstructed again in the 15th century by the Ottomans.
Kale
Different iterations of the Kale (Kale being the Turkish word for fortress) have existed on this site since the 6th century. The fortress is located at the highest point of the city, overlooking the still waters of the Vardar River.
The first fortress is thought to have been constructed during the reign of Emperor Justinian I. It was built from materials taken from the Roman city of Skupi after the city was destroyed by a massive earthquake in 518. However, very little is known about the early life of the fortress or what life was like inside the fortress or its garrison.
Construction work continued on the fortress throughout the 10th and 11th centuries over the Byzantine remains. In 1346, while at the fortress Stefan Dušan crowned himself emperor, and appointed Skopje as the new capital of the Serbian Empire. Sometime during Ottoman rule, the fort fell into a state of neglect and was left completely empty.
During the 19th century, warehouses, arsenals, a military hospital, and a prison were discovered inside the fortress. The fortress was greatly damaged during another earthquake in 1963, which left most of the defensive towers and buildings in rubbles.
In September 2010, the southwestern wall was restored. The completion of this work coincided with Macedonia’s Independence Day.
During an excavation of the fortress, the foundation of a 13th-century church was discovered within the fortress. A project was announced to restore the ruins as a church/museum. Albanian groups belonging to the Democratic Union for Integration claimed that the site contained artifacts relating to their Illyrian ancestry, leading to a dispute over rights to the area and violent outbreaks. The project was eventually abandoned.
Today many unfinished, now almost ruinous, building projects can be seen scattered across the fortress complex.
Old Bazaar
The Old Bazaar is Skopje’s very own living museum. This area is filled with Ottoman mosques, Byzantine buildings, türbes (mausoleum tombs), converted hammams, and a few museums. It’s the second-largest Old Bazaar, only falling behind the one in Istanbul. The Old Bazaar stretches from the Stone Bridge to the Bazaar and the Kale Fortress. Some of the best places to visit around the Old Bazaar are Kursumli An (Memorial of Mula Musledin Hodza), the Cifte Amam, and the Mustafa Pasha Mosque.
Passing by this part of the city is something you absolutely have to do while you’re in town, even if you only have one day in Skopje, North Macedonia. Here you will also find a lot of craftsman shops where you can find anything from small decorations to traditional costumes. You’ll also be able to find a lot of old restaurants and try some amazing traditional food.
Vodno
When arriving in Skopje you know you’re getting close to the city when you see a big Millennium Cross located on Mount Vodno.
It’s almost twice as big as the famous statue of Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, visible from far away, also in the evening when it lights up.
You might think that since you can see the cross from more or less everywhere the view from up there must be pretty stunning too. And you are right!
Once you are on top of Mount Vodno you can enjoy stunning views of Skopje on one side of the surrounding nature on the other, hike around a bit, or enjoy the coffee in this amazing location.
It’s such a beautiful and relaxing place!
Matka
Another perfect nature getaway is Matka Canyon, a bit further than Mount Vodno but also easily accessible.
It’s quite a journey and from the bus stop you need to walk a bit up but eventually, you will be greeted with the pristine nature and stunning views of Matka Canyon where you can go kayaking, boat riding, or hiking along the canyon – no matter what you choose you will love it.
The place is just breathtaking and such a perfect nature oasis after crazy Skopje, it feels like a completely different world from what you’ve left behind.
Air pollution
The air in Skopje, North Macedonia, is one of the most polluted in the world because of the city’s natural position and people’s reliance on fossil fuels. However, over recent years, many citizens have started demonstrating against this plague, pushing policymakers to follow their new will.
The minimum salary of 260 euros and energy poverty are just two of the issues making Skopje such a polluted city. Another reason is its natural position, as the capital of North Macedonia is located in a valley surrounded by mountains that trap the fog, which means there isn't a lot of wind. The situation is further complicated by a temperature inversion, a natural phenomenon that causes warm air to remain above cool air and contributes to the greenhouse effect.
