SKOPJE (Skopje) Economic Travel Guide
Macedonia’s capital city, Skopje, brings together the two banks of the Vardar River. The city, where there are different lives and religions on both sides, is connected by a bridge.
One cannot help but wonder how many cities have such a sharp line of religion, the cross called Millennium is on the hill, the moon is in the sky.
The city, which was re-established with the Skopje 2014 project, which cost 200-500 million Euros, reveals its multi-cultural, multi-religious structure to tourists with new sculptures.. The idea of scattering about 35 statues with a Christian Orthodox theme in the city center, which the Macedonian capital acquired under the name of history, works… This situation does not disturb the people of Skopje.. In fact, even if the project is to create a Western European influence in the city, it is obvious that it is an initiative that smells of politics.. Although restorations to old buildings and new structures are pleasing to the eye, tourists who know a little about history are also confused.
Considering that 80% of Skopje was destroyed by the 1963 Great Earthquake, actually, Skopje is brand new and standing tall right now.. Dozens of homeless people, 2000 Skopje people who passed away, would have known if they had seen the current state of the city.. But Skopje is beautiful, old and new.
TRANSPORTATION TO SKOPJE: HOW TO GET TO SKOPJE?
By Plane: Skopje Airport Skopje city center is approximately Located 20 km away. There is no public bus from the airport to the city centre, only the Vardar Express. One-way ticket price for the 1-hour journey is approximately 150 KM.. You can purchase the ticket from the Airport Vardar Express office at the airport.. Another option is a taxi. A taxi from Skopje Airport to Skopje City Center costs 1220 KM.
By Car: It is very easy to get to Macedonia by motorway. Also reliable today..
By bus: You can come to Skopje from many countries in Europe. Goeuro can be an alternative.
By train: If you are on Interrail, you can come to Skopje by train.. Click for detailed information. Or you can also choose raileurope.
SKOPJE CITY TRANSPORTATION
Bus ticket price within the city is 30 KM one way. Click for detailed information about the bus lines
ACCOMMODATION IN SKOPJE: WHERE TO STAY IN SKOPJE?
Macedonia Street and the surrounding of the Stone Bridge for accommodation ideal.
THINGS TO DEFINITELY DO IN SKOPJE?
A walk from the Old Bazaar to Macedonia Square to witness the change in history, religions and politics enough is enough.. Just walk..
WHAT TO EAT IN SKOPJE? WHAT TO DRINK?
You will have no trouble eating and drinking in Skopje. The flavors that suit our taste will feel as if you are eating the food of my homeland.. Our main eating and drinking recommendation in Skopje; Macedonian Pastry, Macedonian Stew, Macedonian Meatballs, Manca, casserole beans and ice cream!
SHOPPING IN SKOPJE: WHAT TO BUY FROM SKOPJE
You can find souvenirs unique to the Balkans such as leather, copper and antiques in Skopje.
WHERE TO SHOPPING IN SKOPJE?
Skopje Shopping Center (Skopje City Mall) and Capitol can be preferred as shopping malls. Apart from that, you can find many souvenir shops in the Old Bazaar.
SKOPJE CITY TOUR
Starting from the old city center on the Skopje sightseeing route We created a route towards the new city center, which was built with the Skopje 2014 project.. It is impossible not to get lost in history as we move from historical buildings to new ones.
Click here for the map view of our Skopje walking route..
Skopje Castle (Skopjo Castle): The first in history A.D.. 5. The castle, which is said to have been built in the Roman Empire in the century, was destroyed by the earthquake in 518.. Byzantine Emperor I, later himself from Skopje. Justinian rebuilt the castle. Evliya Çelebi mentioned Skopje Castle in his Travelogue in 1660 during his trip to Macedonia.. It has remained unchanged since the 1963 earthquake and has retained its final form ever since.. In the Ottoman Museum inside the castle, artifacts from the Ottoman period are exhibited.
Mustafa Pasha’s Mosque: It was built in 1492 by the II.. It was built by Mustafa Pasha, the vizier of Bayezid and Yavuz Sultan Selim.. In the complex of the mosque, an almshouse was built for the accommodation of the clergy.. Evliya Çelebi mentioned the existence of a madrasah here in his Travelogue.
Kurşunlu Han (Kurshumli An): It was built by Molla Muslidin Hodja in 1550.. It was used as a prison for a long time, then it was turned into an inn again.. It got its name from the fact that its roof was covered with lead in the past.. I. Bullets were removed during World War II.
Sultan Murat Mosque (Sultan Murat Mosque): The mosque, built in 1436, is the oldest surviving mosque in Skopje.. The mosque, which sees the whole of Skopje due to its location, also has another importance as a settlement; Sultan I, who was martyred while touring the battlefield after the Battle of Kosovo. Murat’s body was kept here for the first night when he left for burial.. That’s why the mosque was built here in his memory.
Sulu Han (Suli An): Again 15. It is said to have been built by Isa Bey in the century.. It is thought to have taken its name from the water sources near the inn.. Today, it is within the Faculty of Fine Arts of the University of Skopje.. In addition, some historical buildings in the exhibition area are open to visitors between 08:00 and 14:00.
Turkish Bazaar (or Old Bazaar, Historical Bazaar; old town, old market): narrow stretching up to Stone Bridge You will see many unfamiliar shops on the streets.
The main buildings you will see in Skopje Historical Bazaar are;
- Çifte Hammam (Cifte Hammam) or Isa Bey Bath: Murat Pasha Mosque The bath you will see before you arrive, 15. It was built by the Bosnian commander Isa Bey Ishaković in the century.
- Clock Tower: Sultan II. The clock tower, located in the garden of the Murat Mosque, is said to be the first clock tower in the Ottoman Period.
- Bedesten: So Grand Bazaar, 15. It was built in Skopje in the century.. It is not covered like the Grand Bazaar we know.. The bazaar, which consists of white two-storey houses, attracts more attention with its visuality.
- Kapan Han (Kapan An): 15. It is said to have been built by Isa Bey, the margrave of Skopje in the 16th century.. Today, there are cafes and restaurants on the ground floor.
- Sveti Spas Church (Church of the Ascension of Jesus): 14. The century-old church is said to have been buried 2 meters into the ground by the Ottomans to make it shorter than the minarets.. There is a clock tower in the church with a view of the old city view of Skopje.
Daut Pasha Bath (Daut Pasha Bath): The bath next to the Stone Bridge, II.. It was built by Davut Pasha, who was the grand vizier during the Beyazıt period.. It is one of the two surviving baths in Skopje.. The other one is the Isa Bey Bath.
As part of the project called Skopje 2014, many statues were erected in the square connecting the Old Bazaar to Macedonia Square.. The main ones are;
- The bell tower and the Church of St. Dimitrios (Chuch of St.. Demetrius or Sv Dimitirja)
- In the statue depicting the birth of Alexander the Great in the middle of the square, the statue of his father Philip II (Philip II Monument) and his mother, Olympias, who was pregnant with Alexander the Great ( Olympias Monument).
- Monument of Saints Cyril and Methodius and Cyril and Methodius Monument at the beginning of the Stone Bridge. Also in the square is the Holocaust Museum, which commemorates the Macedonian Jews who were captured and sent during the invasion of the Bulgarian occupying forces 68 years ago, opened in 2011.
Stone Bridge (Kameni Most; Stone Bridge): Macedonia Square and the Old Bazaar’ Stone Bridge, Vardar Bridge, Fatih Bridge, Dusan Bridge, which is located between. It is thought to have been built between 1451 and 1469 during the reign of Mehmet the Conqueror.. It is said that the original of the bridge, which was damaged by earthquakes, remained intact.. In 1944, the Nazis placed explosives on the bridge, but when Skopje was liberated, the explosives were defused and there was no blind destruction.. Until the Goce Delcev Bridge was built in 1971, Skopje was the only transportation place that brought the two sides together.. There is a prayer place in the middle of the bridge.
- To the left of the Stone Bridge: Archaeological Museum of Macedonia
- Stone Bridge’ on the right side; There is the Macedonian Theater (Macedonian National Theater) and the Museum of the Macedonian Struggle, where the Macedonians’ struggle for their independence is exhibited.. It is said that 10 million Euros were spent for the construction of this museum.
Macedonia Square (Skopje Square): The square planned after the 1963 earthquake seems to have taken its final shape today.. New visuals have been built over time in the square, which is the most popular meeting place in Skopje today.. These are the Old Theater and Army House, which were restored in 2007, the Macedonian flag in 2008, the statues of Gotse Delchev and Dame Gruev in 2010, and finally the Alexander the Great Monument in 2011.
On the left diagonal of the square is the Macedonian Victory Gate ( Porta Macedonia) or Macedonian Jewelry was built. It is said that 4.5 million Euros were spent for the gate, which symbolizes Macedonia’s struggle for independence. It is the first building built within the scope of the “Skopje 2014 Project”.
Memorial House Mother Teresa: It is located in the place where Mother Teresa was baptized The Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church is said to be.. The museum, which has been converted into a memorial house, includes a representative bedroom, photographs of his life, and belongings.. The most important of these items is the white saris.
Skopje City Museum (Skopje City Museum) or Skopje Old Train Station: It was built by architect Gavrilovic between 1938-1940.
SKOPJE ENTERTAINMENT AND NIGHT LIFE IN
We toured the city at night and had a drink close to Macedonia Square and we didn’t dive into the nightlife like that.. But of course, we did a research for you, and as a cafe bar, Kafe Bar Ljubov and Coffee Factory Square are among the places that are especially recommended.. Drinker’s Paradise stands out for the cocktail and Vox Club for the nightclub.
OTHER PLACES TO VISIT CLOSE TO SKOPJE: ALTERNATIVE TOURS
Matka Canyon: This canyon is indescribable.. We will also give this as a blog post.
SKOPJE TRAVEL NOTES
