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Known as Skopje in Macedonian, Skopje was founded by the Illyrians in the late 5th century BC. It is a historical Ottoman settlement, with Albanians and Muslims living on one side and Orthodox Christians on the other. Skopje, which remained under Ottoman rule for 520 years, is the capital and largest city of Macedonia. Divided in two by the Vardar River, the city is divided into Old Skopje and New Skopje. The side that bears traces of Ottoman architecture and has a large Muslim population is Old Skopje, while the more modern and European-looking side is New Skopje, where the Christian population is large. After the Macedonians, the majority of the city is Albanians, then Turks.
The Stone Bridge over the Vardar River is one of the city's most iconic structures, connecting the Old Town (Stara Čaršija) with the New Town.
Located on a hill overlooking the city center, the Skopje Fortress is a magnificent structure reflecting the history of Skopje. It is possible to see a panoramic view of the city from the fortress.
Macedonia Square, the largest square in Skopje, is the heart of the city. It houses a huge statue of Alexander the Great and many important buildings.
Matkaa Canyon, a natural wonder located a little outside the city, is an ideal canyon for activities such as trekking, rock climbing and boat tours. There are also interesting places here such as Matka Monastery and Vrelo Cave.
Nobel Peace Prize winner Mother Teresa was born in Skopje and the Mother Teresa House was built in her memory. The house contains a museum and exhibition areas.
The Museum of the Macedonian Struggle is a very important museum for Macedonia. The museum, which tells the story of the struggle for independence, offers a tour with both sculptures and photographs. You can take a journey through time in the museum, which is one of the most visited places in Skopje.
The Macedonian Arch is one of the city's important works. The 21-meter-high work has 32 reliefs depicting important events from prehistoric times to the country's independence. The city view can be seen from the upper part of the arch, which has a gallery and a souvenir shop inside.
Tavče Gravče: Considered the national dish of Macedonia, this dish is made with beans. The beans are baked with onion, red pepper and various spices. Pastrmajlija is a dish with salted and dried meat pieces arranged on a flat pita. Also known as Macedonian pita. Don't miss to taste it.
Although the city is an old Ottoman settlement, the part of the river called the Old Bazaar or Turkish Bazaar contains more Ottoman artifacts. The bazaar, which contains mosques, inns and baths, is quite reminiscent of its Anatolian counterparts in its shops. It is also possible to come across examples of old Turkish houses in this area, which is full of narrow, cobblestoned, irregular side streets. The number of shopkeepers who speak Turkish is also quite high in this area, which is quite popular with its Balkan restaurants.
Built in the mid-15th century, Kapan Han (Kapan ан) is located within the borders of the Turkish Bazaar. Travelers are given two different opinions about the existence of the Ottoman structure, which covers an area of 1,086 square meters. In the first of these opinions, the inn
It is said that it was built on the site of an old building built by Ishak Pasha. In another, it is said that this building has survived with a change of name.
OHRID
Ohrid is the eighth largest city in North Macedonia. The city, which is close to the Albanian border of Macedonia, continues to be a pristine place today. By the way, the difference between Ohrid and Ohrid is the difference in the pronunciation of the people, one is Macedonian and the other is Albanian, so there are such differences. Ohrid used to be called the city of churches. Since there are 365 days, there were 365 churches. But there are not that many churches now. Its architecture is very well preserved and was included in the world heritage list by UNESCO in 1979.
The Church of St. Clement and Panteleimon is the most tourist-attracting church in Ohrid. Its capacity is 3,000 people. Since the church is the most important church in the whole country, it is flooded on special days and Christmas. In an excavation carried out in 2007, 2,383 Venetian coins were found in the church.
St. Clement used this place as an educational center where more than 3,500 students were educated in Slavic literature and culture and the Cyrillic alphabet. After the Ottoman conquest of the Balkans, the church was converted into a Fetih Mosque and was named Imaret Mosque or Sinan Çelebi Mosque. The church was rebuilt in accordance with the original with the reconstruction works that started in 2000. It looks quite new.
The Church of St. John overlooks Lake Ohrid and is one of the most important structures in the city, and is definitely worth a visit.
Ohrid Ancient Theatre is used for activities such as opera, shows, concerts. It dates back to the Roman and Hellenistic periods. It is located in the old Ohrid area. It is open to all tourists throughout the day.
Ohrid Old Bazaar can be called the heart of Ohrid, both in the past and the present.
While walking around the bazaar, you feel like you are in an Anatolian town. The Old Bazaar consists of only one main street. It ends at Ohrid Central Square, which used to be a food market. The city, which is more of a cultural and religious center, has not grown much in trade.
Ohrid Trout (Ohridska Pastrmka): This type of trout grown in Lake Ohrid is one of the most famous dishes in the city and in all of Macedonia. It is usually served grilled or baked. I recommend you not to leave without trying it.
Ohrid’s lakeside setting offers a wide range of options, from terraced lounges perfect for sunset drinks to cutting-edge European bistros, pubs and bars. Sip your wine with a local wine selection at Kadmo Bar, accompanied by the lake swans, or listen to live jazz at the great nightclub The Jazz Inn, while Cuba Libre Beach Bar and Nightclub offers something for everyone.
Accommodation recommendation: Dono Apartments
5 Kozara 10, 1000 Skopje, North Macedonia • Distance to the center 0.8 km Skopje
Accommodation recommendation: Kukuzel Apartments
11 Petar Caulev, 6000 Ohrid, North Macedonia • Distance to the center 0.5 km OHRID
