Skopje

Resource: myMacedonia.net Skopje is the capital and the largest city of the Republic of Macedonia. It lies on the upper course of the Vardar river and is located on a major north - south Balkan route between Beograd and Athens. The city of Skopje has been for the first time mentioned by Claudius Ptolomeius, under its ancient name of Skupi. In the 2nd century B.C. Skupi was founded by the Romans. In this period, the city experienced real bloom on several fields, it became a large religious center with its own bishop. In the year of 518 the city was destroyed by a disastrous earthquake. Wonderful architectonic buildings, numerous public baths and the ancient amphitheater built in a roman style, large basilica with mosaic floors have completely disappeared from the earth’s face. Since then Scupi is not mentioned any more. The Skopje valley got a new city center called "Justinijana Prima". By the end of the VI th century, in front of the ramparts of the city the Slavic people have showed up, which managed to occupy and to slovenize it for a period of only one century. This area was settled by the Slavic tribe Berziti and gives the city the new name Skopje.

During the existence of the first Macedonian state and the Macedonian Tsar Samoil, the city becomes part of the Samoil’s empire. In the later years a lot of conquerors have passed through the streets of the city, Bulgarians, Byzantium's, Serbians. In the year of 1392, the city falls under the Turkish rule. Up to 1453 Skopje was a throne of the Turkish sultans and later it developed in a significant craftsmen and commercial center. A lot of authors who write about their travels have expressed their delight from the city. The Turkish writer Dilger Zede who has visited the city in the 17th century says, "I traveled for a long time across that country of Rumelija and I saw a lot of beautiful cities and I was amazed from the Allah blessings, but not one has impressed and delighted me so much as the heavens city of Skopje across which passes the river Vardar".

On 25th of October 1689 in front of the city gates, arrives the Austrian general Picolomini with its army. An event with an outstanding significance for Skopje. "I decided to burn the city in order not to leave the enemy something that could be of use to him . Although it is not easy, I decided to turn the city into ashes". From the hillsides of the Vodno mountain, Pikolomini was observing the fire: "I am sorry for the houses such as I have not seen at all in this war. The mosques are from the highest quality marble and porphyry, decorated with thousands lamps on a golden plated holders, which one would devote equal attention even in Rome. I feel sorry for the nice antiquities, gardens and places for entertainment." The fire was raging for two days and except the massive stone buildings, the city was completely destroyed. Up until the half of the 19th century, the city could not recover back its previous appearance in front of which the numerous people who write about their traveling have stopped with a delight.In the 19th century, the city becomes an important traffic center.

Moving towards the countries from the middle east, Napoleon has found out the road through Skopje. A lot of merchants with their endless caravans loaded with various goods have been passing through the city. In this period the city reaches the biggest development of the handicrafts. Later, Skopje begins to change its appearance. After the First World War on the right side of the river Vardar a modern city has been built. 26th of July 1963 is remembered as the longest day in the history of the city. Strong earthquake, of two severe and a few weaker shocks, turned the city into ruins. Numerous cultural monuments were seriously damaged or erased from the face of the earth. Some of the houses built immediately after the tragic event are shown in the forefront. Skopje was rebuilt since then and the new residential quarters bear little resemblance with old Skopje. Many international architects participated in it reconstruction. According to the idea of the Japanese urban planner Kenzo Tanga, the center was given a "city wall" of high - rise buildings, while the banks of the Vardar were laid out as pleasant tree - lined promenades. The ancient trading quarter (carsija) has been completely renovated, but has preserved all the notable features of its original architecture. In this setting the old buildings of cultural and historical interest are seen to even better advantage. They include the Kale Fortress raised in the 6th century (its present appearance dates from the Turkish period), Daut - Pasha's baths (15th century, now the Art Gallery), and Mustafa - pasha's mosque (15th c). The 19th century iconostasis of the church of the Holy Savior (Sveti Spas) (17th c.) in Skopje, carved in walnut, combines a profusion of plant and animal motifs with the figures of saints in local costumes. This realistic high-relief carving is the work of skilful craftsmen of the Debar area, who included their own figures in one corner of the iconostasis. The iconostasis at Holy Savior church is one of the finest samples of traditional woodcarving which can be found on the territory of the Republic of Macedonia along with the iconostasis of St. Jovan Bigorski Monastery. On the slopes of nearby Mt. Vodno stands the famous church of St. Pantelejmon from 1164, decorated with frescoes of exceptional artistic value.