Skopje, the capital of the Republic of Macedonia, is the largest city in the country and its political, economic, academic and cultural hub. Geographically, it is located on the major north-south Balkan route between Belgrade and Athens and is ensconced in the upper course of the Vardar River. A trip to the Balkans is not complete without a stop over at this refreshingly pretty city, with its beautiful mosques, fashionable bars and quality Skopje hotels.
Situated in the heart of the Balkan Peninsula, Macedonia is at the crossroads of traditional and modern living. A million traditions have existed in this country, and its a wonderful experience learning the history and culture of this beautiful land.
Skopje has been a centre of power and authority to many empires in the past. Some successfully captured it while for some it was a coveted seat. The modernity of the city belies the grit of a nation that survived the catastrophic 1963 earthquake. A visit to parts of Old Skopje is evidence of the city's rich and tragic past and there is much to see and do there. Pick up a map of Skopje, and wander the streets of Skopje breathing in the fascinating history and local culture!
The Old Town is dominated by the Skopje Fortress and houses over a thousand shops, restaurants and pastry shops. It is also the location of the Church of the Holy Saviour. The Church displays unique and masterful wood carvings from the 18th and l9th centuries. There are Skopje hotels close to all monuments in Skopje, and a number of local tours in Skopje to help you explore them all!
For the history hungry traveller, the Archives of Macedonia, the Natural History Museum, the Museum of Macedonia, and the Museum of Contemporary Art provide enough material to explore Macedonia's past. Several art galleries dot the city so it is worth your while to stroll through them and see the work of both known and unknown artists.
Macedonia lies on a plateau, which makes the country green and picturesque. The locals are friendly and hospitable, and warmly welcome visitors to their land. Having had many empires establish themselves and a witness to their glory and disasters, Macedonia is filled with mysterious folklore that is passed down generations. Many performers throughout the city stage them for the benefit of visitors at numerous events in Skopje.
Skopje is a relatively new and modern city compared to the rest of the world. However, the initial impression of a first timer is that it is akin to any old urban city. The city serves as a trading centre for much of the produce from the surrounding regions. Cotton, grains, tobacco, livestock and food items are the frequently traded commodities in the highly active commodity market. Chemicals, textiles, iron and steel, chemicals, electrical machinery, carpets and pottery are also traded in the international markets as the country has several factories manufacturing them.
Skopje was founded before the 3rd century AD as an Illyrian city. Somewhere along the 4th century AD it became a Roman post called Scupi. It was invaded by the Serbs and the Ottoman Turks in 1392 and 1189, respectively. It was in 1918 that it became part of Yugoslavia. Unfortunately, the political unrest served to drive travellers and interested industrialists away. However, growing stability in the Balkan regions is slowly bringing back the business houses and tourists.
There are many interesting hotels in Skopje and you can use our Skopje map to help you choose a hotel in Skopje based on its location. The city also has good transport links and is well connected to the rest of the country as well as with the neighbouring nations in the Balkan region. The Belgrade-Athens highway is one such famous highway running through Skopje. Skopje is accessible by air, rail and road. The main airport of the country is in Skopje.
Skopje plays a vital part in the cultural and the academic development of the entire nation. It is the home to the main universities, like the Macedonian Academy of Science and Arts, the National and University Library, the Methodius University and the SS Cyril. The city is also culturally very active, with many theatre and ballet companies operating from here. Some of the known names are the Macedonian National Theatre and Drama, the Drama Theatre and the Theatre of Nationalities.
When travelling to Skopje don't forget to book your Skopje hotels and Skopje tours, and also check out our other destinations in the Balkans, including Tirana, Montenegro & Bosnia & Herzegovina! In our network of travel sites you can also book Sofia Hotels, Sarajevo Hotels and Cappadocia Hotels!
