The Macedonia capital celebrates the heritage of Alexander the Great, and the world is invited.

Holidaymakers seeking new adventures in Europe, take note: In Skopje, an up-and-coming Balkan destination, all roads lead to the mighty Alexander the Great.

The national capital of the Republic of Macedonia has an international airport and a major highway named after the legendary warrior-king.  

Then, there is the unnamed eight-storey colossus that bears more than a passing resemblance to the conqueror and his beloved steed. Cast in bronze, it dominates the city’s main square alongside other supersized statues that keep watch over Skopje.

These giants are part of Skopje 2014, an ambitious four-year construction project that has placed this former Yugoslav republic high on travellers’ wish lists. Completed in 2014, the neo-classical facelift has transformed the 2,500-year-old city into one the country deemed worthy of Alexander the Great.

A stroll along Skopje’s squares and streets takes you past new statues, bridges, grand monuments, civic buildings and museums that show off the city’s burgeoning cultural hub status. Also not to be missed: Ancient attractions that let you take in Skopje’s richly layered Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman past.

Thanks to Qatar Airways, visitors looking to explore the legacy of Macedonia’s spiritual father need not ride into the city on a war horse. Skopje is now part of the much-lauded airline’s network of more than 150 cities worldwide. Four weekly flights are available between Singapore Changi Airport and Alexander the Great International Airport via the carrier’s hub in Doha.

Qatar Airways was a big winner at the 2017 Skytrax World Airline Awards in June, picking up these accolades: Airline of the Year, Best Airline in the Middle East, World’s Best Business Class and World’s Best First Class Airline Lounge.

Here’s what to do after getting to Skopje in style.

ENJOY VIEWS OF THE CITY FROM TVRDINA KALE FORTRESS

Take in a slice of Macedonian history at the medieval Tvrdina Kale Fortress.

Pay tribute to a soaring architectural treasure that has been protecting the city since the sixth century — the unmissable Tvrdina Kale Fortress (free entry). The majestic Game of Thrones-style ramparts at Carsija, a short walk from the city centre, sit at the city’s highest point and dominate its skyline. A stroll on this medieval structure that has outlasted empires lets you take in fantastic views and a slice of Macedonian history.

CROSS THE STONE BRIDGE

The graceful 15th-century Stone Bridge is a symbol of Skopje. 

In this city of contrasts, a striking medieval symbol connects the lures of the Ottoman-era old bazaar to the city’s newly manufactured grandeur at Macedonia Square: The Stone Bridge that spans the River Vardar. Built on Roman foundations and constructed from solid stone blocks, this graceful, 15th-century icon is an Instagrammer’s dream — stunning by day and breathtaking at night when it is lit.

The enduring charm of Stone Bridge and crowds of people navigating the wide crossing make it easy to forget that the structure has a darker side: The leader of the anti-Ottoman Karposh uprising of 1689 was believed to have been executed here.

BE DAZZLED BY ICONS OF THE CITY

Whichever part of town you end up in after crossing Stone Bridge, you will see a side of Skopje that will make your trip unforgettable.

The Ottoman-era Daut Pasha hamam now functions as the National Gallery of Macedonia. 

On the eastern bank of the Vardar lies the old bazaar that was the heart of the city in Byzantine and Ottoman days. Said to be the largest of its kind in the Balkans, this colourful tangle of streets is worth exploring for picture-perfect attractions such as medieval mosques, cafes serving authentic local eats, and shops selling everything from traditional crafts to fresh produce.

Cultural treasures close by include the 15th-century Daut Pasha hamam (or bathhouse), a gem of Ottoman architecture that now functions as the National Gallery of Macedonia as well as the Sveti Spas Church. The main draws at this 14th-century Byzantine wonder are its exquisite 6m hand-carved iconostasis — a large panel of Christian icons separating the sanctuary from worshippers — and well-preserved frescos.  

Byzantine Emperor Justinian I (482 to 565) was born in Dardania (Republic of Macedonia today), and is now immortalised near Stone Bridge.

On the opposite bank of the river, new landmarks for future generations dominate Plostad Makedonija (or Macedonia Square). Dwarfing visitors to the main square and its main streets are mammoth tributes to national heroes, including the gleaming Warrior on a Horse. Also promising to boost national pride while dazzling foreign visitors is Porta Macedonia — the city’s triumphal arch, illuminated fountains, and a host of cultural and government buildings.

ENJOY A HIKE TO THE MILLENNIUM CROSS

Millennium Cross on Mount Vodno to the southwest of Skopje is a towering icon of faith. 

Here is another goliath begging to be explored during your getaway: The 1,066m Mount Vodno. Located to the southwest of the city, it is home to the most spectacular views in Skopje and the sky-piercing Millennium Cross. A three-hour hike — or quicker, less strenuous bus-and-cable-car ride — takes you to the 66m cross at the summit of the mountain. This towering icon of faith was completed in 2002 to celebrate 2,000 years of Christianity. 

Take advantage of Qatar Airway's promotional fares now. Prices start at S$1,109 for flights to Skopje and from S$869 to other European cities. Terms and conditions apply.

For details, visit Qatarairways

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SOURCE: TODAY ONLINE

Skopje is the capital of the Republic of Macedonia. The territory of Skopje has been inhabited since at least 4,000 BC and lies in the heart of the Balkan Peninsula. Skopje appeals to visitors with its fortress, cultural and historical monuments, archaeological sites, caves in the canyon of the River Treska and Lake Matka, and a health spa.

Skopje has existed for 2,500 years and has seen a number of settlers, from Roman to Byzantine, from Ottoman to Yugoslav with each group leaving their mark on the city.  Much of the city was destroyed by an earthquake in 1963, and in an effort to rebuild, an international competition to redesign the city was held. The contract was won by Japanese architect Kenzo Tange and Skopje was reborn in a unique, futuristic style. To this day, the clock on the remaining wall of the old railway station remains stuck at 5:17, the moment the earthquake hit.

The cultural offerings of the city range from the Triumphal Gate to the giant statue of Alexander the Great, as well as numerous museums and the old stone bridge. Head to Makedonija street for bustling nightlife, restaurants, bars and coffee shops.

PLACES TO VISIT IN SKOPJE

Millenium Cross

The Millennium Cross is a 66 metre-high cross situated on top of the Vodno Mountain in Skopje. The construction of the cross began in 2002  to serve as a memorial of 2,000 years of Christianity in Macedonia and the world. In 2008, on 8 September – the independence day of the Republic of Macedonia – an elevator was installed inside the cross. The following year, a restaurant and a souvenir shop were opened by the cross, and in 2011 the Millennium Cross ropeway, stretching 3.5 kilometres was opened. At night the cross is lit up and shines down over the city. Take a trip on the Millennium Cross Cable Car which boasts 28 regular gondolas for eight persons and two VIP gondolas for four people. The ride last about 6-8 minutes.

Old Bazar

The Old Bazaar is one of the oldest and largest marketplaces in the Balkans, it has been Skopje’s centre for trade and commerce since the 12th century. The Bazaar came into prominence during the Ottoman era when it developed to become the city’s main centre of commerce. The Ottoman history of the bazaar in evident through the presence of approximately 30 mosques and a number of caravanserais among other historical indicators. The Old Bazaar is still home to several active mosques, türbes, two churches and a clock tower, that, together with the buildings of the Museum of Macedonia and the Museum of Modern Art, form the core of the modern bazaar.

Matka

Meaning ‘womb’ in Macedonian, Matka is a canyon located west of central Skopje, only a 30-minute drive from the city. A favourite weekend destination, this man-made lake is in a canyon formed by the river Treska. The natural beauty of the area is stunning and best taken in while on a boat, which can also take you to the Vrelo Cave, one of the more famous caves in the area. Perfect for hikes and picnics, there’s also a restaurant for those who just want to sit back and relax. The area is also home to several monasteries rife with history.

Kale

Often referred to as Kale or Kale Fortress, this Skopje fortress is located in the old town at the highest point in the city overlooking the Vardar River. The fortress is depicted on the coat of arms of Skopje, which in turn is incorporated in the city’s flag.

Museums

When you visit Skopje, visit at least one of the city’s museums. The city is home to a number of museums, from the National Archaeological Museum to the Museum of Macedonia and many more. For an introduction to all the museums in Skopje, visit Hello Skopje.  

The inaugural flight from Skopje to Malta took place Friday as TAV Macedonia is marking the introduction of three new routes, namely Malta, Rome and Vaxjo, as well as its decision to invest in the deployment of its fourth aircraft at the Skopje base.

The modern 180-seater Airbus A320 aircraft will conduct operations on the new routes from Skopje to Malta, Rome and Vaxjo.

“Wizz Air, Macedonia’s number one airline, keeps growing and providing more opportunities to our customers to travel in Europe and beyond on the lowest fares. Our fourth aircraft at Skopje Airport will create a number of additional local jobs with WIZZ and the new destinations added to the network mean an even greater choice for WIZZ passengers of 27 popular routes to 13 countries operating from Skopje,” Sorina Ratz, Communications Manager at Wizz Air said at a news conference.

The new aircraft allocated to WIZZ’s Skopje base is bringing the total investment by Wizz Air in Macedonia to over $396 million and a local staff of 139 employees, according to the Hungarian low-cost airline.

“I would like to express our appreciation for the decision of Wizz Air to base its 4th aircraft at Skopje Alexander the Great Airport, which is an important decision since the investment is huge and it shows that Macedonian aviation is still developing and stable. With basing 4th aircraft the airline will add three more new destinations – Vaxjo (Sweden), Malta and Rome, and increase the frequencies of some of the existing routes. TAV Macedonia will continue to work on opening new routes and expanding the frequencies of the existing ones, for which we closely cooperate with Ministry of Transport, and all competent governmental institutions, stated Alper Ersoy, TAV Macedonia General Manager.

Wizz Air’s massive expansion at its Skopje base brings an 17% increase to its total yearly capacity, including the increased frequencies on some of the most popular routes to: Eindhoven, Brussels Charleroi, Memmingen (Munich West), Copenhagen, Gothenburg Landvetter and Bratislava. At the same time, Wizz Air will provide a daily connection from Skopje to the popular destinations like Malmo and Mulhouse. The extended WIZZ low-fare network from Macedonia will further stimulate tourism and hospitality industries, while strengthening business relations between the countries, Wizz Air says in a press release.

Since the beginning of 2017, over half a million passengers traveled on WIZZ routes from Skopje, which is an increase of 12% compared to the same period last year and which supported over 375 jobs in associated industries in the area.

In the first six month of 2017, TAV Macedonia registered a 6% increase in the number of passengers compared to the same period last year, i.e. the two airports in Macedonia – Alexander the Great in Skopje and St. Paul the Apostle in Ohrid – handled a total of 860,130 passengers from January to July.

Quirky Skopje seems to be a city with an identity crisis – with brand new, neo-classical architecture that wouldn’t look out of place in Athens or Rome, Ottoman era mosques and Albanian influenced bazaars,  hundreds of huge quirky and kitsch bronze statues, a Parisian style ‘Arc De Triomph, red London double decker buses that ply the streets, a huge 66 meter high cross atop of a hill that is kind of like Macedonia’s version of Rio’s Christ the Redeemer and even a London Eye in the pipeline.

All this makes Macedonia’s capital an interesting, diverse and fun place to wander around and explore but I couldn’t help wondering why this country, one of the poorest in Europe (meaning its also one of the cheapest bargains for travellers)  has spent so much money on all these quirky statues and monuments that seem a little out of place.

Perhaps this it’s not surprising that Macedonia is so diverse given its geography and its long and interesting history.

Skopje stands at a cross roads in South Eastern Europe between Greece and Serbia to the South and North, and with Albania to the West and Bulgaria and Turkey to the East.

Macedonia has already lived through many reincarnations including being part of the Roman Empire, 500 years of Ottoman rule and part of Yugoslavia before finally gaining independence in 1991. The city has also been raised to the ground and rebuilt after several earthquakes, one in 1963 destroyed most of the city in just a few minutes.

Even now there are still debates and controversy over the very name of the country – Greece recognises Macedonia as a region of Greece and as long as Greece challenges Macedonia on its name, its access to Nato and the EU is essentially blocked.

Skopje’s city center must be the statue capital of the world. I’ve never seen so many statues in one city! In fact I asked my walking tour guide how many statues there were and he said that nobody actually knows!

One of the most striking statues is a 22-meter statue called Warrior on a Horse. It is widely understood to depict Alexander the Great, but cannot be officially named that because of a long-running dispute with Greece, who also claim him as their national hero. Macedonia made sure they had the biggest statue but now Greece are building another to beat it and the Macedonians are planning a way to usurp them again!

So why are there so many statues in Skopje?

Since 2010, In an controversial attempt to attract more tourism and increase patriotism and national identity this former soviet bloc capital has been under much regeneration in recent years as these huge civic buildings, public works and statues have been built as part of Project 2014.

The architecture and statues are certainly interesting and tourism has increased a lot but this Disneylandish project is controversial with many locals because of allegations of corruption and because they believe the money would have been better spent elsewhere and that many of the developments actually have little connection to Macedonia’s heritage. 

The project has cost somewhere between €200-€500m and there are even statues of shoe shiners and beggars – but surely the amount of money that it cost to build these statues would probably have been better spent helping the shoes shiners and beggars out of poverty?

Even so, Macedonia’s capital is an interesting, quirky and unpretentious, multicultural city that is great value for money and has a lot to explore and I really enjoyed visiting. Don’t miss visiting this bargain offbeat gem.

Tips for visiting Skopje

Macedonia is a beautiful country that is one of the cheapest and best value destinations in Europe. Macedonia is not in the Euro which makes it more of a bargain, you can find a hostel bed for only €6 or a hotel from €15 and you can eat a meal out for about 100 MKD which is less than €2

It’s easy and cheap to get around on public transport and is well connected to neighbouring countries like Greece, Serbia, Bulgaria and the rest of Europe. Whizz Air also has cheap flights to Skopje – you can get flights from London Luton from only £13!

Macedonia packs a lot into a small country, there’s lots to do in the capital Skopje don’t miss gorgeous Lake Ohrid

Of course I had to stay at Shanti Hostel in Skopje which I loved. Its close to the bus and train  station and easy walking distance to the center and has a relaxed and friendly home away from home atmosphere.

Did you know that Macedonia is also the only country in Europe that Indian citizens do not need a visa for!

SOURCE

The ‘Macedonian Village’ ethno complex located in the village of Nerezi near St. Panteleimon monastery has become a real touristic attraction! The ethno complex has 12,000 square meters and reflects the traditional Macedonian architecture.

SOURCE: HELLO SKOPJE

What to do in Skopje, Republic of Macedonia – Europe’s most eclectic capital!

A controversial and not to mention very expensive renovation programme has turned this once relatively quiet former Yugoslavian city into a neoclassical masterpiece. Launched in 2010, Skopje 2014, to give the project its correct title, was a government backed initiative aimed at giving Skopje a more classical appeal (with the hope of attracting more tourists) and the Macedonian people a sense of national identity.

Skopje Macedonia | few days in Skopje

I can understand the ideology behind it; no doubt the Macedonians get fed up to the back teeth with people thinking their country is part of Greece and after the breakup of Yugoslavia, creating a national identity must have seemed like the right thing to do. But boy, did the government take it to another level. An abundance of ‘ancient’ bridges, statues and stately buildings make you feel like you have walked onto the film set of Troy or if I’m being unkind, Meet the Spartans. Skopje is historicist kitsch at its very best and for many Macedonians (including the friendly woman we spoke to at the tourist board), the money spent on the project could have been better used elsewhere.

That’s not to say that we didn’t like Skopje. In fact we loved it. With the camera snapping ten to the dozen, we spent a few days wandering around the city, marvelling at statues of Macedonian heroes (and possibly a few borrowed Greek ones!) encircled by over the top fountains and monumental faux-classical buildings that some locals don’t even know exist.

All this classical nod to the past nearly distracts from Skopje’s other attractions. For starters, there’s the city’s Old Bazaar, the largest in the Balkans outside of Istanbul, a pleasant hilltop fortress with great views and interesting memorabilia associated with Mother Teresa who was born in the city and lived in Macedonia for about eighteen years before moving away. Add tasty food, a lively outdoor café and bar culture and very cheap beer and you’re onto a winner!

The best place to start is the Porta Macedonia, a large triumphal arch on Pella Square. Before heading to the big hitters on the Vardar River, take a slight detour east to see the Monument to Fallen Heroes for Macedonia.

Located in the small Žena Borec Park, there are a couple of classic socialist-era statues to look at including the Monument of the Defenders of Macedonia but the real gem is the whitewashed monument topped with four golden horses rearing on their hind legs and fronted by a very camp-looking golden male holding a golden torch. The whole thing is very, well golden, and I should also mention the golden angel complete with golden wings who stands next to the four golden horses.

From here it’s a minute’s walk to Macedonian Square. If the powers that be are not still knocking it down and rebuilding it again, which they were doing when we were there in April 2015, then check out the multitude of statues dedicated to national heroes, including the resplendent Warrior on a Horse before strolling the short distance to the riverfront.

Get ready for an architectural smack in the chops as you next step onto the Bridge of Civilisations. Keeping an eye out for passing chariots and Aristotle-types in togas, pause and take stock of the gargantuan buildings before you.

The Archaeological Museum is one of the most impressive of all the buildings lining the north bank of the Vardar River, but there are several more of a similar ilk. I particularly liked the skinny Agency for Electronic Communications building.

Cross over the bridge and take a short detour to your left to see the Macedonian National Theatre and the Museum of the Macedonian Struggle. Go inside the museum if so inclined before coming to Karpos’s Rebellion Square. The centre of the square is the Warrior monument. Surrounded by an all singing, all dancing and very colourful water fountain, the statue is officially named ‘warrior’, but it is generally considered to be a depiction of Alexander the Great’s father, Philip II of Macedon. Denting the country’s coffers by the princely sum of 7.5 million euros, the statue is one of the most photographed sculptures in Skopje.

Karpos’s Rebellion Square serves as a main entrance to the Čaršija neighbourhood and the city’s Old Bazaar and it’s the obvious place to head to next.

A welcome respite from the grandeur of the river banks, Čaršija is still very much a workaday neighbourhood. Sure, the Old Bazaar has its fair share of tourist-related shops and restaurants but it’s easy to get lost in the backstreets, sip tea in a simple cafe and observe local craftsmen at work.

Heck, you can even still buy a sleeveless sheepskin jacket just like the one Anthony Quinn wore in The Guns of Navarone.

If we didn’t travel so light I would have got myself one of those although there is a rumour that my father-in-law (Kirsty’s dad – not pictured by the way, that’s Anthony Quinn!) still has one stored away in the attic somewhere, purchased during his adventures in the Balkans back in the 1960s.

Skopje Macedonia | few days in SkopjeThe Guns of Navarone, Anthony Quinn, 1961

The Old Bazaar is mainly about strolling around but if you want a focus, the modern and very hectic Bit Pazar (sometimes called Pit Bazar) at the top end of the district is worth a peak as is Sveti Spas Church where the underground wooden iconostasis (wall of icons and religious paintings) is impressive indeed. But for us, the Mustafa Pasha Mosque was the must-see sight in the Old Bazaar. A fine example of Ottoman architecture, the mosque is situated on the eastern fringes of the bazaar and if you leave it until last, it is only a short (uphill) walk from the mosque to the Tvrdina Kale Fortress. Byzantine and later Ottoman, the city’s castle is not that impressive inside, but it does offer great 360 degree views. You won’t miss the huge National Arena Philip II of Macedonia stadium if you poke your head over the castle’s northern parapet.

If you head back down to the main road below the fortress and cross the newly renovated Goce Delčev Bridge (check out the lions, one of which was cast in Florence at a cost 1.5 million euros), you can follow the river in a northwesterly direction until you get to the Government of the Republic of Macedonia building. Quite a modest affair in comparison with other city buildings (maybe someone ran out of money?), the government building is very low key security-wise and you can walk right up to the entrance if you are so inclined.

Heading back to the film set, I mean the centre of town, the last stop on this walking tour is the picturesque Stone Bridge.

Dating back to Roman times, the bridge is a short distance from the Bridge of Civilisations and is a key design feature in the city’s coat of arms. There’s a great view of the fortress and the ‘ancientness’ on the north bank of the Vardar River from here and also check out the little swimming statue in the river. She disappears and reemerges again depending on the level of the tide. The statue is a nice touch!

Away from Skopje city centre

A short distance from the pomp of the city centre, things tend to be a bit more normal. The buildings are like any other regular buildings that you may see in other Balkan cities, the tourists thin out and Skopjeans (I don’t think this is a real word, but I like it!) go about their daily business. It’s nice to just wander around this part of the city, but there are a couple of focal points worth making a beeline for. The Memorial House of Mother Teresa is a short walk southeast of Macedonian Square. You wouldn’t think that this strange looking building (Lonely Planet describe it as a ‘retro-futuristic structure’) was where Mother Teresa spent her formative years but apparently she did and the building is full of MT memorabilia.

Keep heading south and you come to the Museum of the City of Skopje. We looked at the outside of the building (an old train station) but didn’t have the energy to go inside yet another museum so I can’t give an opinion of whether it is worth a visit. We did, however, go inside the futuristic-looking Church of St. Clement of Ohrid. Located 1km north of the museum, the church is the largest cathedral of the Macedonian Orthodox Church. It looks like a great big spider (well it did to us anyway!) and from the church it is a 700m walk back to Macedonian Square.

Where to stay in Skopje

We stayed at Modern Living Apartments. They have several apartments available for rent throughout the city. We stayed at the one on Macedonian Square. Along with Studio 15 in Belgrade, it is probably the best apartment we stayed in during our time in Eastern and Southern Europe thus far. We could see Macedonian Square from our kitchen/living room window. We had a separate bedroom, a really nice kitchen/living area, plenty of natural light and it was also nice and peaceful at night. The bathroom could have done with being a bit bigger and the view of Macedonian Square would have been much nicer minus the construction work, but you can’t really blame the apartment owner for that! We paid €30 a night and considered it excellent value for money.

And one final thing

I think we were incredibly lucky with the timing of our visit to Skopje. Although Macedonian Square was sealed off and under its second round of reconstruction, the majority of the buildings and statues that we saw were free of building work. With project work still ongoing (where is the money coming from?) and only a few people in the know about what’s next on the redevelopment agenda (for sure, the nice lady at the tourist board isn’t one of them!), it is tricky to know when to visit. For example, the Government of the Republic of Macedonia building was apparently a mass of scaffolding and nowhere near completion in October 2014. There was no such evidence of this seven months later when we visited. As a word of caution, if you decide to visit Skopje, try and do a little research before committing to dates to ensure you won’t just be wandering around one massive building site for a day or two.

Source

German low budget carrier Eurowings, a part of Lufthansa group, will operate flights linking Macedonia's capital with Germany's Munich starting from October 31, local media reported on Friday. It will be the first operation for Eurowings from Alexander the Great Airport in Skopje.

The company will operate on the Skopje-Munich route twice a week, on Tuesdays and Fridays, with an 174-seat Airbus A320-200.

Eurowings, which is headquartered in Duesseldorf, flies to more than 140 destinations in over 40 countries in Europe. In southeastern Europe it operates flights to Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Serbia, Kosovo and Montenegro.

Low­-cost airline "Wizz Air" will introduce flights from Skopje to Malta, Rome and Vaxjo (Sweden) on July 14-16, in parallel with adding one more aircraft to the Skopje airport fleet.

Wizz Air also marks the 3­-million mark in the number of passengers from and to Macedonia with a 20-­percent discount on Tuesday's bookings for flights from Skopje to any of 27 destinations.

"Addition of the fourth aircraft to the Skopje base, the three new destinations and the increased frequency on existing flights means more jobs in Macedonia and Wizz Air, but also our business partners. This will also provide an incentive to the tourism and hospitality industries and enhance business relations in Macedonia", said Owain Jones, Wizz Air Chief Corporate Officer, at today's promotion.

Minister of Transport and Communications Vlado Misajlovski stressed the government is continually implementing successful policies in the airline sector, which yield concrete results. "Since 2012, the government's financial support has resulted in the introduction of 28 flights to European cities, transporting more than half of the passengers using Macedonian airports. I expect the number of increase following the launch of the three new destinations", said Misajlovski. Alper Ersoy, general manager of airports' concessionaire TAV Macedonia, expects huge interest for the new flights. "These three destinations, along with the already announced flight to Budapest launching on April 2, are truly attractive at the market. This is a result of our continual marketing­-studies and activities", added Ersoy. Wizz Air operates 29 flights to 13 countries from the Skopje and Ohrid airports.

Qatar Airways has officially confirmed that the Skopje-Doha flight will be launched on 17 July, said Minister of Transport and Communications Vlado Misajlovski on Monday.

“The airline has informed us it will start procedures over obtaining flight permits, whereas the first Skopje-Doha flight will be introduced on 17 July. This global airline will offer new possibilities for Macedonian citizens and direct flights to the Middle East”, said Misajlovski at today’s press conference.

He added that air traffic in Macedonia has achieved progress in recent years, both in number of passengers and new destinations.

“We completed 2016 with a record number of 1,8 million passengers at the Skopje and Ohrid airports. Today, we have over 30 destinations, 25 of which operated by low-cost airlines. We remain on the same course of attracting new airlines that will offer fresh destinations at accessible ticket prices”, said Misajlovski.

Skopje in Macedonia is possibly probably the most underrated metropolitan areas within the Balkans. Having a shiny new airport terminal and growing quantity of budget air carriers touching lower there, it’s a fantastic choice for an inexpensive saturday and sunday or starting off a complete-fledged search for Macedonia and it is surrounding nations, much like Used to do. There’s remarkably a great deal to do for individuals thinking about things like history, absurd architecture, Ottoman artefacts, and great night life.

Despite the fact that there’s a great deal of Socialist architecture and concrete (the town needed to be almost entirely reconstructed after 80% from it was destroyed with a 6.9 earthquake in 1963), Skopje in Macedonia is really a still an incredible mixture of Islamic and Christian culture. Mosques, places of worship, hammans and monuments to saints can be based in the city center, as well as Stara Charshija, the biggest bazaar within the Balkans outdoors Istanbul. A couple of other sights would be the recently reconstructed Macedonia Square, the Stone Bridge which goes back towards the sixth Century, Kale Fortress (though at the moment you cannot enter), along with a museum devoted to Mother Teresa, certainly one of Skopje’s most well-known natives.

Places to stay: Shanti Hostel and Shanti Hostel 2 truly grew to become my ‘home from home’ in Skopje. The 2 are actually nearby from each other in an exceedingly location. Rooms were very clean and they’ve all of the amenities you might need – free breakfast, strong Wi-fi compatability, laundry, cozy common areas, and awesome patios to relax. The proprietors and staff counseled me using this world and never only ensured everybody was comfortable, but additionally that people counseled me getting an excellent amount of time in Skopje.

That Old Bazaar neighbourhood of Skopje, referred to as Carsija, continues to be occupied for nearly 3, 000 years, and it has been an essential center for trade within the last 1000 years approximately! Most people presently residing in this neighourhood are ethnic Albanians, so there’s a multicultural..

If you wish to escape a realistic look at Skopje for any quick moment, go to the Fortress Kale. It’s situated conspicuously on the hill within the old a part of Skopje, over the Stone Bridge. Besides a fascinating fortress, it provides a great view within the town of Skopje. The ramp was partially built of gemstones from..

The Macedonian rail network radiates from Skopje with all of services departing and terminating came from here. The station was built-in the 1970’s (changing the previous station destroyed within the 1963 earthquake) included in the city’s combined “Transportation Centre” and thus shares its site using the primary bus station.

This really is simple to find, being situated in regards to a km southwest in the city center, and also the elevated platforms, using their fuselage-like superstructure, allow it to be instantly recognisable.

In early XX century, a Muslim man often came to the “St. Ilija” church in the village of Mirkovci, near Skopje, a took some of the water that sprung in the very church that he believed had healing properties and gave it to his ill wife. The pair believed that a miracle would happen and she would get healthy.

One day, the sexton serving in the monastery complex at the time, mumbled that he wouldn’t give healing water to a man from a different religion, so he filled his pot with water from the Banjani River, which flowed near the monastery. After some time, the Muslim man came back to the church, overjoyed and bringing presents. His wife got better and he believed it was because of the water from the church, not knowing that sometimes he was given water from the river. This story is told from generation to generation in the village of Mirkovci and we were reminded of it when we visited the monastery complex “St. Ilija” last weekend.

There is a situation depicted in a gospel in the Holy Bible about an ill woman who had spent her entire property on doctors, with none of them able to cure her. She approached from behind, touched Jesus’s clothes and suddenly got healthy. Jesus asked: “Who touched me?” The woman said it was her and why she had done it, to which Jesus replied: “Don’t be afraid my daughter, your faith saved you. Go with peace!”

Archaeological site “Balaklija”

People still come to the church to take some of the water they believe is healing. But, there are periods when there is no water because the spring dries up. Water sprung up again last year on the holiday of Good Friday – Balaklija, the day when the adjacent church, also part of the monastery complex, celebrates its patron. The holiday of Good Friday is dedicated to Virgin Mary because she washed Jesus’s wounds on this day, which is why people come to the springs to wash their face and eyes, or throw some water behind them three times. That is why this holiday is mostly celebrated in churches located near a spring. After the water sprung up on that day, it dried up again the very next, but reappeared again later.

The locals believe that the old and small church “Balaklija”, located just a few steps away from the church of “St. Ilija” is the oldest church in this part of Skopje with construction beginning in the XI century.

There isn’t much information in detail about this monastery, which is very popular among the people of Skopje on 2nd August – the Uprising Day. It was built before WWII on the site of the former monastery. There are three churches in the complex – the old “St. Ilija” church, the new “St. Ilija” church and the “Virgin Mary” church, or Balaklija, as locals call it.

The known information about this part of the city is recorded by the Centre for scientific research and promotion of culture in Skopje – HAEMUS. A team from the centre, led by Vasilka Dimitrovska, MSc in Archaeology, explored the village of Mirkovci in 2013 and found a new site, “Balaklija”. The results of the preliminary research showed that buildings from the late antique or medieval periods can be found in and around the village. We had the opportunity of seeing the items found by HAEMUS during our visit of the site.

According to HAEMUS’s research, there is a pillar made of stone of volcanic origin, which is part of the fence, in the yard of the “Virgin Mary” church, which, even though severely damaged, leads to the assumption that it was part of an object dating back to the late antique or medieval period. The field configuration with remains from a semi-circular, apsis-shaped stone structure, points to the possible existence of a sacred object. There haven’t been any surface findings and without any archaeological probing or excavation it is difficult to understand the character of the building.

There is a dislocated capital, which was part of a marble architectural sculpture of an early Christian basilica, located in the church, by one of the walls. The finding is pretty damaged and worn out, which points to a secondary use in later architectural buildings. Wax remains and a sitting pillow placed on it lead to an assumption that it may have been used for different purposes related to folklore and people’s beliefs. The capital is massive, heavy with different scenes depicted on the two sides – one depicts a cross flanked by volutes and the other – David’s 41st psalm, one of the most frequent motifs in art decoration of the Christian monuments.

“The presence of a capital from an early Christian basilica leads to an assumption that we should be looking for the remains of a great sacred building, which probably existed in the same period as the town and the necropolis” – Dimitrovska says.

Other items have also been found – a proof of the rich history of this region

According to Macedonia’s archaeological map, two sites have been registered in the village of Mirkovci so far. Several monuments, or findings, from the Roman period have been recorded to the “Preku Reka” toponym and they are kept in the lapidarium at the Museum of Macedonia. A necropolis from the late antique has been recorded to the “Shumanica” toponym, north of the village, with remains from tombs with stone plate constructions likely to have existed in the village farmlands, but destroyed during the farmers’ work.

The research of HAEMUS gives us an insight of this part of Skopje yet to be explored.

Monastic life

The monastery complex “St. Ilija” – Chardak is one of the many holy temples built on Skopska Crna Gora Mountain, which was a sacred place for Christians, who built churches and monasteries on its slopes during the Ottoman reign. The mountain is also known as Mount Athos of Skopje. It got its name because of the black mantles of the numerous monks who lived there (Skopska Crna Gora – Skopje Black Forest). Some say that around 100 monks were killed during the Ottoman reign.

The “St. Ilija” monastery, one of 15 in a 10 km radius, is probably the only one with active monastic life. There are two monks from Serbia currently residing there. However, it used to be a female monastery. The tombs of several nuns and father Sofronije are located in the yard, in front of the hospice. Father Sofronije, who died in 1890, built the old monastery church “St. Ilija”, and everybody who lived in this sacred place contributed in the construction of the monastery complex. One of the nuns, sister Minadora, built the hospice where the two monks from Serbia are currently staying.

Unfortunately, we didn’t get the chance to see them. They were inside their monastic cells. There was nobody in the monastery during our visit. Only the candles in the yard were proof that there were other visitors before us.

People not related to church are not allowed to stay in the hospice. The bell tower, however, is in a phase of preparation and is expected to have a capacity of 20 people.

The monastery is also a good place for school excursions. Schools from Skopje organize visits to the monastery, albeit not very often. The complex is surrounded by a high fence. The yard is big, with abundance of grass and is ideal for children to play. The famous national restaurant “Chardak” is located next to the monastery.

You will find your spiritual peace during the visit of this monastery complex located in a beautiful, untouched nature. There are many reasons to spend a day in this part of Skopje and you might even find out something about this place that is yet to be explored by archaeologists.

TAV Macedonia is in talks with German low­-cost airline "Eurowings" over the introduction of Skopje­-Munich and Skopje­-Dusseldorf flights.

Eurowings representatives have met with the TAV Macedonia management, as well as with government institutions and travel agencies in Macedonia.

Eurowings, headquartered in Dusseldorf, is a fully owned subsidiary of the Lufthansa Group.

It operates more than 140 destinations in over 40 European countries.

TAV Macedonia, concessionaire of the Skopje and Ohrid airports, says the number of passengers has increased by 15 percent to nearly 1,8 million in 2016, accompanied by a 8.9­ percent rise in the number of flights.

Every major city has many faces. Some parts of it look like being in another city, another country, even another continent, Balkon 3 reports. 

Architects from around the world claim that in the last 50 years cities have become more global rather than national, incorporating a variety of features that reflect their multicultural character. If you take a look at the long and complicated history of Skopje you will find a stream of conquerors who all changed and added something to the city, a chain of disasters that helped "correct" the errors or even gave way to architectural experiments, and you see that diversity is absolutely guaranteed. 

The following are some parts of the world that Balkon 3 recognizes in the capital of the Republic of Macedonia. 

The Orient

This is the Old Bazaar, also known as the Turkish Bazaar. It is the oldest living part of the city, packed with merchants, craftsmen and artisans (mostly goldsmiths), restaurants, tearooms, cafès and even Absinthe bars that could only be seen in the exotic travels of Sherlock Holmes. This is the heart of Skopje by all criteria and it has the oriental spirit deeply carved into it.

Eastern Europe

Broad boulevards with drab, mostly gray housing blocks built along the sides are typical of many Eastern European capitals. Skopje is in that part of the world and many of its quarts have been built in that style, including this section of the Ilinden Boulevard.

Western Europe

Despite the 1963 earthquake and subsequent modernization, there is enough evidence to prove that the city was trying to reach the charm of Western capitals a hundred years ago. Several buildings on the Nikola Kljusev Street (former Maxim Gorky Street) still stand as witnesses of that period.

America (US)

The scenic American suburbia is a symbol of wealth and economic progress of the United States. But in Skopje the neighborhoods that were built following a similar model and had the a similar purpose – to symbolize the decent and comfortable life of the middle-class. Lisice is one of several such quarts.

Japan

We have written about the blossoming Japanese cherries which are located in the Western part of the city but Skopje has many other Japanese symbols. The megaprojects of the Japanese architect Kenzo Tange from the 1960s, especially the housing blocks in the center of the city called the City Wall.

Holland

This city is not very bicycle friendly. However, there is at least one area where they are the main means of transport as in the Netherlands. The quay by the river has a bicycle lane about twenty kilometres long. It is mainly used for recreational purposes, but since much of the city is situated along the Vardar many people use it as a quiet and safe way to get to work.

Brazil

We don’t have the Copacabana beach here, nor the spectacular skyscrapers of Sao Paulo, but there are scenes similar to those found in the Brazilian favelas like the famous Topaana. Favelas are not only typical for Brazil. Every major city in the world has parts of it stricken by great poverty, but the Brazilian shanty towns became famous by being exploited in pop culture. Topaana has also been an inspiration for films and music.

The Balkans

When in a semi-urban area you see people from all walks of life driving expensive, cheap or no cars at all, and living next to each other in their huge or tiny houses, which are neither particularly attractive nor repulsive, but quite simple – you know it is the Balkans. It is Gjorce Petrov quart that best exemplifies that kind of city life.

Manhattan

In the past ten years there have been many draft projects under the same working title – Skopje Manhattan. The idea is to build skyscrapers in several locations with the maximum height of  up to 500 meters. So far,the only skyscrapers in Skopje that have been built are the two towers (out of four planned) in the Sky City project which stand 130 meters tall. It is hard to predict whether Skopje will continue to evolve in this way and grow up in height.

Video of the Canyon Matka.
The canyon is located near Skopje.
There you can take boat tours, also there is a nice restaurant and a very old church.
The cave "Vrelo" can be reached by boat, travel time some 20 minutes.

Nice video of the main square of Skopje, the capitol of Macedonia.
Alexander the Great fountain.