Skopje, North Macedonia

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Skopje, North Macedonia

The "City of Statues" is an apt description for
Skopje ("skope-yah"), with its scores of statues
at every turn. The statues were part of a
remodeling project launched in 2010 meant to
make Skopje more visually appealing -- and we
think it succeeded. The statues radiate outward
from Macedonia Square, which boasts the most
enormous statue of all -- Alexander the Great
(from ancient Macedonia) wielding his sword
while astride his rearing horse. More statues
can be found across the Vardar River, where,
after passing over the Stone Bridge, you'll find
the Old Bazaar with its maze of streets, and the
stone walls of Skopje Fortress rising far above.

Did you know Skopje was the birthplace of
Mother Teresa? Her "Memorial House" is free
to visit and is just off Macedonia Square.

We also recommend taking a half-day tour to
scenic Matka Canyon just outside the city. Here
you can take a pleasant one-hour boat ride to
Vrelo Cave and back. Our tour also included a
visit to the Church of St. Panteleimon with its
amazing emotion-filled frescoes (painted in
1164!) and a gondola ride to the top of Mt.
Vodno to see the Millennium Cross up close.

Detail from the "Fountain of the Mothers of Macedonia,"
located across the river from Skopje's main square

Rising above the Old Bazaar is Skopje Fortress

Neoclassical architecture abounds near Macedonia Square and the Vardar River

Two other pedestrian bridges cross the river nearby, each lined with numerous statues.
This "Bridge of Civilizations in Macedonia" leads to the Archaeological Museum.

This is the iconic Stone Bridge, which connects Macedonia Square to
the other side of the Vardar River -- all of it delightfully pedestrian-only

So many statues, so little time!

These ones are in front of the Macedonian National Theater.
We got a kick out of the hand placement in the tango sculpture!

Other statues around the city center are more whimsical in nature

This one outside the Skopje Holocaust Museum was especially moving

Dominating Macedonia Square is the enormous statue of Alexander the Great
astride his horse. Alexander was from Pella, the ancient capital of Macedonia.

Who knew? Mother Teresa was born in Skopje. In 1980, on a return visit, she planted a fir tree near
Macedonia Square. When it was uprooted due to a storm, locals planted several new fir trees in her honor.
At right is a model of the home she grew up in (destroyed in a 1963 earthquake, along with 80% of the city).

The Old Bazaar is filled with Turkish-feeling shops and cafes

On the far side of the river you'll find the Old Bazaar,
with its delightful maze of cobblestone streets

Mustafa Pasha Mosque, located within
the Old Bazaar, is visible from the fortress

Robin is always up for a castle walk

The fortress's parapet walls offer excellent views of the city. On a clear day,
the Millennium Cross would be visible atop Mt. Vodno in the background.

Hooded Crows are a common sight
as you tour the castle grounds

Our half-day tour to Matka Canyon began with this view
of the dam that makes Matka Canyon what it is today

Robin anxiously awaits her meal at Soul Kitchen, near our Macedonia Square Hotel

We think St. Clement of Ohrid Cathedral is unusual enough in
its design to be worth a visit. It's quite close to Macedonia Square.

Inside is this realistic sculpture of her as we
all tend to think of her, at a much older age

The Memorial House of Mother Teresa honors her life through photographs and
letters. At right is a photograph of her at age 16 when she was still living in Skopje.

Windblown but happy at the top of Mt. Vodno

At the top of Mt. Vodno is the enormous Millennium
Cross, which can be seen from all over Skopje

Panoramic view of Skopje from the terrace of St. Panteleimon Church

The frescoes inside St. Panteleimon show deep human emotion. This is the most famous example,
painted in 1164 -- 139 years before Giotto's emotion-filled paintings in the Scrovegni Chapel in Padua.
Giotto is heralded as having paved the way for the Renaissance, but some critics now suggest otherwise.

But our favorite part of the tour was St. Panteleimon Church --
adorable on the outside, nothing short of incredible on the inside

The cave was fine, but the boat trip and the scenery along the way were better

After twenty minutes we reached Vrelo Cave, where we got out for a brief tour on foot.
The second cavern is called "Pine Cone Cavern" because of this oddly shaped stalagmite.

Our motoboat took us upriver through beautiful scenery.
This is the view looking back towards our starting point.

On the other side of the dam, kayaks and boats await your arrival