Private Day tour of Skopje from Tirana – North Macedonia

We will leave Tirana and Drive toward the City of Skopje. In its one-way distance of 300 kilometers, we will be able to see and experience the difference between cities, regions, and countries.  The memory of the communist days is still vivid in both countries and all the region, where you can still pass by old industrial complexes, bunkers, and slogans where the communist period and its leaders were glorified to the sky. 

In addition, Once we enter the city, we will notice that city is now hugely spread, and built-in the base of Yugoslavian and Modern blocks. Furthermore, a lot of change when the city was highly damaged at the earthquake of 1963, as 80 % of the city was destroyed. 

The tour will start close to the city center, next to the bridges of Vardar River. According to a mega Infrastructure Plan, Skopje 2014, the City was heavily redecorated and restored. Almost most of the history is also represented through the Statues, Memorials, and 2 extra significant bridges, “The Eye Bridge” and “The Art Bridge”. A lot of high importance buildings are also built next to the bridges making it one of the most attractive and picturesque parts of the city. 

During the Ottoman period, Skopje was a city of High Importance. It was developed and a lot of its infrastructure was given the oriental shape and characteristic. The earliest settlers and documents mentioning the bazaar are from the late 12th century when it is described as one of the biggest marketplaces in the Balkans, but it quickly expands and turns to the most lively part of the city during the Ottoman Period.

In addition, according to the Ottoman Traditions and Customs, the cities and the Bazaars with Bedesten in their compounds were of high importance and testify for a high value of goods and exchange. 

Located in a very strategic position, between the east and west, Skopje was also a stopping place for all travelers and caravans. In these circumstances, during the Ottoman Period, a lot of Hans bloomed in the city when Kurshumli Han is probably the biggest one remained. Furthermore, located in the Old Bazaar it was a resting place for the travelers and their horses. With a capacity of around 100 horses, it has also been used as war horses stable and prison. 

Located in between the eastern wall of Skopje Castle and the Old Bazaar. This is one of the most remarkable Orthodox Churches in the city that has survived the time. Build in the mid 16th century, in a foundation of an older church. In addition, this church is famous for its fantastic wooden iconostasis and all hand-carved wooden part.  It also has remarkable frescos in the main doom meeting the Orthodox Style, under the Byzantian school of Religious Art. 

Build-in 1492, as Mustafa Pasha Testament, this is one of the most remarkable Mosques of Skopje today.  It is believed that has been built on the foundations of an early medieval church. Furthermore, it has not been damaged by the earthquake of 1963. In addition, renovated for the last time in 2011 it is a symbol of multi-religious prisms of the city and society. 

Situated upon a dominant hill, over the city the fortress has been the earliest settlement of life in the early Skupi. Although restored, the outer walls are representing the importance of the castle and how it has been a key position in the city through all history. Definitely one of the best locations for great photos of the city. 

Definitely, it is the hart of the city where one of the most important families of Antiquity and the History of Macedonia and Balkans is represented through pompous statues. The Great Alexander is proudly stating in the center of the square and his parents Philip II and Olimpia are staying on the other side of the river, in the smaller square under his father’s name. The new face of the city and all the Baroque architecture build around has also given the city a new, different character. 

Mother Theresa or Gonxhe Bojaxhiu is born in Skopje into a local Albanian family, natives of the city. Furthermore, educated from an early age at an Albanian Catholic School she decided to dedicate her life to God and to the poor. She lived most of her life in India and today her birthplace house is transformed into a museum.