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Skopje
Skopje- the capital of Republic of
Macedonia,is a town with a 2 000 year long tradition and
represents a place where many roads and civilisations have met
and mingled.The origins of Skopje are from the ancient town Skupi
(4-5thcent. B.C.).A disastrous earthquake destroyed it
in 518 A.C., but the Bizantine Emperor Justinian I ,who had been born
in 
this region, soon raised a new town, called
Justiniana Prima, which inherited the ecclesiastic and legal
significance of its predecessor.A great wall stil exist in the
old fortress,Goren grad (The Upper City) or Kale.For now,this
wall is the only witness of that tlme.
This old fortress has a numerous walls and towers (only one is completely preserved-see the picture on the left) dating from many periods-the period of Justinian, the middle -age period, the Turkish period.
The old part of Skopje is undoubtedly the main turist atraction.Here are located:the old fortress, the Church of the Holy Saviour, the Stone Bridge, the Old Bazaar,Kurshumli Caravanserai.
One of the most significant monument in
Skopje is the Church of the Holy Saviour-a medieval structure
restored in the 19th century.This church is well-known
for its wonderful iconostasis (see "The Wood-carvers"
in "Contents" on the left.)
The Church of the Holy Saviour is located near old fortress.In the court of this church is placed the tomb of Gotse Delchev-the greatest Macedonian revolutionar and leader of the Resistance of the macedonians during long Turkish rule.On the left, you can see the picture of the iconostasis in the Church of the Holy Saviour (1824th year).
The Stone Bridge is also significant vestige
from the past.This bridge date from the 15th century
and it was builded on Roman foundations( see the picture ).In the vicinity of Skopje , on the mountain Vodno is
located the Church of St.Panteleimon .Also
not far away from Skopje is placed the beautiful Matka
and the King Marko's Monastery.In the vicinity of Skopje is placed the
ancient city of Skupi and the old Aquaduct.Mother Teresa was born
in this city.Skopje has also many modern hotels,national
restaurants, theatres, museums,galleries, nightclubs,bars and
numerous cafés.
