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Photo: Dimitar Georgievski from Skopje, Macedonia, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Continuously active since its establishment in 1346, Marko's Monastery bears the name of Serbian Prince Marko who reigned at the time of its completion. It consists of one church dedicated to St Demetrius. The church was built of bricks and stones and its iconostasis is made of stone pillars. The monastery grounds also consist of lodgings, a belfry, a well, warehouses, a bakery, and a mill. Marko's Monastery did not suffer under the Ottoman-era, unlike many churches and monasteries, and in 1830 an Ottoman aristocrat even added an exonarthex to the church. The grounds today also contain a museum. It was founded by king Volkashin in 1345 and finished by his son King Marko in 1366, who is also the donor of the frescoes painted between 1366 and 1371. It is unknown why the monastery is built in the vicinity of Skopje instead of Prilep the capital of their medieval kingdom. It is presumed that the grave of king Marko (who died in Romania fighting the Turks) is here but it was destroyed by the Turks. The architecture of the church is a cross in square with a central dome and a blind dome in the narthex. The elegant exonarthex (open porch) was added in 1830 by Hamzi Pasha, who was a generous donor of the monastery throughout the 19th century. It is quite surprising a Turkish aristocrat to be a donor of a Christian monument. The frescoes are work of more artists with different skills and are well preserved. Visible is the tendency for adding dramatization and narrative painting of the scenes. There is a bus going to the village but just few times per day. From the village there is half hour walk to the monastery. Behind it there is a river and a small picnic area.
Marko's Monastery is a monastery located in the village of Markova Sušica, 18 kilometres (11 mi) from central Skopje in North Macedonia. The monastery bears the name of Serbian Prince Marko, who reigned at the time of its completion in the 14th century. Marko's Monastery has been active since its establishment.
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Црква „Св. Никола Николимуки“
Located just 300 m before Marko's Monastery is this small medieval church. Its date of construction is unknown but, based on the preserved portions of frescoes, it likely dates from the 13th or 14th centuries.
Црква „Св. Спас“
This small church was built in 1576 and its frescoes were painted shortly thereafter. It is apparent that the frescoes were done by two painters, one of which had greater talent than the other. Dobri Dol sits just under the Millennium Cross atop Mount Vodno.
Христијанова Пештера
Getting into this cave is not for the claustrophobic. Over the right bank of the Suva River near Jabolci, the cave opening is hardly noticeable. A person can only get in by lying down and crawling in. About a meter in, however, multiple people can stand upright. The cave contains a rich collection of ornaments such as stalactites and stalagmites.
Црква „Св. Спас“
The most significant church from this part of Skopje was built in 1849 and its frescoes were painted by Dičo Zograf in 1857. The nice courtyard contains a bell tower. Dračevo is a large village (now more of an urban neighborhood) with its own fully developed socio-economic life.
Џевахир Скај Сити
The skyscrapers, which are topped out, are the tallest in North Macedonia. The four towers, each rising 142 m (466 ft), will be connected by a mixed-use building containing a shopping mall and sports facilities. The development is expected to be completed in 2021.
Светла Пештера
About an hour hike south of the village, this cave is considered an ice cave, which makes it unique in Macedonia. Particularly in winter, interesting ice formations can be seen. Its opening is about 0.7 m (2.3 ft) tall.