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Photo: Yemc, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Stands on the highest hill in the Skopje valley and offers great views over the city. The oldest section of the fortress is within the present-day fortifications. It was built in the Opus Quadrum style (huge stone blocks on the outside and small stones inside) by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I who was born in the village of Tauresium near Skopje. After the great earthquake of 518 when ancient Scupi was destroyed, Justinian decided to build Justiniana Prima on the site of present day Skopje. However, most of the present day fortifications originate from the 10th and 13th centuries. It was reinforced during the Turkish rule when the number of towers was up to 70 (today there are just a few standing) and the fortress went down to the river. The small gate from the side of the Old Bazaar is the only gate still standing and it was built in 1446. There are active excavations taking place within the fortress.
The Skopje Fortress, commonly referred to as Kale, is a historic fortress located in the old town of Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia. It is located in Centar municipality and situated on 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.
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Капан-ан
The Kapan Han was built in the 15th century by Isa Bey Ishaković. It operated as a han up until World War II. The ground floor housed the guests' horses and cattle, while the guests stayed in the 44 rooms on the second floor. Today, it houses a nice restaurant but anyone is free to simply walk in and roam the two floors to get an idea of what it was like to stay at one of these places in Ottoman times. After taking in the lovely atmosphere, you'll probably want to stick around for a meal anyway.
Стара турска пошта и Вилаетски конак
These neighboring buildings with preserved late Ottoman architecture are located right between the fortress and Mustafa Pasha Mosque. They were built in the 19th century and are yellow-ish in color. The Old Post Office housed the city's first telegraph. Today, it houses International Balkan University. The Vilayet Building was built to house administrative functions in Skopje, which was the capital of the Kosovo Vilayet of the Ottoman Empire until its fall in 1912.
Црква „Св. Спас“
The most important church in central Skopje. The church is small and has a pleasant courtyard which contains the sarcophagus of North Macedonia's greatest national hero, Goce Delčev. There is a small museum about him in the buildings around the courtyard. The Ottoman Turks usually didn’t permit the building of new churches during their occupation, but as the empire weakened in the 18th century they began issuing permits to appease the population. However, there were many rules to be followed: the exterior had to be without decorations and the floor of the church had to be at least one meter below ground so the church wouldn’t dominate the city skyline. St Saviour Church is example of one of these churches. It was built in the early 1800s on the site of a church destroyed in the 1689 fire (upon entering, on the right are remains of the frescoes and the level of the earlier church). While the exterior is rather simple, the church is famous for its interior and wood carving. The iconostasis is the work of Petre Filipovski-Garkata and Marko and Makarie Frčkovski, the best woodworking artists in the 19th century in North Macedonia. The beauty of it is that it is a deep wood carving from whole wood boards (the figures are not attached to each other), and it is not covered with golden paint, as it is tradition in Orthodox churches, so the game of light and dark shades is quite dramatic. The iconostasis was made from 1819 to 1824 and is 10 m long and 7 m tall. There are scenes from the Old and New testaments. The figurines are each 7 cm tall. Look for the creation of Adam and Eve on one of the columns next to the doors of the altar and the dance of Salome, where she dances for king Irod so he would give her the head of St John the Baptist. On the far right are self-portraits of the artists, presented as they are working on the iconostasis. The icons are some of the best of the Byzantine revival.
Сули-ан
Like the Kapan Han, it was built in the 15th century by Ishak Bey. It is the second-biggest of the three caravansaries and has two floors. It has housed the Old Bazaar Museum since 1983, exhibiting pieces on archaeology, ethnology, fine arts, and history. It is also home to the Arts Faculty of Sts. Cyril and Methodius University.
Мустафа-пашина џамија
Standing on a plateau above the Old Bazaar, this mosque is one of the most beautiful Islamic buildings in Macedonia. It was built in 1492 by Mustafa Pasha, vizier on the court of Sultan Selim I. The mosque is elegant and intact; no additions have been made through the years. It has a dome, a tall minaret, and a three-domed portico. The interior is beautiful, simple, and spacious. The courtyard is quite peaceful and has a türbe (tomb) where the daughter of Mustafa Pasha is buried. The mosque provides good views of the rest of the bazaar.
Црква „Св. Димитриј“
This church has been in existence since perhaps the 17th century, but got its present appearance after a renovation in 1896. The church also has a bell tower beside it. In 2012, it received media attention after the frescoes inside reportedly returned perfectly to their original colour miraculously.