European Travel: Entering Skopje, the capital of Macedonia (photo)

Departing from Ni? Hotel (Photography: Feng Ganyong)

The sightseeing in Macedonia will be divided into two parts. On that day, we will first visit the Macedonian capital Skopje, which was rebuilt in the 15th century. Wada River Bridge, visit the traditional Grand Bazaar, Mustafa Pasha Mosque, St. Spas Church, also built in the 15th century, Kara Castle from the Turkish period, ancient inn, Alexander the Great Square and Mother Teresa Monument , memorial hall and other famous attractions. The next day, on the way to the next stop, Albania, in the Macedonian city of Ohrid, we went boating on a beautiful lake and enjoyed the beautiful scenery of Ohrid’s lakes and mountains.

Scenery on the way (Photography: Feng Ganyong)

On the way to Split, tour guide Shen Chenwei gave a general introduction to Macedonia and its capital, Split. The Republic of Macedonia, referred to as Macedonia, is a landlocked country located in the southern part of the Balkan Peninsula in Southeast Europe, bordering Bulgaria to the east, Serbia to the north, Albania to the west, and Greece to the south. The ancient Macedonian region included the Macedonian Republic and Central Macedonia, Western Macedonia, and Eastern Macedonia-Thrace in northern Greece.

Skopje Castle (Photography: Feng Ganyong)

Regarding ancient Macedonia, the Greek side believes that the Kingdom of Ancient Macedonia is a branch of the ancient Greeks, and the Kingdom of Ancient Macedonia belongs to Greek history. The Macedonian Democratic Republic claimed that it was the successor of the Kingdom of Macedonia and the Macedonian Socialist Democratic Republic, and therefore insisted on using the country name "Macedonia".

Houses in the Old City (Photography: Feng Ganyong)

The Slavs moved to Macedonia in the 7th century. From the second half of the 10th century to 1018, Samoilo established the first Slavic Macedonia for men. Since the 14th century, Macedonia has been under Byzantine and Turkish rule for a long time. After the First Balkan War ended in 1912, Serbian, Bulgarian, and Greek armies occupied the Macedonian region.

Pedestrians in the Old City (Photography: Feng Ganyong)

The geographical part of Serbia is called Vardar Macedonia. After World War I, Vardar Macedonia was merged into Serbia, Croatia and Slovenia as part of Serbia. kingdom. In 1929 it was renamed the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. After World War II, the Federal People's Republic of Yugoslavia was established. Vardar Macedonia, formerly part of Serbia, became one of the constituent units of the Yugoslav Federation, known as the Macedonian Republic. On November 20, 1991, Macedonia declared independence. In 1993, it joined the United Nations under the temporary name of "The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia".

Street murals (Photography: Feng Ganyong)

In order to promote economic development and accelerate integration into the European Union, the Macedonian government vigorously promotes infrastructure construction and drives the development of related industries, called European One of the fastest growing countries. Ranking 36th among 141 countries, it is one of the best-performing countries in Europe. Macedonia does not face the sea and is a landlocked country. Macedonia does not have many neighbors, only 4: Bulgaria to the east, Greece to the south, Albania to the west, and Serbia to the north. The terrain of Macedonia is mostly mountainous, with the Vada River running through it from north to south.

A corner of a market stall (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

Market pedestrians (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

Skopje is a republic of Macedonia The capital and largest city in Macedonia, one-third of the total population of Macedonia lives in Skopje. Skopje is also the political, cultural, economic and academic center of Macedonia. The name of Skopje in ancient Roman times was Scupi.

Street scene in the old city (Photography: Feng Ganyong)

The area near Skopje, the capital of Macedonia, has been inhabited since about 4000 BC. The remains of a Neolithic settlement were discovered near the Skopje Castle in the center of today's Skopje. On the eve of the 1st century, the settlement was conquered by the Romans and became a camping ground for the Roman army.

Photos of the Old Town (Photography: Sun Tao)

During the Balkan War in 1912, Skopje was conquered by the Kingdom of Serbia. After World War I, Skopje became a new country. Part of the Kingdom of Serbo-Croat-Slovenia (later the Kingdom of Yugoslavia).

Old Town Wine House (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

During World War II, Skopje was occupied by the troops of the Kingdom of Bulgaria, an Axis power. In 1944, it became the capital of the Socialist Republic of Macedonia, a member of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Skopje experienced rapid development after World War II. However, due to the earthquake in 1963, its development was temporarily halted. In 1991, Skopje became the capital of independent Macedonia from Yugoslavia.

A corner of the market (Photography: Feng Ganyong)

When arriving in Skopje, Shen Chenwei took everyone first to the ancient market in the old city and walked through the streets and alleys. Proceed to Mustafa Pasha Mosque. Skopje's Ancient Market Street is located near Macedonia Square. The literal translation of the Ancient Market is "Old Bazaar". It is said to be the second largest Turkish-style market in Europe, and the largest is in Istanbul, Turkey. .

Photos of the market (photo: Wang Jue)

Residents in traditional costumes (photo: Feng Ganyong)

The Old Bazaar has the highest concentration of mosques in Skopje The buildings in this area are mostly typical Ottoman architecture. The mosque minaret and the Ottoman-era streets also appear quite harmonious.

Wandering the streets and alleys of the ancient city (Photo: Wang Jue)

Most of the residents in the old city are Albanians and Turks who believe in Islam. Residents in traditional Turkish costumes can be seen everywhere. There is also a small Albanian market.

Pasha Mosque (Photography: Feng Ganyong)

Shen Chenwei led the team to the Staffa Pasha Mosque built in 1492 on the hillside. The tall minaret is extremely eye-catching. The courtyard of the mosque is very clean. The mosque was financed by Mustafa Pasha, a prominent political figure in the Ottoman Empire during the reigns of Bayezid II and Selim I. Following the etiquette for a period of time, the group members took off their shoes and entered the mosque to admire the solemn mosque. The spacious hall and luxurious dome leave a deep impression.

Inside the mosque (Photography: Feng Ganyong)

In addition to the mosque, Skopje also has a Christian church and a monastery. After leaving the Staffa Pasha Mosque and coming to the St. Spas Church, walk into Found in the small courtyard of the church, it is more like admiring an art treasure house. Built in 1826, the church was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1970. There is a sarcophagus in the courtyard that is very eye-catching.

Sarcophagus in the church (Photo: Wang Jue)

The church was built underground because during the Turkish rule, churches were not allowed to be built higher than the mosque. The pride of place here is a 10-meter-wide and 6-meter-high iconostasis, all made of walnut wood. It is very exquisite and was carved by the brothers Frckovski and Filipvoski, who were skilled artists in the early 19th century. The church's courtyard leads to Goce Delcev's tomb and museum. Goce Delcev was the leader of the Macedonian domestic revolutionary organization IMRO and a national hero. He was killed by the Turks in 1903.

Castle Watchtower (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

When leaving the church and heading to Alexander the Great Square, we happened to pass the ancient Kara Castle on the side of the road. Kara Castle is an ancient Roman-era building located on the left bank of the Vada River. It was built in the early 6th century AD. From the castle, you can overlook the entire city of Skopje. Shen Chenwei said that the large stones inside Kara Castle are from the 4th century, and the outer wall is from the 11th century. At that time, Macedonia was under the rule of the Roman Empire. Due to time constraints, I did not go up to the castle to have a look.

A corner of the ancient posthouse (Photography: Feng Ganyong)

The last thing to visit in the old city is the Ancient Posthouse. Since ancient times, Skopje has been the Balkan Peninsula connecting the Aegean Sea and the Adriatic. An important transportation hub in Yahai, it has important strategic and commercial status. Therefore, the post station here was very developed at that time.

The old and new cities complement each other (Photography: Feng Ganyong)

Walking into the ancient inn in Skopje, at first glance, it is no different from the one in China. The spacious courtyard is filled with towering pines and cypresses, which are used for bolting. There are horses, and the various flowers in the stone flowerbed are blooming brightly but not eye-catching.

Street photos (Photography: Feng Ganyong)

The entire inn is a two-story structure like a courtyard, with a restaurant downstairs and guest rooms upstairs. Now it has become the location of a restaurant. There is no longer the bustling scene of caravans coming in and out.

The bridge over the Vada River (Photography: Feng Ganyong)

The famous stone bridge over the Vada River in front of Alexander the Great Square is a symbol of Skopje. This stone bridge was built by Emperor Justinian in 1451 during the Byzantine Empire. It has been a battleground for military strategists since ancient times. Both then and now, it is the only bridge connecting Skopje's Old Town and New Town.

Stone Bridge Museum (Photography: Feng Ganyong)

After the tour of the old town, the team came to the river, walked across the bridge and entered Skopje’s New Town Square. Standing on the stone bridge and looking around, you can see a series of buildings in the surrounding area. Opera houses, museums, etc. are all distributed in this area. The modern buildings show the style of the new city.

Sculpture on the river (Photography: Feng Ganyong)

The Vardar River under the bridge is the mother river of Skopje. The Vardar River is a river in the southern Balkan Peninsula. Originating from the eastern slope of the Sal Mountain on the border between Macedonia and Albania, it first flows north through northern Macedonia, then turns southeast, passes through Skopje and Tito Veles, enters the Greek border, and flows south into the Aegean Sea into the Gulf of Salonika. The total length is 420 kilometers, most of which is in Macedonia.

Macedonia Square (Photography: Feng Ganyong)

There are several bridges on the Vardar River, 5 of which are all in Skopje, the capital of Macedonia. The stone bridge has twelve semicircular arches and is more than 200 meters long. Both sides of the Vardar Riverside Square are also filled with statues of figures, ranging from ancient Justinian I to modern advocates and actors of national independence, standing along the river.

Group photo in the square (Photography: Feng Ganyong)

After crossing the bridge, we came to Alexander the Great Square in Skopje. It used to be called Tito Square, but now it is also called Macedonia Square. It is the largest square in the Republic of Macedonia. The fountain in Alexander the Great Square is beautiful. The largest "horsed warrior" in the middle is the ancient Roman bronze statue of Alexander the Great. The base is surrounded by eight warriors and four lions. Surrounding the warrior are musical fountains and angry lion statues.

Statue in the Square (Photography: Feng Ganyong)

The warriors on the base are soldiers holding spears, looking like the famous "Macedonian Phalanx" at that time. Alexander the Great relied on this phalanx , unified Greece and conquered Eurasia. The Macedonian Empire once swept through Persia and flattened Egypt. It was the largest empire during the ancient Roman Empire. Alexander the Great was the most famous historical figure in Macedonia.

Statue of mother and child (photo: Feng Ganyong)

There are many sculptures in Alexander the Great Square, and the figures in the statues are all very lifelike. Among them, there is a group of sculptures of mothers from pregnancy to raising their children at the fountain. The characters depicted in this sculpture are lifelike and very touching. In addition, the famous Boatman Monument sculptures also attract the attention of many tourists.

Boatman Monument (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

The full name is "Thessaloniki Boatman Monument" and was built in 2011. Thessaloniki is a city in northern Greece. When the Ottoman Turks advanced westward, the local people actively opposed the Ottoman Empire's occupation of Macedonia. This statue commemorates this period of history and uses the boatman to represent that when you go out to sea, you can leave your daily life behind and have unlimited freedom.

Mother Teresa Memorial Hall (Photography: Feng Ganyong)

Walk through the square and finally arrive at the Mother Teresa Monument and Memorial Hall. Mother Teresa (Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, August 27, 1910 - September 5, 1997) was a world-famous Catholic charity worker. She was born in Skopje, Macedonia. Her main achievement was to serve the poor in Calcutta, India. For her lifelong dedication to eradicating poverty, she won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979. She is the pride of Macedonians and the pride of Skopje people. In October 2003, she was included in the Catholic beatification list by Pope John Paul II, and Mother Teresa's name became Blessed Teresa.

Monument to the Nuns (Photography: Feng Ganyong)

Triumphal Arch (Photography: Feng Ganyong)

The Triumphal Arch in Skopje is the symbol of the 20th anniversary of Macedonia’s independence (Macedonia in 1991 Independence in 2012) and was officially completed and opened in January 2012. The Arc de Triomphe is 21 meters high. It was designed by the Macedonian sculptor Valentina Stephanovska, who also designed the equestrian statue of Alexander.

Photography of the Arc de Triomphe (Photography: Wang Jue)

There is an observation deck overlooking the whole city on the Arc de Triomphe. This is another country that has a Arc de Triomphe after Romania has a Arc de Triomphe. Standing on the observation deck, you can have a panoramic view of the cityscape of Skopje, the capital of Macedonia.

A corner of Ohrid (Photography: Feng Ganyong)

Lakes and mountains (Photography: Feng Ganyong)

The most beautiful thing in Macedonia is undoubtedly Lake Ohrid . Lake Ohrid is the second largest natural lake in the Balkan Peninsula and the deepest lake (the deepest point is 304 meters). It is located on the border between Albania and the Union of Yugoslavia, with one third in Albania and two thirds in the Union of Yugoslavia. The lake is 30 kilometers long, 12 kilometers wide, covers an area of ??365 square kilometers, and has an altitude of 695 meters. It is a mountaintop lake with steep shores.

Rippled blue waves (Photography: Feng Ganyong)

The water source of Lake Ohrid mainly comes from mountain springs, so it can be said to be a rare unpolluted freshwater lake in Europe. Lake Ohrid is surrounded by mountains. The lake water is clear and transparent, the lake surface is like a mirror, dark blue, the mountains and water are beautiful, and the scenery is beautiful. On the east side of Lake Ohrid, separated by a large mountain, there is another lake called Prespa Lake. It is also a lake formed by the surrounding mountain springs. There are caves connecting it with Lake Ohrid. Therefore people often call them sister lakes.

Boating on the lake (Photography: Feng Ganyong)

Boating on the lake, I saw that the surface of Lake Ohrid was like a mirror. According to the results of a large number of studies on lake organisms conducted by the Ohrid Institute of Biohydrology, the existing organisms in the lake are almost the same as those in the Tertiary Period 50 million years ago. The sponges and some fish in the lake are among the last remnants of aquatic life in Eurasia before the Ice Age. Their shapes are almost the same as those of existing fossils.

Viewing on the lake (Photography: Feng Ganyong)

Photos on the lake (Photography: Sun Tao)

There is no doubt that Lake Ohrid is listed among the best in the world Natural heritage, at the same time, the entire city of Ohrid is also included in the World Cultural Heritage List by UNESCO.

When I saw Lake Ohrid, I couldn’t help but sigh: What a great place worth staying for a long time! If you observe carefully, you will find that the water of Lake Ohrid in Macedonia is blue and the surface of the lake is more lively. The agility of Lake Ohrid is reflected in the changing colors of the water and the rich layers of reflections in the water.

Return to the pier (Photography: Feng Ganyong)

Due to the beautiful scenery of Lake Ohrid and the pleasant Mediterranean climate, the two cities on the shores of Lake Ohrid - Porgera in Albania Detz and Ohrid, Yugoslavia, have become international tourist and health resorts. There are also history museums, art galleries and art schools. The "Ohrid Summer Festival" and "Balkan Festival" are held here every year, during which wonderful folk dances, music, etc. are performed. After finishing the sightseeing at Lake Ohrid in Macedonia, the team drove to Tirana, the capital of Albania, to continue their Balkan tour.

(Photo: Feng Ganyong)