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| SKOPJE |
Skopje, the capital of the Republic of North Macedonia, has a population of less than a million. It is in the central part of the Balkan Peninsula, and it is an important crossroads on routes to the Aegean and Adriatic seas. The Vardar, the longest river in North Macedonia with a course of water current over 400 kilometres, flows through Skopje.
In ancient times, Skopje, then known under the name of Skupi, was the chief town that later fell under Roman control. In 518 it was completely destroyed by a severe earthquake. With the coming of the Slavs in 695, the city experienced a significant growth and gained its present name of Skopje. In the 10th century, it became a part of Samoil's Empire and an important centre of transport and trade. Until the 15th century, and the Ottoman conquest, it changed its masters several times.
After the Second World War, Skopje developed rapidly and gained the physiognomy of a modern metropolis. But this accelerated development was interrupted by the catastrophic earthquake of July 26th, 1963. Thanks to the solidarity of the former Yugoslav republics and the international community as well, Skopje grew again into an important economic, political, educational and cultural centre.
Skopje, as a centre of culture, education and science, is the home of the Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, the Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts, numerous cultural institutions, museums, libraries, etc.
In Skopje there is a large number of important cultural and historical monuments such as the Kale fortress, the Stone Bridge, the Daut Pasha Hammam, the Church of the Holy Salvation, the Old Bazaar, the archaeological site of Skupi with its ancient theatre, the monasteries of St. Panteleimon, St. Nikita, St. Andrew, Marko's Monastery, etc.
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