Skopje tourist info
Skopje, the capital of FYR Macedonia
Skopje is the capital and largest city in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, with more than a quarter of the population of the country, as well as the political, cultural, economic, and academic centre of the country.
It was known from the Roman period under the name Scupi. The city developed rapidly after World War II, but this trend was interrupted in 1963 when it was hit by a disastrous earthquake. Today Skopje is a modern city with a wide range of cultural monuments.
Skopje is located on the upper course of the Vardar River and is located on a major north-south Balkan route between Belgrade and Athens. It has more than 600 000 inhabitant and is a major centre for metal-processing, chemical, textile, leather and other industries...
The largest ethnic group in the region is the ethnic Macedonians. Albanians are second. Roma, Serbs, Turks, and Bosnians also make up a small population.
The most common religion in the region is Eastern Orthodoxy.
Transport
Buses
Skopje has two bus networks, both serving the City and the surrounding villages. Probably the best way to recognise the bus network is by its colour - the red busses are part of the state-owned "JSP" and all other buses are privately owned. Most of the bus lines are frequent.
Bus fares are based on a zone system for each bus network. The inner City is zone 1 with ticket price 30 denars (aprox. 0,5 euro) in the JSP buses and 25 denars in the private buses.
Taxi
The taxi service has been regulated by the City to provide fair service and equal fares. There are at least 20 taxi companies that offer their services in Skopje. Minimum fee is 50 den (0,8 euro) for 3 km. of ride.
Typical fare from the airport to the City centre is between 600 and 1000 denars (10-15 euro). Typical fare from the city centre to a more distant urban district is about 200 denars (3-5 euro).
From mobile phones dial +389 2 before the taxi number.
Sights to see
Kale Fortress
Kale fortress is situated on a hill in the middle of Skopje and dominates this whole portion of the Vardar valley. Archaeological excavation has revealed traces of habitation from the late Neolithic and early bronze ages.
Exactly when the first fortifications were built on this site has not yet been established, though it is believed that reconstruction was undertaken during Justinian's reign (527-565), i.e. after the great earthquake in 518
Stone Bridge
Famous Stone Bridge in the city square built under the patronage build between 1451 and 1469,. The Stone Bridge is the most prominent landmark of Skopje; the bridge connects the old and the new parts of the city. Although the guardhouse on the highest point of the bridge was damaged on several occasions, modern restoration is underway to bring the bridge closer to its original condition.
Old town
Skopje´s Old Town is located on the eastern bank of the River Vardar, opposite the modern city centre. Today it is a vibrant quarter filled with winding streets of cobblestone and narrow archways, of centuries-old mosques and a Turkish bath.
