👉 Italiano
A dive into Skopje
When I started traveling, I think I did it mainly to see live things that I had only seen in photos, taste foods and have experiences that I had only heard of. In short, I was traveling to cover my expectations. Today, in a way, I could almost say the opposite. Of course, I still keep planning itineraries, I keep wanting to satisfy the curiosities that I bring from home. But I come back happier when I notice that I go back with unexpected impressions. A couple of years ago (2018), it happened to me in Skopje, North Macedonia.
I was only there for a few days and I
also visited the area around the capital and Orhid. I
have few doubts in saying that the latter is more beautiful,
that it offers a better tourist experience. But this is true for
what I was many years ago. Today I prefer to talk about the
capital instead. And I could start reviewing its history and try
to explain it, but would it be fun? I prefer to tell it the way
I saw it, almost like from a child's gaze.
I remember landing in Skopje in the
early afternoon and got to know the city center just before
sunset. Before getting there, however, what is the first thing I
notice? The cafes, people everywhere who spend hours at the
cafes, just like in Italy. I swear that when I passed by after
dinner, some of the people I had seen on the way there were
still sitting there. I felt at home.
On the other hand, the part that
somewhat surprised me, but also amused me, was the city center.
I mean, what is that ship on the Vardar River? Okay, I
think it's a restaurant, but I really didn't expect it, in front
of that kind of classical building, which actually is the
Archaeological Museum. But this is not enough. Because then we
also have a wealth of statues with a socialist flavor. Something
from that period had to remain, right?
And, just to add something more, why
not color the buildings with purple lights? Colors were
mutating, if I remember correctly, in honor of sobriety. But I
liked this aspect a lot: just turn around sixty degrees and the
city changes. You find the mosque, you discover the ancient
Turkish soul...
In fact, the next day we went to look
for the Clock Tower, which has Ottoman and
sixteenth-century origins. And maybe that's why we found it
quite wrapped up, under maintenance. Et voila, my wife takes an
artistic photo, so that I could appreciate it better.
I don't remember how, but I got into
lesser known streets to tourists. And even there I was able to
see another city. Full of even more traditional cafes, having
almost sleepy rhythms. Except of course with regards to
children. One of them darted in front of us with his bike a
dozen times. He disappeared to one side and came out of nowhere.
Lucky him!
Returning to the area of the old Bazaar
of Skopje, which is a rather large one, we found ourselves
in front of the Mustafa Pasha Mosque, built in 1492.
This year reminds me of something ... Hmm ... I'm still
thinking, I apologize. As I meditate on it, I put here the photo
of the interior of the Mosque. But I'm not so sure it's the
right photo. It should, however. I hope so.
What else? The fortress whose origin is
... Ottoman? Balkan? Of course not! This has Byzantine origins.
And it allows you to admire the city quite well from above. Also
because there is not much left of the fortress. However, walking
along the crenellated walls was very pleasant.
Well, since we were drunk with mixes of styles, it seemed appropriate to go back to the area of the old bazaar (where there is certainly no shortage of bars) to drink a refreshing beer. So as to inebriate us also with a little alcohol. And maybe that's why I started seeing umbrellas hanging in the air. With just a single beer? Wow, I thought I could stand alcohol better.
Maybe not, though. Because then, in
front of my wife, I thanked the young waitress for always being
smiling. I said already that I am innocent like a child, right?
I usually don't get many smiles, it seemed right to thank for
the abundance. In general, during my short stay, the Macedonians
did not skimp on Balkan heat. And for this I am grateful.
However, every now and then I go back
to wondering, but isn't it that I only imagined about being in
Skopje? No, because after the beer I decide to go back to the
hotel for a while. I go back to the city center, across the
river again and I find this image: what is that diver doing on
the Vardar river? Also, against the current. But are we
really sure that the river always flows in the same direction
here?
Some additional information:
Skopje has its international airport. The only other
international airport in the country is located in the
aforementioned Ohrid, on the border with Albania. The
two cities are also connected to each other by public transport.
The bus ride takes about three hours. Personally, I went to Ohrid
for a one-day excursion, but it would have been more appropriate
to stop for at least one night.
Interesting places around Skopje:
- the aqueduct of Skopje (not far from the city), whose
construction period is uncertain
- the Church of St. Panteleimon, in the village of Gorno
Nerezi
- the Matka lake and canyon, perhaps the best site among
the mentioned ones
- the Millennium Cross, on Mount Vodno, 66
meters high. I saw it without problems from a distance, but I
did not climb the top of the mountain
You might also like:
