Welcome my friends on another trip to another city to discover the most famous archaeological places in this city today we are still in Europe, specifically in the Republic of Macedonia or North Macedonia or Macedonia, so let's not look at the introduction and get to know this picturesque country.
Let's start with a brief history of Macedonia.
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A brief history of Macedonia:
- Macedonia is a historical region that extends over parts of northern Greece and the Balkan Peninsula, as the ancient Kingdom of Macedonia was a crossroads between Mediterranean civilizations and briefly became the largest empire in the world under Alexander the Great in the fourth century BC,
- and since the formation of the Republic of Macedonia in 1991 Macedonians and Greeks have disputed over which country can claim that the history of ancient Macedonia is its history.
- Historical or geographical Macedonia is divided between the Republic of North Macedonia (38%), Greek Macedonia (51%) and Bulgarian Macedonia (11%). For its people, their history is a source of great pride and a heavy burden.
- The post-Yugoslav experience has also seen existential pressure from neighbors constantly challenging Macedonian identity.
- According to Greek mythology, Macedonia took its name from Macedonia, who was considered the patriarch of the Macedonian people, and some say that he was the son of Zeus and Theas,
- Herodotus also believes that the Macedonians are descendants of Temenedon of Argos who left and settled in northern Greece, but historians also realize that the Greeks moved from northern Europe to the south around the twelfth century BC.
What do you know about monuments in Macedonia?
1- Skopje, the capital of Macedonia:
- Skopje is the capital and cultural center of the country, and it is a stopping point worth exploring in at least a few days so that you can visit all the wonderful tourist attractions that combine the old and the new in wonderful scenes, we recommend you visit the stone bridge and the main square along with the famous monuments.
- During a visit to the Macedonian capital, you must visit the market or the old bazaar, which is a center of trade and merchants from the 12th century to the present time, and is a living embodiment of the country's past and legacy from the Ottoman Empire, and there you will find authentic shops for jewelry, handmade products and all the original arts and products.
2- Skopje Canal Bridge:
- Crossing the Vardar River The stone bridge, also known as the Doosan Bridge, is one of the most prominent symbols of the city of Skopje-Macedonia, It is 214 meters long in Macedonia of stone blocks, and the building was built in the 14th-century reign of Sultan Mehmed II,
- and the bridge is located in the central square that covers the banks of the Vardar River and divides Skopje into two different parts, the left bank of Western Europe and the eastern right bank of the city.
- Crossing a bridge is like walking through Time and space and will give us a combination of oriental and European flavors of the capital.
3- Lake Matka:
- Located just 17 kilometers southwest of Skopje, Lake Matka allows you to enjoy the most picturesque and adventurous landscapes between the walls descending from exciting walkways,
- and you can join most visitors who come to the lake to rent a boat and access the famous caves and unique rock formations, then have lunch in the Matka Valley where there is a restaurant and a hotel.
- In addition to what nature has to offer, the Matka Valley is home to three churches; St. Andrew's Monastery, St. Nicholas Monastery, and Matka Monastery, all of which feature beautiful frescoes, some dating back to the 14th century.
4- Prehistoric settlement in Tumba Madzari:
- Macedonia is a country that was inhabited by prehistoric people in the Neolithic period. If we refer to the historian they say that this community was an agricultural society, as excavations conducted in the last century revealed many interesting articles and monuments associated with this community,
- and a model village was built that can be seen in the northeast of the city of Skopje, historians say that this historical site in Macedonia can date back to between 6000 to 4300 BC, and according to historians, The most striking feature of this society is the worship of the mother goddess.
5- Bitola:
- Bitola is the second largest city in Macedonia, located southeast of Lake Ohrid near the border with Greece, making it one of the best places to visit in Macedonia, with a wide range of Macedonian cultural attractions, dining opportunities, shopping, and entertainment options waiting for you in Magnolia Square among the most beautiful cafes and shops.
6- The city of Heraclea:
- The ruins of Heraclea near the city of Bitola in the Republic of Macedonia must be visited if we want to see the ruins associated with the Greco-Macedonian kingdom.
- Heraclea was also founded in the fourth century BC by King Philip II of the Kingdom of Macedonia, this historical landmark was established in Macedonia as Heracles or Hercules,
- but in the second century BC it was occupied by the Roman Empire Some changes were made in the management of the city by the Romans, and now tourists can see the magnificent remains of buildings, columns, baths, circuses, and stunning mosaics that immediately catch the eye.
7- Isar Castle:
- On a rocky hill on which the Isar Castle is located. This famous monument in Macedonia is not familiar exactly when the castle was built, but it is known to date back to the Middle Ages because it has all the characteristics of medieval art.
- On the four sides of Isar, churches were built to protect the castle, in 1332 A church was built dedicated to St. Archangel Michael, later in 1337 a church dedicated to Saint Vasily was built, and in 1341 The third church dedicated to St.
- Nicolas was built several years later the fourth church was built, and today it is preserved in its original form. During its existence, the castle was also subjected to several occupations, but the Turkish administration left great traces on it, as Isar was destroyed during that period,
- and despite the height of the castle 19 meters today, it is still mostly in ruins with very few preserved parts of the entire building, and although the castle is destroyed, it is still visited by the inhabitants Locals, and travelers who learn a lot about the history of this place, and at the same time enjoy great views of the city.
8- Old Theater:
- The ancient theater is located in the ancient city of Ohrid between the hills Gornji Siraj and Debug, a famous historical building that tells a lot about the rich history of Macedonia,
- this cultural monument in Macedonia is an example of buildings belonging to the Hellenistic period it is the only building in Macedonia that arose from this period and was built in 200 BC, but later during the Roman era the theater was used in gladiator battles and was a place where Christians were executed from Before the Romans,
- because of this the theater soon became hated by the locals who later destroyed it. Today only the lower parts of the seating and the place where the theater still exists.
9- Museum of Macedonia:
- The Museum of Macedonia is one of the oldest and most visited museums and monuments in Macedonia, and it is also the largest since three previous museums were brought together to form a new museum,
- it also features archaeological, historical, ethnological, and artistic collections with the great history of the country, while enjoying a wide range of exhibits with approximately 66,000 items. From the Neolithic through the Hellenic period to the Byzantine and Turkish eras.
10- Old train station:
- Devastated by a deadly earthquake on July 27, 1963, and turned into a museum, this old train station was founded in 1949, now hosting permanent exhibitions representing the city's history, and the age of the capital is discovered by looking at pieces of settlements dating back to 3000 BC.
11- Stobi Ruins:
- The ancient city of Stobi is one of the most important archaeological sites in Macedonia, dating back to the 7 century BC, and its importance stems from its strategic location along the ancient Roman trade route, from the Danube (Serbia) down to the Aegean Sea (Greece), as well as its unique historical and Roman monuments.
- Tourists can see the remains of Roman residences, columns, baths, theater, and arts in mosaic forms. Amazingly, some places of worship are associated with the Christian heritage. The ruins of Stupi are located in central Macedonia.
12- Marko's Towers:
- It is one of the historical buildings that belong to the Middle Ages of the country after visiting some monuments in Macedonia, Macedonia also has many interesting castles like other European countries,
- this famous monument in Macedonia was created by Prince Marko in the Middle Ages on a hill about 180 meters high, and the walls of this castle were thick and built of limestone mortars this is the specialty of this castle,
- but now the meticulously preserved ruins provide a glimpse Of the glory of the Middle Ages Historians say that although this castle was built in the Middle Ages, this spot was inhabited even before that and even in Roman times.
13-The city of Ohrid:
- The largest city along Lake Ohrid, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ohrid is the perfect place to stay for a few days amidst nature including exploring the sites of the old town and its surrounding monasteries, not to mention boat trips between unforgettable sights.
In conclusion: I
hope that the article won your admiration and that I have put most of the most
important archaeological places of this picturesque country in this article and
waiting for your opinions and ideas in the comments.
Wish You A Happy
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