European Tourism: Entering Skopje, the capital of Macedonia ()

Leave Nishi Hotel (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

Macedonia tourism will be divided into two parts. On the same day, first watch the Wada River Bridge rebuilt in the15th century in Skopje, the capital of Macedonia, and visit the traditional Grand Bazaar, as well as Mustafa Pasha Mosque, Saint Spa Church, Kara Castle, Ancient Post Station, Alexander the Great Square, Mother Teresa Monument and Memorial Hall, which were also built in the15th century. The next day, on my way to Albania, I rowed in the beautiful Lake Ohrid in Macedonia and enjoyed the beautiful scenery of Lake Ohrid.

Scenery along the way (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

On the way to Split, the tour guide Shen gave a general introduction to Macedonia and the capital Split. Macedonia is a landlocked country in the southern Balkans of Southeast Europe, bordering Bulgaria in the east, Serbia in the north, Albania in the west and Greece in the south. Ancient Macedonia includes the Republic of Macedonia, Central Macedonia, West Macedonia and East Macedonia-Thrace in northern Greece.

Skopje Castle (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

For ancient Macedonia, the Greek side believes that the ancient Macedonian kingdom is a branch of the ancient Greeks, and the ancient Macedonian kingdom belongs to Greek history. On the other hand, the Republic of Macedonia claims to be the successor of the Kingdom of Macedonia and the Socialist Republic of Macedonia, so it insists on using the name "Macedonia".

Houses in the Old City (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

Slavs moved to Macedonia in the 7th century. From the second half of 10 century to10/8, Samoilo established the first Slavic Macedonia. Macedonia has been under the rule of Byzantium and Turkey for a long time since14th century. 19 12 after the first balkan war, serbian, bulgarian and Greek troops occupied Macedonia.

Pedestrians in the Old Town (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

The geographical part of Serbia is called Valdar Macedonia. After World War I, Valdar Macedonia was incorporated into the Kingdom of Serbia-Croatia-Slovenia and became a part of Serbia. 1929 was renamed the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. After World War II, the People's Republic of Yugoslavia was founded. Valdar Macedonia, which originally belonged to Serbia, became one of the constituent units of the Yugoslav Federation and was called the Republic of Macedonia. 199165438+1On October 20th, Macedonia declared its independence. 1993 joined the United Nations under the temporary name "The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia".

Street Murals (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

In order to promote economic development and accelerate its integration into the European Union, the Macedonian government has vigorously promoted infrastructure construction and promoted the development of related industries, and is known as one of the countries with rapid development in Europe. It ranks 36th among 14 1 countries and is one of the best countries in Europe. Macedonia is a landlocked country without sea. Macedonia has only four neighboring countries: Bulgaria to the east, Greece to the south, Albania to the west and Serbia to the north. Macedonia is mostly mountainous, and the Wada River runs through the north and south.

A corner of the market booth (photo: Feng Ganyong)

Market Pedestrian (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

Skopje is the capital and the largest city of Macedonia. One third of Macedonia's total population lives in Skopje. Skopje is also the political, cultural, economic and academic center city of Macedonia. Skopje's name in ancient Rome was Scoopi.

Street View of the Old Town (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

The area near Skopje, the capital of Macedonia, has been inhabited since about 4000 BC. Today, the Neolithic colonial remains were found near Skopje Castle in the center of Skopje. /kloc-on the eve of the 0 th century, the colony was conquered by the Romans and became the camp of the Roman army.

Take photos of the old city (Photo: Sun Tao)

19 12 During the Balkan War, Skopje was conquered by the Kingdom of Serbia. After World War I, Skopje became a part of the newly established country, the Kingdom of Serbia-Croatia-Slovenia (later the Kingdom of Yugoslavia).

Guzhen Wine House (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

During World War II, Skopje was occupied by the army of the Axis country, the Kingdom of Bulgaria. 1944 became the capital of the Socialist Republic of Macedonia, a member of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Skopje developed rapidly after World War II. However, due to the 1963 earthquake, its development temporarily stagnated. 199 1 year, Skopje became the capital of Macedonia, and Macedonia became independent from Yugoslavia.

A corner of the market (photo: Feng Ganyong)

When he came to Skopje, Shen first took everyone into the ancient market in the old city, and crossed the street from here to the Mustafa Pasha Mosque. The ancient market street in Skopje is near Macedonia Square. The literal translation of ancient fairs is "old fairs". It is said that it is the second largest Turkish-style market in Europe, and the largest is in Istanbul, Turkey.

Photos taken at the trade fair (Photo: Wang Jue)

Residents in traditional costumes (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

Old Bazaar is the most concentrated area of Skopje Mosque, and the buildings in this area are mostly typical Ottoman buildings. Mosque minarets and Osman Street are also quite harmonious.

Roaming in the streets of the ancient city (Photo: Wang Jue)

The residents of the old city are mostly Albanians and Turks who believe in Islam. Residents wearing traditional Turkish costumes can be seen everywhere here, as well as small markets for Albanians.

Pasha Mosque (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

Shen took his team to the Staffapasha Mosque, which was built on the hillside of 1492. I saw the tall spire stand out. The courtyard of the mosque is very clean. This mosque was built by Mustafa Pasha, an outstanding politician during the reign of Bayezid II and Salim I in Ottoman Empire. After a period of etiquette, the members took off their shoes and entered the mosque to watch the solemn mosque. The spacious hall and luxurious dome left a deep impression on people.

Inside the mosque (photo: Feng Ganyong)

Besides mosques, Skopje also has Christian churches and monasteries. Leaving Staffapasha Mosque and coming to St. Spa Church, we found that it was more like enjoying an art treasure house. This church was built in 1826 and was declared as a national historical landmark in 1970. There is a sarcophagus in the yard that is very eye-catching.

The sarcophagus in the church (photo: Wang Jue)

The church was built underground, because in the era of Turkish rule, the church was not allowed to be built higher than the mosque. Here we are proud of an icon partition with a width of10m and a height of 6m. The sculptures are all made of walnut, which is very beautiful. It was carved by highly skilled artists Frckovski and Filipvoski in the early19th century. The courtyard of the church leads to the tomb and museum of Goce Delcev. Goce Delcev is the leader of the Macedonian domestic revolutionary organization "IMRO" and a national hero. He was killed by Turks in 1903.

Diaolou Castle (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

When I came out of the church and went to Alexander the Great Square, I happened to pass by Karagu Castle on the roadside. Cara Castle is a building in ancient Rome. It is located on the left bank of Wada River and was built in the early 6th century. You can overlook the whole city of Skopje from the castle. Shen said that the big stone in Kara Castle belongs to the 4th century, and the outer wall belongs to the park 1 1 century. At that time, Macedonia was under the rule of the Roman Empire. I didn't visit the castle because of time constraints.

Corner of the Ancient Post Station (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

The last place to go in the old city is the ancient post station. Skopje has been an important transportation hub connecting the Aegean Sea and Adriatic Sea in the Balkans since ancient times, and has an important strategic and commercial position. So the post office here was very developed at that time.

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

Walking into the ancient post station in Skopje, at first glance, it is exactly the same as in China. The spacious yard is full of pines and cypresses for tying horses. Colorful flowers in stone flower beds are bright but not eye-catching.

Taking pictures in the street (photo: Feng Ganyong)

The whole station is a two-story structure similar to a quadrangle, with a restaurant downstairs and a guest room upstairs. Now it is the seat of a restaurant, far away from the bustling scene of caravans coming in and out.

Bridge over the Wada River (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

Located in front of Alexander the Great Square, the famous Wada River Stone Bridge is the symbol of Skopje. The stone bridge was built by 145 1 Justinian the Great during the Byzantine Empire, and it has been a battleground for military strategists since ancient times. At that time and now, it is the only bridge connecting the old city and the new city in Skopje.

Shiqiaotou Museum (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

The motorcade ended its sightseeing in the old city and came to the river. After crossing the bridge, they entered the square of Skopje New Town. Standing on the stone bridge, you can see a series of buildings around you, such as opera house and museum. Modern architecture shows the features of a new city.

Sculpture on the River (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

The Valdar River under the bridge is Skopje's mother river. Valdar River is a river in the southern Balkans. The eastern slope of Sal Mountain originates from the border between Macedonia and Albania, flows north through northern Macedonia, then turns southeast, passes through Skopje and Tito Velese, flows south into the Greek border, and flows into the Gulf of Thessaloniki in the Aegean Sea. It is 420 kilometers long, mostly in Macedonia.

Macedonian Square (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

There are several bridges on the Vardal River, five of which are in Skopje, the Macedonian capital. This stone bridge has 12 semicircular arches and is more than 200 meters long. On both sides of the riverside square in Vardal, there are also statues of people standing along the river, from ancient Justinian I to modern advocates and actors of national independence.

Group photo in the square (photo: Feng Ganyong)

Cross the bridge and come to Alexander the Great Square in Skopje. It used to be called Tito Square, and now it is also called Macedonia Square, which is the largest square in Macedonia. The fountain in Alexander the Great Square is very beautiful. The biggest "warrior on horseback" in the middle is the bronze statue of Alexander the Great in ancient Rome, surrounded by eight warriors and four fierce lions. The samurai is surrounded by a musical fountain, surrounded by statues of Nushi.

Square Statue (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

The soldiers in the base are all soldiers with spears, which looks like the famous "Macedonian phalanx". Alexander the Great relied on this phalanx to unify Greece and conquer Eurasia. Macedonian Empire once swept Persia and flattened Egypt, and it was the largest empire during the Roman Empire. Alexander the Great is the most famous historical figure in Macedonia.

Statue of Mother Pregnant (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

There are many sculptures in Alexander the Great Square, and the figures are very vivid. Among them, there is a group of sculptures of mothers from pregnancy to raising children by the fountain. The figures portrayed in this sculpture are lifelike and very touching. In addition, the famous boatman monument group sculpture has also attracted the attention of many tourists.

Boatman Monument (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

The full name is "Thessaloniki boatman monument", which was built on 20 1 1. Thessaloniki is a city in northern Greece. When Ottoman Turkey made the Western Expedition, the local people actively opposed the Ottoman Empire's occupation of Macedonia. This statue is used to commemorate this period of history. The boatman shows that when you go out to sea, you can forget your daily life and have unlimited freedom.

Mother Teresa Memorial Hall (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

Cross the square and finally come to Mother Teresa Monument and Memorial Hall. Mother Teresa (19127 August-15 September 1997) was born in Skopje, Macedonia. Her main achievement is to serve the poor in Calcutta, India. She won the 1979 Nobel Prize for her lifelong commitment to poverty eradication. In June, 2003, it was listed in the list of Catholic beatification by Pope John Paul II, and Mother Teresa's name became the truly blessed Mother Teresa.

Nun Monument (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

Arc de Triomphe (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

The Arc de Triomphe in Skopje marks the 20th anniversary of Macedonia's independence (Macedonia became independent in 199 1 year) and was officially completed and put into use in 2012/year. The Arc de Triomphe is 2 1 m high. Designed by Macedonian sculptor valentina Stefanovska, she is also the designer of Alexander's riding statue.

Taken at the Arc de Triomphe (Photo: Wang Jue)

There is a viewing platform overlooking the city on the Arc de Triomphe, which is another country with the Arc de Triomphe after Romania. Standing on the observation deck, you can get a panoramic view of Skopje, the capital of Macedonia.

The Corner of Ohrid (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

Lakes and mountains (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

The most beautiful thing in Macedonia is Lake Ohrid. Lake Ohrid is the second largest natural lake in the Balkans and the deepest lake (304 meters). It is located on the border between Albania and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, with one third in Albania and two thirds in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. The lake is 30km long, 0/2km wide, 365km2 in area and 695m above sea level. This is a hilltop lake with a steep shore.

Blue waves rippling (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

The water source of Lake Ohrid mainly comes from mountain springs, so it can be said that it is a rare unpolluted freshwater lake in Europe. Lake Ohrid is surrounded by mountains. The lake is clear and transparent. It is dark blue as a mirror and has beautiful scenery. On the east side of Lake Ohrid, there is a big mountain, and there is also a lake called Prespa, which is also composed of surrounding mountain springs. There are caves between it and Lake Ohrid, so people often call them sister lakes.

Boating on the Lake (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

Boating on the lake by boat, I saw the lake in Ohrid as a mirror. According to a large number of research results of the Ohrid Institute of Biohydrology on the creatures in the lake, the creatures in the lake are almost the same as the tertiary creatures 50 million years ago. Sponges and some fish in the lake are one of the last aquatic organisms in Eurasia before the ice age, and their shapes are almost the same as those of existing fossils.

Sightseeing on the lake (Photo: Feng Ganyong)

Taking pictures on the lake (photo: Sun Tao)

There is no doubt that Lake Ohrid is included in the World Natural Heritage, and at the same time, the whole city of Ohrid is also included in the World Cultural Heritage List by UNESCO. When I saw Lake Ohrid, I couldn't help sighing: What a good place to stay for a long time! If you look closely, you will find that the water in Lake Ohrid in Macedonia is dark blue and the lake is more elastic. The spirituality of Lake Ohrid is manifested in the changeable color of the water and the rich reflection layer in the water.

Back to the dock (photo: Feng Ganyong)

With its beautiful lakes and mountains and pleasant Mediterranean climate, Lake Ohrid, two cities on the shores of Lake Ohrid-Bograd in Albania and Ohrid in Yugoslavia-have become international tourist and health resorts. There are also history museums, art galleries and art schools. Every year, "Ohrid Summer Season" and "Balkan Festival" are held here, during which wonderful folk dances and music will be performed. After sightseeing in Lake Ohrid, Macedonia, the motorcade drove to Tirana, the capital of Albania, to continue its trip to the Balkans. (Photo: Feng Ganyong)