GEOBALCANICA 2023 FIELD TRIP

City of Skopje – Matka Gorge

Skopje, the city under the Millennium Cross, the city of Solidarity, the birthplace of Mother Teresa, the city of companionship, friendship, and togetherness. The Old Bazaar is the heart of Skopje, while the Kale Fortress, located at the highest point in the Old Town on the Vardar River, has proudly guarded the city for almost 1,500 years. Divided into two parts by the largest river Vardar, Kameni Most unites the heart of the city with the new part. Almost since the very existence of the city, Skopje has been characterized by a lively local life, where every street, every corner hides a story that is waiting to be told, places filled with history, memories, and rich traditional cuisine with a mixture of Balkan and Mediterranean food. The new dynamic life of the city is complemented by the numerous historical sites, starting from the ancient site “Skupi”, all the way to the Old Bazaar, infusing the city with rich tradition and life. The Old Bazaar of Skopje is the largest in the Balkans, after Istanbul and Sarajevo. The bazaar is located on the eastern bank of the Vardar River, stretching from the Stone Bridge to Bit-Pazar and from the Skopje fortress “Kale” to the Serava River. Ottoman architecture is dominant in the Old Bazaar, although remnants of Byzantine architecture are also evident. These historical landmarks give us a chance to better capture the beauty of the city of Skopje. Skopje is a city where every person, regardless of where they come from, will find their place, Skopje is a combination of the old generation and our modern times, and it is a place for all of us.

For those who want a little more adventure, cycling, hiking, and other outdoor activities in nature, we recommend a visit to Mount Vodno and the Millennium Cross, 66 meters high, built on top of Vodno, while the mountain itself has several mountain trails available to all hiking enthusiasts.

For those who want to enjoy beautiful natural landscapes, fresh air, and rich culture, Matka is the perfect destination. Only 15 kilometers southwest of Skopje, on an area of ​​5000 hectares, is one of the most picturesque canyons in the country, the Matka Canyon. It abounds with a rich complex of medieval buildings, including a dozen churches, monasteries, and the remains of a fortress (the medieval city of Matka). It has dozens of caves and a large number of endemic plants, and animals, a kingdom of diurnal and nocturnal butterflies, and one of the last areas with bald eagles. The karst form deserves special attention – ten caves with a length of 20 to 176 meters and two vertical chasms with a depth of up to 35 meters, of which the underwater cave Vrelo is famous, which, with its depth of 230 meters, is the deepest cave on the Balkan Peninsula. The natural beauty and characteristic terrain of the Matka Canyon allow numerous sports activities such as hiking, alpine climbing where the main season starts in spring, mountain biking and cross trails, recreational fishing, canoeing, and visiting caves that are millions of years old. All this makes Matka the most popular recreational area near Skopje, attracting the local population and foreign tourists daily throughout the year.

In addition to the breathtaking nature, the Matka Canyon also has a great cultural-historical heritage, especially the monastery of St. Andrew, which is located on the shore of the Matka Lake, built in the 14th century. The monastery of St. Nikola Shishovski is located on top of a rock above Matka Lake itself, giving the visitor a spectacular view of the lake and its surroundings. Other important monasteries are the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the church of St. Spas with remains of early Christian churches. In addition to the natural and historical heritage, the Matka canyon also has significant catering facilities and offers visitors traditional rich and delicious food, quality Macedonian varietal wines accompanied by the ethnic decor, traditional Macedonian music, breathtaking nature and relaxation, and all this at only 15 kilometers from the capital Skopje.

 

Skopje

Welcome to Skopje, the capital of the Republic of Macedonia, the City that lies in the heart of the Balkan Peninsula, at the crossroad of important communications, a city with a 2000 years old tradition.

I invite you to take a walk along the beautiful quay of the Macedonian river “Vardar”, to stroll the narrow streets in the Old Bazaar which is the biggest bazaar preserved in the Balkans today, to climb up the Upper Town in order to feel the spirit of the 1500 years old fortress and to enjoy the panorama of Skopje, to go to St. Pantelejmon and see the fresco “Lamentation of Christ”,with the first signs of the Renaissance. I also invite you to visit the Islamic monuments Sultan Murat’s-Hjunkar Mosque, the Daut Pasha’s bath, and feel the treasures of Skopje.

Skopje is internationally famous for being the birthplace of Mother Teresa, and she would be proud of the helpful, hospitable attitude that Skopje locals demonstrate towards visitors. Despite the recent trouble in the Balkans, Skopje has blossomed into a thriving, stimulating city to explore, defining itself as an exciting tourist destination.

After the exciting day in Skopje, enjoy the tasteful Macedonian cuisine and delicious Macedonian wines.

I am convinced that during the time of your stay in Skopje, you will feel the hospitality of its citizens everywhere and all the time.

I do believe that the visit to our city will stay in your memory for a long time as an unforgettable experience. From now on it is your city also because the pleasant moments here will stay in your memory forever.

Have a pleasant stay!

 

Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics - Skopje
Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics – Skopje

Macedonian Geographical Society
Macedonian Geographical Society

European Association of Geographers
European Association of Geographers

Geomap Skopje
Geomap Skopje
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