Standing out in terms of the natural and historical riches of the Balkan Peninsula, Macedonia has a treasure waiting to be discovered in every corner. With its quiet mountain villages, steep slopes, sparkling lakes, magnificent architecture bearing Ottoman traces and untouched wild nature, Macedonia has become indispensable for both travelers and family holidays, and is full of values that will conquer the hearts of history lovers.
What if we told you that you can easily access all this beauty right under our noses without a visa? Summer is ahead of us, and a long holiday holiday awaits us. If you are dreaming of a holiday alone with nature and history, Macedonia may be the right address for you. We have reserved this article for those who want to evaluate their holiday by going on a historical time travel, and we introduced the historical buildings of Macedonia, each of which is a treasure. If you are ready, we are embarking on a journey to the fascinating and rich roots of Macedonia by following the traces left behind by Alexander the Great.
Ohrid
Ohrid, the eighth largest city in Macedonia, is a small, charming and extremely touristic Balkan city. Stretching across its calm waters, Lake Ohrid is the first image many people think of when they think of Macedonia, yet few people know that this stunning lake is more than a million years old. The city of Ohrid, which hosts one of the oldest lakes in the world, has also been designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and is under protection.
Ohrid, one of the oldest settlements, is also one of its iconic structures, St. John's Church welcomes its visitors. This historical church, which rises right on the edge of the lake, is also of great religious importance. Hz. One of the 12 apostles of Jesus and the author of the Gospel of John, St. The church bearing the name of John is thought to date back to the 13th century. The most photographic and most touristic structure of the city, St. John's Church became famous with the frescoes discovered in its dome during the restoration work.
Ohrid-2
Ohrid, of course, is not limited to just this church. There are many churches to visit, from the historical Old Bazaar to the historical city center. The Church of St. Sofia and the Church of Kaneo, in the heart of the landscape, are among the most popular.
If you are interested in medieval buildings, you should definitely add the Tsar Samuel Castle, which offers a panoramic view of Ohrid, to your list of places to visit. The castle, which is thought to have taken its name from the person who built it, is located seven hundred meters above sea level. Due to its dominant position in the city, it is frequently flooded by tourists.
The Old Bazaar of the city, known as the Old Bazaar, is almost a corner from Anatolia. Here, the most beautiful mosques from the Ottoman period are at the top of the list to be discovered by Turkish tourists. The examples of civil architecture that you come across in the narrow streets are among the important details that you can watch the Ottoman influence.
Finally, let's talk about one of the beautiful examples of traditional Macedonian civil architecture. Robevi Mansion, which was used as the residence of the Robevi family until the 1900s, was taken under protection and turned into a museum after the damage it suffered during the Balkan Wars was repaired. The mansion, where archeological finds are exhibited as well as personal belongings of the Robevi family, is a structure that will please those who are interested in architecture.
Skopje
Here is another beautiful Macedonian city where history and nature are intertwined. In fact, we can even call it the most touristic region of Macedonia. We immediately begin to describe the historical treasures that will support our claim.
We still come across Ottoman artifacts in the country, which has been within the borders of the Ottoman Empire for many years. The most striking of these, in our opinion, is the Double Bath in Skopje. Today, the Double Bath, which serves as an art house open to the public as the "Macedonian National Art Gallery", is often named after him because it was built by the Grand Vizier Davut Pasha. When you visit Skopje, you should definitely put the Double Hamam on your to-do list, you can see the Ottoman traces on the ceiling motifs even after the major restoration, and you can visit the collection of works by important Macedonian artists.
Another historical monument located very close to the Double Bath is the Stone Bridge, which was built during the reign of Mehmet the Conqueror and is a symbolic structure integrated with Skopje. Rising on 12 pillars and with a total length of 214 meters, this bridge is the oldest in the city and offers a magnificent view of the Vardar River, especially at night.
Now it's time for the Historical Old Bazaar, one of our favorite places in Skopje. Now that you have arrived at the Stone Bridge, you are ready to visit the most extensive market of the Balkans. Although it is usually remembered for its colorful umbrellas on the ceiling of the bazaar, this historical bazaar, whose roots date back to the 12th century, is also home to a total of 712 shops where you can find a wide range of products. That's why a lot
