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The city of Skopje for the first time has been
mentioned by Klaudie Diolomej, under its ancient name "Skupi".
In the III century B.C. Skupi was founded by the Dardanians, and later
with the coming of the Romanians it came under their rule.
 In
this period, the city experienced real bloom on several fields, it
became a large religious centre with its own bishop. In the year of
518 the city was destroyed by a disastrous earthquake. Wonderful
architectonic buildings, numerous public baths and the antic
amphitheatre built in a roman style, large basilica with mosaic floors
have completely disappeared from the earth’s face. Since then Skupi is
not mentioned any more. The Skopje valley got a new city centre called
"Justinijana Prima". By the end of the VI century, in front of the
ramparts of the city the Slavic people have showed up, which managed
to occupy and to slavicize it for a period of only one century. This
area was settled by the Slavic tribe Beregheziti and gives the city
the new name Skopje. During the existence of the first Macedonian
state and the Macedonian czar Samouil, the city becomes part of the
Samouil’s empire. In the later years a lot of conquerors have passed
through the streets of the city, Bulgarians, Bysantiums, Serbians. In
the year of 1392, the city falls under the Turkish rule. Up to 1453
Skopje was a throne of the Turkish sultans and later it developed in a
significant craftsmen and commercial centre. A lot of authors who
write about their travels have expressed their delight from the city.
The Turkish writer Dilger Zede who has visited the city in the XVII
century says, "I travelled for a long time across that country of
Rumelija and I saw a lot of beautiful cities and I was amazed from the
Alah blessings, but not one has impressed
and delighted me so much as the heavens city of Skopje across which
passes the river Vardar". On 25th of October 1689 in front
of the city gates, arrives the Austrian general Picolomini with its
army. An event with an outstanding significance for Skopje. "I decided
to burn the city in order not to leave the enemy something that could
be of use to him. Although it is not easy, I decided to turn the city
into ashes". From the hillsides of the Vodno mountain, Pikolomini was
observing the fire: "I am sorry for the houses such as I have not seen
at all in this war. The mosques are from the highest quality marble
and porphyry, decorated with thousands lamps on a golden plated
holders, which one would devote equal attention even in Rome. I feel
sorry for the nice antiquities, gardens and places for entertainment."
The fire was raging for two days and except the massive stone
buildings, the city was completely destroyed. Up until the half of the
XIX century, the city could not recover back its previous appearance
in front of which the numerous people who write about their travelling
have stopped with a delight.
 In
the XIX century, the city becomes an important traffic centre. Moving
towards the countries from the middle east, Napoleon has found out the
road through Skopje. A lot of merchants with their endless caravans
loaded with various goods have been passing through the city. In this
period the city reaches the biggest development of the handicrafts.
Later, Skopje begins to change its appearance. After the First World
War on the right side of the river Vardar a modern city has been
built. 26th of July 1963 is remembered as the longest day
in the history of the city. Strong earthquake, of two severe and a few
weaker shocks, turned the city into ruins. Numerous cultural monuments
were seriously damaged or erased from the face of the earth. In
today’s conditions the city is experiencing its own renaissance for
many times in its history. |
