2007 Macedonia, Skopje
ROHILAS IN EUROPE-IVA
September 27-October 14, 2007

October 4

At 7:30 a.m., we left Sofia on our southwest journey toward Macedonia. Isolated from its neighbors be mountain ranges, much of it is a plateau.

The heart of the Greek Empire in the 3rd century, BC, and later a Roman province, Macedonia was invaded several times starting in the 4th century AD. In the 14th century Ottoman Turks conquered it, and ruled it for almost 650 years. Then after passing under the control of various other nations, it was incorporated in Yugoslavia in 1929. Macedonia declared its independence in 1991.

Trade embargo imposed by Greece since its independence, Macedonia has severely affected its manufacturing industries. Currently it is the least developed of the former Yugoslav republics, and suffers a declining standard of living.






We stopped at Skopje, the capital and the largest city of Macedonia. Much of it was destroyed by an earthquake in 1963.



























A castle atop a hill dominates the old town.





It is surrounded by the Turkish quarters including a busy bazaar. In the central square is a 15th century mosque.




































Nearby is an old Turkish building, which now houses an art gallery.

The area has many eating places. We had lunch there. But to sit at a table to eat our packed




sandwiches, and to use the restroom, each of us was required to buy a beer, soft-drink or coffee at one Euro each.

On our way out we met students from a local school of architecture. They had come to there to





sketch some of the architectural details of the area. Two girls we talked to were able to converse with easily in English.