"SKOPJE - Capital of FYR Macedonia" a Skopje Travel Page by daBertl

Send Photo to a Friend

A bit of History

Skopje, the capital of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYRM) has a long history that dates back until the 7th millennium BC when dozens of farmers settled in the region along the river Vardar that flows through the today’s city. Skopje and the entire country of Macedonia have been occupied by many other old European empires including the Roman Empire, the Austrian Empire, and the Ottoman Empire. The actual name Skopje derives from the 2nd century BC from an old Roman settlement or large military campus in the valley, which was called Scupi after local settlers in the region. The Romans left, the name remained and Scupi became Ushkup during the Turkish occupation and later Skopje from the local |Macedonian language. Skopje is home to several ethnic groups of which the biggest naturally are Macedonians. Besides, there is a strong Albanian community, Serbian groups, and Greek, Bulgarian, Turkish and Croatian minorities. Politically, Skopje and Macedonia is struggling for economic stability, peace between rivaling ethnic groups, especially in the Eastern and Northern parts of Macedonia with Albanian majorities and for full acknowledgment by the Greek Government. Macedonia only became an independent state in 1991 after its break with the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and is now facing difficulties to be fully accepted by its southern neighbor Greece, especially the Greek state of Macedonia. Therefore, Macedonia had to officially name itself as FYR Macedonia in order to not allowing any misunderstandings with the Greek state and possible later territorial claims.

During my work on the Balkans I have visited Skopje many, many times and always had a great time. Great food, nice people, lovely atmosphere and always something to do. A lot of construction was going on and every time I got back the city looked nicer and nicer. My favorite: sitting in one of the many cafes and just suck it all in.