• Norway!

    Norway: Sunnylvsfjord. Go Now!

    Norway
    Known for its natural beauty, Norway is home to isolated villages, fjords, and mountains that create a culture and landscape without compare. Begin Your Journey!

  • Vatican City!

    Vatican City: Vatican Museums. Go Now!

    Vatican City
    The smallest country in the world offers the heart of Catholicism and among the world's finest art collections, including the Sistine Chapel and the Raphael Rooms (ceiling pictured). Go to Vatican City!

  • Macedonia!

    Macedonia: Traditional architecture. Go Now!

    Macedonia
    Macedonia is a country still finding its unique identity, but its architecture is already one of a kind. Explore Macedonia!

  • Austria!

    Austria: Belvedere Palace. Go Now!

    Austria
    Belvedere Palace (pictured) is just one of many palaces found in Vienna. The capital is a good start to Austria, which also features the Alps, the Lakes District, and incredible history & food. Go Now!

  • Spain!

    Spain: Guell Park and Gaudi architecture. Go Now!

    Spain
    Fusion foods, lively music, historic ruins, and cultural events like the Running of the Bulls and La Tomatina make Spain and Barcelona (pictured) a favorite tourist destination. Explore Spain!

  • Ukraine!

    Ukraine: Traditional Village. Go Now!

    Ukraine
    Ukrainian culture is based on village life, particularly that found in the Carpathian Mountains (pictured). Begin Your Journey!

Architecture of Macedonia

Macedonian Architecture - St. Joachim Monastery
St. Joachim Monastery

The earliest architecture in Macedonia was built by the Romans. The aqueduct in Skopje and some of the ruins at Ohrid are the best preserved of these many ruins. However Ohrid isn't known for its Roman ruins as much as it is known for its later architecture. The growth and flourishing of the city brought in many buildings, including St. Panteleimon (800s), which is the oldest Slavic monastery in the world. Also in this city, St. Sofia's was built (800s-1000s).

When the Ottomans took over the region, beginning in the 1300s, the architectural style in the region quickly changed and adopted the new requirements. Mosques, hamams, and bazaars were built as some of the people converted to Islam. Skopje retains the best examples from this period, including their Sultan Murad Mosque and their old bazaar, which vastly grew during this period.

Macedonian Architecture - Traditional architecture
Traditional architecture

Architecture from the 1800s is again best represented in Ohrid. There are numerous residential houses from this period, which represent some of the oldest and best preserved domestic architecture in the country. These stone-based wood houses are easily recognizable due to their white color as they sit close together facing the lake. Another great example of houses from this time period is the village of Krusevo, which has similarities to Ohrid, but many distinctions as well.

Macedonian Architecture - Skopje
Skopje

Perhaps the best place to see the country's modern architecture is in the capital city of Skopje. In fact, Skopje has a great sampling of architecture from nearly every time period in the region's history, although perhaps not as much significance as many of the buildings in Ohrid.

This page was last updated: March, 2013