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View of Mustafa Pasha Mosque from the Kala |
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Skopje Kala (Fortress) with roots that go back to the 6th century |
The Stone Bridge (Kamen Most) spanning the River Vardar links modern Skopje with Stara Čaršija. The bridge built on Roman foundations dates from the 15th century Ottoman period with periodic modern era renovations.
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Kamen Most (Stone Bridge) |
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Karposh |
Once over the Stone Bridge there are a few more Skopje 2014 installations cluttering the walk to Stara Čaršija. There is a non-working fountain with four statuary vignettes from the life of Olympia and her son Alexander (the warrior who cannot be named). On one side of the Olympia-Alex stages of mother and child statue is a lion sculpture fountain and on the other side is a horse fountain in which it looks as if the horses are drowning and furiously trying to escape.
Olympia's husband Philip II of Macedonia is mounted on top of another fountain just a few steps farther.
Once past the additions wrought by Skopje 2014, it feels as if you have stepped back to Ottoman-era Skopje where people live, work, and where paint peels and buildings have the patina of age. There are "tourist" streets with souvenir shops and trendy cafes in Stara Čaršija, but the best sights are beyond: the barber shops, the fancy dresses shops, the old tailor shops, and cafes where men sip coffee or play games in the shade of trees.
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From 2012 |
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Different lens - 2019 |
Blacksmith/Sharpener
My other favorite sculpture from Skopje 2014 is below the Stone Bridge between Ottoman Skopje and Modern Skopje. It is called "The Divers."
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