Skopje Fortress

Skopje Fortress or Kale Fortress is a landmark of Macedonia. The first settlements on the site of the fortress date back to the IV century BC. The fortress was built during the reign of the Byzantines in the VI century. In the XIV century, after the capture of Skopje by the Turks, the fortress was used as a barracks. Throughout its rich history, the fortress was repeatedly destroyed by conquerors, it was restored and rebuilt.

In 1917-1918, at the end of the First World War, the fortress was the headquarters of the Austrian army. After the formation of Yugoslavia, in the period from 1921 to 1930, military buildings were built in the fortress: the General Staff, warehouses and barracks. In 1951, the troops were withdrawn from the fortress, and the buildings were transferred to the Archaeological and Historical Museum. The fortress was badly damaged after the earthquake of 1963, the buildings were destroyed. Since then, jagged walls and towers have been restored, offering magnificent views of the city of Skopje.