In the heart of North Macedonia’s capital, Skopje, the historic Turkish Bazaar stands as a vibrant reminder of the city’s Ottoman past and is a popular destination for Turkish tourists.
This ancient marketplace, with its narrow streets and rich history, showcases some of the finest examples of Ottoman architecture, including mosques, inns, baths, and fountains.
Known as the “Old Skopje Bazaar,” the area is famed for its traditional crafts like jewelry making and carpet weaving. Visitors are also drawn to the local cuisine, where Turkish tourists often remark that they feel “right at home.”
Hasan Arslan, a visitor from Türkiye, shared his excitement about the city: “Skopje excited us. It’s a beautiful and historic city, and seeing the traces of the Ottoman Empire made us especially happy.” He encouraged those interested in Ottoman heritage to spend more than a day exploring the capital.
The Turkish Bazaar, which gained prominence in the 16th and 17th centuries, is home to iconic Ottoman landmarks like the Sultan Murad Mosque, Kurshumli An Inn, and the Davut Pasha Bathhouse. Turkish tourists are especially fond of the local eateries, where traditional North Macedonian dishes like meatballs and baked beans are top of the list.
One of Skopje’s most famous Ottoman structures is the Stone Bridge, also known as the “Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge.” This 12-arch, 220-meter-long bridge, which connects the banks of the Vardar River, has withstood wars and earthquakes and remains a testament to the city’s rich Ottoman heritage.
Source: Daily Sabah
