Skоpје

Skоpје, the present capital of Macedonia, which at the time of King Мilutin was the capital of the Serbian Kingdom. One of the Nеmаnjić courts was there, as well. During the Dušаn the Mighty’s rule, the town had an important role as the kingdom’s seat. Here In 1346, Dušаn was crowned as King of Serbs and Rumelians, here he declared his Code. Serbian rule would remain in Macedonia until the fall of the Мrnjаvčеvić family in the late 14th century. Along with Rаška and Kоsоvо and Меtоhiјa, Macedonia makes the Old Serbia, a modern name for regions making the core of the mediaeval Serbian state. In spite of numerous ideological and political opposition, the historic sources provide irrefutable information on the Serbian rule in Macedonia. In the First Balkan war, the country was liberated from the Turkish rule, becoming a part of Serbia and Yugoslavia. In the world wars it was occupied by the Bulgarians and since 1945, within the socialist Yugoslavia, it gained its independent status and seceded from Serbia.

ART

The symbol of the city of Skоpјe in the Dušаn’s Bridge, built in the time of the Serbian rule. Several monumental monasteries also testify to the Serbian tradition in the region, built by the Serbian donors.

The best known among them is the Мilutin’s monastery of St George in Stаrо Nаgоričane. It is a well preserved mediaeval church, with an elongated cruciform ground plan, covered by stone slabs. Its particular beauty is manifested in the altar icons painted in a special fresco technique, rendering the building a unique one among the Serbian churches.