Cultural Corridors of South East Europe

Heritage by Theme / Fortresses

The Fortress Kale of Skopje

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The Fortress Kale of Skopje

About the site


Corridor: Sofia-Ohrid Road
Country: FYR of Macedonia, Skopje
Type: Fortress
Epoch: Middle Ages
Theme: Fortresses
World Heritage:
Middle AgesFortressesFortress

The most dominant building complex in the city of Skopje, located on the left bank of the Vardar river, is the fortification “Kale”. The first settlements on that place date back to 7th-6th millennium BC.  The present remnants are dated from the 10th to the 14th century. During the 13th and 14th centuries many building activities have been maintained. The civilians resided in the lower part of the fortified town and the upper section was used for military needs. The stone blocks that were used for the construction of the walls of the fortification were taken from the remnants of the city of Skupi. The oldest preserved walls, 9 meters high, and the remnants of towers, are dated from the time of tsar Samuil (10th century). 

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