View source for Skopje

{{short description|Capital and largest city of North Macedonia}}
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{{Use British English|date=May 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2021}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Skopje
| official_name = Град Скопје<br>Qyteti i Shkupit<br>City of Skopje
| native_name = {{native name|mk|Скопје|italics=off}}<br />{{native name|sq|Shkup / Shkupi}}
| settlement_type = [[Capital city]]
| translit_lang1 = 
| image_skyline = {{multiple image
| border = infobox
| perrow = 1/3/2/1
| total_width = 290
| align = center
| caption_align = center
| image1 = Skopje view from Kale 3.jpg
| caption1                 = View over central Skopje with the [[Vardar|Vardar river]]
| image2 = Stone Bridge Skopje 4.jpg
| caption2                 = [[Macedonia Square, Skopje|Macedonia Square]]
| image3 = Tower from the Skopje Fortress.JPG
| caption3                = [[Skopje Fortress]] (''Kale'')
| image4 = Millennium Cross Vodno 2025 2.jpg
| caption4                 = [[Vodno]]
| image5 = St. Clement Church Skopje 3.jpg
| caption5                 = [[Church of St. Clement of Ohrid]]
| image6 = Stone Bridge Panorama (41441871740).jpg
| caption6                 =  [[Stone Bridge (Skopje)|Stone Bridge]]
}}
| imagesize = 280px
| image_caption = 
| image_flag = Flag of City of Skopje.svg
| flag_link = Flag of Skopje
| image_shield = Coat of arms of Skopje.svg
| shield_link = Coat of arms of Skopje
| mapframe = yes
| mapframe-shape = yes
| mapsize = 230px
| map_caption = Location of Skopje in North Macedonia
| pushpin_map = North Macedonia#Europe
| pushpin_relief = 1
| coordinates = {{Coord|41|59|46|N|21|25|54|E|type:city_region:MK-85|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{MKD}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[Statistical Regions of North Macedonia|Region]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Skopje Statistical Region|Skopje Statistical]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[Municipalities of North Macedonia|Municipality]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Greater Skopje]]
| government_type = Special unit of local self-government
| governing_body = Skopje City Council
| leader_title = [[Mayor of the City of Skopje|Mayor]]
| leader_name = [[Orce Ǵorǵievski]] ([[VMRO-DPMNE]])
| area_total_km2 = 571.46
| area_urban_km2 = 337.80
| area_metro_km2 = 1854.00
| elevation_m = 240
| population_total = 526,502
| total_type = Greater Skopje
| population_urban = 
| population_metro = 
| population_as_of = 2021
| population_footnotes = <ref name="stats2"/>
| population_density_urban_km2 = auto
| population_density_metro_km2 = auto
| population_demonym = [[wikt:Skopjan|Skopjan]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.yourdictionary.com/skopjan |title=Skopjan dictionary definition &#124; skopjan defined |publisher=YourDictionary }}</ref><br/>{{langx|mk|Skopjanec/Skopjanka <br/> Скопјанец/Скопјанка}}<br>{{langx|sq|link=yes|Shkupjan (m), Shkupjane (f)}}
| timezone1_DST = [[Central European Summer Time|CEST]]
| utc_offset1_DST = +02:00
| postal_code_type = Postal codes
| postal_code = МК-10 00
| area_code = +389 2
| iso_code = MK-85
| blank_name_sec1 = [[Vehicle registration plates of North Macedonia|Vehicle registration]]
| blank_info_sec1 = SK
| blank_name_sec2 = [[Köppen climate classification|Climate]]
| blank_info_sec2 = [[Semi-arid climate|BSk]]
| website = {{URL|www.skopje.gov.mk/}}
| demographics_type1 = Official Language(s)
| demographics1_title1 = primary
| demographics1_info1 = [[Macedonian language|Macedonian]], [[Albanian language|Albanian]]
| timezone = [[Central European Time|CET]]
| utc_offset = +01:00
| blank2_name_sec1 = [[Human Development Index|HDI]] (2021)
| blank2_info_sec1 = 0.802<ref name="GlobalDataLab">{{Cite web|url=https://hdi.globaldatalab.org/areadata/shdi/|title=Sub-national HDI - Area Database - Global Data Lab|website=hdi.globaldatalab.org|language=en|access-date=2018-09-13}}</ref><br />{{color|darkgreen|very high}} · [[List of regions of North Macedonia by Human Development Index|1st of 8]]
}}

'''Skopje'''{{efn|Pronunciations and translations: {{IPAc-en|ˈ|s|k|ɒ|p|j|eɪ|audio=En-uk-Skopje.ogg}} {{respell|SKOP|yay}},<ref>{{Cite American Heritage Dictionary|Skopje|access-date=July 28, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite Merriam-Webster|Skopje|access-date=July 28, 2023}}</ref> {{IPAc-en|USalso|ˈ|s|k|oʊ|p|j|eɪ}} {{respell|SKOHP|yay}};<ref>{{citation |last=Wells |first=John C. |title=Longman Pronunciation Dictionary |page=747 |year=2008 |edition=3rd |publisher=Longman |isbn=9781405881180}}</ref> {{langx|mk|Скопје}} {{IPA|mk|ˈskɔpjɛ||Mk-Skopje.ogg}}; {{langx|sq|Shkup}}, {{lang-sq-definite|Shkupi}}}} is the capital and largest city of [[North Macedonia]]. It lies in the northern part of the country, in the [[Skopje Basin|Skopje Valley]] along the [[Vardar]] River, and is the political, economic, and cultural centre of the country. As of the [[2021 North Macedonia census|2021 census]], the city had a population of 526,502. Skopje covers {{convert|571.46|km2|mi2|abbr=on}} and includes both urban and rural areas, bordered by several [[Municipalities of North Macedonia|municipalities]] and close to the borders of [[Kosovo]] and [[Serbia]].

The area of Skopje has been continuously inhabited since at least the [[Chalcolithic]] period. The city — known as ''[[Scupi]]'' at the time — was founded in the late 1st century during the rule of [[Domitian]], and abandoned in 518 after an earthquake destroyed the city. It was rebuilt under [[Justinian I]]. It became a significant settlement under the [[First Bulgarian Empire]], the [[Serbian Empire]] (when it served briefly as a capital), and later under the [[Ottoman Empire]], which ruled the city for over five centuries. In 1912, following the [[Balkan Wars]], Skopje was annexed by the [[Kingdom of Serbia]]. It became part of [[Yugoslavia]] after [[World War I]] and, following [[World War II]], became the capital of the [[Socialist Republic of Macedonia]], one of its constituent republics. In 1963, a [[1963 Skopje earthquake|major earthquake]] devastated the city, after which it was largely rebuilt with international assistance. Skopje became the capital of independent North Macedonia in 1991.

The city has a diverse population, with ethnic [[Macedonians (ethnic group)|Macedonians]] forming a majority and [[Albanians in North Macedonia|Albanians]] a significant minority, alongside [[Romani people in North Macedonia|Roma]], [[Turks in North Macedonia|Turks]], [[Serbs in North Macedonia|Serbs]], and others. It is also religiously diverse, with [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Orthodox Christianity]] and [[Islam in North Macedonia|Islam]] being the most widely practised faiths. Skopje is the site of major educational and cultural institutions, including the [[Ss. Cyril and Methodius University of Skopje|Ss. Cyril and Methodius University]], the [[Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts]], and the National Theatre.

Skopje is the country's centre of government and business and produces a significant share of the national GDP. Its [[Economy of North Macedonia|economy]] is based on industry, trade, services, and finance. The city has undergone major transformations in recent decades, notably through the controversial [[Skopje 2014]] project, which aimed to reshape the city centre with [[Neoclassical architecture|neoclassical]] buildings and monuments.

== Name ==
{{see also|Names of European cities in different languages: Q-T#S|l1=Other names of Skopje}}
[[File:Skoplje 1912.jpg|thumb|left|Serbian troops overseeing the city's renaming from "Üsküb" to "Skoplje" following Serbia's annexation of [[Vardar Macedonia]] in 1912]]

The city is attested for the first name in ''[[Geography (Ptolemy)|Geography]]'' by [[Ptolemy]] {{circa|AD 150}} as one of the cities of [[Roman Dardania]]. Ptolemy describes the city in Latin as {{Lang|la|Scupi}} and ancient Greek as {{Lang|grc|Σκοῦποι|italic=yes}}. The [[toponym]] likely belongs to a group of similar [[Illyrian language|Illyrian]] toponyms which have been transmitted to Slavic languages in the same way as the modern [[Macedonian language|Macedonian]] toponym ''Skopje'': {{Lang|bs|Skoplje|italic=yes}} and {{Lang|bs|Uskoplje|italic=yes}} in Bosnia, {{Lang|hr|Uskoplje|italic=yes}} in Dalmatia (Croatia).{{sfn|Duridanov|1975|pp=18–19}}

''{{Lang|sq|Shkup|italic=yes}}'', the name of the city in [[Albanian language|Albanian]], developed directly from Roman-era ''{{Lang|la|Scupi}}'' in agreement with the Albanian phonological development, the basis of evidence of an earlier Albanian settlement in the area.<ref>{{Cite thesis|last=Curtis|first=Matthew Cowan|title=Slavic-Albanian Language Contact, Convergence, and Coexistence|url=https://etd.ohiolink.edu/apexprod/rws_etd/send_file/send?accession=osu1338406907|publisher=The Ohio State University|year=2012|page=45|quote=Again the evidence of an earlier Albanian settlement in Macedonian territories relies on the phonological development of particular locations. In Macedonia the names of Ohrid (Alb ''Ohër'') < ''Lychnidus'', Skopje (Mk ''Skopje'', Sr ''Skoplje'', Alb ''Shkup'') < ''Skupi'', and ''Štip'' < ''Astibos'' are best explained by the phonological developments of Albanian (Stanišić 1995: 10–11 and references therein).|access-date=28 January 2023|archive-date=7 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207075619/https://etd.ohiolink.edu/apexprod/rws_etd/send_file/send?accession=osu1338406907|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Demiraj|first=Shaban|author-link=Shaban Demiraj|publisher=[[Academy of Sciences of Albania]]|title=The origin of the Albanians: linguistically investigated|isbn=9789994381715|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aXIbAQAAIAAJ|year=2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201120114336/https://books.google.com/books?id=aXIbAQAAIAAJ|archive-date=20 November 2020|page=139|quote=The place-name ''Shkup'' is evidenced as ''Scupi-'' in ancient records, as for example in ''Itineraria Romana'' 1916 (of the III-IV centuries A.D.) 77. In the Balkan Slavic languages this place-name sounds with the initial /''Sko-''/: ''Skopie'', whereas in Albanian the initial /''Shku-''/ in ''Shkup-i'' is a direct reflection of the ancient /''Scu-''/, and this excludes a Slavic intermediation. The regular evolution of ''Scupi'' > ''Shkup'' has also been admitted by Barić (1955, p. 49) and Skok78 (before him).}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Malcolm |first=Noel |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Kosovo/_FMZQQAACAAJ?hl=en |title=Kosovo: A Short History |chapter=Origins: Serbs, Albanians and Vlachs |pages=22-40 |publisher=Macmillan |date=1998 |quote=The evidence is in fact very mixed; some of the Albanian forms (of both urban and rural names) suggest transmission via Slav, but others -including the towns of Shkodra, Drisht, Lezha, Shkup (Skopje) and perhaps Shtip (Stip, southeast of Skopje) - follow the pattern of continuous Albanian development from the Latin.}}</ref><ref>[https://www.google.com/books/edition/Popullsia_shqiptare_e_Kosov%C3%ABs_gjat%C3%AB_sh/AuwJAQAAIAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=0&bsq=popullsia%20shqiptare%20e%20kosoves Popullsia shqiptare e Kosovës gjatë shek studime dhe dokumente. XV-XVI - Selami Pulaha 1984] - 'Other ancient toponyms that belong to the Albanian territories in the former Yugoslavia have evolved in accordance to the historical phonetic rules of the Albanian language. Such cases are Naissus-Nish, Scupi-Shkup, Astibos-Shtip, Scardus-Shar, Ulpiana-Lipjan and many more. The explanation of why these ancient names have arrived to us in the form they did, is that these territories have been inhabited by Albanians continuously and not intermittingly. The presence of an Albanian speaking population has been preserved mostly in the names of the towns. This evidence demonstrates that the Albanian population could not have been made up of shepherds sheltered in the highlands or the mountains. Quite on the contrary, that population was urbanized and apparently with an advanced standard of living for its time. Among other factors, the ancient toponomastic data, such as the contemporary names of places used by Slavs, which are explainable only through the phonetic rules of the ancient Albanian language, has convinced scientists that these territories were inhabited by Albanians. Distinguished linguists such as Norbert Jokl, Gustav Weygand, and Petrovici, and even some Yugoslav scholars like Henrik Baric and others, have argued that it was precisely Dardania, defined as an enclave by the use of the ancient names such as Nish, Shkup, Shtip that was one of the centers of the formation of the Albanian people.'</ref> ''{{Lang|sq|Shkupi|italic=yes}}'' is the definite form of ''{{Lang|sq|Shkup|italic=yes}}'' in Albanian.{{sfn|Herold|Langer|Lechler|2010|p=29}} ''Skopje'', the name of the city during the Middle Ages, is the local Slavic (Macedonian) rendition of ''Scupi''.<ref name="history">{{cite web |url=http://www.skopje.gov.mk/EN/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabindex=0&tabid=46 |title=History |year=2009 |publisher=City of Skopje |access-date=26 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090512232543/http://www.skopje.gov.mk/EN/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabindex=0&tabid=46 |archive-date=12 May 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The [[Ottoman Turkish]] rendition of the city's name is {{lang|ota-Latn|Üsküb}} ({{langx|ota|اسكوب}}) and it was adapted in Western languages in "Uskub" or "Uskup", and these two appellations were used in the [[Western world]] until 1912. Some Western sources also cite "Scopia" and "Skopia".<ref name="britannica">{{cite EB1911|wstitle= Usküb |volume= 27 |page= 811 |quote= USKÜB, Uscup, or Skopia (anc. Scupi, Turk. Üshküb, Slav. Skoplye), the capital of the vilayet of Kossovo}}</ref> {{lang|rup|Scopia}} is the name of the city in [[Aromanian language|Aromanian]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://repository.ukim.mk/bitstream/20.500.12188/6782/1/The_war_of_numbers_and_its_first_victim.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210813052216/https://repository.ukim.mk/bitstream/20.500.12188/6782/1/The_war_of_numbers_and_its_first_victim.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=13 August 2021 |title=The War of Numbers and its First Victim: The Aromanians in Macedonia (End of 19th – Beginning of 20th century) }}</ref>

When [[Vardar Macedonia]] was annexed by the Kingdom of Serbia in 1912, the city officially became {{Lang|sr|Skoplje|italic=yes}} ({{Lang-sr-Cyrl|Скопље}}) and many languages adopted this name. To reflect local pronunciation, the city's name was eventually spelled as {{Lang|mk|Skopje|italic=yes}} ({{langx|mk|Скопје}}) after the [[Second World War]], when standard Macedonian became the official language of the new Socialist Republic of Macedonia.{{citation needed|date=August 2025}}

== Geography ==

=== Topography ===

Skopje is in the north of the country, in the centre of the [[Balkan peninsula]], and approximately halfway between Belgrade and [[Athens]]. The city was built in the [[Skopje Valley]], oriented on a west–east axis, along the course of the Vardar river, which flows into the [[Aegean Sea]] in Greece. The valley is approximately {{cvt|20|km|abbr=off}} wide<ref name="tourism">{{cite web |url=http://www.macedoniatourism.gov.mk/freeTime.aspx?q=uKZfRLQMSvIy7ig7VCbGlw==#&&hp=L75tfs0nVNv%2bI7mU8aucLg%3d%3d |title=Nature of the region of Skopje |publisher=Tourist office of Macedonia |year=2009 |access-date=26 February 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110914052819/http://www.macedoniatourism.gov.mk/freeTime.aspx?q=uKZfRLQMSvIy7ig7VCbGlw==#&&hp=L75tfs0nVNv%2bI7mU8aucLg%3d%3d |archive-date=14 September 2011}}</ref> and it is limited by several mountain ranges to the north and south. These ranges limit the urban expansion of Skopje, which spreads along the Vardar and the {{Interlanguage link|Serava|lt=Serava|mk|Серава|sr|Серава}}, a small river which comes from the north. In its administrative boundaries, the City of Skopje stretches for more than {{cvt|33|km|abbr=off}},<ref name="transports">{{cite web |title=Traffic and transport projects |url=http://www.transpower-rp6.org/uploads/media/Skopje_Actual__Traffic_Projects_01.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613112034/http://www.transpower-rp6.org/uploads/media/Skopje_Actual__Traffic_Projects_01.pdf/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=13 June 2018 |publisher=City of Skopje |year=2008 |access-date=26 February 2011}}</ref> but it is only {{cvt|10|km|abbr=off}} wide.<ref name="figures">{{cite web |title=Figures |url=http://www.skopje.gov.mk/EN/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabindex=0&tabid=33 |publisher=City of Skopje |year=2009 |access-date=26 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721162550/http://www.skopje.gov.mk/EN/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabindex=0&tabid=33 |archive-date=21 July 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Skopje is approximately 245 m above sea level and covers 571.46&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>.<ref name="drisla"/> The urbanised area only covers 337&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>, with a density of 65 inhabitants per hectare.<ref name="nature">{{cite web |url=http://www.parkovi.com.mk/default.asp?ItemID=585010091E61F94A93252F30545D68B9 |title=The Study on Wastewater Management in Skopje in the Republic of Macedonia |publisher=Tokyo Engineering Consultants |year=2008 |access-date=19 October 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121115085154/http://www.parkovi.com.mk/default.asp?ItemID=585010091E61F94A93252F30545D68B9 |archive-date=15 November 2012}}</ref> Skopje, in its administrative limits, encompasses many villages and other settlements, including [[Dračevo, Skopje|Dračevo]], [[Gorno Nerezi]] and Bardovci. According to the 2021 census, the City of Skopje had 526,502 inhabitants.<ref name="stats2"/><ref name="meta">{{cite web |title=Census 2021: North Macedonia with 1 836 713 citizens, out of whom 526 502 live in Skopje |url=https://meta.mk/en/census-2021-north-macedonia-with-1-836-713-citizens-out-of-whom-526-502-live-in-skopje/ |website=Meta.mk |date=31 March 2022}}</ref>

The City of Skopje reaches the Kosovo border to the north-east. Clockwise, it is also bordered by the municipalities of [[Čučer-Sandevo Municipality|Čučer-Sandevo]], [[Lipkovo Municipality|Lipkovo]], [[Aračinovo Municipality|Aračinovo]], [[Ilinden Municipality|Ilinden]], [[Studeničani Municipality|Studeničani]], [[Sopište Municipality|Sopište]], [[Želino Municipality|Želino]] and [[Jegunovce Municipality|Jegunovce]].<ref name="SkopjeBoundaries">{{cite web |title=City of Skopje Profile |url=https://www.skopje.gov.mk/en/desktopdefault.aspx?tabindex=0&tabid=33 |publisher=Official Portal of the City of Skopje |access-date=2026-05-11}}</ref>

<gallery mode="packed">
File:Map City of Skopje en.svg|The City of Skopje; its administrative limits are in red.
File:MIHPM(Skopje).png|Location of Skopje in North Macedonia
File:Wildflowers of Bardovci12.jpg|Landscape of the Skopje valley, near Bardovci
</gallery>

=== Hydrography ===

The Vardar river, which flows through Skopje, is at approximately {{cvt|60|km|abbr=off}} from its source near [[Gostivar]]. In Skopje, its average discharge is 51 m<sup>3</sup>/s, with a wide amplitude depending on seasons, between 99.6 m<sup>3</sup>/s in May and 18.7 m<sup>3</sup>/s in July. The water temperature is between 4.6&nbsp;°C in January and 18.1&nbsp;°C in July.<ref name="vardar">{{cite web |url=http://www.kuke.com.pl/download.php?id=9 |title=Combined Cycle Co-Generation Power Plant Project, Skopje, Environmental Assessment Report |publisher=TE-TO AD SKOPJE |year=2006 |access-date=6 October 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090816180417/http://www.kuke.com.pl/download.php?id=9 |archive-date=16 August 2009}}</ref>

Several rivers meet the Vardar within the city boundaries. The largest is the [[Treska]], which is {{cvt|130|km|abbr=off}} long. It crosses the [[Matka Canyon]] before reaching the Vardar on the western extremity of the City of Skopje. The [[Lepenac]], coming from Kosovo, flows into the Vardar on the north-western end of the urban area. The Serava, also coming from the north, had flowed through the [[Old Bazaar, Skopje|Old Bazaar]] until the 1960s when it was diverted towards the west because its waters were very polluted. Originally, it met the Vardar close to the seat of the Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts. Nowadays, it flows into the Vardar near the ruins of Scupi.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://star.vest.com.mk/default.asp?id=40399&idg=3&idb=604&rubrika=Revija |title=Одмаздата на Серава |year=2001 |publisher=Vest |author=Risto Ḱorstošev |access-date=6 October 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023061721/http://star.vest.com.mk/default.asp?id=40399&idg=3&idb=604&rubrika=Revija |archive-date=23 October 2013}}</ref> [[Markova Reka]], which originates in Mount [[Vodno]], meets the Vardar at the eastern extremity of the city. These three rivers are less than {{cvt|70|km|abbr=off}} long.<ref name="figures"/>

The City of Skopje incorporates two artificial lakes, on the Treska. [[Lake Matka]] is the result of the construction of a dam in Matka Canyon in the 1930s, and the Treska Lake was dug for leisure purposes in 1978.<ref name="figures"/> Three small natural lakes can be found near [[Smilkovci]], on the north-eastern edge of the urban area.{{citation needed|date=August 2025}}

The river Vardar historically caused many floods, such as in 1962, when its outflow reached 1110 m<sup>3</sup>/s<sup>−1</sup>.<ref name="vardar"/> Several works have been carried out since Byzantine times to limit the risks, and since the construction of the [[Kozjak Hydro Power Plant|Kozjak dam]] on the Treska in 1994, the flood risk is close to zero.<ref name="kozjak">{{cite web |url=https://www.jasen.com.mk/Default.aspx?id=1703cd5c-b351-44f8-a60d-8108b7a76e5a |title=Lake Kozjak |author=Jasen |year=2010 |publisher=Government of the Republic of Macedonia |access-date=27 February 2011}}</ref>

The subsoil contains a large [[water table]] which is alimented by the Vardar and functions as an underground river. Under the table lies an [[aquifer]] contained in [[marl]]. The water table is 4 to 12 m under the ground and 4 to 144 m deep. Several wells collect its waters but most of the drinking water used in Skopje comes from a [[karstic]] spring in [[Rašče]], west of the city.<ref name="nature"/>

<gallery mode="packed">
File:Saraj swimming pool.jpg|The Treska Lake
File:Skopje X31.jpg|The [[Vardar]] and the [[Stone Bridge (Skopje)|Stone Bridge]], symbol of the city
File:Del od Skopje, 1950ti.jpg|The main river running through the centre of Skopje, {{Circa|1950}}
File:Serava.jpg|The Serava north of the city
</gallery>

=== Geology ===

The Skopje valley is bordered on the west by the [[Šar Mountains]], on the South by the [[Jakupica]] range, on the east by hills belonging to the [[Osogovo]] range, and on the north by the [[Skopska Crna Gora]]. Mount Vodno, the highest point inside the city limits, is 1066 m high and is part of the [[Jakupica]] range.<ref name="figures"/>

Although Skopje is built on the foot of Mount Vodno, the urban area is mostly flat. It comprises several minor hills, generally covered with woods and parks, such as Gazi Baba hill (325 m), Zajčev Rid (327 m), the foothills of Mount Vodno (the smallest are between 350 and 400 m high) and the promontory on which [[Skopje Fortress]] is built.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.build.mk/docs/GUP-Transport.jpg |title=GUP Transport |publisher=Build.mk |access-date=6 October 2012 |archive-date=14 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141214231555/http://www.build.mk/docs/GUP-Transport.jpg |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The Skopje valley is near a seismic fault between the African and Eurasian [[tectonic plate]]s and experiences regular seismic activity.<ref name="damages">{{cite web |url=http://www.meseisforum.net/1963_skopje.pdf |title=Damaging Effects of July 26, 1963 Skopje Earthquake |author=Jakim T. Petrovski |publisher=Meseisforum |access-date=27 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100401004715/http://www.meseisforum.net/1963_skopje.pdf |archive-date=1 April 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref> This activity in enhanced by the porous structure of the subsoil.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rad2012.elfak.rs/pdf/presentations/StojanovskaRAD2012.ppt |title=Annual and seasonal variations of indoor radon concentration in Skopje (Republic of Macedonia), Zdenka Stojanovska, Faculty of Electronic Engineering, Nis, Serbia, 2012 |access-date=14 December 2014 |archive-date=26 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131226230957/http://www.rad2012.elfak.rs/pdf/presentations/StojanovskaRAD2012.ppt |url-status=dead }}</ref> Large earthquakes occurred in Skopje in 518, 1555 and 1963.<ref name="damages"/>

The Skopje valley belongs to the Vardar geotectonic region, the subsoil of which is formed of [[Neogene]] and [[Quaternary]] deposits. The substratum is made of [[Pliocene]] deposits including [[sandstone]], marl, and various conglomerates. It is covered by a first layer of Quaternary sands and silt, which is between 70 and 90 m deep. The layer is topped by a much smaller layer of clay, sand, silt, and gravel, carried by the Vardar river. It is between 1.5 and 5.2 m deep.<ref name="ohis">{{cite web |url=http://ozoneunit.gov.mk/pops/Ohis.pdf |title=Macedonian Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning, OHIS Site Remediation Project Conceptual Design, 2010 |website=ozoneunit.gov.mk |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140428174642/http://ozoneunit.gov.mk/pops/Ohis.pdf |archive-date=28 April 2014}}</ref>

In some areas, the subsoil is [[karst]]ic. It led to the formation of canyons, such as the Matka Canyon, which is surrounded by ten caves. They are between 20 and 176 m deep.<ref name="macedonia.co.uk">{{cite web |url=http://www.macedonia.co.uk/client/index1.aspx?idp=modules&page=426 |title=Matka Canyon |website=macedonia.co.uk |access-date=14 December 2014 |archive-date=9 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210509053121/http://www.macedonia.co.uk/client/index1.aspx?idp=modules&page=426 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

<gallery mode="packed">
File:Skopje-pano.JPG|Mount [[Vodno]] in the background overlooking Skopje
File:Matka2.jpg|The [[Matka Canyon]] on the western edge of the City of Skopje
File:Cave lake (8172274819).jpg|A cave at the [[Matka Canyon]]
</gallery>

=== Climate ===

Skopje has a [[humid subtropical climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]]: ''Cfa'')<ref>Baba, A.; Tayfur, G.; Gündüz, O.; Howard, K.W.F.; Friedel, M.J.; Chambel, A: "Climate Change and its Effects on Water Resources: Issues of National and Global Security". NATO Science for Peace and Security Series C: Environmental Security. Springer. 2011, XVI, 318 p. {{ISBN|978-9400711457}}.</ref><ref>Klement Bergant: "{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20131217224907/http://www.seeclimateforum.org/upload/document/climate_change_scenarios_for_macedonia.pdf Climate Change Scenario for Macedonia: Summary]}}". University of Nova Gorca, Centre for Atmospheric Research. September 2006.</ref> with a mean annual temperature of {{cvt|12.6|°C|0}}. Precipitation is relatively low due to the pronounced [[rain shadow]] of the [[Accursed Mountains]] to the north-west, being significantly less than what is received on the Adriatic Sea coast at the same latitude. The summers are long, hot and relatively dry with low [[humidity]].

Winters are short, relatively cold and wet. Snowfall is common in the winter period, but heavy snow accumulation is rare and the snow cover lasts only for a few hours or a few days if heavy. In summer, temperatures are usually above {{cvt|31|°C|0}} and sometimes above {{cvt|40|°C|0}}. In spring and autumn, the temperatures range from {{cvt|15|to|24|C|F|0}}. In winter, the day temperatures are roughly in the range from {{cvt|5-10|°C|0}}, but at nights they often fall below {{cvt|0|°C|0}} and sometimes below {{cvt|-10|°C|0}}. Typically, temperatures throughout one year range from −13&nbsp;°C to 39&nbsp;°C.
{{Weather box
| width = auto
| location = Skopje International Airport (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1949−present)
| metric first = y
| single line = y
| Jan record high C = 19.6
| Feb record high C = 24.6
| Mar record high C = 34.2
| Apr record high C = 35.0
| May record high C = 35.8
| Jun record high C = 42.0
| Jul record high C = 42.8
| Aug record high C = 43.2
| Sep record high C = 38.2
| Oct record high C = 33.9
| Nov record high C = 28.2
| Dec record high C = 22.1
| year record high C = 43.2
| Jan high C = 4.8
| Feb high C = 9.0
| Mar high C = 14.5
| Apr high C = 19.4
| May high C = 24.4
| Jun high C = 29.2
| Jul high C = 32.0
| Aug high C = 32.3
| Sep high C = 26.7
| Oct high C = 20.1
| Nov high C = 12.5
| Dec high C = 5.9
| Jan mean C = 0.2
| Feb mean C = 3.0
| Mar mean C = 7.7
| Apr mean C = 12.4
| May mean C = 17.2
| Jun mean C = 21.7
| Jul mean C = 24.1
| Aug mean C = 24.1
| Sep mean C = 19.0
| Oct mean C = 13.1
| Nov mean C = 6.9
| Dec mean C = 1.8
| Jan low C = -3.3
| Feb low C = -1.6
| Mar low C = 1.9
| Apr low C = 5.7
| May low C = 10.3
| Jun low C = 14.3
| Jul low C = 16.3
| Aug low C = 16.2
| Sep low C = 12.2
| Oct low C = 7.6
| Nov low C = 2.8
| Dec low C = -1.4
| Jan record low C = -25.6
| Feb record low C = -22.0
| Mar record low C = -19.0
| Apr record low C = -6.0
| May record low C = -1.6
| Jun record low C = 3.2
| Jul record low C = 5.8
| Aug record low C = 4.3
| Sep record low C = -2.3
| Oct record low C = -6.4
| Nov record low C = -12.2
| Dec record low C = -22.9
| year record low C = -25.6
| precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation mm = 30
| Feb precipitation mm = 29
| Mar precipitation mm = 38
| Apr precipitation mm = 40
| May precipitation mm = 43
| Jun precipitation mm = 54
| Jul precipitation mm = 38
| Aug precipitation mm = 36
| Sep precipitation mm = 34
| Oct precipitation mm = 49
| Nov precipitation mm = 45
| Dec precipitation mm = 48
| year precipitation mm = 483
| Jan humidity = 83
| Feb humidity = 75
| Mar humidity = 68
| Apr humidity = 66
| May humidity = 66
| Jun humidity = 61
| Jul humidity = 56
| Aug humidity = 56
| Sep humidity = 63
| Oct humidity = 74
| Nov humidity = 82
| Dec humidity = 85
| year humidity = 70
| Jan precipitation days = 10
| Feb precipitation days = 9
| Mar precipitation days = 10
| Apr precipitation days = 10
| May precipitation days = 11
| Jun precipitation days = 10
| Jul precipitation days = 7
| Aug precipitation days = 6
| Sep precipitation days = 6
| Oct precipitation days = 7
| Nov precipitation days = 9
| Dec precipitation days = 11
| Jan snow days = 5
| Feb snow days = 5
| Mar snow days = 3
| Apr snow days = 0.2
| May snow days = 0
| Jun snow days = 0
| Jul snow days = 0
| Aug snow days = 0
| Sep snow days = 0
| Oct snow days = 0.1
| Nov snow days = 2
| Dec snow days = 5
| year snow days = 20
| Jan sun = 86.9
| Feb sun = 112.5
| Mar sun = 161.1
| Apr sun = 198.4
| May sun = 245.2
| Jun sun = 276.3
| Jul sun = 323.0
| Aug sun = 305.4
| Sep sun = 247.5
| Oct sun = 188.2
| Nov sun = 114.8
| Dec sun = 79.6
| year sun = 2339
| source 1 = [[World Meteorological Organization]] (precipitation days)<ref name=WMO>{{cite web |url=http://worldweather.wmo.int/090/c00199.htm |title=World Weather Information Service – Skopje |publisher=World Meteorological Organization |access-date=11 November 2012 |archive-date=31 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180731213214/http://worldweather.wmo.int/090/c00199.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| source 2 = [[NOAA]] (sun, 1961–1990),<ref name=HKO>{{Cite FTP |url=ftp://ftp.atdd.noaa.gov/pub/GCOS/WMO-Normals/TABLES/REG_VI/MC/13591.TXT |server=[[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]] |title=Climatological Information for Skopje, Macedonia |access-date=10 December 2013}}</ref> UHMR (extremes, 1951−present)<ref name=uhmr>{{cite web
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240928024955/http://climaintoscana.altervista.org/europa/macedonia-del-nord/skopje-petrovec/
|archive-date = 28 September 2024
|url = http://climaintoscana.altervista.org/europa/macedonia-del-nord/skopje-petrovec/
|title = Skopje Petrovec
|access-date = 28 September 2024
|publisher = {{ill|National Hydrological and Meteorological Services|mk|Управа за хидрометеоролошки работи}}
|language = it}}</ref>
| source = 
}}

=== Environment ===
The City of Skopje encompasses various natural environments, having diverse [[fauna]] and [[flora]]. However, it is threatened by the intensification of agriculture and urban extension. The largest protected area within the city limits is Mount Vodno, which is a popular leisure destination. A cable car connects its peak to the downtown, and many pedestrian paths run through its woods. Other large natural spots include the Matka Canyon.<ref name="nature"/>

The city itself comprises several parks and gardens amounting to 4,361 hectares. Amongst these are the {{Interlanguage link|City Park (Skopje)|lt=City Park|mk|Градски парк (Скопје)}}, built by the Ottoman Turks at the beginning of the 20th century; Žena Borec Park, in front of the Parliament; the university arboretum; and the Gazi Baba forest. Many streets and boulevards are planted with trees.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.parkovi.com.mk/default.asp?ItemID=585010091E61F94A93252F30545D68B9 |title=Градско Зеленило |publisher=Паркови и Зеленило |access-date=19 October 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121115085154/http://www.parkovi.com.mk/default.asp?ItemID=585010091E61F94A93252F30545D68B9 |archive-date=15 November 2012}}</ref>

Steel processing—a crucial activity for the local economy—is responsible for [[soil pollution]] with heavy metals such as [[lead]], [[zinc]] and [[cadmium]], and [[air pollution]] with [[nitrogen oxide]] and [[carbon monoxide]].<ref name="nature"/> Vehicle traffic and [[district heating]] plants are also responsible for air pollution.{{citation needed|date=August 2025}}

Water treatment plants are being built, but much of the polluted water is still being discharged untreated into the Vardar.<ref name="nature"/> Waste is disposed of in the open-air municipal landfill site, {{cvt|15|km|abbr=off}} north of the city. Every day, it receives 1,500 m<sup>3</sup> of domestic waste and 400 m<sup>3</sup> of industrial waste. Health levels are better in Skopje than in the rest of North Macedonia, and no link has been found between the low environmental quality and the health of the residents.<ref name="security">{{cite web |url=http://www.arab-hdr.org/publications/other/undp/hdr/2001/macedonia-e.pdf |title=National Report on Human Development |year=2001 |publisher=UNDR |access-date=13 March 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131226090232/http://www.arab-hdr.org/publications/other/undp/hdr/2001/macedonia-e.pdf |archive-date=26 December 2013}}</ref>
{{wide image|Skopje panorama 2.jpg|1000px|alt=|A panoramic view of Skopje as seen from Mount Vodno.}}

== Urbanism ==

=== Urban morphology ===
[[File:GUP Skopje 2002 mal.jpg|thumb|Skopje urban plan for 2002–2020:
<div>
{{Legend|#A42424|City centre}}
{{Legend|#FFA500|Collective housing}}
{{Legend|#FFF48D|Individual housing}}
{{Legend|#5472AE|Industrial areas}}
</div>]]

The urban morphology of Skopje was deeply impacted by the [[1963 Skopje earthquake|1963 earthquake]], which destroyed 80% of the city, and by its subsequent reconstruction.<ref name=damages/> For instance, neighbourhoods were rebuilt in such a way that the demographic density remains low to limit the impact of potential future earthquakes.<ref name=post/>

Reconstruction following the 1963 earthquake was mainly conducted by the Polish architect [[Adolf Ciborowski]], who had already planned the reconstruction of [[Warsaw]] after World War II. Ciborowski divided the city into blocks dedicated to specific activities. The banks of the Vardar river became natural areas and parks, areas between the main boulevards were built with [[high-rise]] housing and shopping centres, and the suburbs were left to individual housing and industry.<ref name="reconstruction">{{cite web |url=http://www.anglia.ac.uk/ruskin/en/home/faculties/alss/deps/law/staff0/home.Maincontent.0014.file.tmp/No7-Skopje.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120412021744/http://www.anglia.ac.uk/ruskin/en/home/faculties/alss/deps/law/staff0/home.Maincontent.0014.file.tmp/No7-Skopje.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=12 April 2012 |title=Rebuilding Skopje |author=Robert Homes |publisher=Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge and Chelmsford |access-date=26 February 2011}}</ref> Reconstruction had to be quick to relocate families and to relaunch the local economy. To stimulate economic development, the number of thoroughfares was increased, and future urban extension was anticipated.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://kocaeli2007.kocaeli.edu.tr/kocaeli2007/TAM_METIN_NUMARALI-SIRALI-PDF/645-649.pdf |title=Urbanistic aspects of post earthquake reconstruction and renewal – experiences of Skopje following earthquake of July 26, 1963 |year=2007 |publisher=International Earthquake Symposium Kocaeli 2007 |author=Zoran Milutinovic |access-date=24 March 2011 |archive-date=10 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110031038/http://kocaeli2007.kocaeli.edu.tr/kocaeli2007/TAM_METIN_NUMARALI-SIRALI-PDF/645-649.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>

[[File:Skopje SPOT 1114.jpg|thumb|left|Skopje as seen by the [[SPOT (satellite)|SPOT satellite]]. Mount Vodno is visible on the bottom left of the picture.]]
The south bank of the Vardar River generally comprises high-rise tower blocks, including the vast Karpoš neighbourhood which was built in the 1970s west of the city centre. Towards the east, the new municipality of [[Aerodrom Municipality (Skopje)|Aerodrom]] was planned in the 1980s to house 80,000 inhabitants on the site of the old airport. Between Karpoš and Aerodrom lies the city centre, rebuilt according to plans by Japanese architect [[Kenzo Tange]]. The centre is surrounded by a row of long buildings suggesting a wall ({{Lang|mk|Gradski Zid}}).<ref name=post/>

On the north bank, where the most ancient parts of the city lie, the Old Bazaar was restored and its surroundings were rebuilt with low-rise buildings, so as not to spoil views of the Skopje Fortress. Several institutions, including the university and the Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts, were also relocated to the north bank to reduce borders between the ethnic communities. The north bank is mostly inhabited by Muslim Albanians, Turks, and Roma, whereas Christian ethnic Macedonians predominantly reside on the south bank.<ref name=reconstruction/>

The earthquake left the city with few historical monuments, apart from the Ottoman-era Old Bazaar, and the reconstruction, conducted between the 1960s and 1980s, turned Skopje into a [[modernist architecture|modernist]] city. At the end of the 2000s, the city centre experienced profound changes. A highly controversial<ref>{{cite news |title=The makeover that's divided a nation |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-28951171 |access-date=6 February 2017 |work=BBC News |date=30 August 2014 |last1=Launey |first1=Guy De}}</ref> urban project, Skopje 2014, was adopted by the municipal authorities to give the city a more monumental and historical aspect, and thus to transform it into a proper national capital. Several [[Neoclassical architecture|neoclassical]] buildings destroyed in the 1963 earthquake were rebuilt, including the national theatre, and the streets and squares were refurbished. Many other elements were also built, including fountains, statues, hotels, government buildings and bridges. The project has been criticised because of its cost and its historicist aesthetics.<ref name="objections">{{cite web |url=http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/do-not-enter-yet-media-philip-of-macedon-also-in-skopje-s-center |title=Philip of Macedon Statute 'Planned' for Skopje Downtown |year=2010 |publisher=BalkanInsight |access-date=15 March 2011}}</ref> The large Albanian minority felt it was not represented in the new monuments,<ref name="Albanian objections">{{cite web |url=http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/albanian-monuments-to-complement-skopje-2-aa4-project |title=Skopje: Controversy Over Albanian Monuments Continues |year=2010 |publisher=BalkanInsight |access-date=15 March 2011}}</ref> and launched side projects, including a new square over the boulevard that separates the city centre from the Old Bazaar.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dnevnik.com.mk/default.asp?ItemID=95A31B3469C5F944B1B1494BF41F31AE |title=Поставен камен-темелник на плоштадот Скендер-бег во Скопје |date=17 January 2012 |publisher=Dnevnik |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120119203107/http://www.dnevnik.com.mk/default.asp?ItemID=95A31B3469C5F944B1B1494BF41F31AE |archive-date=19 January 2012}}</ref>

<gallery mode="packed">
File:Skopje X48.JPG|Vapcarov Street, located in the city centre
File:Skopje - Old City (9454038410).jpg|A street in the [[Old Bazaar, Skopje|Old Bazaar]]
File:Towers Karpos4 Skopje.jpg|High-rise housing in Karpoš
File:Macedonian Cross Aerodrom 1.jpg|The Macedonian Cross and [[Cevahir Towers]]
File:Archaeological Museum of Macedonia.jpg|The archeological museum, one of the elements of [[Skopje 2014]]
</gallery>

=== Urban sociology ===
[[File:Kapistec.jpg|thumb|Kapištec neighbourhood, developed during the 1970s. Some post-earthquake prefabricated houses can be seen in the foreground.]]

Skopje is an ethnically diverse city, and its urban sociology primarily depends on ethnic and religious affiliation. Macedonians form 66% of the city population, whilst Albanians and [[Roma in North Macedonia|Roma]] account respectively for 20% and 6%.<ref name="stats1"/> Each ethnic group generally [[self-segregates]] itself to certain areas of the city. Macedonians live south of the Vardar in areas massively rebuilt after 1963, whilst Muslims live on the northern side, in the oldest neighbourhoods of the city. These neighbourhoods are considered more traditional, whereas the south side evokes modernity to Macedonians.<ref name="thiesen57">{{Cite book |author=Ilká Thiessen |title=Waiting for Macedonia: Identity in a Changing World |publisher=University of Toronto Press |year=2007 |isbn=9781551117195 |page=57}}</ref>

The northern areas are the poorest; this is especially true for [[Topaana]], in [[Čair municipality]], and for [[Šuto Orizari municipality]], which are the two main Roma neighbourhoods. They are made of many illegal constructions not connected to the electric grid nor water supply, which are passed from one generation to another. Topaana, close to the Old Bazaar, is a very old area: it was first mentioned as a Roma neighbourhood in the beginning of the 14th century. It has between 3,000 and 5,000 inhabitants. Šuto Orizari, on the northern edge of the city, is a municipality of its own, with [[Romani language|Romani]] as its local official language. It was developed after the 1963 earthquake to accommodate Roma who had lost their homes.<ref name="roma"/>

The population density varies greatly from one area to another. So does the size of the living area per person. The city average was at {{cvt|19.41|m2|2|abbr=off}} per person {{As of|2002|lc=y}}, but at {{cvt|24|m2|0|abbr=off}} in [[Centar municipality (Skopje)|Centar]] on the south bank, and only {{cvt|14|m2|0|abbr=off}} in [[Čair municipality|Čair]] on the north bank. In [[Šuto Orizari municipality|Šuto Orizari]], the average was at {{cvt|13|m2|0|abbr=off}}.<ref name="stats1"/>

=== Localities and villages ===
[[File:Gorno Nerezi 2013 (1).JPG|thumb|[[Gorno Nerezi]], a village on the northern side of Mount Vodno]]

Outside of the urban area, the City of Skopje encompasses many small settlements. Some of them are becoming outer suburbs, such as [[Čento]], on the road to Belgrade, which has more than 23,000 inhabitants, and [[Dračevo, Skopje|Dračevo]], which has almost 20,000 inhabitants.<ref name="dwelling">{{cite web |url=https://www.stat.gov.mk/Publikacii/knigaX.pdf |title=Census of Population, Households and Dwellings in the Republic of Macedonia |year=2002 |publisher=State Statistical Office of the Republic of Macedonia |access-date=16 October 2012}}</ref> Other large settlements are north of the city, such as [[Radišani]], with 9,000 inhabitants,<ref name="dwelling"/> whereas smaller villages can be found on Mount Vodno or in [[Saraj municipality]], which is the most rural of the ten municipalities that form the City of Skopje.<ref name="region"/>

Some localities outside the city limits are also becoming outer suburbs, particularly in [[Ilinden municipality|Ilinden]] and [[Petrovec municipality]]. They benefit from the presence of major roads, railways, and the airport, [[Skopje International]], in [[Petrovec, North Macedonia|Petrovec]].<ref name="region"/>

=== Pollution ===
[[File:Urban pollution ,Градско загадување.jpg|thumb|Pollution contributors in the area of Skopje]]

Air pollution is a serious problem in Skopje, especially in winter.<ref name="aljazeera">{{Cite web |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/skopje-europe-polluted-capital-city-190312092012504.html |title=Inside Skopje, Europe's most polluted capital city |last=Lee and Mickute |first=Joi and Viktorija |date=19 March 2019 |website=Al Jazeera}}</ref> Concentrations of certain types of [[Particulates|particulate matter]] (PM2 and PM10) are regularly over twelve times the [[World Health Organization|WHO]]-recommended maximum levels. In winter, smoke regularly obscures vision and can lead to problems for motorists. Together with Kosovo and [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]], North Macedonia has the most polluted urban areas in Europe.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/asia/india/articles/delhi-most-polluted-city-in-the-world/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/asia/india/articles/delhi-most-polluted-city-in-the-world/ |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Delhi the most polluted city in the world |last=Smith |first=Oliver |date=5 November 2019 |website=The Telegraph}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

Skopje's high levels of pollution are caused by a combination of smoke from houses, emissions from the industry, public and private transport, and a general lack of interest in caring for the environment. Central heating is often not affordable, and so households often burn [[firewood]], as well as used car tyres, plastic waste, petroleum, and other possibly flammable waste, which emits toxic chemicals harmful to the population, especially to children and the elderly.<ref name="aljazeera" />

The city's smog has reduced its air quality and affected the health of many of its citizens, with the average lifespan in Skopje being reduced by between two to three years due to this pollution.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Niranjan |first=Ajit |date=2023-09-20 |title='The air tastes like burnt plastic': Skopje's chronic pollution problem |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/sep/20/air-tastes-like-burnt-plastic-skopje-chronic-pollution-problem-north-macedonia |access-date=2025-09-28 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

An [[Application software|application]] called ''AirCare'' ({{Langx|mk|МојВоздух|MojVozduh}}) has been launched by local eco-activist [[Gorjan Jovanovski]] to help citizens track pollution levels. It uses a [[traffic light]] system, with purple for heavily polluted air, red for high levels detected, [[Amber (colour)|amber]] for moderate levels detected, and green for when the air is safe to inhale.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://news.itu.int/how-skopje-north-macedonia-is-using-innovative-tech-to-clean-up-air-pollution/ |title=How Skopje is using innovative tech to clean up air pollution |last=ITU |date=5 June 2019 |website=ITU News |language=en |access-date=2 December 2019 |archive-date=2 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191202214232/https://news.itu.int/how-skopje-north-macedonia-is-using-innovative-tech-to-clean-up-air-pollution/ |url-status=dead}}</ref> The application relies on both government and volunteer [[sensor]]s to track hourly air pollution. Unfortunately, government sensors are frequently inoperable and malfunctioning, causing the need for more low-cost, but less accurate, volunteer sensors to be put up by citizens. Faults on government sensors are especially frequent when the pollution is measured is extremely high, according to the AQILHC (Air Quality Index Levels of Health Concern).<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://aqicn.org/city/macedonia/centar/ |title=Centar, Skopje, Macedonia Air Pollution: Real time Air Quality Index (AQI) |date=2 December 2019 |website=AQICN}}</ref>

Skopje topped the ranks in December 2017 as one of the most polluted cities in the world.<ref>{{Cite journal |title=Can urban environmental problems be overcome? The case of Skopje–world's most polluted city |first1=Slobodan |last1=Arsovski |first2=Michał |last2=Kwiatkowski |first3=Aleksandra |last3=Lewandowska |first4=Dimitrinka Jordanova |last4=Peshevska |first5=Emilija |last5=Sofeska |first6=Mirek |last6=Dymitrow |date=1 June 2018 |journal=Bulletin of Geography. Socio-economic Series |volume=40 |issue=40 |pages=17–39 |doi=10.2478/bog-2018-0012 |doi-access=free}}</ref> In 2017, as part of the city's efforts to reduce pollution, a [[CityTrees|CityTree]] was installed, and promoted by German ambassador {{Interlanguage link|Christine Althauser|lt=Christine Althauser|de|Christine Althauser}}.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-03-22 |title=City Tree billboard installed in downtown Skopje |url=https://www.zaman.mk/en/macedonia/7513-city-tree-billboard-installed-in-downtown-skopje.html |access-date=2023-11-18 |website=Zaman Macedonia |language=en-gb }}{{Dead link|date=May 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

On 29 November 2019, a march, organised by the Skopje Smog Alarm activist community,<ref name="skopje-smog">{{Cite web |url=https://meta.mk/en/skopje-smog-alarm-asks-for-1-of-the-gdp-for-2018-for-the-protection-of-the-environment/ |title= Skopje Smog Alarm asks for 1% of the GDP of 2018 for the protection of the environment |date= 7 November 2017 |website= META Mk |url-status= live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231102081859/https://meta.mk/en/skopje-smog-alarm-asks-for-1-of-the-gdp-for-2018-for-the-protection-of-the-environment/?upm_export=html&lang=en |archive-date= Nov 2, 2023 }}</ref> attracted thousands of people who opposed the government's lack of action in dealing with the city's pollution, which has worsened since 2017, contributing to around 1300 deaths annually.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.telegraf.rs/english/2606068-beijing-is-nothing-compared-to-skopje-air-pollution-is-too-high-four-men-die-each-day-photo |title=Beijing is nothing compared to Skopje – Air pollution is too high, four men die each day |last=J. |first=D. |date=7 February 2017 |website=Telegraf}}</ref><ref name="skopje-smog"/>
{{wide image|Скопски смог - photo by Giotto Скопје, Р. Македонија , Skopje, R. Macedonia - panoramio.jpg|1291px|alt=|A panoramic view of the smog in the central area of Skopje}}

== History ==
{{main|History of Skopje}}

{{For timeline}}

{{Quote box
| width = 25em
| align = right
| title_bg = #B0C4DE
| title = Timeline of Skopje <br><small>Historical affiliations</small>
| fontsize = 80%
| quote = {{Noflag|[[Dardanian Kingdom]]}}, 230–28 BC<br />
{{Noflag|[[Roman Empire]]}}, 28 BC–395 <br />
{{Noflag|[[Byzantine Empire]]}}, 395–836<br />
{{Noflag|[[First Bulgarian Empire]]}}, 836–1004<br />
{{Noflag|[[Byzantine Empire]]}}, 1004–1093<br />
{{Noflag|[[Grand Principality of Serbia]]}}, 1093–1097<br />
{{Noflag|[[Byzantine Empire]]}}, 1098–1203<br />
{{Noflag|[[Second Bulgarian Empire]]}}, 1203–1246<br />
{{Noflag|[[Empire of Nicaea]]}}, 1246–1255<br />
{{Noflag|[[Second Bulgarian Empire]]}}, 1255–1256<br />
{{Noflag|[[Empire of Nicaea]]}}, 1256–1261<br />
{{Noflag|[[Byzantine Empire]]}}, 1261–1282<br />
{{flagicon image|Flag of the Serbian Empire, reconstruction.svg}} [[Kingdom of Serbia (medieval)|Kingdom of Serbia]], 1282–1346<br />
{{flagicon image|Flag of the Serbian Empire, reconstruction.svg}} [[Serbian Empire]], 1346–1371<br />
{{flagicon image|Royal banner of Branković family.svg}} [[District of Branković]], 1371–1392<br />
{{flagicon image|Flag of the_Ottoman_Empire.svg}} [[Ottoman Empire]], 1392–1912<br />
{{flagicon image|Flag of Serbia (1882–1918).svg}} [[Kingdom of Serbia]] 1912–1915<br />
{{flagicon image|Flag of Bulgaria.svg}} [[Bulgarian occupation of Serbia (World War I)|Tsardom of Bulgaria]] 1915–1918<br />
{{flagicon image|Flag of Yugoslavia (1918–1941).svg}} [[Kingdom of Yugoslavia]]{{refn|group=Note|Officially known as the ''Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes'' until 1929}} 1918–1941<br />
{{flagicon image|Flag of Bulgaria.svg}} [[Bulgaria during World War II|Tsardom of Bulgaria]] 1941–1944<br />
{{flagicon image|Flag of Yugoslavia (1943–1946).svg}} [[Democratic Federal Yugoslavia]] ([[Socialist Republic of Macedonia|Democratic Federal Macedonia]]) 1944–1946<br/>
{{flagicon image|Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg}} [[Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia]] ([[Socialist Republic of Macedonia]]) 1946–1992<br/>
{{flag|North Macedonia}}{{refn|group=Note|See [[Macedonia naming dispute]]}} 1992–present
}}

=== Origins ===

The rocky promontory on which Skopje Fortress stands was the first site to be settled in Skopje. The earliest vestiges of human inhabitance found on this site date from the Chalcolithic ([[4th millennium BC]]).<ref name="kalepre">{{cite web |url=http://www.skopskokale.com.mk/en/prehistory.php |title=Prehistoric Kale |publisher=Archaeological exavations Skopsko Kale |year=2007 |access-date=6 October 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120304134515/http://www.skopskokale.com.mk/en/prehistory.php |archive-date=4 March 2012}}</ref>

Although the Chalcolithic settlement must have been of some significance, it declined during the [[Bronze Age]]. Archaeological research suggests that the settlement always belonged to the same culture, which progressively evolved due to contacts with [[Balkan]] and [[Danube]] cultures, and later with the [[Aegean culture|Aegean]]. The locality eventually disappeared during the [[Iron Age]]<ref name="kaleant">{{cite web |url=http://www.skopskokale.com.mk/en/antiquty.php |title=Kale in the antiquity |publisher=Archaeological exavations Skopsko Kale |year=2007 |access-date=6 October 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120212053952/http://www.skopskokale.com.mk/en/antiquty.php |archive-date=12 February 2012}}</ref> when Scupi emerged on Zajčev Rid hill, some {{cvt|5|km}} west of the fortress promontory. At the centre of the Balkan peninsula and on the road between the Danube and Aegean Sea,<ref name="provincial">{{Cite book |title=Provincial at Rome: and Rome and the Balkans 80BC-AD14 |author=Ronald Syme |publisher=Anthony Birley, University of Exeter Press |year=2000 |isbn=9780859896320 |page=130}}</ref> it was a prosperous locality, although its history is not well known.<ref name="provincial"/>

During the Iron Age, the area of Skopje was inhabited by the [[Dardani]]. [[Illyrians|Illyrian]] tribes lived in most of the area west of Skopje and [[Thracians|Thracian]] groups ([[Maedi]]) to the east, whilst [[Paeonians]] lived to the south of Skopje.{{sfn|Duridanov|1975|p=17}} The Dardanians had remained independent after the Roman conquest of [[Macedon]], and it seems most likely that Dardania lost its independence in 28 BC.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.doiserbia.nb.rs/img/doi/0350-7653/2006/0350-76530637007P.pdf |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006211424/http://www.doiserbia.nb.rs/img/doi/0350-7653/2006/0350-76530637007P.pdf |url-status=dead |title=Vladimir P. Petrović, Pre-Roman and Roman Dardania Historical and Geographical Considerations, Balcanica XXXVII, p 10. |archivedate=6 October 2011}}</ref>

=== Roman Scupi ===
[[File:Shy venus statue skopje.jpg|thumb|upright=0.7|left|A "Venus Pudica" found in Scupi, dated from the 2nd century AD<ref>{{cite journal |journal=Folia Archaeologica Balkanica |volume=II |year=2011 |first=Marina Ončevska |last=Todorovska |title=The Status of Venus from Skupi |url=http://periodica.fzf.ukim.edu.mk/fab/FAB_02_(2012)/FAB%2002.22.%20On%C4%8Devska%20Todorovska,%20M.%20-%20The%20Statue%20of%20Venus%20Pudica%20from%20Scupi.pdf |page=355}}</ref>]]

Roman expansion east brought Scupi under Roman rule as a colony of [[legionaries]], mainly veterans of the [[Legio VII Claudia]] during the reign of Emperor Domitian (AD 81–96). However, several legions from the [[Roman province of Macedonia]] of [[Crassus]]' army may already have been stationed there around 29–28 BC before the official imperial command was instituted.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1OTgAAAAMAAJ&q=scupi%20dardania |title=The Cambridge Ancient History: The Augustan Empire, 43 B.C.-A.D. 69, 2nd ed., 1996 |last2=Cook |first2=Stanley Arthur |date=1 January 1996 |publisher=University Press |last3=Adcock |first3=Frank Ezra |first1=John Bagnell |last1=Bury |isbn=9780521264303 |via=Google Books}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4Nv6SPRKqs8C&q=scupi |title=The Illyrians |last=Wilkes |first=John |date=9 January 1996 |publisher=Wiley |via=Google Books |isbn=9780631198079}}</ref> The first mention of the city was made at that period by [[Livy]], who died in AD 17.<ref name="history"/> Scupi first served as a military base to maintain peace in the region<ref name="provincial"/> and was officially named "{{Lang|la|Colonia Flavia Scupinorum}}", ''{{Lang|la|Flavia}}'' being the name of the [[Flavian dynasty|emperor's dynasty]].<ref name="archeology">{{cite web |url=https://archaeology.org/issues/september-october-2012/ |title=Burial Customs, Death on the Roman Empire's eastern frontier |author=Matthew Brunwasser |publisher=Archaeological Institute of America |year=2012 |access-date=6 October 2012 |archive-date=15 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015185034/http://www.archaeology.org/1209/features/scupi_macedonia_roman_colony_bronze_age.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Shortly afterwards it became part of the province of [[Moesia]] during [[Augustus]]'s rule. After the division of the province by Domitian in AD 86, Scupi was elevated to colonial status and became a seat of government within the new province of [[Moesia Superior]]. The district called [[Dardania (Roman province)|Dardania]] (within Moesia Superior) was formed into a special province by Emperor [[Diocletian]], with the capital at [[Naissus]].{{sfn|Papazoglu|1978|p=242}}

The city's population was very diverse. Engravings on tombstones suggest that only a minority of the population came from [[Italia (ancient history)|Italia]], whilst many veterans were from [[Dalmatia]], southern [[Gaul]] and [[Syria]]. Because of the ethnic diversity of the population, [[Latin language|Latin]] maintained itself as the main language in the city at the expense of [[Ancient Greek|Greek]], which was spoken in most of the Moesian and Macedonian cities.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Pannonia and Upper Moesia |volume=4 |author=András Mócsy |publisher=Routledge |year=1974 |isbn=9780710077141 |page=117}}</ref> During the following centuries, Scupi experienced prosperity. The period from the end of the 3rd century to the end of the 4th century was particularly flourishing.<ref name="archeology"/> The first church was founded under the reign of Emperor [[Constantine the Great]] and Scupi became the seat of a [[diocese]]. In 395, following the division of the [[Roman Empire]] into two, Scupi became part of the [[Eastern Roman Empire]].<ref name="history"/>

An ancient funeral inscription of the [[Illyrians|Illyrian]] tribe [[Albanoi]] was found in Scupi.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=z0lmAAAAMAAJ Dragojević-Josifovska 1982] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221111171931/https://books.google.no/books?id=z0lmAAAAMAAJ&redir_esc=y |date=11 November 2022 }}, p. 32.</ref> And another inscription was found that reads ''Dardanus''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.koha.net/en/kulture/institucionet-ne-maqedoni-sigurojne-qe-dardanus-e-ka-vendin-ne-muze |title=Institutions in Macedonia ensure that "Dardanus" has its place in the Museum |website=koha.net |date=23 February 2023}}</ref>

In its zenith, Scupi covered 40 hectares and was closed by a {{cvt|3.5|m|ft|adj=on}} wide wall.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.novamakedonija.com.mk/NewsDetal.asp?vest=5231293251&id=9&prilog=0&setIzdanie=22587 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120525200751/http://www.novamakedonija.com.mk/NewsDetal.asp?vest=5231293251&id=9&prilog=0&setIzdanie=22587 |url-status=dead |archive-date=25 May 2012 |title=Жителите на Скупи уживале во спа-центри |publisher=[[Nova Makedonija]] |author=Mimoza Petrevska Georgieva |access-date=6 October 2012}}</ref> It had many monuments, including four [[necropoles]], a theatre, [[thermae]],<ref name="archeology"/> and a large Christian [[basilica]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dnevnik.com.mk/default.asp?ItemID=91D0ED79D1994545B51D56D4677B3F81 |title=Откриена ранохристијанска базилика во Скупи |date=30 July 2008 |publisher=Dnevnik |author=Vesna Ivanovsa |access-date=6 October 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140428173510/http://www.dnevnik.com.mk/default.asp?ItemID=91D0ED79D1994545B51D56D4677B3F81 |archive-date=28 April 2014}}</ref>

=== Middle Ages ===
[[File:Skopje Kale 3.jpg|thumb|right|[[Skopje Fortress]]]]

In 518, Scupi was destroyed by a violent earthquake,<ref name=damages/> possibly the most devastating the town had ever experienced.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://kurir.mk/en/2012/07/26/49-years-after-the-disastrous-skopje-earthquake/ |title=49 Years after the Disastrous Skopje Earthquake |publisher=Kurir |year=2012 |access-date=6 October 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121031145850/http://kurir.mk/en/2012/07/26/49-years-after-the-disastrous-skopje-earthquake/ |archive-date=31 October 2012}}</ref> At that time, the region was threatened by [[Barbarian invasions]], and the city inhabitants had already fled to the forests and mountains before the disaster occurred.<ref name="Evans">{{Cite book |title=Ancient Illyria: An Archaeological Exploration |author=Arthur Evans |publisher=I.B.Tauris |year=2007 |isbn=9781845111670 |page=234, 241}}</ref> The city was eventually rebuilt by Justinian I. During his reign, many Byzantine towns were relocated on hills and other easily defendable places to face invasions. It was thus transferred to another site: the promontory on which Skopje Fortress stands.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Pannonia and Upper Moesia |author=András Mócsy |publisher=Routledge |year=1974 |isbn=9780710077141 |page=356}}</ref> Despite this, Scupi was sacked by [[Slavs]] at the end of the 6th century and the city seems to have fallen under Slavic rule in 595.<ref name="Evans" /> The Slavic tribe which sacked Scupi was probably the [[Berziti]],<ref name="history"/> who had invaded the entire Vardar Valley.{{sfn|Rossos|2008|p=25}} However, the Slavs did not settle permanently in the region, which had been already plundered and depopulated, but continued south to the Mediterranean coast.<ref>Ivan Mikulčiḱ, Medieval towns and castles in the Republic of Macedonia, Book 5 of Makroproekt "Istorija na kulturata na Makedonija", [[Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts]], 1996, p. 27.</ref> After the Slavic invasion it was deserted for some time and is not mentioned during the following centuries.<ref name="history"/> It is possible that in the late 7th or the early 8th century the Byzantines again settled at this strategic location. Along with the rest of the Upper Vardar valley it became part of the expanding [[First Bulgarian Empire|Bulgarian Empire]] in the 830s.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=svPkt-TIHK0C&pg=PA371 |title=History of the Eastern Empire from the Fall of Irene to the Accession of Basil: A.D. 802–867 |publisher=London Macmillan |year=2008 |isbn=978-1-60520-421-5 |pages=371–372 |author=J. B. Bury}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |title=History of the First Bulgarian Empire |author=Steven Runciman |publisher=LG. Bell & Sons |location=London |year=1930 |page=87 |url=http://www.kroraina.com/knigi/en/sr/sr_2_2.htm |access-date=17 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130709081226/http://www.kroraina.com/knigi/en/sr/sr_2_2.htm |archive-date=9 July 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
[[File:Coronation of Emperor Dušan, in "The Slavonic Epic" (1926).jpg|thumb|left|[[Coronation of the Serbian monarch|The coronation]] of Emperor [[Stefan Dušan]] in Skopje{{efn|By [[Alfons Mucha]], 1926}} ]]

Starting from the end of the 10th century Skopje experienced a period of wars and political troubles. It served as the Bulgarian capital from 972 to 992, and [[Tsar Samuel]] ruled it from 976<ref name="kalemed">{{cite web |url=http://www.skopskokale.com.mk/en/mediaeval.php |title=Medieval Kale |publisher=Archaeological exavations Skopsko Kale |year=2007 |access-date=6 October 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120219235728/http://www.skopskokale.com.mk/en/mediaeval.php |archive-date=19 February 2012}}</ref> until 1004, when its governor surrendered it to Byzantine Emperor [[Basil the Bulgar Slayer]] in 1004 in exchange for the titles of ''[[patrikios]]'' and ''[[Strategos#Byzantine use|strategos]]''.<ref>([[John Skylitzes|Skylitzes]]-Cedr. II, 455, 13).</ref> It became a centre of a new Byzantine [[Theme (Byzantine district)|province]] called [[Theme of Bulgaria|Bulgaria]].<ref>Byzantine Military Organization on the Danube, 10th–12th Centuries, Alexandru Madgearu, BRILL, 2013, {{ISBN|9004252495}}</ref> Later Skopje was briefly seized twice by Slavic insurgents who wanted to restore the Bulgarian state, at first in 1040 under [[Peter Delyan]]'s command,<ref>{{Cite book |title=A Concise History of Bulgaria |author=R. J. Crampton |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=2005 |isbn=9780521616379 |page=22}}</ref> and in 1072 under the orders of [[Georgi Voyteh]].{{sfn|Rossos|2008|pp=36-37}} In 1081, Skopje was captured by [[Normans|Norman]] troops led by [[Robert Guiscard]] and the city remained in their hands until 1088. Skopje was subsequently conquered by the Serbian Grand Prince [[Vukan, Grand Prince of Serbia|Vukan]] in 1093, and again by the Normans four years later. However, because of epidemics and food shortage, Normans quickly surrendered to the Byzantines.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cosmovisions.com/Bohemond.htm |title=Bohémond (Marc) |author=Serge Jodra |year=2006 |publisher=Imago Mundi |access-date=24 March 2011}}</ref>

During the 12th and 13th centuries, Bulgarians and Serbs took advantage of Byzantine decline to create large kingdoms stretching from the [[Danube]] to the Aegean Sea. [[Kaloyan of Bulgaria|Kaloyan]] brought Skopje back into the re-established [[Second Bulgarian Empire]] in 1203<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=p_mazcfdpVIC&pg=PA102 |title=Identities and Allegiances in the Eastern Mediterranean After 1204 |publisher=Ashgate Publishing |year=2011 |isbn=9781409410980 |editor=Judith Herrin |editor2=Guillaume Saint-Guillain |page=102}}</ref>{{sfn|Fine|1994|pp=175-184}} until his nephew [[Strez]] declared autonomy along the Upper Vardar with Serbian aid only five years later.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Southeastern Europe in the Middle Ages, 500–1250 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=2006 |isbn=978-0-521-81539-0 |page=[https://archive.org/details/southeasterneuro0000curt/page/385 385] |author=Florin Curta |url=https://archive.org/details/southeasterneuro0000curt/page/385}}</ref> In 1209, Strez switched allegiances and recognised [[Boril of Bulgaria]] with whom he led a successful joint campaign against Serbia's first internationally recognised King [[Stefan Nemanjić]].{{sfn|Fine|1994|pp=175-184}} From 1214 to 1230, Skopje was a part of the Byzantine successor state of [[Despotate of Epirus|Epirus]] before being recaptured by [[Ivan Asen II]] and held by Bulgaria until 1246 when the Upper Vardar valley was incorporated once more into another Byzantine [[rump state]] – the [[Empire of Nicaea]].{{sfn|Fine|1994|p=156}} Byzantine conquest was briefly reversed in 1255 by the [[regents]] of the young [[Michael Asen I of Bulgaria]].{{sfn|Fine|1994|p=159}} Meanwhile, in the parallel civil war for the Crown in [[Veliko Tarnovo|Tarnovo]], the Skopje [[boyar]] and grandson of [[Stefan Nemanja]] [[Constantine Tikh]] gained the upper hand and ruled until the [[Uprising of Ivaylo]], Europe's only successful peasant revolt, led to his deposition from power.  

In 1282, Skopje was captured by Serbian King [[Stefan Milutin]].<ref>{{Cite book |author1=Valentina Georgieva |author2=Sasha Konechni|name-list-style=amp |title=Historical Dictionary of the Republic of Macedonia |publisher=Scarecrow Press |year=1998 |isbn=978-0810833364 |page=[https://archive.org/details/historicaldictio0000geor/page/9 9] |url=https://archive.org/details/historicaldictio0000geor/page/9}}</ref> Under the political stability of the [[Nemanjić]] rule, the settlement spread outside the walls of the fortress, towards Gazi Baba hill.<ref name="kalemed"/> Churches, monasteries and markets were built and tradesmen from the [[Republic of Venice]] and [[Dubrovnik]] opened shops. The town greatly benefited from its location near European, Middle Eastern, and African markets. In the 14th century, Skopje became such an important city that King [[Stephen Uroš IV Dušan of Serbia|Stefan Dušan]] made it the capital of the [[Serbian Empire]]. In 1346, he was crowned as [[Emperor of the Serbs and Greeks]] in Skopje.<ref name="history"/> After his death the Serbian Empire collapsed into several principalities which were unable to defend themselves against the [[Ottoman Turks]]. Skopje was first inherited by the [[Lordship of Prilep]] and finally taken by [[Vuk Branković]] in the wake of the [[Battle of Maritsa]] (1371)<ref>{{Cite book |title=The Serbs |publisher=Wiley-Blackwell |year=2004 |isbn=978-0631204718 |page=79 |author=Sima M. Ćirković |author2=Vuk Tošić}}</ref> before becoming part of the [[Ottoman Empire]] in 1392.<ref name="history"/>

In 1330, Serbian King [[Stefan Dečanski]] mentioned Albanians as being in the district of Skopje and regularly going to the Fair of [[Saint George]] which convened near the city.{{sfn|Iseni|2008|p=77}}

=== Ottoman period ===
[[File:Prvomajska proslava vo Skopje, 1909.jpg|thumb|left|First May Day celebration of the [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman period]] in Skopje, 1909]]

The [[Ottoman Empire|Ottomans]] stayed in Skopje for over 520 years and the city's economic life greatly benefited from its position in the middle of [[Rumelia]], the European province of the Ottomans. The [[Stone Bridge (Skopje)|Stone Bridge]], "one of the most imposing stone bridges to be found in Yugoslavia", was built under the patronage of [[Sultan Mehmed II the Conqueror]] between 1451 and 1469.<ref name="jpm">{{cite book |last1=Popovski |first1=Jovan |title=Macedonia |date=1969 |publisher=Turistička štampa |page=66 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=elk9AAAAMAAJ}}</ref> The Ottomans drastically changed the appearance of the city. They organised the Old Bazaar, with its [[caravanserais]], mosques and [[Turkish bath|baths]].<ref name="ottoman">{{cite web |url=http://www.see-heritage-download.org/Ottoman_Monuments_EN.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104181001/http://www.see-heritage-download.org/Ottoman_Monuments_EN.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=4 November 2020 |title=Macedonian Cultural Heritage – Ottoman Monuments |year=2008 |publisher=Unesco Venice|name-list-style=amp |author1=Zoran Pavlov M.A. |author2=Radmila Petkova |access-date=7 October 2012}}</ref>

In the [[cadastral]] register of 1451–52, the Skopje neighbourhood ''{{Lang|sq|Gjin-ko}}'' ({{Lang|sq|Gjinaj}}), is mentioned, being named after the medieval Albanian [[Gjini family]]. The neighbourhood displayed mixed Christian Albanian [[anthroponymy]] with cases of [[Slavicisation]] present (e.g. {{Lang|sr|Palić}}; ''{{Lang|sr|Pal}}'' + Slavic suffix ''[[ić]]'').<ref>{{cite journal |last=Rexha |first=Iljaz |year=2011 |title=Vendbanimet dhe popullsia albane gjatë mesjetës në hapësirën e Maqedonisë së sotme: Sipas burimeve sllave dhe osmane |url=https://www.ceeol.com/search/article-detail?id=70066 |journal=Gjurmime Albanologjike: Seria e Shkencave Historike |issue=41–42 |pages=167–218 |quote=Në defterin kadastral të vitit 1451-52 për Rumelinë, në Shkup ishte regjistruar lagjeja Gjin-ko –(Gjinaj), me emrin e familjes fisnike mesjetare albane, ku në dokumente sllave të shek.XIV, por edhe në defterët osmanë të shek.XV-XIV, permenden 5 vendbanime me emrin Gjinofc në rrthinat e Shtipt, të Kriva Pallankes, të Gostivarit, Tetovës dhe të Dibres si dhe 2 tjera me emrin Gjinofc janë regjitruar në hapësirën në mes Radomirit dhe të Qystendilit në Bullgari, vendbanime këto qe në mesjetë i themeluan vëllezritë e Gjinajve. Në lagjen e sipërpërmendur Gjinko, në radhë të parë ishte regjistruar kryefamiljari Gjin-ko, me profesion (këpuctarë), dhe Todori, i vëllai i tij (Gjinit), siç shihet themelues i kësaj lagje, ndersa më vonë, në këtë lagjë, në vitin 1467 ishte regjistruar djali i tij Marko, i biri i Gjinit, pastaj në mesin e banorëve të tjerë, ishin regjistruar edhe banorë me antroponimi simbiotike krishtere tradicionale arbane: Milesh-a, bostanxhi, Dimitri, i biri i Prençes, Dragati, i biri i Male-s (Malja), Nikolla, i biri i Naneçit (Nano), Jovan i vëllai i tij, Jako i biri i Dodanit (Doda), Stepan, i biri i Andreas, Paliq (Pali) i biri i Stepanit, Nikolla i biri i Drralla, Roza, e vejë.}}</ref> During this time period, a number of [[timariots]] of the city are recorded as bearing the name {{Lang|sq|Arnauti}} (meaning [[Albanians|Albanian]]) alongside a Muslim name, i.e. {{Lang|sq|Hamza Arnauti}}'', {{Lang|sq|Shahin Arnauti}}, {{Lang|sq|Jusuf Arnauti}}''. Another group bore Slavic Christian names, whilst also bearing the surname {{Lang|sq|Arbanas}}/''{{Lang|sq|Arnaut}}'', i.e. ''{{Lang|sq|Bogdan Arbanas}}'', ''{{Lang|sq|Bogoslav Arbanas}}'', ''{{Lang|sq|Milosh Arbanas}}'', ''{{Lang|sq|Bozhidar Arnaut}}'', etc. These individuals are noted as not having the Slavic appellatives ''{{Lang|sr|došlac}}'', ''{{Lang|sr|prišlac}}'' or ''{{Lang|sr|uselica}}'', which were given by Ottoman authorities to new settlers of a given region, likely indicating they were locals.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Rexha |first=Iljaz |year=2011 |title=Vendbanimet dhe popullsia albane gjatë mesjetës në hapësirën e Maqedonisë së sotme: Sipas burimeve sllave dhe osmane |url=https://www.ceeol.com/search/article-detail?id=70066 |journal=Gjurmime Albanologjike: Seria e Shkencave Historike |issue=41–42 |pages=167–218 |quote=Si dëshmi tjetër për praninë e albanëve në territorrin e Maqedonisë së sotme ishin edhe spahinjtë vendas, me prejardhje albane e jo të ardhur nga Arbanoni politik mesjetar, që më parë kishin kaluar në fenë islame dhe ishin inkuadruar në sistemin e timarit të spahinjve osmanë. Sipas defterëve të shek. XV (1451/53 dhe 1467/68) ata i kishin timaret e veta në territorin e Maqedonisë dhe të Kosovës, kësaj radhe po i përmendim vetëm disa prej tyre: Hamza Arnauti,59 nga mëhalla Mentesheli e Shku-pit e kishte timarin e vet në fshatin Gumaleva. Hamza Arnauti, (tjetër) nga vendbanimi Niçevo (Nokova) e Shkupit kishte timarin e tij në fshatin Pa-garusha. Jusuf Arnauti, nga fshati Topçe Is’akli afër Draçevës së Shkupit. Shahin Arnauti59/a dizdar i kalasë së Shkupit i kishte timarin në tri fshatra të Shkupit... pranë individit me etno-nimin Arbanas ose Arnaut, apelativi sllav: doshlac prishlac, uselica, emigrant, që do thotë se kryefamiljarët shqiptarëme këtë etnonim si:Petro Arbanas, Dimitri Arbanas, Nikolla Arbanas, Bogdan Arbanas, Bogoslav Arbanas, Milosh Arbanas, Bozhidar Arnaut, Gjuro Arba-nas, Mihajl Arbanas, Todor Arnaut, Andreja Arnaut, Lzar Arnaut apo Jusuf Arnaut, ose Hamza Arnavut etj., nuk janë shënuar me cilë-sorin sllav doselic ose prishlec, çka dëshmon se ata ishin vendës në vendbanimet e tyre}}</ref> In the year 1451 or 1453 a neighbourhood was registered bearing an [[Aromanian language|Aromanian]] name, {{Lang|rup|Mahalle-i Todor Vlaja-Vlaha}}. Amongst the 45 family heads of this neighbourhood, Christian Slavic and Albanian anthroponyms were recorded ({{Lang|sq|Gjon-çe}}, son of {{Lang|sq|Noriç}}, ''Koljko Bibani'', ''{{Lang|sr|Tusho}}'', son of ''{{Lang|sr|Rada}}'', etc.), whilst a sizeable number of individuals bearing mixed Slavic-[[Vlach]] anthroponyms are also registered, such as: ''{{Lang|sr|Petko}}'', son of [[Vlachs|Vllah]] (''Iflak''), ''{{Lang|ro|Petru}}'', son of ''{{Lang|sr|David}}'', ''{{Lang|ro|Andreja}}'', {{Lang|ro|kozhuhar}}, {{Lang|sq|Nikul Çikun}}, etc.<ref name="Rexha 2011 167–218">{{cite journal |last=Rexha |first=Iljaz |year=2011 |title=Vendbanimet dhe popullsia albane gjatë mesjetës në hapësirën e Maqedonisë së sotme: Sipas burimeve sllave dhe osmane |url=https://www.ceeol.com/search/article-detail?id=70066 |journal=Gjurmime Albanologjike: Seria e Shkencave Historike |issue=41–42 |pages=167–218}}</ref>

In the [[mahallah]] {{Lang|sq|Ahrijan Hasan}} in the year 1451 or 1453, a head of the family from the noble Albanian [[Muzaka family]], who had converted to Islam, was re-registered amongst the Muslim heads of the family. In the other register of 1467/68, now in the Christian mahallah named {{Lang|sq|Svetko Samarxhi}}, amongst the 29 heads of families with Slavic Christian anthroponyms, a number also carried Albanian anthroponyms.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Rexha |first=Iljaz |year=2011 |title=Vendbanimet dhe popullsia albane gjatë mesjetës në hapësirën e Maqedonisë së sotme: Sipas burimeve sllave dhe osmane |url=https://www.ceeol.com/search/article-detail?id=70066 |journal=Gjurmime Albanologjike: Seria e Shkencave Historike |issue=41–42 |pages=167–218 |quote=Në lagjenAhrijan Hasantë Shkupit të vitit 1451/53 ishte re-gjistruar në mesin e kryefamiljarëve myslimanë edhe kryefamiljari me partonimin e familjes fisnike albane Muzak, që kishte kaluar në islam, duke mos e përmendur emrin e tij të mëhershëm të krishterë dhe pa e theksuar pozitën shoqërore apo profesionin e tij.77 Në defterin tjetër të vitit 1467/68, tani në lagjen e krishterë me emrin Svetko Samarxhi tëShkupit, në mesin e 29 kryefamiljarëve me antroponimi krishtere sllave janë regjistruar: Nikolla, i biri Muzak-es, Todor, i biri Shendre-es (Shen Andre-it), Gjuro, i biri Marin-it, Jovan, i biri Suteç-it ( Suta). Nga këto të dhëna të këtyre dy defterëve shihet qartë, se këta dy kryefamiljarë me mbiemrin Muzaka, njëri i krishterë e tjetri mysliman ishin farefis dhe banorë të vjetër të Shkupit, ngase të parët e familjeve të tyre që nga mesjeta e hershme banonin në hapësirat e rajoneve të Nishit, Kosovës dhe të Maqedonisë sotme, pra para depërtimit osman në Ballkan}}</ref> In the neighbourhood of {{Lang|sq|Jazixhi Shahin}}, amongst the residents with Muslim names, the head of the family was registered only with the surname ''Zenebishi'', without mentioning his social position or his profession, indicating a higher social status. This may suggest a relation to Hasan Bey Zenebishi, a descendant of the [[Zenebishi family]] and the [[Soubashi]] of the [[Nahiyah]] of [[Kalkandelen]]. Individuals bearing Albanian anthroponyms, be they in conjunction with Islamic, Slavic or Christian ones, also appear in the neighbourhoods of ''Kasim Fakih'', ''Dursun Saraç'', ''Kujumxhi Mentesheli'', ''Çerep, Jandro, Stanimir, Vllah Dançu'' and ''Rela''.<ref name="Rexha 2011 167–218"/> A number of Sipahis were also of Albanian origin, with these individuals holding [[timar]]s in areas which had a Christian Albanian symbiosis with Slavic anthroponyms in the vicinity of Skopje. The defters noted that these were old [[sipahis]], likely having been landowners. These individual Sipahis were closely related by descent and blood, and taking account kinship ties, even though they had heterogeneous, Christian, Slavic and Oriental names, they appear to have been Albanians. Some have names indicating their origin, such as ''Shimerd Vardarli'' from Skopje, making it likely these timariotes were locals.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Rexha |first=Iljaz |year=2011 |title=Vendbanimet dhe popullsia albane gjatë mesjetës në hapësirën e Maqedonisë së sotme: Sipas burimeve sllave dhe osmane |url=https://www.ceeol.com/search/article-detail?id=70066 |journal=Gjurmime Albanologjike: Seria e Shkencave Historike |issue=41–42 |pages=167–218 |quote=Në vijim po japim edhe disa të dhëna për spahinjtë e krishterë me prejardhje albane, që i kishin timaret e veta së bashku me individë të tjerë, në simbiozë me antroponimi sllave në rrethinën e Shkupit, ku shihet se edhe këta ishin vendas, meqë në defterë, posaçërisht theksohet se këta individë ishin spahinj të vjetër, çka kuptohet se edhe para viteve 1467-68, në regjistrimet e mëhershme, që nuk janë ruajtur, i kanë pasur timaret e tyre. Timari i Mirashit të birit të Todorit, i Dobroslavit, i të birit të Jaroslavit, i Kojçinit i të birit të Gjonit ,..... (dhe 4 individë të tjerë ). Timari i Gjurës i biri i Todorit, Petko i vëllai i Ibrahimit, Gjoni i vëlla i Petkos (Ibrahimit), Gjura i biri i Petko ( Ibrahimit ) dhe Lazori i biri Petko ( Ibrahimit ).Timari Hamzajt i vëlla i Ibrahimit, Gjoni i vëlla i Hamzait të vëllait të Ibrahimit, Nikolla i vëlla i tij Gjonit, Pavli i biri i Mihos, Pejo i biri i Pavlit, Petko i biri i Gjonit i vëllai i Hamzait të vëllait të Ibrahimit...Kemi edhe shumë spahinj tjerë me prejardhje albane si: Ali dhe Hamza Kërçovali, nga Kër-çova, Shimerd Vardarli i Shkupit, Mahmud Manastirli, Ali Arnauti etj. shihet qartazi se këta posedues të timareve ishin nga trojet e sotme të Maqedonisë e jo të ardhur nga Shqipëria e Qendrore e sotme.}}</ref>
[[File:Mustafa Paşa Mosque, Skopje.jpg|thumb|right|The 15th-century [[Mustafa Pasha Mosque]]]]

In the 1467/68 and 1568/69 defter, Skopje had a majority Muslim population. The 1467/68 defter recorded 33 Muslim town quarters with 637 houses whereas the Christians had 11 quarters with 277 houses. In 1568/69 there were 57 Muslim quarters and only 9 Christian.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Rexha |first1=Ilyas |title=KOSOVA BEFORE AND DURING THE OTTOMAN PERIOD OF XV-th  AND XVI-th CENTURIES |url=https://www.academia.edu/15694578/KOSOVA_BEFORE_AND_DURING_THE_OTTOMAN_PERIOD_OF_XV_th_AND_XVI_th_CENTURIES |date=2013}}</ref>

Around 1529, the Christians of Skopje were mostly non-converted [[Slavs]] and [[Albanians]], but also [[Republic of Ragusa|Ragusan]] and [[Armenians|Armenian]] tradesmen.<ref name="demographic">{{cite web |url=http://www.ibu.edu.mk/Skopje%20and%20its%20demograhic%20structure.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200129002827/http://www.ibu.edu.mk/Skopje%20and%20its%20demograhic%20structure.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 January 2020 |title=The City of Skopje and its Demographic Structure in the 19th Century |publisher=International Balkan University |author=Mehmet İnbaşi}}</ref> [[Mustafa Pasha Mosque]], built in 1492, is reputed to be "one of the most resplendent sacral Islamic buildings in the Balkans."<ref name="haemus">{{cite news |title=Mustafa Pasha Mosque |publisher=HAEMUS : Center for scientific research and promotion of culture |url=https://haemus.org.mk/mustafa-pasha-mosque/ |access-date=3 April 2021}}</ref> In 1535 all churches were demolished by decree of the Ottoman governor.<ref name="oao">{{cite encyclopedia |year=2003 |title=Skopje |entry=Skopje [Lat. Skupi; formerly Turk. Uskup] |encyclopedia=Grove Art Online |doi=10.1093/gao/9781884446054.article.T079129}}</ref>{{dubious|date=October 2023}} In 1555, the city was hit by another severe earthquake, collapsing much of the city. The [[Old Bazaar of Skopje]], the columns of the Stone Bridge, and the [[murals]] in the upper parts of the [[Church of Saint Panteleimon, Gorno Nerezi]] were all severely damaged.<ref name="Гергова 100">{{cite book |last=Гергова |first=Яна |title=Култът към светци безсребърници в България: образи, вярвания и ритуални практики |publisher=ИК „Гутенберг“ |year=2015 |isbn=978-619-176-046-6 |location=София |pages=100}}</ref> Some modern sources estimate this earthquake to have been a Category XII (Extreme) on the [[Modified Mercalli intensity scale]], although others believe this is an overestimate.<ref name="damages" />

In 1623–1624, [[Pjeter Mazreku]], a Roman Catholic [[prelate]], reported the town was inhabited by "Turks (Muslims), the majority of them being Albanians, the rest are of Asiatic origin", Mazreku further wrote, "there are also Jews, Serbs and some Greeks in the town".<ref name="Pulaha">{{cite book |last1=Pulaha |first1=Selami |title=Popullsia shqiptare e Kosovës gjatë shek. XV-XVI |date=1984 |publisher=8 Nëntori |pages=488-489 |url=https://dokumen.tips/documents/179876370-s-pulaha-popullsia-shqiptare-e-kosoves-gjate-shekujve-xv-xvi.html?page=1 |archive-date=29 February 2024 |access-date=17 January 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240229070012/https://dokumen.tips/documents/179876370-s-pulaha-popullsia-shqiptare-e-kosoves-gjate-shekujve-xv-xvi.html?page=1 |url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Ramaj |first1=Albert |title=Dokumente për historinë e Shqipërisë (1623-1653) - Documenti per la storia dell'Albania (1623-1653). Injac Zamputti. |url=https://www.academia.edu/44590131/Dokumente_p%C3%ABr_historin%C3%AB_e_Shqip%C3%ABris%C3%AB_1623_1653_Documenti_per_la_storia_dellAlbania_1623_1653_Injac_Zamputti_Parafjala_Albert_Ramaj |date=2015}}</ref> In the Ottoman period, ''Turk'' was used within Christian writings as a name for a Muslim or for Islamised Albanians.<ref name="Pulaha" /><ref>{{cite book |last=Malcolm |first=Noel |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ti7wDwAAQBAJ |title=Rebels, Believers, Survivors: Studies in the History of the Albanians |page=116 |quote=Some elements of a conversionist approach can also be found in the text of the Cuneus prophetarum. At one point, for example, Bogdani declares: ‘It is better to be a Christian, the son of a Muslim, than to be a Muslim, the son of a Christian.’ (As always in Christian writings of this period, the word ‘Turk here is used to mean ‘Muslim’.)}}</ref> Sources from the years of 1689–1690 considered the town of Shkupi (Skopje) during those periods as part of [[Albania]].<ref>{{harvnb|Iseni|2008|p=113}}:In the documents of the Austrian High Command, for example, in the promemorie on Albania of the General Marsiglio, a high ranking member of the Austrian General Staff dated April 1, 1690, in the letters of the Catholic Vicar of the Shkup, Thoma Raspasan who had substituted the leader of the Albanian uprising, the Archbishop of Albania, Pjetër Bogdani, it said clearly that “Prizren was the capital of Albania,” that “Peja and Shkup were parts of Albania,” and that in the area of Kosova people spoke the Albanian language.'</ref>

Until the 17th century, Skopje experienced a long golden age. Around 1650, the number of inhabitants in Skopje was between 30,000 and 60,000, and the city contained more than 10,000 houses. It was then one of the only big cities on the territory of future Yugoslavia, together with Belgrade and [[Sarajevo]]. At that time, [[Dubrovnik]], which was a busy harbour, did not even have 7,000 inhabitants.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Yugoslavia as History: Twice there was a Country |author=John R. Lampe |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=2000 |isbn=9780521774017 |page=34}}</ref> The city severely suffered from the [[Great Turkish War]] at the end of the 17th century and consequently experienced recession until the 19th century. In 1689, the [[Habsburgs]] seized Skopje which was already weakened by a [[cholera epidemic]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.skopskokale.com.mk/en/turkish.php |title=Kale in the Turkish period |publisher=Archaeological exavations Skopsko Kale |year=2007 |access-date=6 October 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120212054253/http://www.skopskokale.com.mk/en/turkish.php |archive-date=12 February 2012}}</ref> The same day, general [[Enea Silvio Piccolomini (general)|Silvio Piccolomini]] began the [[Skopje fire of 1689]], attempting to end the epidemic.<ref name="history" /> It is however possible that he wanted to avenge damages that the Ottomans caused in the [[Battle of Vienna]] in 1683.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.novamakedonija.com.mk/NewsDetal.asp?vest=10249102423&id=14&setIzdanie=21819 |title=Денот што го турна Скопје во двовековен мрак |publisher=[[Nova Makedonija]] |author=Ognen Čančareviḱ et Goce Trpkovski |access-date=12 February 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141219224633/http://www.novamakedonija.com.mk/NewsDetal.asp?vest=10249102423&id=14&setIzdanie=21819 |archive-date=19 December 2014}}</ref> Skopje burned for two days but the general himself perished of the plague and his leaderless army was routed.<ref name="Mark Avrum Ehrlich 2009 980">{{Cite book |title=Encyclopedia of the Jewish Diaspora: Origins, Experiences, and Culture |author=Mark Avrum Ehrlich |publisher=ABC-CLIO |year=2009 |isbn=978-1851098736 |page=980}}</ref><ref name="judah09">{{cite book |last=Judah |title=The Serbs: History, Myth and the Destruction of Yugoslavia |publisher=Yale University Press |isbn=978-0-300-15826-7 |page=46 |date=2009}}</ref> The Austrian presence in Macedonia motivated Slav uprisings. Nevertheless, the Austrians left the country within the year and the [[Hajduks]], the leaders of the uprisings, had to follow them in their retreat north of the Balkans.<ref name="history" /> Some were arrested by the Ottomans, such as [[Karposh's Rebellion|Petar Karposh]], who was impaled on Skopje's Stone Bridge.{{sfn|Rossos|2008|p=54}}

After the war, Skopje was in ruins. Most of the official buildings were restored or rebuilt, but the city experienced new [[plague (disease)|plague]] and [[cholera]] epidemics and many inhabitants emigrated.<ref name="demographic"/> Ottoman Empire as a whole entered into recession and political decline. Many rebellions and pillages occurred in Macedonia during the 18th century, either led by Ottoman outlaws, [[Janissaries]] or [[Hajduk]]s.{{sfn|Rossos|2008|p=55}} An estimation conducted by French officers around 1836 revealed that at that time Skopje only had around 10,000 inhabitants. It was surpassed by two other towns of present-day North Macedonia: [[Bitola]] (40,000) and [[Štip]] (15–20,000).{{sfn|Rossos|2008|p=70}}

Skopje began to recover from decades of decline after 1850. At that time, the city experienced a slow but steady demographic growth, mainly due to the rural exodus of Slavic Macedonians. It was also fuelled by the exodus of Muslims from the [[Principality of Serbia|Principalities of Serbia]] and [[Principality of Bulgaria|Bulgaria]], which were gaining autonomy and independence from the Empire at that time.<ref name="history"/><ref name="demographic"/> During the [[Tanzimat reforms]], [[nationalism]] arose in the Ottoman Empire and in 1870 a new [[Bulgarian Exarchate]] was established and its separate diocese was created, based on [[ethnic identity]], rather than religious principles.<ref>{{cite book |title=For the Peace from Above: an Orthodox Resource Book on War, Peace and Nationalism |editor=Hildo Bos |editor2=Jim Forest |publisher=Syndesmos |year=1999 |pages=52–53}}</ref> The Slavic population of the bishopric of Skopje voted in 1874 overwhelmingly, by 91% in favour of joining the Exarchate and became part of the [[Bulgarian Millet]].<ref>Църква и църковен живот в Македония, Петър Петров, Христо Темелски, Македонски Научен Институт, София, 2003 г., стр. 105.</ref> Economic growth was permitted by the construction of the Skopje-[[Salonica]] railway in 1873.<ref name="history"/> The railway station was built south of the Vardar and this contributed to the relocation of economic activities on that side of the river, which had never been urbanised before.<ref name="reconstruction"/> Because of the rural exodus, the share of Christians in the city population increased. Some of the newcomers became part of the local elite and helped to spread nationalist ideas.<ref name="demographic"/> In 1877, Skopje was chosen as the capital city of the new [[Kosovo Vilayet]], which encompassed present-day Kosovo, north-western Macedonia and the [[Sanjak of Novi Pazar]].

In statistics gathered by Bulgarian ethnographer [[Vasil Kanchov]] in 1900, the City of Skopje was inhabited by 31,900 people, of whom 15,000 were Turks, 13,000 Christian Bulgarians, 1,920 Romani, 800 Jews, 450 Vlachs, 150 Christian Albanians, 50 Christian Greeks, 30 [[Circassians]] and 500 inhabitants of various other ethnicities.<ref>Vasil Kanchov (1900). ''[http://www.promacedonia.org/vk/vk_2_39.htm Macedonia: Ethnography and Statistics]''. Sofia. p. 252.</ref> Kanchov wrote in the same year that many Albanians declared themselves as Turks. In Skopje, the population that declared itself Turkish "was of Albanian blood", but it "had been [[Turkified]] after the Ottoman invasion, including [[Skanderbeg]]", referring to Islamisation. Bulgarian literary historian [[Yordan Ivanov (literary historian)|Yordan Ivanov]] wrote in 1915 that Albanians, since they did not have their own alphabet, due to a lack of consolidated national consciousness and influenced by foreign propaganda, declared themselves as Turks, Greeks and Bulgarians, depending on which religion they belonged to. Albanians were losing their mother tongue in Skopje.<ref>Salajdin SALIHI. "DISA SHËNIME PËR SHQIPTARËT ORTODOKSË TË REKËS SË EPËRME". FILOLOGJIA - International Journal of Human Sciences 19:85-90.</ref> German linguist [[Gustav Weigand]] described that Skopje's Muslim population of "Turks" or "Ottomans" during the late Ottoman period were mainly Albanians who spoke Turkish in public and Albanian at home.<ref name=Hart214>{{citation |last=Hart |first=Laurie Kain |title=Culture, Civilization, and Demarcation at the Northwest Borders of Greece |journal=American Ethnologist |volume=26 |issue=1 |date=February 1999 |page=214 |doi=10.1525/ae.1999.26.1.196 |jstor=647505}} "Aarbakke notes that Weigand says of Skopje that the "Turks" are mostly Albanians who speak Turkish in public and Albanian at home, "but should be regarded as Osmanli" (Aarbakke 1992:10)."</ref> In 1905, the city had 32,000 inhabitants, making it the largest of the vilayet, although closely followed by [[Prizren]] with its 30,000 inhabitants.<ref name="britannica"/> At the beginning of the 20th century, local economy was focused on [[dyeing]], [[weaving]], [[Tanning (leather)|tanning]], [[ironworks]] and wine and flour processing.<ref name="britannica"/>

Skopje was one of the five main centres of the [[Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organisation]] when it organised the 1903 [[Ilinden–Preobrazhenie Uprising|Ilinden uprising]]. Its revolutionary [[Skopje revolutionary district|network in the region]] led by [[Nikola Pushkarov]] was not well-developed and the lack of weapons was a serious problem. At the outbreak of the uprising, the rebel forces derailed a military train.<ref>{{cite book |url=http://www.promacedonia.org/ilpr1968/ilpr1968_6.html#2 |title=Илинденско-Преображенското въстание 1903–1968 – 6 |last=Karloukovski |first=Vassil |publisher=Издателство на Националния съвет на Отечествения фронт |date=1968 |language=bg}}</ref> On 3 and 5 August respectively, they attacked an Ottoman unit guarding the bridge on the Vardar River and fought a battle in the St. Jovan monastery. In the next few days, the band was pursued by numerous [[Bashibozuk]]s and moved to Bulgaria.{{citation needed|date=August 2025}}

Following the [[Young Turk Revolution]] in 1908, the Ottoman Empire experienced democracy and several political parties were created.<ref name="history"/> However, some of the policies implemented by the [[Young Turks]], such as a tax rise and the interdiction of ethnic-based political parties, discontented minorities. Albanians opposed the nationalist character of the movement and led local uprisings in 1910 and 1912. During the latter, they managed to seize most of Kosovo and took Skopje on 11 August. On 18 August, the insurgents signed the Üsküb agreement which provided for the creation of an autonomous Albanian province, and they were amnestied the day later.<ref>{{Cite book |author=Hugh Poulton |title=Who are the Macedonians? |publisher=C. Hurst & Co. Publishers Ltd |year=2000 |isbn=978-1850655343 |page=109}}</ref>

<gallery mode="packed">
File:Ottoman Postcard of Huriet in Skopie2.jpg|[[Macedonian Bulgarians|Bulgarian]] manifestation in support of the [[Young Turk Revolution]]
File:Sv. Bogorodica Skopje 01.jpg|The [[Church of the Nativity of the Theotokos, Skopje|Church of the Nativity of the Theotokos]], seat of the Bulgarian Orthodox Diocese of Skopje, built in the 19th century
File:Skopje-couteliers 1919.jpg|Cutlers in the [[Old Bazaar, Skopje|Old Bazaar]] around 1900
</gallery>

=== Balkan Wars to present day ===
[[File:Shkup1912.jpg|thumb|left|Skopje after being [[Capture of Üskup|captured by Albanian revolutionaries]] in August 1912 after defeating the Ottoman forces holding the city, later the Ottomans restored power over the city]]
[[File:PedroIEnUskub11031v.jpg|thumb|[[Peter I of Serbia]] visiting Skopje in 1914]]

Following an alliance contracted in 1912, [[Bulgaria]], [[Greece]] and Serbia declared war on the Ottoman Empire. Their goal was to definitively expel the Ottomans from Europe. The [[First Balkan War]] started on 8 October 1912 and lasted six weeks. Serbians reached Skopje on 26 October. Ottoman forces had left the city the day before.<ref name="history" /> During the conflict, the [[Chetniks]], a Serb irregular force, razed the Albanian quarter of Skopje and [[Massacres of Albanians in the Balkan Wars|killed numerous Albanian inhabitants from the city]].<ref name="Michailidis330">{{cite book |last=Michailidis |first=Iakovos D. |chapter=Cleansing the Nation: War related Demographic Changes in Macedonia |editor1-last=Boeckh |editor1-first=Katrin |editor2-last=Rutar |editor2-first=Sabine |title=The Wars of Yesterday: The Balkan Wars and the Emergence of Modern Military Conflict, 1912–13 |year=2018 |publisher=Berghahn Books |isbn=9781785337758 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=okMtDwAAQBAJ&q=burned |pages=330}}</ref> The Serbian annexation led to the exodus of 725 Muslim families which left the city on 27 January 1913. The same year, the city population was evaluated at 37,000 by the Serbian authorities.<ref name="demographic" />[[File:Centarot na Skopje pred zemjotresot.jpg|thumb|right|A view of the centre of Skopje in the 1930s]]
[[File:Nanev Skopje 1941.jpg|thumb|A Bulgarian officer looking at Skopje's centre, April 1941]]

In 1915, during the [[First World War]], [[Bulgarian occupation of Serbia (World War I)|Eastern and South Serbia were invaded by Bulgaria]], which captured Skopje on 22 October 1915. Serbia, allied to the [[Triple Entente]], was helped by France, [[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland|Britain]], [[Greece]], and Italy, which formed the [[Macedonian front]]. Following a great Allied offensive in 1918, the [[Armée française d'Orient]] reached Skopje on 29 September and took the city by surprise.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://crbn-mk.courriers.info/IMG/pdf/_Orient_et_campagne_Macedoine.pdf |title=L'Armée d'Orient et la Macédoine |publisher=Basse-Normandie Macédoine, la coopération au service de la gouvernance locale |access-date=25 March 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100331081809/http://crbn-mk.courriers.info/IMG/pdf/_Orient_et_campagne_Macedoine.pdf |archive-date=31 March 2010}}</ref> After the end of the World War, Vardar Macedonia became part of the new [[Kingdom of Yugoslavia|Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes]], which became "Kingdom of Yugoslavia" in 1929.<ref name="history"/> A mostly foreign [[Serbs|ethnic Serb]] ruling class gained control, imposing large-scale repression.{{sfn|Rossos|2008|p=135}} The policies of de-Bulgarisation and assimilation were pursued.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CHlpAAAAMAAJ&q=de%20bulgarisation%201941 |title=Balkans: A Mirror of the New International Order |last2=Saybaşılı |first2=Kemâli |date=1 January 1995 |publisher=EREN Yayıncılık ve Kitap, cılık |first1=Günay Göksu |last1=Özdoğan |via=Google Books |isbn=9789757622369}}</ref> At that time part of the young locals, repressed by the Serbs, tried to find a separate way of ethnic Macedonian development.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bNvbHCUs3tUC&pg=PA229 |title=Politics, Power and the Struggle for Democracy in South-East Europe |first1=Karen |last1=Dawisha |first2=Bruce |last2=Parrott |date=13 June 1997 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |via=Google Books |isbn=9780521597333}}</ref> In 1931, in a move to formally decentralise the country, Skopje was named the capital of the [[Vardar Banovina]] of the [[Kingdom of Yugoslavia]]. Until the Second World War, Skopje experienced strong economic growth, and its population increased. The city had 41,066 inhabitants in 1921, 64,807 in 1931, and 80,000 in 1941.<ref name="demographic"/> Although in an underdeveloped region, it attracted wealthy Serbs who opened businesses and contributed to the modernisation of the city.<ref name="colophon">{{cite web |url=http://www.eahn.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Newsletter_2010-4_lowres.pdf |title=eahn Newsletter, number 4/10 |publisher=European Architectural History Network |year=2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141215001825/http://www.eahn.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Newsletter_2010-4_lowres.pdf |archive-date=15 December 2014}}</ref> In 1941, Skopje had 45 factories.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Skopje between the past and the future |author=Ivan Tomovski |publisher=Macedonian Review Editions |year=1978 |page=17}}</ref>
[[File:Skopsko Kale, stara.jpg|thumb|left|The national theatre and the fortress around 1920]]

In 1941, during the Second World War, Yugoslavia was invaded by [[Nazi Germany]]. Germans seized Skopje on 8 April<ref name="history"/> and left it to their Bulgarian allies on 22 April 1941.{{sfn|Ramet|2006|p=139}} To ensure the [[Bulgarisation]] of the society, authorities closed Serbian schools and churches, opening new schools and a higher education institute, the King Boris University.<ref>{{Cite book |title=A Concise History of Bulgaria |author=R. J. Crampton |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=2005 |isbn=9780521616379 |page=168}}</ref> The 4,000 Jews of Skopje were all deported in 1943 to the [[Treblinka extermination camp]] where almost all of them were killed.<ref name="jews p. 47">{{Cite book |title=The Expulsion of the Jews: Five Hundred Years of Exodus |author=Yale Strom |publisher=SP Books |year=1992 |isbn=9781561710812 |page=17}}</ref>
[[File:Chento Vlahov Apostolski - Parading in liberated Skopje.jpg|thumb|220px|[[Metodija Andonov-Čento|Čento]], [[Dimitar Vlahov]] and [[Mihajlo Apostolski]] parading in liberated Skopje, November 1944]]

[[Capture of Skopje (1944)|Skopje was captured]] on 13 November 1944 by units of the [[Bulgarian People's Army]] (Bulgaria having switched sides in the war [[Bulgarian coup d'état of 1944|in September]]) aided by [[Yugoslav Partisans]] of the [[Macedonian National Liberation Army]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://books.stonebooks.com/wardiary/19441113/ |title=Stone & Stone: War Diary for 13 November 1944 |website=stonebooks.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HDQn3tJkyUcC&pg=PA560 |title=История на българите |last=Зафиров |first=Димитър |date=1 January 2007 |publisher=TRUD Publishers |via=Google Books |isbn=9789545287527}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EeYhAQAAIAAJ |title=The SS Hunter Battalions: The Hidden History of the Nazi Resistance Movement 1944–45 |last=Biddiscombe |first=Alexander Perry |date=1 January 2006 |publisher=Tempus |via=Google Books |isbn=9780752439389}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PLoeAAAAMAAJ |title=Bŭlgaro-I͡U︡goslavski politicheski otnoshenii͡a︡, 1944–1945 |last=Daskalov |first=Georgi |date=1 January 1989 |publisher=Universitetsko izd-vo "Kliment Okhridski" |via=Google Books}}</ref> Skopje became the capital city of the newly proclaimed [[Democratic Federal Macedonia]] as set up by the [[Anti-fascist Assembly for the National Liberation of Macedonia|ASNOM]] on 2 August 1944 in the [[Bulgaria during World War II|Bulgarian occupation zone in Yugoslavia]].<ref>Mirela Altic (2025) Kosovo: History in Maps, Brill, {{ISBN|9789004732025}}, p. 215; 221.</ref>

After World War II, Skopje greatly benefited from [[SFR Yugoslavia|Socialist Yugoslav]] policies which encouraged industry and the development of Macedonian cultural institutions. Consequently, Skopje became home to a national library, a philharmonic orchestra, a university, and the Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts. However, its post-war development was altered by the [[1963 Skopje earthquake|1963 earthquake]] which occurred on 26 July. Although relatively weak in magnitude, it caused enormous damage in the city and can be compared to the [[1960 Agadir earthquake]].<ref>{{Cite book |title=Earthquake Engineering: Mechanism, Damage Assessment and Structural Design |author=Sidney F. Borg |publisher=World Scientific |year=1988 |isbn=9789971504359 |page=77}}</ref> The disaster killed 1,070 people, injuring 3,300 others. 16,000 people were buried alive in ruins and 70% of the population lost their home.<ref name="post">{{cite web |url=http://desastres.usac.edu.gt/documentos/pdf/eng/doc13793/doc13793-1.pdf |title=Post 1963 earthquake reconstruction: Long term effects |author=Vladimir B. Ladinski |publisher=Biblioteca Virtual en Salud y Desastres Guatemala}}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> Many educational facilities, factories and historical buildings were destroyed.<ref name="reconstruction"/>

[[File:US army in Skopje 1963.jpg|thumb|American soldiers in Skopje after the [[1963 Skopje earthquake|1963 earthquake]]]]
[[File:Centar, Skopje 1000, Macedonia (FYROM) - panoramio (151).jpg|alt=|left|thumb|Monument to the Macedonian partisans – Liberators of Skopje, next to the Government building]]

After the [[1963 Skopje earthquake|earthquake]], reconstruction was quick. It had a deep psychological impact on the population because neighbourhoods were split, and people were relocated to new houses and buildings they were not familiar with.<ref name="post"/> Many Albanians, some from Kosovo participated in the reconstruction effort.<ref name="Ragaru535"/> Reconstruction was finished by 1980, even if many elements were never built because funds were exhausted.<ref name="reconstruction"/> Skopje's cityscape was drastically changed, and the city became a true example of [[modernist architecture]]. Demographic growth was very important after 1963, and Skopje had 408,100 inhabitants in 1981.<ref>{{Cite book |author=Georges Castellan |year=2003 |title=La Macédoine : un pays inconnu |isbn=978-2910878245 |publisher=Ed. Armeline |page=17}}</ref> After 1963, rural youth migrated to Skopje and were involved in the reconstruction process resulting in a large growth of the urban Macedonian population.<ref name="Neofotistos893"/><ref name="Thiessen10">{{cite journal |last=Thiessen |first=Ilka |title='Leb I Sol'(Bread And Salt): The Meanings of Work in the Changing Society of Macedonia |url=https://is.muni.cz/el/1490/podzim2014/CZS05/re/Thiessen--Meanings-of-Work-Macedonia-AWR-2002.pdf |journal=Anthropology of Work Review |volume=23 |issue=1–2 |year=2002 |pages=10 |doi=10.1525/awr.2002.23.1-2.8}}</ref><ref name="Brown417442">{{cite journal |last=Brown |first=Keith S. |title=Beyond ethnicity: The politics of urban nostalgia in modern Macedonia |url=https://muse.jhu.edu/article/670307/summary |journal=Journal of Mediterranean Studies |volume=11 |issue=2 |year=2001 |pages=417–442}}</ref> The Albanian population of Skopje also increased as people from the northern villages migrated to the city and others came from Kosovo either to provide manpower for reconstruction or fled the deteriorating political situation, especially during the 1990s.<ref name="Ragaru535"/> However, during the 1980s and the 1990s, the country experienced inflation and recession, and the local economy heavily suffered. The situation improved during the 2000s thanks to new investments. Many landmarks were restored and the "Skopje 2014" project renewed the appearance of the city centre.{{Citation needed|date=March 2025}}

==Emblems==
{{Main|Flag of Skopje|Coat of arms of Skopje}}

The [[Flag of Skopje]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.skopje.gov.mk/EN/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabindex=0&tabid=34 |title=City symbols |publisher=skopje.gov.mk |author=Град Скопје |access-date=16 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140929172138/http://www.skopje.gov.mk/EN/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabindex=0&tabid=34 |archive-date=29 September 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref> is a red banner in proportions 1:2 with a gold-coloured [[Coat of arms of Skopje|coat of arms of the city]] positioned in the upper-left corner. It is either vertical or horizontal, but the [[Vertical flag|vertical version]] was the first to be used.

The coat of arms of the city was adopted in the 1950s. It depicts the Stone Bridge with the Vardar river, the [[Skopje Fortress|Kale Fortress]] and the snow-capped peaks of the [[Šar mountains]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.skopje.gov.mk/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabindex=0&tabid=35 |title=City of Skopje |access-date=25 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121129224528/http://www.skopje.gov.mk/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabindex=0&tabid=35 |archive-date=29 November 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Administration==

===Status===
[[File:MKD muni nonn(Skopje).png|thumb|Greater Skopje amongst the [[municipalities of North Macedonia]]]]
Being the capital and largest city of North Macedonia, Skopje enjoys a particular status granted by law. The last revision of its status was made in 2004. Since then, the City of Skopje has been divided into 10 municipalities which all have a council and a mayor, like all of the country's municipalities. Municipalities only deal with matters specific of their territory, and the City of Skopje deals with matters that concern all of them, or that cannot be divided between two or more municipalities.<ref name="local">{{cite web |url=http://lgi.osi.hu/cimg/0/1/3/4/3/Skopje_s_final.doc |title=The City of Skopje, Case Study in the Project Financing Metropolitan Cities in Transitional Countries |author=Aleksandra Maksimovska Veljanovski |publisher=[[Open Society Institute]], Local Government and Public Service Reform Initiative, Budapest |year=2008 |access-date=13 October 2012}}{{dead link|date=July 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}</ref>

The City of Skopje is part of the [[Skopje Statistical Region]], which has no political or administrative power.<ref name="local"/>

===City Council===
The City Council consists of 45 members who serve a four-year term. It primarily deals with budget, global orientations and relations between the city and the government. Several commissions exist to treat more specific topics, such as urbanism, finances, environment or local development.<ref name="council">{{cite web |url=http://www.skopje.gov.mk/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabindex=0&tabid=601 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130730023325/http://www.skopje.gov.mk/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabindex=0&tabid=601 |url-status=dead |archive-date=30 July 2013 |title=Совет на Град Скопје, Мандат 2013–2017 |year=2013 |publisher=City of Skopje |access-date=4 July 2013}}</ref> The President of the council is elected by the Council Members. Since 2021 the president has been Trajko Slaveski, member of [[VMRO-DPMNE]].<ref>[https://skopje.gov.mk/mk/skopje/sovet/ Trajko Slaveski]</ref><ref name="council"/>

Following the 2021 local elections, the City Council is constituted as follows:<ref name="council"/><ref>[http://mtm.mk/index.php/features/2012-12-30-11-59-30/47-2013-01-29-17-39-38/1237-2013-04-18-12-48-48 MTM.MK - First constitutive session of the City Council] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20130703033537/http://mtm.mk/index.php/features/2012-12-30-11-59-30/47-2013-01-29-17-39-38/1237-2013-04-18-12-48-48 |date=2013-07-03 }}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! '''Party / List'''
! '''Seats'''
| rowspan="8" |[[File:Skopje City Council (October 2021).svg]]
|- style="text-align:center;"
| style="text-align:left;"| [[Social Democratic Union of Macedonia|SDSM]]|| 12
|- style="text-align:center;"
| style="text-align:left;"| [[VMRO-DPMNE]] || 18
|- style="text-align:center;"
| style="text-align:left;"| [[Democratic Union for Integration|DUI]] || 5
|- style="text-align:center;"
| style="text-align:left;"| [[Alliance for Albanians|AA/A]] || 2
|- style="text-align:center;"
| style="text-align:left;"|[[Democratic Renewal of Macedonia|DOM]] || 2
|- style="text-align:center;"
| style="text-align:left;"|[[the Left (North Macedonia)|Levica]] || 4
|-
||'''Total''' || style="text-align:center;" |'''45'''
|}

===Mayor===

The [[Mayor of Skopje]] is elected every four years. The mayor represents the City of Skopje and can submit ideas to the council, manages the administrative bodies and their officials.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.skopje.gov.mk/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabindex=0&tabid=70 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927220722/http://www.skopje.gov.mk/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabindex=0&tabid=70 |url-status=dead |archive-date=27 September 2007 |title=Competencies of the mayor |year=2009 |publisher=City of Skopje |access-date=15 March 2011}}</ref>

===Municipalities===
Skopje was first divided into administrative units in 1945, but the first municipalities were created in 1976. There were five municipalities: Centar, Čair, [[Karpoš municipality|Karpoš]], [[Gazi Baba municipality|Gazi Baba]] and [[Kisela Voda municipality|Kisela Voda]]. After the 1991 independence of the country, power was centralised and municipalities lost much of their competences. A 1996 law restored them and created two new municipalities: [[Ǵorče Petrov municipality|Ǵorče Petrov]] and Šuto Orizari. After the [[2001 insurgency in Macedonia|insurgency between Albanian rebels and Macedonian forces]] in 2001, a new law was enacted in 2004 to incorporate the [[Saraj Municipality]] into the City of Skopje. Saraj is mostly populated by Albanians and, since then, Albanians represent more than 20% of the city population. Thus, Albanian became the second official language of the city administration, something which was one of the claims of the Albanian rebels. The same year, [[Aerodrom Municipality (Skopje)|Aerodrom Municipality]] separated itself from Kisela Voda, and [[Butel Municipality]] from Čair.<ref name="local"/>

Municipalities are administered by a council of 23 members elected every four years. They also have a mayor and several departments (education, culture, finances...). The mayor primarily deals with these departments.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.opstinacentar.gov.mk/administracija.aspx |title=Administration |publisher=Centar Municipality |access-date=15 March 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110307064559/http://www.opstinacentar.gov.mk/administracija.aspx |archive-date=7 March 2011}}</ref>
{|
|
{| class="sortable wikitable"
|-
! style="background: #efefef; border-bottom: 2px solid gray;" | Name
! style="background: #efefef; border-bottom: 2px solid gray;" | Size<br />(km<sup>2</sup>)<ref name="drisla">{{cite web |url=http://drisla.mk/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Drisla-Landfill-Project-Feasibiity-Study.pdf |title=Drisla Landfill Feasibility Study, Volume 1 of 2 – Main Findings – Final Report |year=2011 |publisher=Mott MacDonald Ltd |access-date=24 October 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131226212124/http://drisla.mk/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Drisla-Landfill-Project-Feasibiity-Study.pdf |archive-date=26 December 2013}}</ref>
! style="background: #efefef; border-bottom: 2px solid gray;" | Population 2002<ref name="stats1">{{cite web |url=https://www.stat.gov.mk/Publikacii/knigaXIII.pdf |title=Census of Population, Households and Dwellings 2002, Book XIII:Total population, households and dwellings, According to the territorial organization of The Republic of Macedonia, 2004, 2002 |publisher=State Statistical Office of the Republic of Macedonia |access-date=14 October 2012}}</ref>
! style="background: #efefef; border-bottom: 2px solid gray;" | Population 2021<ref name="stats2">{{Cite web |date=2022-03-30 |title=Попис на населението, домаќинствата и становите во Република Северна Македонија, 2021 - прв сет на податоци, 2021 |url=https://www.stat.gov.mk/PrikaziSoopstenie.aspx?rbrtxt=146 |access-date=2022-03-31 |website=www.stat.gov.mk |publisher=Republic of North Macedonia State Statistical Office |language=mk}}</ref>
|-
| [[Aerodrom Municipality (Skopje)|Aerodrom]] || 20 || 72,009 || 77,735
|-
| [[Butel municipality|Butel]] || 54.79 || 36,144 || 37,968
|-
| [[Centar Municipality (Skopje)|Centar]] || 7.52 || 45,412 || 43,893
|-
| [[Čair municipality|Čair]] || 3.52 || 64,773 || 62,586
|-
| [[Gazi Baba municipality|Gazi Baba]] || 110.86 || 72,617 || 69,626
|-
| [[Ǵorče Petrov Municipality|Ǵorče Petrov]] || 66.93 || 41,634 || 44,844
|-
| [[Karpoš municipality|Karpoš]] || 35.21 || 59,666 || 63,760
|-
| [[Kisela Voda municipality|Kisela Voda]] || 34.24 || 57,236 || 61,965
|-
| [[Saraj municipality|Saraj]] || 229.06 || 35,408 || 38,399
|-
| [[Šuto Orizari municipality|Šuto Orizari]] || 7.48 || 22,017 || 25,726
|- style="background: #E9E9E9;" 
|| '''City of Skopje''' || style="background: #E9E9E9;" | 571.46 || style="background: #E9E9E9;" | 506,926 || style="background: #E9E9E9;" | 526,502
|}
| [[File:Skopje administrative division numbered1.png|right]]
|
#[[File:Coat of arms of Centar Municipality, Macedonia.svg|20px]] [[Centar Municipality (Skopje)|Centar]] (''Центар'')
#[[File:Coat of arms of Gazi Baba Municipality.svg|20px]] [[Gazi Baba municipality|Gazi Baba]] (''Гази Баба'')
#[[File:Coat of arms of Aerodrom Municipality, 2012-present.svg|20px]] [[Aerodrom Municipality (Skopje)|Aerodrom]] (''Аеродром'')
#[[File:Coat of arms of Čair Municipality.svg|20px]] [[Čair municipality|Čair]] (''Чаир'')
#[[File:Coat of arms of Kisela Voda Municipality (2015).svg|20px]] [[Kisela Voda municipality|Kisela Voda]] (''Кисела Вода'')
#[[File:Coat of arms of Butel Municipality.svg|20px]] [[Butel municipality|Butel]] (''Бутел'')
#[[File:Coat of arms of Šuto Orizari Municipality.svg|20px]] [[Šuto Orizari municipality|Šuto Orizari]] (''Шуто Оризари'')
#[[File:Coat of arms of Karpoš Municipality.svg|20px]] [[Karpoš municipality|Karpoš]] (''Карпош'')
#[[File:Coat of arms of Ǵorče Petrov Municipality.svg|20px]] [[Ǵorče Petrov Municipality|Ǵorče Petrov]] (''Ѓорче Петров'')
#[[File:Coat of arms of Saraj Municipality.svg|20px]] [[Saraj municipality|Saraj]] (''Сарај'')
|}

==Economy==

===Economic weight===
[[File:Skopje X9.JPG|thumb|The small business district]]
Skopje is a medium city at the European level. Being the capital and largest city of North Macedonia, Skopje concentrates a large share of the national economy. The [[Skopje Statistical Region]], which encompasses the City of Skopje and some neighbouring municipalities, produces 45.5% of the Macedonian GDP.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.stat.gov.mk/pdf/2011/3.1.11.03.pdf |title=Gross domestic product and gross fixed capital formation, by regions, 2009 |publisher=State Statistical Office of the Republic of Macedonia |access-date=19 March 2012}}</ref> In 2009, the regional GDP per capita amounted to US$6,565, or 155% of the Macedonian GDP per capita.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.stat.gov.mk/pdf/2011/3.1.11.03.pdf |title=Gross domestic product and gross fixed capital formation, by regions |publisher=State Statistical Office of the Republic of Macedonia |year=2009 |access-date=14 October 2012}}</ref> This figure is, however, smaller than the one of neighbouring [[Sofia]] (US$10,106),<ref>{{cite web |url=http://lmlegalservices.com/blog/archives/825 |title=Bulgaria – Regional Differences |year=2012 |publisher=LM Legal Services |access-date=14 October 2012}}</ref> Sarajevo (US$10,048)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://siteresources.worldbank.org/ECAEXT/Resources/258598-1279117170185/7247167-1279119399516/7247361-1279119430793/sarajevo.pdf |title=Resource data |date=21 May 2010 |website=siteresources.worldbank.org}}</ref> or Belgrade (US$7,983),<ref>{{Cite book |title=Serbia on the Road to Eu Accession: Consequences for Agricultural Policy and the Agri-Food Chain |author=Siemen Van Berkum et Natalija Bogdanov |publisher=CABI |year=2012 |isbn=9781780641454 |page=40}}</ref> but higher than the one of [[Tirana]] (US$4,126).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.top-channel.tv/english/artikull.php?id=2632 |title=Albanian economy concentrated in Tirana |publisher=Top Channel |year=2011 |access-date=14 October 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016020348/http://www.top-channel.tv/english/artikull.php?id=2632 |archive-date=16 October 2013}}</ref>

Because there are no other large cities in the country, and because of political and economic centralisation, a large number of Macedonians living outside of Skopje work in the capital city. The dynamism of the city also encourages [[rural exodus]], not only from North Macedonia, but also from Kosovo, Albania and Southern Serbia.<ref name="quality">{{cite web |url=https://hrcak.srce.hr/file/80214 |title=The Quality of Life and Regional Development in FYR Macedonia |year=2010 |publisher=Hrčak, Portal znanstvenih časopisa Republike Hrvatske |author=William Bartlett |author2=Hristina Cipusheva |author3=Marjan Nikolov |author4=Miroljub Shukarov |access-date=19 March 2012}}</ref>

===Firms and activities===

In 2009, Skopje had 26,056 firms but only 145 of them had a large size. The large majority of them are either small (12,017) or very small (13,625).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.stat.gov.mk/PXWeb2007bazi/Dialog/Saveshow.asp |title=Firms by size and municipality |year=2009 |publisher=State Statistical Office of the Republic of Macedonia |access-date=4 March 2011}}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> A large share of the firms deal with trading of goods (9,758), 3,839 are specialised in business and real estate, and 2,849 are manufacturers.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.stat.gov.mk/PXWeb2007bazi/Dialog/Saveshow.asp |title=Firms by activity sector |publisher=State Statistical Office of the Republic of Macedonia |access-date=4 March 2011}}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> Although few in number, large firms account for 51% of the local production outside finance.<ref name="region"/>
[[File:Skopje X132.JPG|thumb|left|The [[Imperial Tobacco]] plant]]The city industry is dominated by food processing, textile, printing and metal processing. In 2012, it accounted for 30% of the city's GDP.<ref name="region">{{cite web |url=http://rdc.mk/skopje/images/InvestmentPotentials.pdf |title=Investment Potentials of Skopje Region |publisher=Skopje Region |year=2012 |access-date=15 October 2012}}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> Most of the industrial areas are in [[Gazi Baba municipality]], on the major routes and rail lines to Belgrade and [[Thessaloniki]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gazibaba.gov.mk/profil-na-opstinata.html |title=За Гаѕи Баба |year=2010 |publisher=Gazi Baba municipality |access-date=14 October 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120904101934/http://www.gazibaba.gov.mk/profil-na-opstinata.html |archive-date=4 September 2012}}</ref> Notably, the [[ArcelorMittal]], Makstil steel plants and the Skopje Brewery are present there. Other zones are between Aerodrom and Kisela Voda, along the railway to Greece. These zones comprise Alkaloid Skopje (pharmaceuticals), Rade Končar (electrical supplies), [[Imperial Tobacco]], and Ohis (fertilisers). Two [[special economic zone]]s also exist, around the airport and the Okta refinery. They have attracted several foreign companies, such as [[Johnson Controls]], [[Johnson Matthey]] and [[Van Hool]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://fez.gov.mk/interactive-map.html |title=TIDZ Skopje 1 |publisher=Directorate for Technological Industrial Development Zones |access-date=14 October 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024003817/http://fez.gov.mk/interactive-map.html |archive-date=24 October 2012}}</ref>

As the country's financial capital, Skopje is the seat of the [[Macedonian Stock Exchange]], of the [[National Bank of North Macedonia|National Bank]], and of most of the country's banking, insurance, and telecommunication companies, such as [[Makedonski Telekom]], [[Komercijalna banka Skopje]] and [[Stopanska Banka]]. The services sector produces 60% of the city GDP.<ref name="region"/>
[[File:Zeleno pazarce - Flickr - ImogenX (9).jpg|thumb|The Zelen Pazar ("green market")]]
Besides many small traditional shops, Skopje has two large markets, the "Zelen Pazar" (green market) and the "Bit Pazar" (flea market). They are both considered local institutions.<ref name="thiesen57"/> However, since the 1970s, retailing has largely been modernised and Skopje now has many supermarkets and shopping centres. The largest, Skopje City Mall, opened in 2012. It comprises 130 shops and a cinema, and employs 2,000 people.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://finchannel.com/Main_News/Banks/117152_Macedonian_shoppers_set_for_retail_revolution_with_EBRD_support/ |title=Macedonian shoppers set for retail revolution with EBRD support |publisher=The Financial |year=2012 |access-date=14 October 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121006072101/http://finchannel.com/Main_News/Banks/117152_Macedonian_shoppers_set_for_retail_revolution_with_EBRD_support/ |archive-date=6 October 2012}}</ref>
[[File:Skopje City Mall.jpg|thumb|Skopje City Mall]]

===Employment===

51% of the Skopje active population is employed in small firms. 52% of the population work in the services sector, 34% in industry, and the remaining is mainly employed in administration.<ref name="region"/>

The unemployment rate for the Skopje Statistical Region was at 27% in 2009, three points under the national rate (30%). The neighbouring [[Polog Statistical Region|Polog Region]] had a similar rate, but the less affected region was the [[Southwestern Statistical Region|South-West]], with 22%.<ref>{{Cite book |title=The Quality of Life and Regional Development in FYR Macedonia |publisher=Croatian Economic Survey |year=2010 |pages=121–162 |author=William Bartlett |author2=Hristina Cipusheva |author3=Marjan Nikolov |author4=Miroljub Shukarov}}</ref> Unemployment in Skopje mainly affects men, who represent 56% of jobseekers, people between 25 and 44 years old (45% of jobseekers), and non-qualified people (43%).<ref name="region"/> Unemployment also concerns [[Roma people]], who represent 4.63% of the city population but affects 70% of the active population in the community.<ref name="roma">{{cite web |url=https://upcommons.upc.edu/revistes/bitstream/2099/12139/1/C_27_2.pdf |title=Revisiting Topaana: touring a neighborhood where the other 1% lives |author=Jasna Stefanovska |access-date=15 October 2012}}</ref>

The average net monthly wage in Skopje was at €400 in October 2010, which represented 120% of the national figure.<ref name="brutno">{{cite web |url=http://www.mkd.mk/35313/makedonija/prosek-bruto-plata-makedonija-skopje/ |title=Скопска просечна бруто плата 593 евра, 20 отсто над државниот просек |year=2012 |publisher=MKD.mk |access-date=15 October 2012 |archive-date=20 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120820132923/http://www.mkd.mk/35313/makedonija/prosek-bruto-plata-makedonija-skopje/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> The average wage in Skopje was then lower than in Sarajevo (€522),<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fzs.ba/BiltenKanton/BiltenK0415.pdf |title=MJESEČNI STATISTIČKI PREGLED FEDERACIJE BOSNE I HERCEGOVINE PO KANTONIMA |access-date=2 June 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151106165018/https://www.fzs.ba/BiltenKanton/BiltenK0415.pdf |archive-date=6 November 2015}}</ref> Sofia (€436),<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sofia.bg/en/display.asp?ime=today |title=Sofia in figures – 2010 |access-date=15 October 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121004121251/http://sofia.bg/en/display.asp?ime=today |archive-date=4 October 2012}}</ref> and in Belgrade (€440).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.b92.net/biz/vesti/srbija.php?yyyy=2011&mm=04&dd=27&nav_id=508518 |title=Plata 353 evra, u Beogradu 440 evra |publisher=B92 |year=2011 |access-date=15 October 2011}}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{Historical populations
| percentages = pagr
| source =<ref name="stats1"/><ref name="jasna"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.stat.gov.mk/pdf/2022/2.1.22.10-mk-en.pdf |title=Попис на населението, домаќинствата и становите во Република Северна Македонија, 2021 - прв сет на податоци |website=stat.gov.mk |access-date=22 July 2022}}</ref>
| 1921|41,000
| 1931|68,880
| 1948|88,355
| 1953|120,130
| 1961|166,870
| 1971|314,552
| 1981|448,200
| 1991|444,760
| 2002|506,926
| 2021|526,502
}}

===Population===
[[File:Ulica Makedonija.JPG|thumb|People on Macedonia street, the main pedestrian axis of the city]]
According to the results of the 2021 census, the City of Skopje had 526,502 inhabitants.<ref name="stats2"/> Skopje's employment area covers a large part of the country, including [[Veles (city)|Veles]], [[Kumanovo]] and [[Tetovo]], and totalling more than one million inhabitants.<ref name="trace">{{cite web |url=https://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTMACEDONIA/Resources/SkopjeTRACEReport.pdf |title=Improving Energy Sufficiency in Skopje, TRACE Study |publisher=World Bank |year=2012 |access-date=25 October 2012}}</ref>

Skopje contains roughly a quarter of North Macedonia's population. The second most populous municipality, Kumanovo, had 107,632 inhabitants in 2011,<ref name="stats">{{cite web |year=2012 |title=Estimations of the Population by Sex and Age, by Municipalities and by Statistical Regions, 30.06. 2011 and 31.12. 2011, 2011 |url=https://www.stat.gov.mk/Publikacii/2.4.12.08.pdf |access-date=15 October 2012 |publisher=State Statistical Office of the Republic of Macedonia}}</ref> and an [[urban unit]] of 76,272 inhabitants in 2002.<ref name="stats1"/>

Before the [[Ottoman–Habsburg wars|Austro-Turkish war]] and the [[Fire of Skopje 1689|1689 Great Fire]], Skopje was one of the biggest cities in the [[Balkans]], with a population estimated between 30,000 and 60,000 inhabitants.<ref name="history"/> After the fire set by the retreating Austrian forces, it experienced a long period of decline and only had 10,000 inhabitants in 1836.{{sfn|Rossos|2008|p=70}} However, the population started to rise again after 1850 and reached 32,000 inhabitants in 1905.<ref name="britannica"/> In the 20th century, Skopje was one of the fastest-growing cities in Yugoslavia, and it had 448,200 inhabitants in 1981. Since then, the demographic growth has continued at a steady rate.<ref name="jasna">{{Cite book |title=Urban planning and transitional development issues: The case of Skopje, Macedonia |publisher=Urbani izziv |year=2012 |page=94 |author=Jasna Stefanovska et Janez Koželj}}</ref>

===Ethnic groups===

Ethnic groups in Greater Skopje consist of the following:

{| class="wikitable sortable"
! rowspan="2" | Ethnic group
! colspan="2" | 2002
! colspan="2" | 2021
|-
! Number
! %
! Number
! %
|-
|[[Macedonians (ethnic group)|Macedonians]]
|338,358
|66.75
|309,107
|58.71
|-
|[[Albanians]]
|103,891
|20.49
|120,293
|22.85
|-
|[[Romani people|Roma]]
|23,475
|4.63
|18,498
|3.51
|-
|[[Serbs]]
|14,298
|2.82
|9,478
|1.80
|-
|[[Turkish people|Turks]]
|8,595
|1.70
|8,524
|1.62
|-
|[[Bosniaks]]
|7,585
|1.50
|7,365
|1.50
|-
|[[Vlachs]]
|2,557
|0.50
|2,778
|0.53
|-
|Others
|8,167
|1.61
|6,284
|1.19
|-
|Administrative sources
|N/A
|N/A
|44,175
|8.39
|- class="sortbottom"
! Total
|506,926
|100
|526,502
|100
|}

Skopje, just like North Macedonia as a whole, is characterised by a large ethnic diversity. The city is in a region where Macedonians and Albanians meet, and it has had populations of Bulgarians, Romani, Turks, Jews, and Serbs through its history. Skopje was mainly a Muslim city until the 19th century when large numbers of Christians started to settle there. According to the 2021 census, Macedonians were the largest ethnic group in Skopje, with 309,107 inhabitants, or 58.71% of the population. Then came Albanians with 120,293 inhabitants (22.85%), Roma people with 18,498 (3.51%), Serbs (9,478 inhabitants), Turks (8,524), Bosniaks (7,365) and [[Aromanians]] (also known as "Vlachs", 2,778). 6,284 people did not belong to any of these groups.<ref name="stats2" />

Macedonians form an overwhelming majority of the population in the municipalities of Aerodrom, Centar, Gorče Petrov, Karpoš and Kisela Voda, which are all south of the Vardar.<ref name="Ragaru536">{{harvnb|Ragaru|2008|p=536.}}</ref> They also form a majority in [[Butel municipality|Butel]]<ref name="Ragaru536537"/> and Gazi Baba which are north of the river. Albanians form a majority in Čair which roughly corresponds to the Old Bazaar, and in [[Saraj municipality|Saraj]].<ref name="Ragaru535537">{{cite journal |last=Ragaru |first=Nadege |title=The Political Uses and Social Lives of "National Heroes": Controversies over Skanderbeg's Statue in Skopje |url=https://halshs.archives-ouvertes.fr/halshs-00682663/document |journal=Südosteuropa |volume=56 |issue=4 |year=2008 |pages=535–537 |access-date=22 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190222210307/https://halshs.archives-ouvertes.fr/halshs-00682663/document |archive-date=22 February 2019 |url-status=dead}}</ref> They form a large minority in Butel<ref name="Ragaru536537">{{harvnb|Ragaru|2008|pp=536–537.}}</ref> and Gazi Baba. Suto Orizari, on the northern edge of the city, is predominantly Roma.<ref name="stats1"/> When an ethnic minority forms at least 20% of the population in a municipality, its language can become official on the local level. Thus, in Čair and Saraj schools and administration use Albanian, and Romani in Šuto Orizari.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fes.org.mk/pdf/SVETOMIR%20SKARIC%20-%20OHRID%20AGREEMENT%20AND%20MINORITY%20COMMUNITIES.pdf |title=Ohrid Agreement and Minority Communities in Macedonia |publisher=Friedrich Ebert Stiftung in Macedonia |author=Svetomir Skaric |access-date=29 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101226145850/http://www.fes.org.mk/pdf/SVETOMIR%20SKARIC%20-%20OHRID%20AGREEMENT%20AND%20MINORITY%20COMMUNITIES.pdf |archive-date=26 December 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The latter is the only municipality in the world where Romani is an official language.<ref name="roma"/>

Relations between the two largest groups, Macedonians and Albanians, are sometimes difficult, as in the rest of the country. Each group tolerates the other but they tend to avoid each other and live in what can appear as two parallel worlds.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.balcanicaucaso.org/eng/Regions-and-countries/Macedonia/Skopje-the-carsija-of-the-Albanians-85910 |title=Skopje, the čaršija of the Albanians |date=12 January 2011 |publisher=[[Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso]] |author=Marjola Rukaj |access-date=26 October 2012}}</ref> Both Macedonians and Albanians view themselves each as the original population of Skopje and the other as newcomers.<ref name="StefoskaStojanov363">{{cite journal |last1=Stefoska |first1=Irena |author-link1=Irena Stefoska |last2=Stojanov |first2=Darko |title=A tale in stone and bronze: old/new strategies for political mobilization in the Republic of Macedonia |url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/29F560037E1931D083C10F7B56D96893/S0090599200032141a.pdf/tale_in_stone_and_bronze_oldnew_strategies_for_political_mobilization_in_the_republic_of_macedonia.pdf |journal=Nationalities Papers |volume=45 |issue=3 |year=2017 |pages=363 |doi=10.1080/00905992.2017.1308346 |s2cid=157988163 |doi-access=free}}</ref><ref name="Ragaru535">{{harvnb|Ragaru|2008|p=535.}}</ref><ref name="Neofotistos893">{{cite journal |last=Neofotistos |first=Vasiliki P. |title=Postsocialism, Social Value, and Identity Politics among Albanians in Macedonia |journal=Slavic Review |volume=69 |issue=4 |year=2010 |pages=893 |jstor=27896141 |doi=10.1017/S003767790000989X |s2cid=165104213}}</ref> The Roma minority is on its side very deprived. Its exact size is not known because many Macedonian Roma declare themselves as belonging to other ethnic groups or simply avoid censuses. However, even if official figures are underestimated, Skopje is the city in the world with the largest Roma population.<ref name="roma"/>

===Religion===
[[File:Presveta Bogordica od Skopje 4.JPG|thumb|The Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary]]
Religious affiliation is diverse: Macedonians, Serbs, and Aromanians are mainly Eastern Orthodox, with the majority affiliated to the [[Macedonian Orthodox Church – Ohrid Archbishopric|Macedonian Orthodox Church]]; Turks are almost entirely Muslim; those of Albanian ethnicity are largely Muslim, although Skopje also has a sizeable [[Roman Catholic]] Albanian minority, into which [[Mother Teresa]] was born; the Roma (Gypsies) represent a mixture (in almost equal numbers) of Muslim and Orthodox religious heritage.<ref>{{Cite book |author=Hugh Poulton |title=Who are the Macedonians? |publisher=C. Hurst & Co. Publishers Ltd |year=2000 |isbn=978-1850655343 |page=130}}</ref>

According to the 2002 census, 68.5% of the population of Skopje belonged to the [[Eastern Orthodox Church]], whilst 28.6% belonged to [[Islam]]. The city also had Catholic (0.5%) and [[Protestant]] (0.04%) minorities.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.stat.gov.mk/Publikacii/knigaX.pdf |title=Census |year=2002 |publisher=State Statistical Office of the Republic of Macedonia |access-date=26 October 2012}}</ref> The Catholics are served by the Latin [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Skopje|bishopric of Skopje]], in which is also vested the [[Byzantine Catholic Apostolic Exarchate of Macedonia]].
{| class="wikitable"
|
| colspan="2" |'''2002'''
| colspan="2" |'''2021'''
|-
|
|'''Number'''
|'''%'''
|'''Number'''
|'''%'''
|-
|'''Total'''
| '''506,926'''
|'''100'''
|'''526,502'''
|'''100'''
|-
|[[Macedonian Orthodox Church|Orthodox]]
|348,837
|68.8
|264,872
| rowspan="3" |60.3
|-
|[[Christianity in North Macedonia|Christians]]
|216
|0.49
|50,624
|-
|[[Catholic Church in North Macedonia|Catholics]]
|2,506
|0.04
|2,044
|-
|[[Islam in North Macedonia|Islam]]
|143,770
|28.4
|155,245
|29.5
|-
|Others
|11,597
|1.81
|9,542
|1.81
|-
|Administrative sources
| colspan="2" |
|44,175
|8.39
|}

Until World War II, Skopje had a significant Jewish minority which mainly descended from Spanish [[Sephardi Jews|Sephardis]] who had escaped the [[Inquisition]]. The community comprised 2,424 members in 1939 (representing about 3% of the city population), but most of them were deported and killed by [[Nazis]]. After the war, most of the survivors settled in Israel.<ref name="Mark Avrum Ehrlich 2009 980"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.europeanjewishfund.org/index.php?/communities/macedonia/ |title=Jewish Community in Macedonia |publisher=European Jewish Fund |access-date=28 February 2011}}</ref> Today the city has around 200 Jewish inhabitants (about 0.04% of the population). Most of the country's entire remaining Jewish population is centered in Skopje.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Centropa Quarterly |url=http://www.centropa.org/reports.asp?rep=&ID=6759&TypeID=0 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060708141821/http://www.centropa.org/reports.asp?rep=&ID=6759&TypeID=0 |archive-date=2006-07-08 |access-date=2026-01-06 |website=www.centropa.org}}</ref>

Because of its 520-year Ottoman past, and the fact that many of its inhabitants today are Muslims, Skopje has more mosques than churches. Religious communities often complain about the lack of infrastructure and new places of worship are often built.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.novamakedonija.com.mk/NewsDetal.asp?vest=92612947288&id=14&setIzdanie=22689 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131228024309/http://www.novamakedonija.com.mk/NewsDetal.asp?vest=92612947288&id=14&setIzdanie=22689 |url-status=dead |archive-date=28 December 2013 |title=Во Скопје има 27 џамии и 15 цркви |date=26 September 2012 |publisher=Nova Makedonija |author=Sanja Jancevska |access-date=26 October 2012}}</ref> Skopje is the seat of many Macedonian religious organisations, such as the [[Macedonian Orthodox Church]] and the Islamic Religious Union of Macedonia. It has an Orthodox cathedral and seminary, several [[madrasahs]], a Roman Catholic cathedral and a synagogue.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mcms.powweb.com/MSM/eng/pdf/adresar-na-verski-zaednici-ENGL.pdf |title=Address Book of the Religious Communities |publisher=Macedonian Centre for International Cooperation |access-date=26 October 2012 |archive-date=28 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160528195357/http://mcms.powweb.com/MSM/eng/pdf/adresar-na-verski-zaednici-ENGL.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Health===
Skopje has several public and private hospitals and specialised medical institutions, such as the [[Filip II Hospital, Skopje|Filip II Hospital]], a psychiatric hospital, two obstetric hospitals, a gerontology hospital, and institutes for respiratory and ocular diseases.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.iph.mk/images/stories/PDF%20statistika/IZVESTAJ%202011.pdf |title=Здрабјето и здравствената заштита на населенето во Република Македонија |year=2011 |publisher=Public Health Institute of the Republic of Macedonia |access-date=18 November 2012 |archive-date=8 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308221635/http://www.iph.mk/images/stories/PDF%20statistika/IZVESTAJ%202011.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2012, Skopje had a ratio of one physician per 251.6 inhabitants, a figure higher than the national ratio (one per 370.9). The ratio of medical specialists was also higher than in the rest of the country. However, the ratio of hospital beds, pharmacists and dentists was lower in Skopje.<ref name="health">{{cite web |url=http://www.iph.mk/images/stories/PDF%20statistika/PDF2010/zk%20en%20prv%20del%202010.pdf |publisher=Public Health Institute of the Republic of Macedonia |year=2012 |title=Health Map of the Republic of Macedonia, Part I |access-date=18 November 2012 |archive-date=24 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924035903/http://www.iph.mk/images/stories/PDF%20statistika/PDF2010/zk%20en%20prv%20del%202010.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> The population in Skopje enjoys better health standards than other Macedonians. In 2010, the mortality rate was at 8.6‰ in Skopje and 9.3‰ on the national level. The infant mortality rate was at 6.8‰ in Skopje and 7.6‰ in North Macedonia.<ref name="health"/>

===Education===
[[File:Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje 6.jpg|thumb|Faculty of Economics, [[Ss. Cyril and Methodius University of Skopje|Ss. Cyril and Methodius University]].]]
Skopje's citizenry is generally more educated than the rest of the country. 16% of Skopjans have graduated from university in contrast to 10% for the rest of the country. The number of people with a complete lack of education or ones who received a partial education is lower in Skopje at 9% compared to the provincial average of 17%. 80% of Macedonian citizens who hold a PhD take up residence in Skopje.<ref name="strategija">{{cite web |url=http://www.skopje.gov.mk/en/images/File/Strategijata%20za%20LER%20na%20angliski.pdf |title=Strategy for Local Economic Development of the City of Skopje for the period 2006 – 2009 |year=2006 |publisher=City of Skopje |access-date=12 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100414235529/http://www.skopje.gov.mk/en/images/File/Strategijata%20za%20LER%20na%20angliski.pdf |archive-date=14 April 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Skopje has 21 secondary schools; 5 of which serve as general high-school gymnasiums and 16 vocational schools.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.skopje.gov.mk/EN/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabindex=0&tabid=31 |title=Средни училишта |year=2009 |publisher=City of Skopje |access-date=18 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090512232454/http://www.skopje.gov.mk/EN/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabindex=0&tabid=31 |archive-date=12 May 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The city is also host to several higher education institutions, the most notable of which is Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, founded in 1949. The university has 23 departments, 10 research institutes and is attended by an average of 50,000 students.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ukim.edu.mk/en_content.php?meni=10&glavno=10 |title=Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje |publisher=Ss. Cyril and Methodius University of Skopje |year=2008 |access-date=18 November 2012 |archive-date=8 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181008055138/http://ukim.edu.mk/en_content.php?meni=10&glavno=10 |url-status=dead }}</ref> After the country's independence in 1991, several private universities were brought into existence. The largest private universities in Skopje are [[European University Skopje]] with 7 departments<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eurm.edu.mk/faculties.html |title=Faculties |year=2009 |publisher=European University |access-date=18 November 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130318232150/http://www.eurm.edu.mk/faculties.html |archive-date=18 March 2013}}</ref> and [[FON University]] with 9 departments respectively.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fon.edu.mk/?ln=en |title=FON University |publisher=FON University |year=2012 |access-date=18 November 2012}}</ref>

==Media==
[[File:MRT Center 3.jpg|thumb|200px|The [[MRT Center|Macedonian Radio-Television headquarters]]]]
Skopje is the largest media centre in North Macedonia. Of the 818 newspapers surveyed in 2000 by the Ministry of Information, over 600 had their headquarters in Skopje. The daily {{Lang|mk-latn|[[Dnevnik (Skopje)|Dnevnik]]}}, founded in 1996, with 60,000 runs per day is the most printed in the country. Also based in Skopje, [[Večer (Macedonia)|Večer]] prints 50,000 copies and the state owns one-third of its capital. [[Nova Makedonija]], reprinted 20,000 copies. Other major newspapers in Skopje, totally private, are Utrinski Vesnik (30,000 copies), Vest (25,000 copies), and [[Vreme (newspaper)|Vreme]] (15,000 copies). Magazines Fokus (12,000 copies), Start (10,000 copies), and Denes (7,500 copies) also have their headquarters in Skopje.<ref name="media">{{cite web |url=http://www.pressreference.com/Ky-Ma/Macedonia.html |title=Macedonia Press, Media, TV, Radios, Newspapers |author=Christopher D. Karadjov |publisher=Press Reference |access-date=13 March 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.worldpress.org/newspapers/EUROPE/Macedonia.cfm |title=Macedonia Newspapers and Magazines Online |publisher=World Press.org |access-date=13 March 2011}}</ref>

The city is home of the studios of [[Macedonian Radio Television|Macedonian Radio-Television]] (MRT), the country's public radio and television. Founded in 1966, it operates with three national broadcast channels, twenty-four hours a day. The most popular private television stations are [[Sitel (TV channel)|Sitel]], [[Kanal 5 (Macedonia)|Kanal 5]], Telma, Alfa TV, and AlsatM.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.abyznewslinks.com/maced.htm |title=Macedonia Newspapers and News Media Guide |publisher=ABYZ News Links |access-date=13 March 2011}}</ref> MRT also operates radio stations with national coverage, the private station Skopje's Kanal 77 is the only one to have such a span. Radio [[Antenna 5 FM|Antenna 5]] and Metropolis are two other major private stations that have their headquarters in Skopje.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/country_profiles/1067125.stm |title=Macedonia country profile |work=BBC News |access-date=13 March 2011}}</ref>

Also, the city boasts big news agencies in the country, both public, such as the [[Media Information Agency]], and private, such as the [[Makfax]].<ref name="media"/>

==Sports==
{{Main|Sports in Skopje}}

As the capital and largest city of North Macedonia, Skopje has many major sporting facilities. The city has three large swimming pools, two of which feature Olympic pools. These pools are particularly relevant to coaching water polo teams. Skopje also boasts many football stadiums, like Ilinden in Čair and Železarnica, which can accommodate between 4,000 and 4,500 spectators. The basketball court Kale can accommodate 2,200 people and the court of Jane Sandanski has a 6,000-seat capacity.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.worldstadiums.com/europe/countries/macedonia.shtml |title=Stadiums in the FYR Macedonia |publisher=World Stadiums |access-date=13 March 2011 |archive-date=24 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110924071028/http://www.worldstadiums.com/europe/countries/macedonia.shtml |url-status=dead}}</ref>
[[File:Skopje X126.JPG|thumb|left|The Toše Proeski Arena]]
The largest stadium remains [[Toše Proeski Arena]]. The stadium, built in 1947 and named until 2008, City Stadium Skopje<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vecer.com.mk/?ItemID=BF8801930BF6C344B62A5418CCC2853D |title=Избрани имиња на спортските објекти |year=2010 |publisher=Večer |access-date=13 March 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928155235/http://www.vecer.com.mk/?ItemID=BF8801930BF6C344B62A5418CCC2853D |archive-date=28 September 2011}}</ref> experienced a total renovation, begun in 2009 to meet the standards of FIFA. Fully renovated the stadium contains 33,460 seats,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://kurir.mk/makedonija/vesti/28430-Ekskluzivno-Nadvoresniot-izgled-na-Filip-Vtori |title=Ексклузивно: Надворешниот изглед на "Филип Втори" |publisher=Kurir.mk |access-date=15 June 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714012203/http://kurir.mk/makedonija/vesti/28430-Ekskluzivno-Nadvoresniot-izgled-na-Filip-Vtori |archive-date=14 July 2011}}</ref> and a health spa and fitness area. The [[Boris Trajkovski Sports Center]] is the largest sports complex in the country with 6,250 seats. It was opened in 2008 and named after former president [[Boris Trajkovski]], who died in 2004. It includes rooms dedicated to handball, basketball, and volleyball, a bowling alley, a fitness area, and an ice hockey court. Its main hall, which regularly hosts concerts, holds around 10,000 people.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ehf-euro.com/Boris-Trajkovski.861.0.html |title=Boris Trajkovski Sports Hall |year=2008 |publisher=European Handball Federation |access-date=13 March 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110906155639/http://www.ehf-euro.com/Boris-Trajkovski.861.0.html |archive-date=6 September 2011}}</ref>

[[FK Vardar]], [[FK Rabotnički]] and [[KF Shkupi]] are the three most popular football teams in the city. They play in the [[Macedonian First Football League|first division]]. Their games are held at Toše Proeski Arena, like those of the national team. The city is also home to many smaller football clubs, such as: [[FK Makedonija Ǵorče Petrov]], [[FK Gorno Lisiče]], [[KF Fortuna 1975]], [[FK Lokomotiva Skopje]], [[FK Metalurg Skopje]], [[FK Madžari Solidarnost]] and [[FK Skopje]], who play in first, second or third national league. Another popular sport in North Macedonia is basketball, represented in particular by the teams [[KK MZT Skopje|MZT Skopje]] and [[KK Rabotnički|Rabotnički]]. Handball is illustrated by [[RK Vardar]] PRO and [[RK Metalurg Skopje]], also the women's team [[ŽRK Metalurg]] and [[ŽRK Vardar]]. The city co-hosted the [[2008 European Women's Handball Championship]] together with [[Ohrid]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ehf-euro.com/Women-s-EURO-2008.915.0.html |title=Women's Euro 2008 |year=2008 |publisher=European Handball Federation |access-date=13 March 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101117000320/http://www.ehf-euro.com/Women-s-EURO-2008.915.0.html |archive-date=17 November 2010}}</ref> and hosted the [[2017 UEFA Super Cup]], the match between [[Real Madrid]] and [[Manchester United]].

==Transport==

===Main connections===
[[File:E65 Skopje Northern Bypass 1.jpg|thumb|Skopje bypass]]
Skopje is near three other capital cities, [[Pristina]] ({{cvt|87|km|abbr=off}} away), Tirana (291&nbsp;km) and Sofia (245&nbsp;km). Thessaloniki is {{cvt|233|km|abbr=off}} south and Belgrade is {{cvt|433|km|abbr=off}} north.<ref name="rimed">{{cite web |url=http://www.seedcenter.gr/rimed/texts/Published%20Reports-Final/WP3-Published%20report%2015.pdf |title=Comparative Swot Analysis of the Four Metropolitan Regions, Transportation, Interaction, Relations and Networks among Skopje, Sofia, Tirana, and Thessaloniki |publisher=University of Thessaly |access-date=24 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100119233709/http://www.seedcenter.gr/rimed/texts/Published%20Reports-Final/WP3-Published%20report%2015.pdf |archive-date=19 January 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Skopje is also at the crossroad of two [[Pan-European corridors]]: [[Pan-European Corridor X|Corridor X]], which runs between [[Austria]] and Greece, and [[Pan-European Corridor VIII|Corridor VIII]], which runs from the [[Adriatic Sea|Adriatic]] in Albania to the [[Black Sea]] in Bulgaria. Corridor X links Skopje to Thessaloniki, Belgrade, and Western Europe, whilst Corridor VIII links it with Tirana and Sofia.{{citation needed|date=August 2025}}

Corridor X locally corresponds to the [[A1 motorway (North Macedonia)|A1 motorway]] ([[European route E75|E75]]), which is the longest motorway in North Macedonia. It also corresponds to the [[Tabanovce]]-[[Gevgelija]] railway. Corridor VIII, less developed, corresponds to the [[A2 motorway (North Macedonia)|A2 motorway]] and the [[Kičevo]]-[[Beljakovce]] railway. Skopje is not quite on the Corridor X and the A1 does not pass on the city territory. Thus the interchange between the A1, A2 and [[A4 motorway (North Macedonia)|A4]] motorways is some {{cvt|20|km|abbr=off}} east, close to the airport. Although Skopje is geographically close to other major cities, movement of people and goods is not optimised, especially with Albania. This is mainly due to poor infrastructure. As a result, 61.8% of Skopjans have never been to Tirana, whilst only 6.7% have never been to Thessaloniki and 0% to Sofia. Furthermore, 26% of Thessalonians, 33% of Sofians and 37% of Tiranans have never been to Skopje.<ref name="rimed"/>

The first motorways were built during the Yugoslav period, when Skopje was linked through the [[Brotherhood and Unity Highway]] to, what was then, the Yugoslav capital Belgrade to the North, and the Greek border to the South.{{citation needed|date=August 2025}}

===Rail and coach stations===
[[File:Skopje Train Station from Mount Vodno.JPG|thumb|[[Transportation Center Skopje|Main railway station]] as seen from Mount [[Vodno]]]]
The main railway station in Skopje is serviced by the Belgrade-Thessaloniki and Skopje-Pristina international lines.<ref name="mz">{{cite web |url=http://mztransportad.com.mk/dokumenti/RED%20NA%20VOZENJE%20DZEPEN%202011-2012.pdf |title=Возен ред 2011–2012 |publisher=Makedonski Železnici |access-date=24 October 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018225259/http://www.mztransportad.com.mk/dokumenti/RED%20NA%20VOZENJE%20DZEPEN%202011-2012.pdf |archive-date=18 October 2012}}</ref> After the completion of the Corridor VIII railway project, currently scheduled for 2030, the city will also be linked to Tirana and Sofia.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mzi.mk/news-info.php?id=45&&cat=3 |title=Проекти предвидени за реализација во 2012 г |year=2012 |publisher=Makedonski Železnici |access-date=25 October 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808093138/http://www.mzi.mk/news-info.php?id=45&&cat=3 |archive-date=8 August 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wbif-ipf.eu/?p=1629 |title=Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski kicks off reconstruction work on railway Corridor 8 |publisher=Western Balkans Investment Framework |access-date=10 December 2014 |archive-date=14 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141214221850/http://www.wbif-ipf.eu/?p=1629 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Petrushevska |first=Dragana |date=Oct 20, 2021 |title=Bulgaria, Albania, N. Macedonia pledge to finish Corridor VIII by 2030 |url=https://seenews.com/news/bulgaria-albania-n-macedonia-pledge-to-finish-corridor-viii-by-2030-758055 |access-date=Jan 19, 2022 |website=SeeNews}}</ref> Daily trains also link Skopje with other towns of North Macedonia, such as Kumanovo, [[Kičevo]], [[Štip]], [[Bitola]] or Veles.<ref name="mz"/>

Skopje has several minor railway stations, but the city does not have its own railway network, and they are only serviced by intercity or international lines. On the railway linking the [[Transportation Center Skopje|main station]] to Belgrade and Thessaloniki are Dračevo and Dolno Lisiče stations, and on the railway to Kičevo are Skopje-North, Ǵorče Petrov and Saraj stations. Several other stations are freight-only.<ref name="stations">{{cite web |url=http://bankwatch.org/documents/AnnexII_Macedonian_rail_case_study.pdf |title=Macedonian Rails – a potential that must be seized |publisher=Bankwatch |access-date=25 October 2012 |archive-date=4 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004232408/http://bankwatch.org/documents/AnnexII_Macedonian_rail_case_study.pdf |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Skopje coach station opened in 2005 and is built right under the main railway station. It can host 450 coaches in a day.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sas.com.mk/selectedarticle.aspx?cid=1058&l=34 |title=SAS историјат |year=2012 |publisher=Skopje Bus Station |access-date=25 October 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121028073207/http://www.sas.com.mk/selectedarticle.aspx?cid=1058&l=34 |archive-date=28 October 2012}}</ref> Coach connections reach more destinations than train connections, connecting Skopje to many domestic and foreign destinations including [[Istanbul]], Sofia, Prague, Hamburg and [[Stockholm]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sas.com.mk/schedule.aspx?cid=1055&l=34 |title=Возен ред |year=2012 |publisher=Skopje Bus Station |access-date=25 October 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121027024303/http://www.sas.com.mk/schedule.aspx?cid=1055&l=34 |archive-date=27 October 2012}}</ref>

===Public transport===
[[File:Yutong City Master (SK 9734-AC) JSP (1).jpg|thumb|A red Yutong City Master double-decker bus in Skopje]]
Skopje has a bus network managed by the city and operated by three companies. The oldest and largest is JSP Skopje, a public company founded in 1948. JSP lost its monopoly on public transport in 1990 and two new companies, Sloboda Prevoz and Mak Ekspres, obtained several lines. However, most of the network is still in the hands of JSP which operates 67 lines out of 80. Only 24 lines are urban, the others serving localities around the city.<ref name="transpower">{{cite web |url=http://www.transport-research.info/Upload/Documents/201203/20120321_103401_38196_City%20Implementation%20Reportx.pdf |title=City Implementation report |publisher=Transpower |year=2010 |access-date=25 October 2012 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131226045923/http://www.transport-research.info/Upload/Documents/201203/20120321_103401_38196_City%20Implementation%20Reportx.pdf |archive-date=26 December 2013}}</ref> Many of the JSP vehicles are red [[Yutong City Master]] double-decker buses built by Chinese bus manufacturer [[Yutong]] and designed to resemble the classic British [[AEC Routemaster]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/skopje-prepares-for-double-decker-busses |title=Skopje prepares for Double-Decker Buses |author=Sinisa Jakov Marusic |publisher=BalkanInsight |year=2011 |access-date=24 October 2012}}</ref>

A tram network has long been planned in Skopje and the idea was first proposed in the 1980s. The project became real in 2006 when the mayor Trifun Kostovski asked for feasibility studies. His successor Koce Trajanovski launched a call for tenders in 2010 and the first line is scheduled for 2019.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/macedonian-capital-readies-for-long-awaited-trams |title=Macedonia Capital Readies for Long-Awaited Trams |author=Sinisa Jakov Marusic |publisher=BalkanInsight |year=2012 |access-date=24 October 2012}}</ref>{{Update inline|date=March 2025}}

A new network for small buses started to operate in June 2014, not to replace but to decrease the number of big buses in the city centre.{{citation needed|date=August 2025}}

===Airport===
The airport was built in 1928. The first commercial flights in Skopje were introduced in 1929 when the Yugoslav carrier [[Aeroput]] introduced a route linking the city with the capital, Belgrade.<ref name="aeroput">[https://www.europeanairlines.no/drustvo-za-vazdusni-saobracaj-a-d-aeroput-1927-1948/ Drustvo za Vazdusni Saobracaj A D – Aeroput (1927–1948)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210523020505/https://www.europeanairlines.no/drustvo-za-vazdusni-saobracaj-a-d-aeroput-1927-1948/ |date=23 May 2021 }} at europeanairlines.no</ref> A year later the route was extended to Thessaloniki in Greece, and further extended to Greek capital [[Athens]] in 1933.<ref name="aeroput"/> In 1935 Aeroput linked Skopje with Bitola and [[Niš]], and also operated a longer international route linking [[Vienna]] and Thessaloniki through [[Zagreb]], Belgrade and Skopje.<ref name="aeroput"/> After the Second World War, Aeroput was replaced by [[JAT Airways|JAT Yugoslav Airlines]], which linked Skopje to a number of domestic and international destinations until the dissolution of Yugoslavia in the early 1990s.{{citation needed|date=August 2025}}

[[Skopje International Airport]] is in [[Petrovec, North Macedonia|Petrovec]], {{cvt|20|km|abbr=off}} east of the city. Since 2008, it has been managed by the Turkish [[TAV Airports Holding]] and it can accommodate up to four million passengers per year.<ref name="tav">{{cite web |url=http://www.tavhavalimanlari.com.tr/en-EN/Pages/Announcements.aspx?aID=87 |title=TAV Airports puts the New Skopje Airport into service |year=2011 |publisher=TAV Airports |access-date=25 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131226111850/http://www.tavhavalimanlari.com.tr/en-EN/Pages/Announcements.aspx?aID=87 |archive-date=26 December 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The annual traffic has constantly risen since 2008, reaching one million passengers in 2014.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.balkans.com/open-news.php?uniquenumber=198675 |title=FYR Macedonian airports anticipate busy 2015 |publisher=Balkans.com |access-date=10 December 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403142152/http://balkans.com/open-news.php?uniquenumber=198675 |archive-date=3 April 2015}}</ref>

Skopje's airport has connections to several European cities, including Athens, Vienna, [[Bratislava]], [[Zürich]], Brussels, [[Oslo]], [[Istanbul]], London and [[Rome]]. It also maintains a direct connection with [[Dubai]] and [[Doha, Qatar]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-05-04 |title=Flights from Skopje (SKP) |url=https://www.flightconnections.com/flights-from-skopje-skp |access-date=2026-05-08 |website=www.flightconnections.com |language=en}}</ref>

Ground transportation to and from the airport includes taxis, private transfer services, and shuttle buses connecting the airport with Skopje city centre.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.skopjeairport.mk/ |title=Skopje Airport Private Transfers |website=skopjeairport.mk |access-date=14 April 2026}}</ref>

==Culture==

===Cultural institutions===
[[File:Macedonian Opera and Ballet 3.jpg|thumb|Macedonian Opera and Ballet]]
Skopje is home to the largest cultural institutions of the country, such as the [[National and University Library "St. Kliment of Ohrid"]], the Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts, the National Theatre, the National Philharmonic Orchestra and the Macedonian Opera and Ballet. Amongst the local institutions are the Brothers Miladinov Library which has more than a million documents, the Cultural Information Centre which manages festivals, exhibitions and concerts, and the House of Culture Kočo Racin which is dedicated to [[contemporary art]] and young talents.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.skopje.gov.mk/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabindex=0&tabid=31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071031031413/http://www.skopje.gov.mk/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabindex=0&tabid=31 |url-status=dead |archive-date=31 October 2007 |title=Културни институции |year=2009 |publisher=City of Skopje |access-date=22 November 2012}}</ref>

Skopje also has several foreign cultural centres, such as a {{lang|de|[[Goethe-Institut]]|italic=no}},<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.goethe.de/ins/mk/sko/deindex.htm |title=Goethe Institut Skopje |year=2011 |publisher=Goethe Institut |access-date=8 March 2011}}</ref> a [[British Council]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.britishcouncil.org/new/articles/maps/#Macedonia |title=Locations |publisher=British Council |access-date=8 March 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110326180749/http://www.britishcouncil.org/new/articles/maps/ |archive-date=26 March 2011}}</ref> an [[Alliance française]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fondation-alliancefr.org/spip.php?rubrique228 |title=États généraux d'Europe |year=2010 |publisher=Alliance française |access-date=8 March 2011}}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> an [[American Corner]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://macedonia.usembassy.gov/american-corner-skopje.html |title=American Corner Skopje |publisher=Embassy of the United States in Macedonia |access-date=29 January 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130216121015/http://macedonia.usembassy.gov/american-corner-skopje.html |archive-date=16 February 2013}}</ref>

The city has several theatres and concert halls. The Univerzalna Sala, seating 1,570, was built in 1966 and is used for concerts, fashion shows, and congresses. The Metropolis Arena, designed for large concerts, has 3,546 seats. Other large halls include the Macedonian Opera and Ballet (800 seats), the National Theatre (724), and the Drama Theatre (333).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://seebiz.net.mk/?ItemID=349D09B35BB23D44A4D1C1F31C673D1C |title=Саеми |publisher=SEEbiz |access-date=22 November 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140428173634/http://seebiz.net.mk/?ItemID=349D09B35BB23D44A4D1C1F31C673D1C |archive-date=28 April 2014}}</ref> Other smaller venues exist, such as the Albanian Theatre and the Youth Theatre. A Turkish Theatre and a Philharmonic hall are under construction.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.novamakedonija.com.mk/NewsDetal.asp?vest=62812915547&id=16&setIzdanie=22616 |title=Македонската филхармонија конечно доби сала, ама сувенир! |year=2012 |publisher=Nova Makedonija |author=Vesna Damcevska |access-date=22 November 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141219221619/http://www.novamakedonija.com.mk/NewsDetal.asp?vest=62812915547&id=16&setIzdanie=22616 |archive-date=19 December 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.novamakedonija.com.mk/NewsDetal.asp?vest=6711714403&id=16&setIzdanie=22299 |title=Новиот турски театар во август, на спорно земјиште |year=2011 |publisher=Nova Makedonija |author=Vesna Damcevska |access-date=22 November 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141219214605/http://www.novamakedonija.com.mk/NewsDetal.asp?vest=6711714403&id=16&setIzdanie=22299 |archive-date=19 December 2014}}</ref>

===Museums===
[[File:Skopje - Museum of the Macedonian Struggle.jpg|thumb|[[Museum of the Macedonian Struggle (Skopje)|Museum of the Macedonian Struggle]]]]
The largest museum in Skopje is the [[Museum of the Republic of North Macedonia]] which details the history of the country. Its [[icon]]s and lapidary collections are particularly rich.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.musmk.org.mk/en/2008-06-11-22-36-46.html |title=Introduction |publisher=Museum of Macedonia |access-date=8 March 2011 |archive-date=29 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110129051203/http://www.musmk.org.mk/en/2008-06-11-22-36-46.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> The Macedonian Archaeological Museum, opened in 2014, keeps archaeological finds in North Macedonia, dating from [[Prehistory]] to the Ottoman period. The [[National Gallery of Macedonia]] exhibits paintings dating from the 14th to the 20th century in two former [[hammam]]s of the Old Bazaar. The [[Contemporary Art Museum (North Macedonia)|Contemporary Art Museum]] was built after the 1963 earthquake thanks to international assistance. Its collections include Macedonian and foreign art, with works by [[Fernand Léger]], [[André Masson]], [[Pablo Picasso]], [[Hans Hartung]], [[Victor Vasarely]], [[Alexander Calder]], [[Pierre Soulages]], [[Alberto Burri]] and [[Christo]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.msuskopje.org.mk/ |title=Home |publisher=Contemporary Art Museum of Macedonia |access-date=8 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110907003922/http://www.msuskopje.org.mk/ |archive-date=7 September 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

The [[Skopje City Museum]] is inside the remains of the old railway station, destroyed by the 1963 earthquake. It is dedicated to local history, and it has four departments: archaeology, [[ethnology]], history, and art history.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/skopje-city-museum |title=Skopje City Museum |publisher=Travel 2 Macedonia |access-date=8 March 2011 |archive-date=26 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110126213421/http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/tourist-attraction/skopje-city-museum |url-status=dead }}</ref> The [[Memorial House of Mother Teresa]] was built in 2009 on the original site of the church in which the nun had been baptised.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.memorialhouseofmotherteresa.org/the-museum/introduction#|title=Introduction |year=2011 |publisher=Memorial House of Mother Teresa |access-date=8 March 2011}}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> The [[Museum of the Macedonian Struggle (Skopje)|Museum of the Macedonian Struggle]] is dedicated to the modern national history and the struggle of Macedonians for their independence. Nearby is the [[Holocaust Memorial Center for the Jews of Macedonia]]. The Macedonian Museum of Natural History showcases some 4,000 items<ref>{{cite web |url=http://members.vienna.at/shrew/skopje-museum.html |title=Macedonian Museum of Natural History |year=1998 |publisher=The Second International Congress on "Biodiversity, Ecological Aspects and Conservation of the Balkan Fauna" |access-date=8 March 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110309050632/http://members.vienna.at/shrew/skopje-museum.html |archive-date=9 March 2011}}</ref> whilst the 12-ha [[Skopje Zoo]] is home to 300 animals.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.zooskopje.com.mk/zanas.asp |title=Skopje Zoo |year=2009 |publisher=Skopje Zoo |access-date=26 December 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111230213452/http://www.zooskopje.com.mk/zanas.asp |archive-date=30 December 2011}}</ref>

===Architecture===
[[File:Skupi (Colonia Flavia Scupinorum) - by Pudelek 1.JPG|thumb|Ruins of Roman [[Scupi]]]]
Although Skopje has been destroyed many times throughout its history, it still has many historical landmarks which reflect the successive occupations of the city. Skopje has one of the biggest Ottoman urban complexes in Europe, with many Ottoman monuments still serving their original purpose. It was also a ground for [[Modernist architecture|modernist]] experiments in the 20th century, following the 1963 earthquake. At the beginning of the 21st century, it is again the subject of massive building campaigns, thanks to the Skopje 2014 project. Skopje is thus an environment where old, new, progressist, reactionary, eastern and western perspectives coexist.<ref name="colophon"/>

[[File:Skopje Aqueduct 9.jpg|thumb|left|Skopje Aqueduct]]
Skopje has some remains of Prehistorical architecture which can be seen on the [[Tumba Madžari]] Neolithic site.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tumbamadzari.org.mk/en/open-air-museum/open-air-museum.php |title=Neolithic Settlement Tumba Madzhari in Skopje |publisher=Tumba Madžari |access-date=22 November 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130717075413/http://www.tumbamadzari.org.mk/en/open-air-museum/open-air-museum.php |archive-date=17 July 2013}}</ref> On the other side of the city lies the remains of the ancient Scupi, with ruins of a theatre, thermae and a basilica.<ref name="archeology"/> The [[Skopje Aqueduct]], between Scupi and the city centre, is rather mysterious because its date of construction is unknown. It seems to have been built by the Byzantines or the Turks, but it was already out of use in the 16th century.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Le voyage du Levant |publisher=Slatkine |year=1980 |orig-year=1st pub. 1897 |isbn=9782051001632 |pages=33–34 |author1=Philippe Canaye |author2=sieur de Fresne}}</ref> It consists of 50 arches, worked in cloisonné masonry.<ref name="strategic">{{cite web |url=http://www.aqueductskopje.net/attachments/Strategic_vision_Report_summary_ENG.pdf |title=Strategic Plan for the Preservation and Rehabilitation of the Skopje Aqueduct and Environment |author=Thérese Steenberghen |publisher=Skopje Aqueduct |year=2011 |access-date=22 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120127211943/http://www.aqueductskopje.net/attachments/Strategic_vision_Report_summary_ENG.pdf |archive-date=27 January 2012 |url-status=usurped}}</ref>

[[File:Manastir sveti Pantelejmon vo selo Nerezi.jpg|thumb|Church of Saint Panteleimon]]
Skopje Fortress was rebuilt several times before it was destroyed by the 1963 earthquake. Since then, it has been restored to its medieval appearance. It is the only medieval monument in Skopje, but several churches around the city illustrate the [[Serbo-Byzantine architecture|Vardar architectural school]] which flourished around 1300. Amongst these churches are the ones around Matka Canyon (St Nicholas, St Andrew and Matka churches). The [[Church of Saint Panteleimon, Gorno Nerezi|church of Saint Panteleimon]] in [[Gorno Nerezi]] dates from the 12th century. Its expressive frescoes anticipate the [[Italian primitives]].<ref>{{Cite book |title=History of art: the Western tradition |author1=Horst Woldemar Janson |author2=Anthony F. Janson |name-list-style=amp |publisher=Prentice Hall Professional |year=2004 |page=263 |isbn=9780131828957}}</ref>
[[File:Isak Bey Turbe Aladja Mosque Skopje.JPG|thumb|left|Aladža Mosque and its türbe]]
Examples of [[Ottoman architecture]] are in the Old Bazaar. Mosques in Skopje are usually simple in design, with a square base and a single [[dome]] and [[minaret]]. Their entrance is usually emphasised by a portico, as on [[Mustafa Pasha Mosque]], dating from the 15th century. Some mosques show some originality in their appearance: [[Sultan Murad Mosque|Sultan Murad]] and Yahya Pasha mosques have lost their dome and have a pyramidal roof, whilst Isa Bey Mosque has a rectangular base, two domes and two side wings. The Aladža Mosque was originally covered with blue faience, but it disappeared in the 1689 Great Fire. However, some tiles are still visible on the adjoining [[türbe]]. Other Ottoman public monuments include the 16th-century clock tower, a [[bedesten]], three [[caravanserai]]s, two [[hammam]]s and the Stone Bridge, first mentioned in 1469.<ref name="ottoman"/><ref name="oldskopje">{{cite web |url=http://www.oldskopje.net/Monuments |title=Monuments |publisher=OldSkopje |access-date=8 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110410230911/http://www.oldskopje.net/Monuments/ |archive-date=10 April 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

The oldest churches in the city centre, the [[Church of the Ascension of Jesus, Skopje|Ascension]] and St Dimitri churches, were built in the 18th century, after the 1689 Great Fire. They were both renovated in the 19th century. The Church of the Ascension is particularly small as it is half-buried in order to not overlook neighbouring mosques.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.oldskopje.net/mk/news/29.html |title=Црква Св. Спас |year=2007 |publisher=Old Skopje |access-date=23 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131226054010/http://www.oldskopje.net/mk/news/29.html |archive-date=26 December 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> In the 19th century, several new churches were built, including the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, which is a large three-nave building designed by [[Andrey Damyanov]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.culture.in.mk/story.asp?id=1465 |title=Renaissance Architect Andreja Damjanov- New Ray of Light on a Valuable Work |publisher=Utrinski Vesnik |year=2001 |access-date=2 November 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131226081004/http://www.culture.in.mk/story.asp?id=1465 |archive-date=26 December 2013}}</ref>

[[File:Pošta vo Skopje, Macedonia.jpg|thumb|Main post office and the Communication Centre]]
After 1912, when Skopje was annexed by Serbia, the city was drastically westernised. Wealthy Serbs built mansions and town houses such as the 1926 [[Ristiḱ Palace]]. The architecture of that time is very similar to the one of Central Europe, but some buildings are more creative, such as the [[Moorish Revival architecture|Neo-Moorish]] Arab House and the [[Byzantine Revival architecture|Neo-Byzantine]] railway station, both built in 1938.<ref name="colophon"/> [[Modernist architecture|Modernism]] appeared as early as 1933 with the former Ethnographic Museum (today the City Gallery), designed by [[Milan Zloković]].<ref name="colophon"/> However, modernist architecture only fully developed in Skopje after the 1963 earthquake. The reconstruction of the city centre was partially planned by Japanese [[Kenzo Tange]] who designed the new railway station.<ref name="colophon"/> Macedonian architects also took part in the reconstruction: [[Georgi Konstantinovski]] designed the City Archives building in 1968 and the Hall of residence Goce Delčev in 1975, whilst [[Janko Konstantinov]] designed the Telecommunication Centre and the main post office (1974–1989). [[Slavko Brezovski]] designed the [[Church of St. Clement of Ohrid]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.macedonia.co.uk/client/index1.aspx?page=388 |title=Macedonian Cities – Skopje Churches |website=macedonia.co.uk |access-date=8 February 2011 |archive-date=14 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114100652/http://www.macedonia.co.uk/client/index1.aspx?page=388 |url-status=dead }}</ref> These two buildings are noted for their originality although they are directly inspired by [[brutalist architecture|brutalism]].<ref name="colophon"/>

The reconstruction turned Skopje into a proper modernist city, with large blocks of flats, austere concrete buildings and scattered green spaces. The city centre was considered as a grey and unattractive place when local authorities unveiled the Skopje 2014 project in 2010.<ref>[http://macedoniaonline.eu/content/view/20045/45/ PM Gruevski: Yes, Skopje 2014 was my Idea] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111042343/http://macedoniaonline.eu/content/view/20045/45 |date=11 January 2012}}, Macedonian International News Agency, Saturday, 7 January 2012.</ref><ref>[http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/gallery/skopje-2014 Skopje 2014: The new face of Macedonia] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121213192754/http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/gallery/skopje-2014 |date=13 December 2012}}, BalkanInsight.</ref> It made plans to erect a large number of statues, fountains, bridges, and museums at a cost of about €500&nbsp;million.<ref>[http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/weddings-planned-inside-macedonian-triumphal-arch Macedonian Arch May Be Wedding Scene] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120725060156/http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/weddings-planned-inside-macedonian-triumphal-arch |date=25 July 2012}}, BalkanInsight.</ref>

The project has generated controversy: critics have described the new landmark buildings as signs of reactionary [[Historicism (art)|historicist]] aesthetics.<ref name="Skopje2014">{{cite web |url=http://old.balkaninsight.com/en/main/analysis/29030/?tpl=299&ST1=Text&ST_T1=Article&ST_AS1=1&ST_max=1 |title=Critics Lash 'Dated' Aesthetics of Skopje 2014 |date=24 June 2010 |publisher=balkaninsight.com |author=Balkan Insight |access-date=29 January 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707205713/http://old.balkaninsight.com/en/main/analysis/29030/?tpl=299&ST1=Text&ST_T1=Article&ST_AS1=1&ST_max=1 |archive-date=7 July 2011}}</ref> Also, the government has been criticised for its cost and the original lack of representation of national minorities in the coverage of its set of statues and memorials.<ref name="Skopje2014"/> However, representations of minorities have since been included amongst the monuments. The scheme is accused of turning Skopje to a [[theme park]],<ref>[https://edition.cnn.com/2011/10/04/world/europe/macedonia-skopje-2014/index.html Is Macedonia's capital being turned into a theme park?]  CNN International, 10 October 2011.</ref> which is viewed as nationalistic [[kitsch]],<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/aug/14/alexander-great-macedonia-warrior-horse Macedonia statue: Alexander the Great or a warrior on a horse?] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803123552/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/aug/14/alexander-great-macedonia-warrior-horse |date=3 August 2020}} ''The Guardian'', 14 August 2011.</ref> and has made Skopje an example to see how national identities are constructed and how this construction is mirrored in the urban space.{{sfn|Herold|Langer|Lechler|2010|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=sgfc1TosZGYC&dq=antiquization&pg=PA43 43]}}
<gallery mode="packed">
File:Meister von Nerezi 001.jpg|Fresco in the [[Church of Saint Panteleimon, Gorno Nerezi|Church of Saint Panteleimon]]
File:Mustafa Paşa Mosque, Skopje - interior.jpg|Interior of [[Mustafa Pasha Mosque]]
File:Daut-pasin amam, Skopje.jpg|Daut Pasha Hammam
File:Saat Kula-Sultan Muratova Dzamija -Skopje (27).JPG|The historic clock tower
File:Skopje X8.JPG|The Arab House
File:Makedonski Naroden Teatar 2013 18.JPG|Macedonian National Theater
File:Skopje 2014 - Art Bridge.JPG|[[Art Bridge]]
</gallery>

===Festivals===
{{More citations needed section|date=March 2025|small=yes}}
The [[Skopje Jazz Festival]] has been held annually in October since 1981. It is part of the European Jazz Network and the European Forum of World Wide Festivals. The artists' profiles include fusion, [[acid jazz]], [[Latin jazz]], [[smooth jazz]], and [[avant-garde jazz]]. [[Ray Charles]], [[Tito Puente]], [[Gotan Project]], [[Al Di Meola]], [[Youssou N'Dour]], amongst others, have performed at the festival. Another music festival in Skopje is the Blues and Soul Festival. It is a relatively new event in the Macedonian cultural scene that occurs every summer in early July.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.barikada.com/svastara/2007/2007-06-26_blues_and_soul_2007.php |title=Barikada – World of Music |publisher=Barikada.com |access-date=26 January 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081208070513/http://www.barikada.com/svastara/2007/2007-06-26_blues_and_soul_2007.php |archive-date=8 December 2008}}</ref> Past guests include [[Larry Coryell]], [[Mick Taylor]] & the All-Stars Blues Band, [[Candy Dulfer]] & Funky Stuff, [[João Bosco]], [[the Temptations]], [[Tolo Marton]] Trio, [[Blues Wire]], and [[Phil Guy]].{{citation needed|date=August 2025}}

The Skopje Cultural Summer Festival is a cultural event that takes place in Skopje each year during the summer. The festival is a member of the [[International Festivals and Events Association]] (IFEA) and it includes musical concerts, operas, ballets, plays, art and photograph exhibitions, films, and multimedia projects that gather 2,000 participants from around the world each year including the [[St Petersburg]] Theatre, the Chamber Orchestra of the [[Bolshoi Theatre]], [[Irina Arkhipova]], [[Viktor Tretiakov]], The Theatre of Shadows, [[Michel Dalberto]], and [[Dave Burgess (musician)|David Burgess]].{{citation needed|date=August 2025}}

May Opera Evenings is a festival that has occurred annually in Skopje since 1972 and is dedicated to promoting opera amongst the general public. Over the years, it has evolved into a stage on which artists from some 50 countries have performed. There is one other major international theatre festival that takes place each year at the end of September, the Young Open Theater Festival (MOT), which was organised for the first time in May 1976 by the Youth Cultural Center – Skopje.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mot.com.mk |title=41. MOT – international theatre festival |website=mot.com.mk}}</ref> More than 700 theatrical performances have been presented at this festival so far, most of them being alternative, [[experimental theatre]] groups engaging young writers and actors. The MOT International Theatre Festival is also a member of the [[International Network for Contemporary Performing Arts (IETM)|International Network for Contemporary Performing Arts or IETM]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ietm.org/ |title=IETM |website=ietm.org |access-date=18 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131206075809/http://ietm.org/ |archive-date=6 December 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Within the framework of the MOT Festival, the Macedonian National Center of the International Theater Institute (ITI) was established, and at the 25th ITI World Congress in Munich in 1993, it became a regular member of this theatre association.{{citation needed|date=August 2025}}

The [[Skopje Film Festival]] is an annual event held in the city every March. Over 50 films are shown at this five-day festival, mostly from North Macedonia and Europe, but also including some non-commercial film productions from all over the world.{{citation needed|date=August 2025}}

===Nightlife===
[[File:Skopije at night.jpg|thumb|Panorama of Skopje at night]]
Skopje has a diverse nightlife. There is a large emphasis on casinos, many of which are associated with hotels. In 2010, the Colosseum club was named fifth on a list of the best clubs in [[South-eastern Europe]]. [[Armin van Buuren]], [[Above and Beyond (band)|Above and Beyond]], [[Shapeshifters (music act)|The Shapeshifters]] are just some of the many musicians that have visited the club.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://daily.mk/cluster⅜5f8c795814c87a8cbb24041466d94c8/368735 |title="Колосеум" меѓу најдобрите пет клуба во Југоисточна Европа |publisher=daily.mk |author=[[Nova Makedonija]] Online |access-date=2 May 2011}}</ref> Nighttime concerts in local, regional and global music are often held at the [[Toše Proeski Arena]] and Boris Trajkovski Sports Center.<ref name="Nightlife">{{cite web |title=Skopje: Nightlife |url=http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g295110-c17456/Skopje:Republic-Of-Macedonia:Nightlife.html |access-date=2 May 2011 |publisher=tripadvisor.com}}</ref> For middle-aged people, places for having fun are also the ''[[Kafana|kafeanas]]'' where traditional [[Cuisine of North Macedonia|Macedonian food]] is served and traditional [[Music of North Macedonia|Macedonian music]] (''[[Starogradska muzika]]'') is played, but [[Balkan music|music from all the Balkans]], particularly [[Music of Serbia|Serbian folk music]] is also popular. Apart from the traditional Macedonian restaurants, there are restaurants featuring international cuisines.<ref name="Nightlife"/> The Old Bazaar was a popular nightlife destination in the past. The [[Government of North Macedonia|national government]] has created a project to revive nightlife in the Old Bazaar. The closing time in shops, cafés and restaurants was extended due to the high attendances recorded. In the bazaar's restaurants, along with the traditional Macedonian wine and food, dishes of the [[Ottoman cuisine]] are also served.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vest.com.mk/?ItemID=F602DD424FAD5E4B8771B653206B91FE&arc=1 |title=Нов живот на старата скопска чаршија |publisher=vest.com.mk |author=Vest Online |access-date=2 May 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928131711/http://www.vest.com.mk/?ItemID=F602DD424FAD5E4B8771B653206B91FE&arc=1 |archive-date=28 September 2011}}</ref>

==People from Skopje==
{{main|List of people from Skopje}}

==International relations==
[[File:SoraviaCenter1.JPG|thumb|170px|Soravia Center Skopje]]
{{see also|List of twin towns and sister cities in North Macedonia}}

===Twin towns – sister cities===
Skopje is [[Twin towns and sister cities|twinned]] with:<ref>{{cite web |title=Збратимени градови |url=https://starportal.skopje.gov.mk/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabindex=0&tabid=172 |website=starportal.skopje.gov.mk |publisher=Skopje |access-date=23 December 2019 |language=mk}}</ref>
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
*{{flagicon|UK}} [[City of Bradford|Bradford]], United Kingdom <small>(since 1961)</small>
*{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Dijon]], France <small>(since 1961)</small>
*{{flagicon|GER}} [[Dresden]], Germany <small>(since 1967)</small>
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Tempe, Arizona|Tempe]], United States <small>(since 1971)</small>
*{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Roubaix]], France <small>(since 1973)</small>
*{{flagicon|BEL}} [[Waremme]], Belgium <small>(since 1974)</small>
*{{flagicon|GER}} [[Nuremberg]], Germany <small>(since 1982)</small>
*{{flagicon|ALG}} [[Chlef]], Algeria <small>(since 1983)</small>
*{{flagicon|CHN}} [[Nanchang]], China <small>(since 1985)</small>
*{{flagicon|TUR}} [[Manisa]], Turkey <small>(since 1985)</small>
*{{flagicon|EGY}} [[Suez]], Egypt <small>(since 1985)</small>
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Pittsburgh]], United States <small>(since 2002)</small>
*{{flagicon|TUR}} [[Istanbul]], Turkey <small>(since 2003)</small>
*{{flagicon|SVN}} [[Ljubljana]], Slovenia <small>(since 2007)</small>
*{{flagicon|MNE}} [[Podgorica]], Montenegro <small>(since 2007)</small>
*{{flagicon|ESP}} [[Zaragoza]], Spain <small>(since 2008)</small>
*{{flagicon|CRO}} [[Zagreb]], Croatia <small>(since 2011)</small>
*{{flagicon|ALB}} [[Tirana]], Albania <small>(since 2016)</small>
*{{flagicon|BIH}} [[Sarajevo]], Bosnia and Herzegovina <small>(since 2017)</small>
{{div col end}}

===Partnerships===
*{{flagicon|TUR}} [[Ankara]], Turkey <small>(since 1995)</small><ref>{{cite web |title=Sister Cities of Ankara |url=https://www.ankara.bel.tr/en/foreign-relations-department/sister-cities-of-ankara |website=ankara.bel.tr |publisher=Ankara |access-date=23 December 2019 |archive-date=28 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130428004055/https://www.ankara.bel.tr/en/foreign-relations-department/sister-cities-of-ankara |url-status=dead}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|SRB}} [[Belgrade]], Serbia <small>(since 2012)</small><ref>{{cite web |title=Belgrade has five twin cities in the world |url=https://www.ekapija.com/en/news/2162335/belgrade-has-five-twin-cities-in-the-world |website=ekapija.com |publisher=Belgrade |date=18 June 2018 |access-date=6 January 2020}}</ref>

==See also==
{{portal|Europe|North Macedonia}}
*[[History of Skopje]]
*[[List of honorary citizens of Skopje]]
*[[List of people from Skopje]]
*[[Old Bazaar, Skopje]]
*[[Sports in Skopje]]

== Notes ==
{{notelist-ua}}
{{notelist}}
{{reflist|group=Note}}

== Citations ==
{{reflist}}

== General sources ==
* {{cite book |last=Iseni |first=Bashkim |title=La question nationale en Europe du Sud-Est: genèse, émergence et développement de l'indentité nationale albanaise au Kosovo et en Macédoine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gAdlqwCm_9sC |page=113 |date=2008 |publisher=Peter Lang |isbn=9783039113200}}
*{{cite book |title=The Three Yugoslavias: State-Building and Legitimation, 1918–2005 |author-link=Sabrina P. Ramet |first=Sabrina P. |last=Ramet |publisher=Indiana University Press |year=2006 |isbn=9780253346568}}
*{{Cite book|last=Duridanov |first=Ivan |url=https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/12037585.pdf |title=Die Hydronymie des Vardarsystems als Geschichtsquelle |publisher=[[Böhlau Verlag]] |year=1975 |isbn=3412839736}}
* {{Cite book |last=Fine |first=John Van Antwerp |title=The Late Medieval Balkans: A Critical Survey from the Late Twelfth Century to the Ottoman Conquest |publisher=University of Michigan Press |year=1994 |isbn=978-0-472-08260-5 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LvVbRrH1QBgC}}
*{{cite book |last=Papazoglu |first=Fanula |author-link=Fanula Papazoglu |title=The Central Balkan Tribes in pre-Roman Times: Triballi, Autariatae, Dardanians, Scordisci and Moesians |year=1978 |location=Amsterdam |publisher=Hakkert |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Up4JAQAAIAAJ |isbn=9789025607937}}
* {{Cite book |last=Rossos |first=Andrew |title=Macedonia and the Macedonians: A History |publisher=Hoover Press |year=2008 |isbn=978-0-8179-4882-5}} 
*{{cite book |first1=Stephanie |last1=Herold |first2=Benjamin |last2=Langer |first3=Julia |last3=Lechler |name-list-style=amp |title=Reading the city: Urban Space and Memory in Skopje |publisher=Universitätsverlag der Technischen Universität Berlin |year=2010 |isbn=9783798321298}}

==Further reading==
*{{cite book |first=Ilká|last=Thiessen|title=Waiting for Macedonia: Identity in a Changing World |publisher=University of Toronto Press |year=2007 |isbn=9781551117195}}
*{{cite book |title=Skopje between the past and the future |first=Ivan|last=Tomovski|publisher=Macedonian Review Editions |year=1978}}
*{{cite book |title=This Was Skopje |first=Jovan|last=Šćekić |publisher=Yugoslav Federal Secretariat for Information |year=1963}}
*{{cite book|script-title=mk:100 години модерна архитектура|publisher=Pridonesot na Makedonija i Jugoslavija|year=2006|language=mk}}
*{{cite book|script-title=mk:Чај од јужните мориња|first=Danilo|last=Kocevski|publisher=Маgor|year=2008|language=mk|isbn=9789989183447}}
*{{cite book|script-title=mk:Скопје од турското освојување до крајот на XVIII vek|publisher=Institut za nacionalna istorija |year=1997|language=mk}}
*{{cite book |title=Üsküp'te osmanlı mimarî eserleri|publisher=ENKA |year=2008|language=tr}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Skopje}}
{{Wikivoyage|Skopje}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20130524191452/https://discoverskopje.net.ms/ Discover Skopje] (archived 24 May 2013)
*[http://www.skopje.gov.mk/en City of Skopje Official Portal]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20110426114127/http://vecer.com.mk/galerii/skopje/index.html Skopje at night], picture gallery (archived 26 April 2011)
*[https://skopje.in/ Online tourist guide for Skopje]

{{Geographic location
|North=[[Čučer-Sandevo Municipality|Čučer-Sandevo]],
|Northeast=[[Lipkovo Municipality|Lipkovo]]
|Center=Greater Skopje
|East=[[Aračinovo Municipality|Aračinovo]], [[Ilinden Municipality|Ilinden]]
|Southeast=[[Petrovec Municipality|Petrovec]]
|South=[[Studeničani Municipality|Studeničani]], [[Sopište municipality|Sopište]]
|West=[[Želino Municipality|Želino]], [[Jegunovce municipality|Jegunovce]]
}}

{{Skopje}}
{{Skopje (close area)}}
{{Towns in North Macedonia}}
{{List of European capitals by region}}
{{Capital cities of the European Union candidates}}
{{Historical capitals of Serbia}}
{{Capitals of Bulgaria}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Skopje| ]]<!--leave the empty space as standard-->
[[Category:Former capitals of Bulgaria]]
[[Category:Former capitals of Serbia]]
[[Category:Cities in ancient Illyria]]
[[Category:Capital cities in Europe]]
[[Category:Cities in North Macedonia]]