Balkan Travel Pt 6: [North Macedonia] Skopje, A City Of Multifarious Statues

The first thing I ever learned about the capital and largest city of Macedonia was how to correctly pronounce it. The correct pronunciation for this intriguing city is 'Skopi-yey' which sounds cool indeed.
Skopje is quaint and unique and I think I like it a lot. When I did my walking tour around this city I couldn't help but noticed the abundance of statues. They are found at almost every nook and corner of the city prompting me to find out the reason for their existence. I learned that there was a project called 'Skopje 2014' which was financed by the then-Macedonian Government to construct 20 new buildings and over 40 statues with the purpose of giving Skopje a makeover with a more classical appeal. Skopje was mostly destroyed by a 1963 earthquake and the restoration which was modernistic in nature was deemed lacking in such appeal. Skopje 2014 Project which was executed between 2010 -2014 is said to have cost a whopping Euro 500 million. The project was intended to give a boost to the national identity and bolster tourism and I opine, it is money well spent considering the eye-popping effect emanated each time I passed by a newly built monument. The Macedonians think otherwise though, saying it is sheer wastage of public fund. 

This post shows images of some of the statues and some new buildings I encountered during my walking tour. While some of the statues depict significant historical figures, some are just quirky or thought-evoking sculptures to be admired.

Monument to Fallen Heroes for Macedonia

 ASNOM Monument

Founders of VMRO Monument

Tsar Samuil Monument & Newly Constructed Buildings

Tsar Samuil Monument 

 Alexander the Great Monument aka Warrior On A Horse Monument 

Fountain Of Alexander The Great Monument @ Macedonia Main Square

Monument of the Defenders of Macedonia 

Porta Macedonia, a triumphal arch located in Pella Square is one of Skopje 2014 construction.

 Monument of Karpoš against the backdrop of a Skopje Project building.

Statue Of Philip II of Macedonia aka Warrior Monument

Lion Statue At Fountain of Warrior Monument

 The Mothers of Macedonia Monument

  Fountain of the Mothers of Macedonia And Philip II Monument at the posterior

Justinian I Monument

Monument of the 'Gemidzii' which are important Macedonian historical figures &  Across Vardar River, Agency for Electronic Communications and Archaeological Museum

Horses Fountain

 Monument of Kiril and Metodij 

Mother Teresa Monument

Woman In Bikini And Feet Of Drowning Man Statues At River Vardar

Monument of Vasil Jakalarov

Gotse Delchev Monument

Four Quirky Men Statues

 New Buildings - Part of Project Skopje 2014 at Macedonia Main Square

There are many more monuments not posted here. I wish I had the time to seek each and every one out as I find them quite fascinating.

Related Posts: Click To View
Balkan Travel Pt 1: [ Romania] Bucharest Sightseeing
Balkan Travel Pt 2: [Romania] Bucharest Walking Tour
Balkan Travel Pt 3: [Romania] Peles Castle , Dracula's Castle & Romanian Scenery
Balkan Travel Pt 4: Bulgaria Attractions
Balkan Travel Pt 5: [Bulgaria] Sofia Attractions
Balkan Travel Pt 6: [North Macedonia] Skopje A City Of Mutifarious Statues
Balkan Travel Pt 7: [North Macedonia] Memorable Moments In Skopje
Balkan Travel Pt 8: [North Macedonia] Ohrid Photo Gallery
Balkan Travel Pt 9: [Albania] Glimpses Of Albania and Its Capital City Tirana
Balkan Travel Pt 10: [Albania] Walking Tour Of Tirana
Balkan Travel Pt 11: Montenegro Scenic Drive
Balkan Travel Pt 12: The Charms Of Koto Montenegro
Balkan Travel Pt 13: [Montenegro] The Old Town Of Kotor Photo Gallery
Balkan Travel Part 14: [Croatia] The Charms Of Dubrovnik
Balkan Travel Pt 15: [Croatia] The Old Town Of Dubrovnik
Balkan Travel Part 16: [Croatia] The Elaphiti Islands Of Dubrovnik
Balkan Travel Part 17: [Croatia] Plitvice National Park Photo Gallery
Balkan Travel Part 18: [Croatia] Rastoke Villagel

Balkan Travel Part 19: Mostar and Beautiful Scenery of The Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Balkan Travel Part 20: Highlights Of Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina

Balkan Travel Part 21: Bihac, Bosnia And Herzegovina
Balkan Travel Part 22: Bled Castle And Lake Bled, Slovenia
Balkan Travel Part 23: Lake Bled And Bled Island, Slovenia

Balkan Travel Part 24: Postojna Cave Park, Slovenia

Balkan Travel Part 25: Getting To Know Ljubljana, Slovenia

Balkan Travel Part 26: [Croaria] Zagreb Walking Tour