Over the last few years, Skopje has developed a reputation as being the kitsch capital of the Balkans. I'm not one to go by other people's opinions though, and so I wanted to see it with my own eyes. Here's what I thought…
What is Skopje the capital of?
Skopje is the capital of the Republic of North Macedonia, a small Balkan state to the north of Greece.
Formerly a part of Yugoslavia, it achieved independence in 1991 and almost immediately entered into a naming dispute with its southern neighbour.
This naming dispute with Greece led to the Republic of Macedonia being admitted to the United Nations under the provisional name of F.Y.R.O.M – Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
(Don't be surprised if you haven't heard about this, as few people outside of the Balkans region have).
However, an important note for travelling in the region, is to never use the word F.Y.R.O.M. in the Republic of Macedonia, and to never call it the Republic of Macedonia in Greece.
You can't say I didn't warn you!
Additional Note: The Naming Dispute was ‘resolved' in 2019. I doubt the issue is over though!
Skopje, Macedonia (ish)
Why do I mention this? Well, the Republic of North Macedonia is a very young country, and one trying to find its identity since independence.
This culminated in a political decision being reached in 2010, when the Skopje 2014 project was announced. The purpose of this project, was to give Skopje a more classical appeal.
Skopje City Center
The construction of a number of museums, government buildings, and monuments were planned, with the aim that they should be completed by 2014.
I visited Skopje in January 2016 as part of a 2 week trip around the Balkans, and it hadn't finished yet. Or maybe the project had been expanded. Who really knows?
Neo-Classical with a touch of Polystyrene
So Skopje is undergoing a neo-classical makeover. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, and is something that happened in Athens almost two hundred years earlier.
(In fact, as unpopular an opinion as it may be in Greece, there are many similarities between the situations of the Republic of Macedonia today, and the fledgling Greek state of 200 years ago).
The thing is though, there is a tasteful way of going about things, and a blatantly kitsch way. Guess which way Skopje chose?
OK, so, the neo-classical buildings are a bit over the top. The flags are a ‘bit big'. But it's the statues. The damn statues. They are EVERYWHERE!
It makes the entire centre of Skopje look like a weird, kitsch Disneyland. It seems to pull in aspects from every major European capital city, and dump them all in one place.
To be honest, during the first day there, it was actually quite good fun taking photos of everything. I mean, there is no arguing against Skopje city centre being a photographer's dream.
On the second and third day though, I realised just how sad it was. None of it feels real, and while the intention might be to inspire the Macedonian people and give them a sense of pride, no-one I met really felt this way about it.
Most considered it to be a waste of money, and just a little bit laughable.
Is Skopje the weird, kitsch capital of the Balkans?
Oh yes! If I could sum up my experience, it would be a bewildered shake of the head.
I'm glad I visited though, and to be honest, no trip to the Balkans would be complete without seeing Skopje.
Just keep in mind that very little of it is real and none of it makes sense. After all, why else would a replica of the Arc de Triomphe featuring historical Greek figures be there?
Where to stay in Skopje
If you are looking for hotels in Skopje, take a look at the interactive map below to find current prices and availability.
Skopje Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some commonly asked questions about Skopje with answers that may help you plan a city break there.
What is Skopje famous for?
Skopje is possibly most well known for being the city where Mother Teresa was born in 1910. Her birth name was Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu.
Can you drink the water in Skopje?
The tap water in Skopje is safe to drink, and there are also water fountains to be found throughout the city which are safe to drink from.
Is Skopje polluted?
Yes, unfortunately Skopje is one of the most polluted cities in Europe, and its air quality is particularly bad. Smog clouds are not unusual, but even when not visible, the air quality is still very low.
Is Skopje Kitsch?
People visiting Skopje are often taken aback by the city center, but then realise the post communist kitsch is a little overwhelming!
Balkan City Guides
You might also be interested in these other Balkan city guides:
- One day in Sofia itinerary
- Sofia Airport Transport Guide
- Things to do in Athens in 3 days
- Thessaloniki Sightseeing guide
- Things to do in Tirana, Albania
- Pristina travel guide
Article Author: Dave Briggs