North Macedonia, homeland of Alexander the Great

North Macedonia is a landlocked country located in the middle of the Balkan Peninsula. It is surrounded by Bulgaria, Kosovo, Greece, Serbia and Albania. Before 2019, its name was Macedonia, but it had to be changed following a conflict with Greece that claimed its northernmost province to be called in that way.

Stone Bridge in Skopje

I have been to Northern Macedonia twice, once during my trip over the Balkans, and the other with my parents last summer. I had the chance to see the country under different perspectives and I would like you to know more about it.

Orthodox Church

North Macedonia gained its independence in 1991, after the fall of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. The flag they adopted is very particular and recognisable: it displays a yellow sun whose rays extends till the borders, on a red background. That represents the “new sun of Liberty” that is mentioned in the national anthem and in the emblem of the country.

Assembly of Republic of North Macedonia

Skopje

I arrived in Skopje after a three hour journey from Nish, in Serbia. I reached the City Hostel, my accomodation for two nights, where I was welcomed by a kind Macedonian host, who offered me food and showed a map of the city.

Archeology museum of Macedonia

Skopje has a very old history: it belonged to the Roman Empire, where it came under the Byzantine rule of Constantinople. Despite that, an earthquake of 1963 destroyed almost 80 percent of the city, so it had to be completely rebuilt. Now it is full with pleasant white buildings and statues of the most important people of North Macedonia.

Memorial House Mother Theresa

North Macedonia is also the homeland of Mother Teresa, who lived there for eighteen years before moving first to Ireland and then India, in Calcutta. For this reason, the city built a museum on the place where her house was located.

There must be a reason why some people can afford to live well. They must have worked for it. I only feel angry when I see waste. When I see people throwing away things that we could use. Mother Theresa, Skopje 1910 - Calcutta 1997

Ohrid Lake

Very close to the border with Albania, is located a small town called Нови Сад, meaning New Garden. The language spoken in North Macedonia is written in Cyrillic so it is similar to Russian, but they are unique to each other.

The Lake of Ohrid was one of the most peaceful places I have ever been: looking at the calm waters from the monastery on the hill was an extremely relaxing and enjoyable time. It is a great way to spend a warm afternoon, swimming in the calm and clean waters of the lake.

Alexander the Great

Alexander the Great was the son of Philip II, king of Macedonia in 300 BC. He succeeded the throne of his father and left for the conquest of the Persian empire, reaching the lands that correspond now to the countries of the Middle East, Pakistan, Afganistan and Northern India. These important conquests led Alexander to become an important figure that would constitute an icon for the country of which he originated.

Alexander the Great on the Main Square

The problem is that nowadays it is not clear whether the land in which Alexander was born corresponds to the part of Greece called Macedonia or the country of North Macedonia, so this generates a conflict between the countries that both want to claim this famous character. Wouldn't it be easier to agree that he was from both?

Bas relief displaying Alexander the Great

Do Russian understand Macedonian?

Mакедонскиот јазик е сличен на рускиот, дали може да разберете што се пишува таму?

Let me know if you enjoyed this article by leaving a little like or a comment! Hope you’ll visit North Macedonia soon!