Wonderful Cat from Cut Out + Keep invited me to write about my city from a crafter's perspective and I was thrilled to participate. If you want to read the abridged version go to the site. If you want to read and see the whole thing, just proceed below.
Skopje is one of the most
entertaining and eclectic cities in Europe. It breaths with an interesting mix
of ancient history with a modern vibe to it. It is quite unique and will make a
strong imprint on any traveler. You don’t want to miss experiencing it! More here
Shop
- Where are the top places for buying
craft supplies? I always buy my yarn from Teteks’ shop which is in the
center of the city and all other craft supplies from the shops at the Old
Bazaar. There you can find small but well stocked shops with all kinds of craft
supplies. Especially haberdashery.
- Is there anywhere crafters can sell their handmade items? Of course. There are many craft shows organized throughout
the year at the Skopje Fair. There’s the MKC (Youth Center) which organizes
exhibiting and selling craft events, craft bazaars organized by various
organizers and the city of Skopje.
Be Inspired
- Where do you go for inspiration?
(museums, shops, architecture, etc.) Nature is an everlasting and unfaltering
inspiration. I love getting out with my family and enjoy the change of seasons,
so the nearest spot is the mountain Vodno and the Church of St. Pantelejmon
(dating from 1164 A.D). The Old Bazaar was the hub of trade and
merchants as early as the 12th century, and nowadays it represents an iconic
heritage site for the city. It is a vivid representation of the country's past
and its inheritance from the Ottoman empire. There are many authentic shops for
jewelry and handcrafted products and it can be a paradise for collectors of
original arts and products, so I often
seek inspiration there.
- What are your top non-craft related attractions? Going to the Millennium
Cross by a cable car on the nearby mountain Vodno, sipping a cup of coffee at the bosom of Canyon Matka enjoying the breath-taking nature surrounding it, or
strolling through the streets and alleys of the Old Bazaar. My family and I
love (re)visiting historic places around Skopje, so I must mention the
Aqueduct, the Fortress, The Feudal Tower, the Memorial House of Mother Teresa
(Skopje being her birthplace), the city square, the Daut Pasha’s Amam, just to
name a few.
(The Old Bazaar)
(The Memorial House of Mother Teresa)
(Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
(The Archeological Museum)
(The Museum of National Revolution)
(The Theatre)
- Are there any great places to take photos or things we
must get a photo taken with? Any
of the aforementioned places would be great for a memorable and one of a kind
photo shoot.
Eat and Drink
- Where are your favorite places for
lunch and dinner?
Macedonian
food is a feast for even the choosiest of the palates.
For
breakfast I recommend you visit Мекиците од
Стража (Mekicite od Straza) where you can grab a traditional and delicious fried pastry called mekica with a glass of yoghurt or one
of their amazing pitas with spinach and cheese.
Have
lunch in the restaurant Pivnica An
situated in the captivating atmosphere of the Kapan An (pictures below), while you can spend the evening at the "Lira" restaurant where you can try one
of Macedonian traditional dishes and enjoy in the fabulous atmosphere created by
their live bands.
- Is there anywhere special for
grabbing a sweet treat? Many
sweet-shops offer great cakes and cookies. My personal favourite is the sweets
and ice cream shop Eskimo – they
absolutely have the best ice-cream in the country and even wider if you ask me, and you may want to tickle your palate with
some of the cakes at the Oh la la’s (http://www.olala.mk).
- What are your favorite bars to
hang out in or grab a drink?
My husband and I love going for drinks and great live music at the New Orleans café, or the Brewery (both located in the Old
Bazaar).
- Craft: Where are the best places to sit and craft (parks,
cafes, bars etc)? The City Park is the perfect place for this and
there are also coffee shops at the Old Bazaar where people can sit, chat and
craft together.
- Are there any awesome craft clubs, groups or organizations
based in your city? That would be MATA Craft and the Trade Association.
- Finally, what souvenirs should we take home with us?
There are many souvenir shops strewn around the city center
and the city square (not exclusively though) and at the City Malls (Ramstore,
GTC and City Mall). Miniature versions of opinci,
old
type of leather footwear, is an interesting and eye-catching souvenir for tourists
as well as pottery and kitchenware, clothing and jewelry depicting
characteristic Macedonian motifs and colors.
