Stone Bridge - Skopje, North Macedonia
Posted by: Groundspeak Premium Member PISA-caching
N 41° 59.819 E 021° 25.982
34T E 535864 N 4649531
Stone arch bridge across the Vardar River in Skopje
Waymark Code: WM13DAY
Location: North Macedonia
Date Posted: 11/14/2020
Published By:Groundspeak Regular Member razalas
Views: 2

 

One of bridges that cross the river Vardar in Skopje, North Macedonia is the so-called Stone Bridge. It's a very popular bridge for pedestrians, because it is wide and offers a great view in every direction. In the middle there is an information board, that informs about the bridge in two languages:

Monument of Culture
Stone Bridge - Skopje

Reconstructed in 1421 - 1451 during Sultan Murad II on 6th c. foundations.
Renovations were carried out in 1555, 18th c., 19th c. and at the beginning of the 20th c. The last reconstruction began in 1994.
The watch-tower shaping a Mihrab was reconstructed in 2008.

Wikipedia has more information about the bridge:

"The Stone Bridge is a bridge across the Vardar River in Skopje, the capital of the Republic of North Macedonia. The bridge is also less frequently known as the Dušan Bridge after Stephen Dušan, Emperor of Serbia.

The bridge is considered a symbol of Skopje and is the main element of the coat of arms of the city, which in turn is incorporated in the city's flag. It is located in Centar municipality and it connects Macedonia Square to the Old Bazaar.

Architecture

The Stone Bridge is built of solid stone blocks and is supported by firm columns that are connected with 12 semicircular arcs. The bridge is 214 m (702 ft) long and 6 m (20 ft) wide. The guardhouse has recently been reconstructed.

History

The current Stone Bridge was built on Roman foundations under the patronage of Sultan Mehmed II the Conqueror between 1451 and 1469. Most of the Stone Bridge originates from the Ottoman period and throughout the centuries, the Stone Bridge was often damaged and then repaired. There is historical evidence that it once suffered during the great earthquake of 1555 which heavily damaged or destroyed four pillars. Renovations were carried out the same year.

In 1944, explosives were placed on the bridge by Nazis. Upon a request from city notables, the Germans give up at the last minute and the bridge was saved from destruction. The last reconstruction of the bridge began in 1994. Over seven years during the Stone Bridge refurbishment of the 1990s, people were not allowed to cross the structure and for many craftsmen from the nearby Old Bazaar it resulted in negative economic effects. The watchtower shaped like a mihrab was reconstructed in 2008.

Two parts of Skopje that have symbolised its urban contrasts of 'Ottoman' or 'modern', the 'historic' or 'socialist', 'Albanian' or 'Macedonian' are split by the river Vardar and linked by the Stone Bridge. In the twenty first century, members of the majority and minority groups of the capital city view the stone bridge as representing the split between two parts of Skopje."

Source and further information: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stone_Bridge_(Skopje)

Physical Location (city, county, etc.): Skopje

Road, Highway, Street, etc.: Stone Bridge

Water or other terrain spanned: River Vardar

Construction Date: 1421 - 1451

Architect/Builder: Not listed

Visit Instructions:
Post one photo of the bridge that is a different view from the one on the page and describe your visit. Add any additional information that you may have about this bridge. A GPSr photo is NOT required.
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Redroaming visited Stone Bridge - Skopje, North Macedonia 10/23/2022 Redroaming visited it