On a high cliff overlooking the River Vardar, Skopje’s fortress (dubbed ‘Kale’ from the Turkish) has kept a watchful eye on things for centuries.

As the highest point in Skopje, Kale has always been prized by local inhabitants. Long before the Turks created the extensive castle walls that survive today, settlements had existed here. The earliest traces of life date back to the Neolithic period and early Bronze Age, or some 4,000 years before Christ.

The present fortress was originally built by the Byzantines in the 6th century C.E., with stone walls some 121 meters (400 feet) long. According to archaeologists, the stone blocks used in this construction were taken from the destroyed city of Skupi nearby.

Due to its strategic location, the fortress was built, destroyed and rebuilt many times by different conquerors. After the 1963 earthquake, Kale’s circular, rectangular and square towers were conserved and restored.Kale today is one of Skopje’s best sightseeing spots, offering a fantastic view of the city and proximity to the sites of the city’s Ottoman old town. It also hosts outdoor theatrical performances in summer.