Fortress needs a friend

 Looming large over the city of Skopje is a 6th century fortress in need of some archeological and structural TLC.  In some other parts of Europe, I suspect there would be some sort of museum or signage explaining the history of this massive structure, (and a much needed fee to enter). 

But for reasons that escape me there is no one minding the entry and no one stopping you from going in (and poking around in an archeological treasure if you choose to). Wikipedia says in late 2006 and early 2007, research and excavation of the Skopje Fortress funded by the Macedonian government finally commenced. Researchers discovered woodwind instruments and clay ornaments dating as far back as 3000 BC.   But not much else happened -- because like everything else in the Balkans, there is a disagreement about who it belongs to: competing claims to the area are trying to sort out if its  Christian or Muslim and Macedonian or Albanian. In 2011, a violent clash erupted, between Albanians and Macedonians leaving around 10 injured, including 2 policemen. Read more about it on wikipedia.














Graffiti mars many of the structures and trash is scattered all over.




There were several "modern" (probably World War Two) rusty guns poking out  the medieval "murder holes" or "arrow loop" in the fortress wall. 





But it is a lovely place for walking in solitude in the heart of the city.












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