Skopje launches renovation of historic fortress

An action to clear vegetation was launched on Fiday at the Skopje Fortress, which has been overgrown with tall, dry grass for a long time. Renovation of the two museums located at the fortress is to also take place soon, CE Report quotes MIA.

Minister of Culture and Tourism Zoran Ljutkov, who visited the Skopje Fortress on Friday alongside the President of the Association of Local Self-Government Units (ZELS) Orce Gjorgievski and several mayors of Skopje municipalities, noted that this symbol of history and culture has been devastated and neglected for the past ten years. He said the situation is also bad with the two museums at the fortress, which, he added, will require a complete renovation of the entire mechanization.

"We made a plan and secured Mden 8 million with the budget revision which will be used by the end of the year. We will immediately tender notice for announcement of public procurement to repair these premises. The implementation of this entire huge project follows later, to put it into operation as early as 2026," Ljutkov pointed out.

He said the goal is to put the Skopje Fortress on the map of the most frequented places for 2028, when Skopje will become the European Capital of Culture.

Cultural Heritage Protection Office director Vesela Chestoeva said technical specification has been prepared.

"We will announce the tender so that we can start work. The Cultural Heritage Protection Office has made several attempts over the past period to get in touch with the City of Skopje, with the public enterprise 'Parks and Greenery'. Unfortunately, the attempts have been unsuccessful. Therefore, we initiated contact with ZELS, with Orce Gjorgievski, and we immediately received a response. As a result, we are seeing today's action, which is part of the plan for the revitalization of the Skopje Fortress," said Chestoeva.

She added that the Cultural Heritage Protection Office will manage to complete these two infrastructure projects and put them into operation by the end of the year.

According to ZELS President and Kisela Voda Municipality Mayor Orce Gjorgievski, history should not only be shared via Facebook posts or debates, but it should be demonstrated with practical examples of preserving the heritage, and symbol of the city.

"I truly regret the condition not only of this facility, but also many other facilities," said Gjorgievski, who is also a candidate for mayor of the City of Skopje.

He said that after the local elections, the Skopje Fortress, as well as all other buildings in the City of Skopje that are historical symbols of the city, will get special treatment.