Walk through central Skopje today and you will see giant bronze warriors, marble bridges lined with statues, a triumphal arch and buildings with classical columns. Almost all of it was built in the 2010s as part of Skopje 2014 – one of the most ambitious and controversial city makeovers in Europe. Here is what it is, where to see it and why locals are divided about it.
What is Skopje 2014?
Skopje 2014 was a government-funded project launched in 2010 to redesign the centre of the capital. It added dozens of statues and fountains, new museums and government buildings, new bridges over the Vardar and neo-baroque or neo-classical façades on existing modernist buildings. The official aim was to give the city a stronger historic and national identity; the bill ran into hundreds of millions of euros.
Why it is controversial
Supporters saw a grand new centre for a young state. Critics objected to the cost in one of Europe’s poorer countries, to the speed and the lack of public consultation, and to the way new façades covered important modernist buildings from the post-earthquake reconstruction. Some monuments also became part of the long dispute with Greece over the country’s name and heritage. After political changes from 2017 the project was reviewed, and some plaques and names were changed after the 2018 Prespa Agreement.
Whatever you think of it, Skopje 2014 is now part of the city’s story – and a fascinating thing to see for yourself.
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Where to see Skopje 2014: a walking route
- Macedonia Square – the giant “Warrior on a Horse” statue and fountain, the project’s centrepiece.
- Porta Macedonia – a triumphal arch just off the square.
- The riverbank – new buildings with columns along the Vardar, including the Archaeological Museum and the Museum of the Macedonian Struggle.
- The bridges – the Art Bridge and the Bridge of Civilisations, both lined with statues, next to the historic Stone Bridge.
- The ships on the Vardar – replica galleons moored in the river, now used as restaurants and a hotel.
- Philip II Square – on the Old Bazaar side, with another giant statue and fountain.
The whole loop takes about an hour. Join the free walking tour to hear local opinions first-hand.
Modernist Skopje underneath
To understand the debate, compare Skopje 2014 with the bold modernist buildings that rebuilt the city after the 1963 earthquake – such as Kenzo Tange’s Transport Centre and the Museum of Contemporary Art on Kale hill.
Where to Stay in Skopje Centre
For sightseeing in the centre, the best base is the city centre: most sights, restaurants and bus stops are within walking distance, and you won’t need a taxi in the evening.
- Skopje Marriott Hotel – right on Macedonia Square, the most central upscale choice.
- Hotel Senigallia – rooms on a rebuilt sailing ship moored on the Vardar, in the middle of the city.
- Solun Hotel & Spa – a central hotel with a spa, a short walk from the main square.
Browse all hotels in Skopje city centre, compare neighbourhoods in our Where to Stay in Skopje guide, or see our pick of the best hotels in Skopje.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the big statue in Macedonia Square?
The “Warrior on a Horse” monument, the centrepiece of the Skopje 2014 project.
Why are there so many statues in Skopje?
Most were added between 2010 and the late 2010s as part of the Skopje 2014 redevelopment of the city centre.
Our private tour
Private Matka Canyon Tour from Skopje
Hotel pickup anywhere in Skopje, a private air-conditioned car and a friendly English-speaking local driver. Boat ride to Vrelo Cave, hiking or a lakeside coffee – at your own pace. From €60 per car (1–4 guests).
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