Sveti Spas, Skopje

2 more images

I have to admit, when it comes to this church, I am a bit of an idiot. Maybe that's not entirely fair: I was in Skopje for one day only (I wanted to stay two nights, but every single room except a bridal suite was booked up) and this was after I had did the all night bus trip from Sarajevo. Anyway, I came by the church as I sat in the square in front of it to eat some baklava, admired at its exterior, and then left. The real treat, however, is the exquisite iconostasis inside this 16th-17th century church. It was destroyed in the 19th century but redone in the 1860s. It supposedly combines a variety of artistic styles, including Islamic art (I'm piecing together the Macedonian explanation, or at least what I understood of it) to depict Biblical stories, including the two testaments. Definitely go in inside - but if you don't, you can always be inspired by the pretty wooden bell-tower of the church. Also, a Macedonian national hero, Goce Delchev, is buried behind the church.

4 more images

The Church and Monastery of Sveti Spas (Holy Salvation) can be found a bit south from the main entrance of the Kale Fortress.

Some of the foundations date back to the 14th century, before Ottoman times. The church was partly rebuilt underground in the 16th century, since under Ottoman rule churches were not allowed to be taller than a mosque.

The church is famous for two reasons:

1) The iconostasis was made by three of the most famous woodcarvers of that time: The brothers Marko and Petar "Garka" Filipovski from the village Gari and Makarije Frckovski from Galicnik. The iconostasis is made from walnut tree and about 10m wide and 6m high, it took 6 years (1819-1824) to make it! Besides the many religious scenes, the woodcarving team itself can be found at the right side of the iconostasis, as some kind of humoristic signature. This team also made the iconostases of the Monastery of St Jovan Bigorski in Mavrovo National park and the Monastery of St Gavril Lesnovski (St Gabriel) in Lesnovo, see my other tips.

2) The site houses the sarcophagus with the remains of Goce Delcev (1872-1903). Goce Delcev was the leader of the Independence for Macedonia Revolutionary Organisation (IMRO). Goce was beheaded in 1903. His remains were exhumed in 1946 and moved to Sveti Spas. The box in which his remains were transported to the church is shown in the small Goce Delcev Museum on the site.

Open:
Tuesday-Friday 09.00-17.00h
Saturday and Sunday 09.00-15.00h
Monday CLOSED

It was built in the beginning of the XVII or XVIII century, upon foundations on an older church. Part of the fresco painting on the southern side was found from this older church which orgins from XVI century. In contrasr to the modest outside appearance of the church, after one enters inside, he immediately becomes astonished in front of the beauty of the iconostasis on the eastern side. The iconostasis is 6 meters high and 10 meters long. On this space, the carving group managed to show numerous scenes from the bible, important geometrical ornaments and figures from the flora and the fauna. Also there in the inside of the church is the Grave of the Macedonian national Hero Goce Delcev.

One of the gravestones in the pavement -- the Macedonian hero Goce Delchev is also buried here. He participated in the Macedonian Revolutionary organization in the early 20th century. Check the listed website for a full history of his activities.

The ortodox old CHURCH St.Spas and
the MOSQUE ....

..

It was built in XVII century .
Inside is a Grave of the Macedonian national Hero Goce Delcev .

The images on the wall poster include one of the carved wooden ossuary in which Goce Delcev's bones were returned to Skopje in 1979.

The bones of the Macedonian hero, Goce Delcev were retuned in 1979 and placed in this stone sarcophagus in the courtyard of Sv. Spas church in Skopje.