[2025 Butel Attraction] Travel Guide for Mustafa Paša (Updated May)

#JanuaryTravelSupportEvent #FebruaryTravelSupportEvent #OverseasTravel Mustafa Pasha Mosque, located on a hill in the Old Town of Skopje, is a historical landmark built in 1492 during the Ottoman Empire. Built on the site of a Byzantine church, the mosque features a 47-meter-tall minaret and a magnificent 16.3-meter-diameter dome, reflecting the early architectural style of Constantinople. The **marble portico** and the interior, decorated with arabesque patterns, present both religious worship and artistic value. Major Attractions😚 Mustafa Pasha and his daughter Umi's Tomb: A tomb with bronze decorations and sarcophagi. Interior decoration: Arabic verse mosaics and geometric patterns. Viewing platform: Panoramic views of the Old Town and the Vardar River. Exploration Tips😊 Dressing: Clothing below the knees, shoulder covers are required (can be rented on site). Time zone: Visit during prayer time (10am-3pm). Night view: Romantic view of minaret and dome illuminated by golden light. It was preserved without major damage from the 1963 earthquake, and was completely restored in 2011 with support from Turkey. Some travelers say it is "elegant but feels the weight of history," and especially praise the view at sunset. It is also easily accessible, a 10-minute walk from the old city center!! #NorthMacedonia

🌍 Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia, is a city full of charm and stories. 🏙️ This city has a profound history. It has been ruled by the Roman Empire, the Byzantine Empire, the Ottoman Empire, and other periods, leaving a wealth of historical sites. For example, the Kale Fortress, located on the left bank of the Vardar River, was built in the 6th century, and the magnificent view of the entire city can be overlooked from the fortress. There is also the ancient stone bridge, built in 1880, miraculously preserved in the 1963 earthquake, and it is still an important passage for pedestrians to shuttle between the two banks. The architectural style of Skopje is diverse. The old bazaar on the north bank of the river is a concentration of Ottoman architecture. The mosques, stone buildings, and traditional Turkish houses here are full of exotic customs. Mustafa Pasha Mosque, Isa Bey Mosque, etc., attract people with their exquisite architecture and unique religious atmosphere. The south bank of the river is a gathering place for modern buildings, showing the new look of Skopje. In terms of culture, Skopje is even more unique. This is the hometown of Mother Teresa. The Mother Teresa Memorial Hall was built to commemorate this great Nobel Peace Prize winner. The museum displays her life and contributions to charity, which is admirable. On the Macedonian Square, the statue of Alexander the Great riding a horse and waving a knife is majestic, surrounded by a group of lions, as if telling the glorious history of this great commander. The food in Skopje is also not to be missed 😋. The local specialty dishes blend the flavors of the Balkan Peninsula, and the barbecue, cheese products, etc. are delicious. In the lively markets and restaurants, you can taste authentic North Macedonian cuisine and feel the local fireworks. In short, Skopje is a city that combines history and modernity, culture and food, waiting for you to explore and discover its unique charm 🎉.

Leaving Tetovo, it's about a 45-kilometer drive to the capital, Skopje. The roads are in good condition, and there are few cars on the road, so it only takes 35 minutes to arrive. The city architecture of the capital Skopje is very impressive, as if telling visitors about its glorious past. 💥Check-in spots: 1⃣The Old Town of Skopje: The ancient city walls are quite dilapidated, and the outer ring has mostly been newly repaired. Climbing the tower offers a panoramic view of the entire city. The houses in the old town are arranged in order from low to high. The Vardar River meanders through, and the ancient Turkish market Carsija, the Sveti Dimitrija Church, and the towering Mustafa Pasa Mosque all tell the story of the city's sentiments. 2⃣The Stone Bridge: Quietly lying on the Vardar River, built in the 15th century, it is a symbol of Skopje. 3⃣The central city square: The square is dominated by a bronze statue of Philip II. It was he who raised Macedonia from a small country plagued by internal strife and accumulated great potential in the economy and other aspects. They also like to build a triumphal arch to show off their success, so Skopje has its own Arch of Triumph. After lunch, we also took an external view of the Chinese 🇨🇳 Embassy, walked around to visit Skopje's modern city architecture, and experienced the local culture. Then we drove 128 kilometers on mountain roads to the Jueishevo border crossing at an altitude of about 1230 meters, entering Bulgaria. Bulgaria just joined the EU 🇪🇺 in April, and the customs clearance was very slow. They even checked our luggage, delaying us by 2 hours to cross the border. We hurried towards the overnight stay in the snowy mountain town, still 140 kilometers away.