Description:
Partial archaeological excavations in the past demonstrate that the first buildings, earth dwellings & huts, which marked the beginning of life in a larger pre-historic settlement, appeared at the Skopje Kale during the transition from Neolithic to Bronze Age. Research has uncovered remains of an older fortress under the foundations of the existing Kale, built in the Middle Ages. It is believed to have been built between the Bronze Age & the Iron Age. Another hypothesis is that it came into being during the preparation period of the Dardanians for defending this territory from the aspirations of Rome. It is a fact, though, that there was a disastrous earthquake in 518 AD which, according to reports by chronicler Komes Marzelinus, destroyed 24 fortified urban areas, the ancient city of Skupi being one of them. Since Kale was only about five kilometres away from this ancient city, we imagine that the buildings located at Kale at that time must have been damaged or destroyed too. After the earthquake, Kale was again chosen as the foundation for the new city. Latest explorations have shown that this Middle Age fortress was built during the reign of the Macedonian Tsar Samoil, i.e. in the end of the 10th & the beginning of the 11th century, & became an important fortification against the Romaoian onslaughts. What has remained today is an impressive 121-metre-long remnant of the rampart that once was, built with processed stone blocks. It has been proved that this building material had been brought from the ruins of the destroyed theatre of the ancient city of Skupi. Throughout its centuries long existence in one of the key strategic positions in this part of the Balkans, the Fortress was often attacked, besieged, destroyed, & restored. With the invention of fire arms later on, there were gradual efforts to adjust the fortress to these new circumstances of warfare by building loopholes and cannon platforms.

Just as a suggestion, in case you happen to be in Skopje for a week or so, or maybe longer.
"SKOPJE FILM FESTIVAL" - taking place normally around March, 15th-20th. A great chance to see international, NON-commercial movies for a reasonable price. (cheap actually) For those who are interested in something different than the usual block-busters, this is a good idea.
"SKOPJE JAZZ FESTIVAL" - organized for over 20 years now. Has had amazing guests like: Mory Cante, Arto Lindsay, Tito Puente, Ray Charles, Jobim/Morelenbaum Quartet, Youssou N'Dour, Herbie Hancock, Sierra Maestra, Marisa Monte, OMARA PORTUONDO... and many more! Usually taking place in the second half of October.
"MOT" - Youth Open Theater. A little bit different kind of theater performances from all over the World.
"The May OPERA EVENINGS" - each May, operas at the Macedonian National Theater.
"Summer Blues Festival" - organized in the last few years. Nice change for the hot, summer nights in Skopje.
(Really enjoyed the concert of "Michael Hill's Blues Mob" taking place at Kurshumli An, in the Old Bazaar.)
Speaking of the summer, SKOPJE SUMMER (or Skopsko Leto) is actually consisted of many cultural events taking place during the summer - exhibitions, concerts, theater, open air stages, two of the cinemas showing the movies from the past year (in case you missed some)... You just need a programme of all the events and you can choose what to see.
.... well, I'll add more soon!