Add a review about the National Gallery of Macedonia

In the case of the National Gallery of Macedonia in Skopje it is difficult to determine what is still more interesting: the actual gallery or the historic building in which it is located. We will clarify that the museum is located in the building of a medieval Turkish bath - Daut Pasha Hammam - the architectural monument of Macedonia. Here, in the ancient stone walls, is the richest in the country collection of works of art, and the historical entourage of the hammam itself sets the gallery a special solemn atmosphere.

The National Gallery of Macedonia holds a rich collection of works of art covering the time period from the 14th century to the present day.

Daut Pasha Hammam

The building, which now houses the National Gallery of Macedonia, dates back to the far 15th century. It was erected at the entrance to the Skopje Old Market at the behest of the well-known Turkish commander Daut Pasha. Inside the hammam there are more than a dozen halls, united by vaulted crossings. Each of the rooms is crowned with a dome with a radial hole in the center, through which soft scattered light penetrates into the halls. In some places on the inner walls of the former hammam the original oriental ornament remained.

About a hundred years after the construction of the Daut Pasha, the Hammam was destroyed as a result of a fire. For a long time the building remained abandoned, and only in the post-war time the National Gallery of Art settled here.

The old Turkish market is the only bazaar in the Balkans, preserved since the time of the Ottoman Empire. There is a wide choice of fabrics, accessories and fruits on the market.

Exposition

The National Gallery of Macedonia holds a rich collection of works of art covering the time period from the 14th century to the present day .The collection is systematized according to thematic blocks and is exhibited in several halls .So, for example, the first hall is entirely devoted to Byzantine and Post-Byzantine painting .Here is collected an amazing collection of iconography, by the way, very rare in Europe .In other halls you can see collections of abstract art, graphics and paintings relating to different historical periods in the life of Macedonia .Particular attention is paid to contemporary art, in particular, artists of the former Yugoslavia .

A separate hall of the gallery is dedicated to Macedonian photo and filmmaking. Here you can get acquainted with the vital information about the current situation of the film industry in the country and, of course, enjoy excerpts from the outstanding films.

In addition to the main expositions, the National Gallery of Macedonia also has temporary exhibitions. Moreover, this is the largest creative platform in the capital: the most spectacular events of the cultural life of Skopje take place here.

In the gallery there is an exclusive library with a rich collection of literature on the art of Macedonia. You can only enter the reading room by appointment.
National Gallery of Macedonia (Macedonian)

Practical information

The National Gallery of Macedonia is located in the heart of Skopje, a 10-minute walk from the Macedonian Square and the Vardara waterfront. From the central railway station Skopje to the gallery can also be reached on foot, following the boulevard of Macedonia.

Address: Macedonia, Skopje, ul. Jordan, 18.

Phone: +389 (2) 313-31-02.

Working hours: daily from 10:00 to 18:00, except Monday.

Free admission.