Even when North Macedonia was still part of the federation of Yugoslavia, it enjoyed great fame for that one magnificent highlight: the city of Ohrid. High on the shore of a lake shared with neighboring Albania, it is a treasure trove of Byzantine art. Small churches and monasteries are richly decorated with centuries-old frescoes and impressive icons. North Macedonia fortunately escaped the devastation of the civil war in Yugoslavia, from which it seceded in 1991.
The destruction of the capital, Skopje, was due to a massive earthquake in 1963. The old market district was largely spared and has retained its oriental charm.

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