Tetovo

About

One of the oldest cities in Macedonia, the country’s oldest artefact - a Bronze Age sword - was found here. But was the arrival of the Ottomans in the 16th century that provided the city’s most striking cultural heritage. Under their reign, mosques, fountains, public baths, and even kitchens for the poor were erected. The Decorated Mosque is perhaps the most unique in the country. First built in 1438, it was renovated by Abdurrahman Pasha in 1833 to suit his artistic preference. The typical ceramic tile decorations were replaced by vibrant floral and geometric paintings, which used 30,000 eggs to prepare. Of the many paintings, the depiction of Mecca is a stand-out, likely being the only one of its kind in southeastern Europe.