Baroque architecture

Unknown perpetrators in North Macedonia have removed or smashed plaques added to several statues and monuments in Skopje - which explained that they depict historical figures "belonging to the ancient Hellenic history and civilisation and to world cultural and historic heritage".

The action occurred just one day after the authorities put them up.

Fifty years after Italy's Matera was a national embarrassment because of its extreme poverty, the city is rescuing its dignity, baroque palaces and cave churches to become a European Capital of Culture.

Construction works on Skopje's new Emanuel Cuckov Palace, which will house three state institutions, are nearing completion.

Workers have begun to place tall plaster statues on its roof and bronze lions at the main entrance of the new building, whose facade reflects the preferred classical style of the government-funded revamp project Skopje 2014.

Documents that Macedonia's Special Prosecution, SJO, seized on Tuesday with a court order from the Culture Ministry refer to a million-euros-worth tender to build the Museum of VMRO and Macedonian Struggle for Independence, BIRN has learned from informed sources.

The Öşvank Monastery in the eastern province of Erzurum's Uzundere district, which dates back around 1,000 years, has been attracting local and foreign tourists who come for its religious significance and architectural features.

BIRN's new app lists all the edifices that are included in the BIRN's official database of buildings, new facades, sculptures, monuments, fountains and other structures which are components of Skopje's publicly funded makeover.

Construction workers started laying the foundations on Wednesday for the giant observation wheel that will stand on top of a bridge on the Vardar River in central Skopje.

The Skopje 'eye' will have a diameter of 57 meters. Along with the pedestrian bridge on which it will stand, the entire structure will be 73 metres high.

Macedonia's ruling party has built itself a grandiose new headquarters in Skopje.