Modernization of a rumelian city: Skopje 1839-1912

Abstract

This article examines the period of modernization of the city of Skopje located in the center of the Balkan Peninsula following the 1839 Declaration of Tanzimat Reforms in the Ottoman Empire. The focus is on Skopje's advances and transformations since that time. Effort was made to determine how and to what extent the urban texture of Skopje might have changed under migratory, historical, socio-economic influences and political structure, and by evaluating the scalable plans that had been developed at different time periods. Some of the developments in socialization and urbanization in the city of Skopje appear to have started in the 18th Century prior to the Ottoman Reforms. The development of Skopje continued until mid-19th Century as its population increased, and it became a center of attraction from social and economics viewpoints. With the Ottoman declaration of the Reform Edict (1856) following the Crimean War (1856), Skopje received increasing requests from various European markets, which promoted the livelihood in the city to a great extent, thus starting a new era. Over roughly a 20-year period, very important initiatives were implemented, such as the establishment of a contemporary municipality, a telegraph system, a railroad line, and the appearance of new types of buildings and activities. In addition, very important steps were taken to promote modernization. The Bosnian Crisis of 1875 and the 1876-1878 Ottoman-Russia War have led to restlessness in the region and slowing down of trade, leading to waves of migration from the lost lands toward the city of Skopje. The flux of new migrants led to the opening of new settlement areas and new residential districts, emerging as novel modifying elements in the city's texture and living style. The most significant change in the city took place in 1888, when the City of Skopje became the capital of the Province of Kosovo. Under the guidance of two successful administrators, expansive construction projects were completed involving roads, bridges, imposing new buildings for military, legal, social, cultural, economics and religious use. The city of Skopje as the capital of an Ottoman province located in a sensitive region has clearly benefited to a significant extent from the constructional development initiatives of the Empire aimed at developing the region. The changes in Skopje's physical structure continued until the Ottoman Empire abandoned the city in 1912.