King Marko’s Monastery

South of Skopje on the outskirts of an unassuming village called Markova Sušica, is the Markov Monastir. Built in 1346 by Marko, King of Serbia, this medieval monastery has remained remarkably unaffected by the passage of time.

Although Marko Mrnjavčević was technically king of all Serbia, most of the country was controlled by powerful noblemen who refused to recognize his sovereignty. In reality, King Marko ruled over only a small section of present-day Macedonia, with his capital at Prilep....