Suli An (Suli Inn), Skopje

A historic monument of the 15^th century

The famous ruler Ishak Bey built numerous monumental buildings in Skopje, among which Suli An, his caravanserai, is certainly one of the most magnificent buildings of the first half of the 15th century.

The caravanserai is erected on a square foundation with a square yard in the middle. The building material used for its construction is the same as the one used in the construction of the other caravanserais in Skopje. It has a ground floor and one upper floor. The rooms at the ground floor, protected with the thick walls of the building, were used for accommodating cattle, while the upper floor accommodated travellers.

During the 16th century, however, the function of the inn changed. The rooms on both floors were converted into shops, most of which belonged to Jewish traders.

During the disastrous earthquake of 1963, the caravanserai was gravely damaged. After its restoration, its function was changed again. It now hosts the Academy of Fine Arts, a section of the City Museum of Skopje with exhibits related to the development of the Old Bazaar and the various trades and crafts therein, as well as the Gallery of Contemporary Art devoted to the Old Bazaar.

From Stara Skopska Carsija (The Old Skopje Bazaar) by Kosta Balabanov