Skopje City Park Skopje’s Botanical Treasures: A Journey Through the City Park
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In the verdant expanse of the City Park, a myriad of plant species thrive, each contributing to the park’s rich biodiversity. Among them, the Ginkgo Tree and the Giant Sequoia stand out as the most rare and unique.

In the heart of Skopje, nestled between the bustling streets and the Vardar River, lies a gem of nature and history: the City Park. This verdant oasis, born in the early 20th century, has been a beacon of tranquility and beauty for over a century, transforming from a simple handicraft school’s garden to a sprawling urban retreat that now spans 454.413 square meters.
The City Park’s story begins in 1905 during the Ottoman rule of Macedonia, under the auspices of Skopje’s wali, Hafiz Mehmed Pasha, born in Baghdad. Inspired by the Handicrafts school “Islahane“, the park was envisioned as a geometric masterpiece, with meticulously planned paths and floral landscapes that would become the foundation of today’s City Park.
The park’s evolution is a testament to the city’s growth and the vision of its leaders. In the 1970s, a grand plan was unveiled, marking the beginning of significant changes. The park’s first major overhaul came in 2009, a transformation that not only expanded its physical boundaries but also enriched its ecological diversity.
In the verdant expanse of the City Park, a myriad of plant species thrive, each contributing to the park’s rich biodiversity. According to the cadastral review of 2019, there are 6.012 deciduous trees, 1.800 evergreen trees, 6.050 deciduous shrubs and 2.630 evergreen shrubs in the park.
Among them, the Ginkgo Tree and the Giant Sequoia stand out as the most rare and unique. It is worth highlighting that the Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba), is the last species of the long-extinct family (Ginkoaceae), a living fossil of 150 million years! On the other side, Giant Sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum) is said to be the largest living organism on the planet! It can reach 90 meters in height and 11 meters in diameter.
Among others, the Plane Tree, with its broad, oval leaves, stands out for its versatility and beauty. The Acacia, known for its distinctive, mottled bark and fragrant flowers, adds a touch of exotic charm to the park. The Linden, with its fragrant, white flowers and aromatic leaves, offers a soothing presence, while the Sourwood, with its edible fruits, adds a touch of the wild and natural.
