Skopje, the capital of the Republic of Macedonia, lies at the heart of the Balkan Peninsula. It has been under Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman dominion throughout its history. The Stone Bridge from the 15th century spans the Vardar River, linking the Ottoman-era Old Bazaar (Čaršija) on the north bank to the modern Macedonia Square in the south. The Skopje (Kale) Fortress, perched above the river, has been the city's sentinel for centuries.