After more than 50 years without serious intervention, the municipality of Čair has begun reconstructing Skopje's Old Bazaar. The project, valued at 28.75 million denars (roughly EUR 470,000), covers Samardziska Street and five smaller streets.

The cobblestones will be replaced with travertine stone, underground infrastructure will be modernized, and new lighting and urban furniture will be installed. The work is being carried out by "Lendi Group DOOEL Skopje" under supervision from "Urban Style Engineering." No completion deadline has been announced.

Mayor Vildan Medžiti called it "the biggest infrastructure renewal of the Old Bazaar." The craftsmen, on the other hand, fear the new look will push rents up. The authentic spirit of the Bazaar - the blacksmiths, saddlers, tanners - depends on whether the craftsmen can afford to stay. Travertine without craftsmen is just a promenade.