Minister of Culture Elizabeta Kanceska-Milevska and the mayor of Skopje, Koce Trajanovski opened Tuesday a permanent exhibition at the Museum of the Skopje Old Bazaar.

In the Old Bazaar museum, 340 items are displayed, including 328 ethnological items, photographs, large paintings, coins, which have been discovered at the Skopje Old Bazaar and the Fortress.

Minister Kanceska-Milevska said that the invaluable collection of artifacts was displayed at the museum to tell the story of the old bazaar in a historical context.

"The new museum collection is another successful project aiming at revitalising the Skopje Old Bazaar. I believe it will provoke the citizens of Skopje and visiting tourists to come to the museum," the minister noted.

The new museum collection contains several segments that showcase the growth and development of the old bazaar.

The archaeological section includes items from the Middle Ages up to the Ottoman period, giving an image on the bazaar's life and the diverse trade and cultural ties.

The historical part is comprised of photographs, maps and plans depicting the establishment, development and life in the bazaar.

The ethnological section presents the bazaar's life through its most dominant crafts, trade and hospitality.

The display is accompanied by artworks inspired by the bazaar, created by the first generation of Macedonian contemporary painters and current ones.

"Since its establishment, the museum is in charge of presenting, nourishing and preserving the tangible and spiritual culture of the Skopje Old Bazaar, one of the largest and most beautiful old bazaars in the Balkans," said mayor Trajanovski.

The premises for the museum collection were renovated and adapted in 2011 and 2012.

Established in 1983, the Museum of the Skopje Old Bazaar operates under the Museum of the City of Skopje and is situated in Suli Han.