It is situated on the highest point in the city overlooking the Vardar River. The fortress is depicted on the coat of arms of Skopje, which in turn is incorporated in the city's flag.The first fortress was built in 6th century AD on a land that was inhabited during the Neolithic and Bronze ages (roughly 4000 BC onwards).The fortress is thought to have been built during the rule of emperor Justinian I and constructed further during the 10th and 11th centuries The fortress was partially destroyed yet again by an earthquake in 1963 but was not reconstructed until recently.