Sacred architecture from that period was based on Byzantine architecture, however it acquired its distinctive features through the participation of the domestic builders. During Byzantine times, churches with purely Byzantine forms were built such as: the church St. Pantelejmon in the village Nerezi, Skopje district (in 1164.), which has the form of a cross with 5 domes, the basilica St. Nikola in the village Manastir (in 1098), the one-naval church St. Gorgi in the village Kurbinovo, Prespa (in 1191), the church St. Nikola in Prilep Varos (in 1299), as well as the monastery Treskavec near Prilep. Towards the end of 13th century the church Mother of God Peribleptos in Ohrid was built (in 1295), currently known as St. Climent, built in the form of a cross with one dome and with decorative stone and brick fasade. In 14th century Macedonia was conquered by Serbia and many churches were refurbished and re-built with a central dome.

Such churches are: St. Nikita (1307), Ljuboten (1337), the two churches in Skopska Crna Gora, Lesnovo (1341), Psaca (1358), the church Zaum (1361) on the eastern coast of Lake Ohrid and Marko's Monastery in the suburbs of Skopje. Apart from the ones mentioned, quite impressive are the churches with 5 domes such as St. Gorgi in the village Staro Nagoricani (1313) and the monastery Matejce, both near Kumanovo. In the same period a few one-naval churches were also built such as: St. Nikola Bolnicki in Ohrid and St. Dimitria in Veles. All of these churches have external decorations i.e. picturesque fasades with ceramic ornaments.

When Macedonia fell under the Turks, secular architecture was declining. The churches built were one-naval, made of crushed stone, with cylinder arches and simple exterior.

           The defense architecture in Macedonia was well developed. Some parts have been found and preserved. The fortified towns were built in remote places, surrounded by strong walls strengthened with forts of the rulers or noblemen. Such are: Kale in Skopje, Samuil Fortress in Ohrid, the town Strez in Demir Kapia, Marko's Towers near Prilep, Czar's Towers in Strumica, Hisar in Stip etc. When Macedonia fell under the Othoman Empire, the appearence of the towns started to change. The towns acquired their oriental appearence with the newly built buildings such as: mosques, mausoleums, medresas (Moslem secondary schools), lodges, covered market places, aqueducts, fountains, clock towers etc. Every building had its special appearence, depending on its use, and distinctive to the Islamic architecture of the Ottoman School of Architecture. The most famous mosques are: Isac Bey Mosque, Pied Mosque (1438), Gazi Isa Bey Mosque (1475), and Mustafa Pasha Mosque (1492). Hamams were built in most Macedonian towns, divided into two parts - for men and women. Daut Pasha Hamam in Skopje, Cifte Hamam in Bitola, Deboj Hamam in Struga as well as the hamams in Ohrid, Tetovo etc. exist even today.

Significant monuments are the preserved covered market places in Stip, Bitola; the Clock Towers in Skopje, Bitola, Strumica; the aqueduct in Skopje as well as the bridges in Krusevo and the Stone Bridge in Skopje.

The city houses were very functional, and the inside space was rationally used. The houses were divided into a lounge, bedrooms adjusted to the climate conditions, and there were also summer and winter dwellings. Great attention was paid to the fasade. Quite distinctive is the "erker" architecture, protracted frames and wooden layers. Best examples of such houses are the ones that can be found in Ohrid, Krusevo, Veles, Tetovo, Debar and Kratovo.

                 In 19th century, a great deal of churches were built (St. Dimitar and St. Bogorodica in the Stip district, 1850, St. Pantelejmon in Veles, 1840). Monastery compounds with lodgings for monks and parishioners, with churches in the middle were also built (St. Jovan Bigorski, St. Archangel in Prilep Varos, Marko's Monastery in Skopje, St. Naum on the coast of Lake Ohrid etc.). Other public buildings for the Turkish Administration were also built. These buildings reflect European classicism. The splendid architectonic buildings from 18th and 19th century were creations of the domestic masters and builders from the School of Debar.