Ohrid

Sitting on Plaošnik next to St Pantaleon is a church in ruins, built in the 5th century. It is important as an architectural solution since it has a four-leaf shape. Central solutions like this were built in Syria and Mesopotamia and they became customary much later in Europe, in the 10th century. It shows that Ohrid had great ties with the early Christian centres and that there was an exchange of artists and minds. It has a three-leaf shape on the outside and four-leaf on the inside, and it had a large dome in the centre (notice the 4 huge basis of columns). There is also a small baptistry to the right with a four-leafed shape with some excellent mosaics.

These two small neighbouring churches were built in the 14th century with dormitories around them which were used as quarantine stations for visitors of the city. After the coming of the Turks, they were turned into hospitals. That is where the name "Bolnički" comes from (bolnica means hospital). Saint Nicholas Bolnički was built in 1313. The small addition on the roof was influenced by Adriatic architecture and it imitates the bell-towers of the churches on the Adriatic coast. The frescoes are in decent condition and include interesting portraits of some royals, of Saint Nicholas and of an Ohrid archbishop. Look for the fresco of God’s hand protecting the pure souls inside a tiny window. Saint Mary Bolnička's frescoes are in poorer condition. Even though the church is tiny there is a transverse vault, so the roof is in the shape of a cross.

This small, well-hidden church, built in the 14th century, is just a few steps away from the Bolnički churches, in the heart of the old town. The church is historically important since it is here that the bones of St. Clement were hidden after the Turks took the city and converted Saint Pantaleon to a mosque. It also has well-preserved frescoes. The church is locked; ask around the neighbouring houses for the key.

This 14th-century church in the old town is notable for being perhaps the only two-nave church in the country. Its oldest frescoes date from the 14th century, but the church was mostly repainted in the 19th century by notable artists from the Debar area.

Built of stone and limestone, this church was completed in 1860. While still not completely painted on the interior, the existing frescoes were done by noted artist Dičo Krstev.

This church, dating to the 17th century, sits just above the main shopping street of the Old Bazaar in the centre of town. Most of the present structure was built in 1832. It has a single dome and contains impressive frescoes. The town's small 16th-century clock tower is nearby.

A cave church and ancient Christian basilica right off the A3 highway to Struga. Archaeological excavations suggest the oldest portions of the site date from the 8th century.

The Church of Saint Nicholas is in the newer part of town on Partizanska Street, one block north of the lake. It was built in 1863 and has been expanded over the years.

In Ohrid's upper neighborhoods is this 1834-built church. Some of its frescoes date from this period, while its bell tower was built in 1950.

This small church was built in 1965 but looks like it was built centuries ago.

While Ohrid is known for its churches, it also has mosques, including this one from the Ottoman era. Located on the main pedestrian street of the Old Bazaar, the mosque was built in the 15th century. It has a rather simple design with one large dome and three smaller ones above the porch. It originally had at least one minaret but no longer has one. Reconstruction of the minaret, paid for by the Turkish government, was started in 2018 but drew protest. Nonetheless, it was completed and the renovated mosque now sits fully illuminated at night.

A tekje is a place of spiritual retreat in the Bektashi Order, a type of Sufi Islam. Dating from 1590, the tekje is situated north of the square with the 1,000-year-old tree. It belonged to the Halvet dervish order. The building is square in shape with one minaret. The mausoleum of Muhammad Hayati, who was the founder of this dervish order, can be found in the yard of the complex. The tekje was renovated with Turkish funding in 2012.

This house was built in the early 19th century and, in 1830, writer Grigor Prličev was born in it. It has served as a museum on the writer's life and work since 2000.

Hristo Uzunov was born in this house in 1878. He would go on to be the leader of the Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization's Ohrid region until his suicide upon being surrounded by Ottoman forces in 1905 near Kičevo. This house was built in the mid-19th century and was owned by the Uzunov family until they left Ohrid in 1906.

Mesokastro is the quarter right above the old bazaar, between the bazaar and the city walls. The name originates from the Latin term “meco castrum”, which means the city outside the city walls, where the poor used to live. The term has survived since ancient times. The houses of Mesokastro have incorporated parts of the city walls and in some parts they are not visible. If you have time, walk around, since there are a couple of old houses still standing, and some of the streets offer great views over the lake.

Start the walk to Kaneo from St. Sophia church. You can reach it from Plaoshnik but you would miss out on the great views and the quiet streets of Ohrid. Kaneo settlement was the quarter of the poor fishermen. This is the most scenic spot of Ohrid, standing below the rock on which St. Jovan Kaneo church is situated. There is a small beach that is busy in the summer, and a couple of restaurants.

This is the only Hellenistic theatre remaining in North Macedonia, with the three other ancient theatres being from Roman times. Built in 200 BC, it was discovered by accident in the 1980s. It originally had an upper portion but only the lower portion is preserved. Today, it once again functions as a theatre, frequently used during Ohrid's Summer Festival. The theatre has a great open view of Lake Ohrid.

Within the complex of the Church of Saint Mary Perivleptos, this gallery contains some of the best examples of the iconographic art in North Macedonia. It is considered to be the second-most important and valuable collection of icons in the world after the Moscow collection.

Uncovered in 2009, these ruins are of an early Christian basilica, dating to the 4th or 5th century. The ruins include well-preserved floor mosaics as well as pillars and some walls. The site is situated near the Church of Saint Sophia.

Ohrid's clock tower is less prominent than others in cities like Bitola, Prilep, or Skopje. Nonetheless, it is a historic structure built in 1726. Standing 12 m (39.4 ft) tall, it sits up into the hill under the eastern side of the fortress near the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. The tower is built of stone, while the top section, including where the clock sits, is built of wood.

Established in 1516 making it one of the oldest museums in the world. Now it shows exponents of history, archaeology and ethnology.

Watch paper being made from wood pulp using traditional methods, also copy of the original Gutenberg press. Line drawings and colour prints can be purchased, printed on their own paper.

Excellent photo exhibition(s). Here they provide tourist information, tour guides, maps of the city, and books in English.

This early Ottoman-era mosque is likely Ohrid's oldest, built in 1456. It is located in the city's northwest side toward Struga, and features a pitched roof and a single minaret.

Beautiful mosque with a cross on the minaret.

This 14th-century cave church sits below the village of Šipokno and above the lakefront hotels Sileks, Aura, and Aqualina. The church was built into the natural cave and its frescoes date from the 14th century, though heavily damaged. The elevated position of the cave church gives it nice views over the lake.

In a small bay near the Gradište campground and beach, a Neolithic settlement has been reconstructed atop the water along with fortifications and a museum on land. The floating town contains reconstructed prehistoric homes with various objects inside them to help illustrate what life was like at this spot many years ago. Archaeological evidence suggests Lake Ohrid was once rich in these pile-dwelling settlements. Since opening in 2008, it has become one of Ohrid's most popular attractions. The site also features a scuba diving centre. The museum is easily accessed off the highway leading to Saint Naum and boats from Ohrid's port also make stops here.

Among Ohrid's most significant churches but not as well known due to its secluded location; the church can be reached only by boat from Trpejca or Ljubaništa villages. Ask around to find someone to take you. It was built on a stunning location among the rocks on a small beach in 1299, while its frescoes were completed in 1361. The church is dedicated to the Holy Mother of God and there is an interesting legend regarding the name and reason for the monastery's construction. As this spot is near the deepest area of Ohrid Lake, many had tried to determine the depth of the lake from here. One day, a woman of nobility tried to do the same when suddenly violent waves began to attack her, causing her to pray to God to save her while promising to build a monastery on the spot to be "for the mind" (Za Um) of her and all future visitors to not test the lake and attempt to record its depth. The architecture is exquisite, but the frescoes inside are very impressive, the most striking of which is that of Saint Anna breastfeeding the Holy Mother. Restoration work is regularly carried out. Some visitors bring tents and camp on the grounds for days, though dormitories have been rebuilt and can now be used for lodging.

One of the most beautiful monasteries in Macedonia and an important pilgrimage place, this monastery is a must-see when visiting Ohrid. Most visitors make this a half-day or full-day trip. With a breathtaking setting on a plateau over Ohrid Lake and Galičica mountain towering from behind, it was founded in the 905 by Saint Naum, but most of the present-day church was built in the 16th century. Of the original church, just the side chapel with the grave of Saint Naum still stands. In the side chamber, visitors typically get down on their knees and try to listen for the heartbeat of Saint Naum on his resting place. The frescoes were painted in 1806 (the side chapel frescoes depict the life and miracles of St. Naum); in the first chamber of the church look for the fresco of Saints Cyril and Methodius and their students including Saint Clement and Saint Naum. The icon screen was made in 1711 and it is the oldest completely preserved wooden high icon screen in the country. Around the monastery grounds look for the peacocks, including rare albino ones. Parts of the dormitories of the monastery have been turned into a guest lodging. Near the monastery is a chapel dedicated to Saint Petka with holy water and beside it are the springs of the Black Drim River. Next to the monastery, the river enters the lake. On both sides of the monastery there are pleasant sandy beaches, packed in summertime. At the entrance from the parking lot to the sprawling monastery grounds is a promenade with souvenir shops and restaurants.

Immediately next to the monastery is the source of the Black Drim River. This river begins here, flows through the entire lake, and flows back out in Struga, ultimately flowing into Albania past Debar. The springs contain small two islands, one of which is home to a popular restaurant. Tour boats available for hire take visitors around the springs.

On the slopes of Galičica is this small 15th-century church. Its frescoes were painted between 1444 and 1451 in a style considered a typical example of church art during Ottoman rule. Its courtyard contains the village's cemetery.

One of the last traces of volcanic activity in this area, Duvalo is both a fumarole and a mofetta (emitting carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide). It is often incorrectly referred to as an actual volcano. The smell of sulfur is immediately evident upon entering the village, which sits on the way to Resen from Ohrid.

It's a small, stony beach that is not crowded. The water is clear and refreshing. Best time to go is in the morning.

Probably the best beach on Ohrid Lake. The beach is long and sandy with usually clean water. There are a lot of people, but you can't feel that since the beach is really large. Best time to go is after 18:00. A sunset you won't forget.

This is maybe the most beautiful beach on the coast, it's covered with small pebbles and cut between deep rocks. Unfortunately it can get very crowded, so come here in early morning or late afternoon. If you visit Ohrid off-season this is the place to come and enjoy a great swim. There is a small cafe on the beach where one might also get some snacks and ice cream or rent beach beds. Walking along the coast from the city centre to this beach is scenic, even more past it, and takes about 1½ hr. The presidential Villa Ohrid, where the Balkan's Peace Framework was signed, is in the woods nearby.

The Ohrid Summer Festival is one of the largest and most important music and drama festivals in North Macedonia. The first concert took place in 1961 in the church of St. Sophia, with its exceptional acoustics. The festival in Ohrid has a particular international flavour because of the participation of a large number of leading musicians and ensembles from the best known European and world music centres. There have been participants from 44 countries. This Festival has a solid reputation as it has gradually become part of the large family of the most famous European music festivals. The Ohrid Summer Festival has its own sound conceptions, and it is able to draw up a musical program that includes artists of world renown. This festival is held each year from July 12 to August 20.

This electronic dance music festival first began in the early 2010s and has grown each year, drawing some of the biggest names in the genre such as David Guetta, Afrojack, Martin Garrix, and others. It runs for a few days at Biljanini Izvori Stadium around the Ilinden national holiday (August 2). Promotional posters for the event can be seen throughout the country and tickets usually start around 1,000 denars.

If you like to have your morning coffee at the city centre, enjoying the view of the lake, you better find the small authentic coffee shop named "Galerija". It is one of the oldest coffee shops in the city. Enjoy in the lake view and the city at the same time.