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Photo: This illustration was made by Rašo. An email to Rašo would be appreciated too., CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
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.
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Самуилова тврдина
The fortress sits like a crown above the old town. It was built in the 10th century when Ohrid was capital of the First Bulgarian Empire by Tsar Samuel, though it was likely built upon foundations of an older fortification dating to the 4th century BC. With its positioning at the top of the Ohrid hill, it provides expansive views of the town, the lake, and the mountains.
Антички амфитеатар
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.
Црква „Св. Јован Канео“
This 14th century church is best known for its scenic location, standing on a cliff above Lake Ohrid, likely making it the most photographed of the town's churches. Notable about its architecture is the Armenian influence with the zigzag line of the roof of the dome. There are only a few original frescoes left inside the small church. A popular beach is situated just below the church.
Црква „Св. Климент и Пантелејмон“
Situated on the wider archaeological site of Plaošnik, the site has been an important religious centre since early Christian times, if not before. It is the site of the first university in Europe, opened in the 10th century and is the place where the Cyrillic alphabet was created. The church you see is largely a reconstruction of the church Saint Clement built when he came here and opened the university. The original portions of the church are easily distinguished from the reconstructed portions. Inside, some original tunnels are visible via plexiglass. When Saint Clement established the church, just the small round chapel that today serves as the altar existed. Because of the large influx of worshipers that followed him, he enlarged the church by building the central part and turning the existing church into an altar chapel. He dedicated the church to Saint Pantaleon (also spelled Panteleimon), the protector of health. The closed porch and the bell tower were added later in the 13th century. Before St. Clement died, he dug his own grave inside the church. During early Ottoman rule, the Turks tore the church down after a rebellion. It still attracted a large number of worshipers and pilgrims, so they built a mosque above it which stands only in ruins today.