OHRID

Ohrid Ohrid is unique, beautiful and well worth the effort to visit. Clustered in the north - east shore of Lake Ohrid at an altitude of 695 m/2280ft. This is undoubtedly the most beautiful and most attractive Macedonian town, with a pearl of old architecture and a treasury of valuable cultural and historical monuments. It is the town which is always in the focus of interest with every visitor of Macedonia.

This town and the lake will delight not only the recluse and natural lover, but also the historian and antiquarian. The town is a cultural and educational centre. Here, St. Kliment of Ohrid laid the foundation of the first Macedonian University, where 3500 students were educated. It was in this town that Kliment of Ohrid established the Archbishopric of Ohrid.
Samuilo's Fortress In the 10th and 11th century's, Ohrid became the capital of the Macedonia Tsar Samuel, the walls of the fortress, 16 meters high, still survive, and now concert operas and plays are given within them each summer. Situated under Samuel's fortress are the remains of an old classical theatre from the second and first centuries B.C. There also is the Polyconhous Basilica with its valuable mosaics dating from the second half of the 5th century A.D. The monastery of St. Kliment is located in the old part of the town. Its church houses the tomb of St. Kliment of Ohrid. In addition to the beautiful frescoes in the church, there is a rich collection of many Ohrid icons. St Jovan Bogoslov The church of St. Jovan of the Kaneo was erected in the 13th century on the cliff overhanging lake Ohrid. In the old town centre, also near the lake, is the famous Cathedral of St. Sofia, containing some magnificent frescoes from the 10th century.

Today St. Sofia is the venue for the Ohrid Summer Festival concerts, and its courtyard is used for theatrical performances in the same festival. The House of Robevi, an exquisite example of old Macedonia architecture, houses the museums of the town of Ohrid. The monastery of St. Naum
(9th century) is situated at the southern end of the lake, in the striking natural environment.

Especially during the summer, Ohrid is a centre of several cultural events. The most widely acclaimed is the International Ohrid Summer festival of music and drama, in which large numbers of famous artists from all over the world participate each year from 12th July to 20th August. The Balkan Folklore Festival and the Festival of Macedonian Old Town Songs are also held here. Ohrid has been host to the participants of the Macedonian Language, Literature and Cultural Seminar for more than 25 years.

The town of Ohrid and lake Ohrid have been placed under the protection of UNESCO as an outstanding environment.

Click on the image to view a map of Ohrid.

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