Ohrid (Macedonia): what to see


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What to see in Ohrid, itinerary including the main monuments and places of interest in this ancient city of Macedonia, located on the shores of the lake of the same name, including the Monastery of San Pantaleone and the Cathedral of Saint Sophia.


Tourist information

Located on the shores of Lake Ohrid in Macedonia, Ohrid retains many testimonies of the past, it also stands in a natural environment of extraordinary beauty.

The city is famous for the presence of ancient churches and monasteries, places where San Clemente and San Naum, who were pupils of Cyril and Methodius, wrote their teachings and invented the Cyrillic alphabet, still used today in many Slavic states.


Very interesting to visit is the Monastery of San Pantaleone, where according to archaeologists the first students of the Glagolitic alphabet were formed, the oldest Slavic alphabet known, used for the translation of the Bible and other sacred texts in ancient Slavic ecclesiastical.

This monastery stands on the Plaosnik hill, in a dominant position with respect to Lake Ohrid.

According to many archaeologists, Clemente himself designed and built the monastery, on the site of a Roman basilica, of which some remains are still visible on the outside, where there are also portions of numerous mosaics and the baptismal font used to baptize the disciples .


What see

The historic center of Ohrid can be divided into two parts, a large cobbled street full of bars and souvenir shops and an older part characterized by ancient churches and monasteries.

The Ancient Theater, the Church of the Holy Mother of God and the mosque of Ali Pasha deserve to be remembered.

Among the most important religious buildings to visit is the Cathedral of Santa Sofia, built in 1035 at the behest of Archbishop Lav, on the site of a late Roman basilica.


The facade, comprising two bell towers, dates back to 1317, while the side portal was added in the Ottoman period, when the church became a mosque.

Inside there are many 11th century frescoes, in excellent condition, including the fresco depicting the angels kneeling in front of the Madonna.

Recommended readings
  • Skopje (Macedonia): what to see in the capital
  • Ohrid (Macedonia): what to see
  • Macedonia: useful information

Noteworthy are the altars on the right side, decorated with portraits of the patriarchs of Constantinople, Antioch and Jerusalem, as well as those of various popes.

On the left is the fresco that recalls the martyrdom of the 40 Roman soldiers condemned to die from freezing, as they refused to deny their Christian faith.

In front of the church there is a small square built on the site where the ancient Roman forum was located.

Things to See and Do in Ohrid, Macedonia (February 2024)


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