Ohrid and Lake Ohrid are the main tourist spots in Macedonia. Due to the large number of churches and monasteries, the city is known as the Balkan and European Jerusalem. Ohrid is also known as the "city of light" which is a literal translation of its old name, Lychnid. The Ohrid region is included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Modern Ohrid is the successor of the ancient Lychnid.
After we meet on the agreed spot, the transfer to Ohrid lasts about 3 hours. During the trip we shall pass through the National Park of Mavrovo and Make a stop in the 1000 years old monastery St. Jovan Bigorski and see its famous wood carving. The road will bring us in the most beautiful part of the country, along the river Radika, called “Macedonian Switzerland”, because of its beautiful nature, colours and villages all over the massifs of Korab and Bistra mountains.
After we arrive in Ohrid we shall go through the Gorna Porta, the gate to enter the ancient walls of the Fortress of Ohrid.
The first attraction we visit is the Church of Holy Mary Peryvleptos, from the 13th century, with its unique fresco painting. From there we will see the Ancient Theater, a roman theater from the 3rd century BC and then the Fortress of Samuel, an ancient construction and then the capitol of the Kingdom of King Samuel. From here, we shall visit Plaoshnik, archaeological site and holy place, where the church of St. Clement was built, in 893, on the foundation of an earlier Christian basilica. The cobblestone shall bring us to the St. Jovan Kaneo, a church from the 13 century, with the most magnificent view. The most famous view from the postcards from Ohrid!
The path will bring us to the lake, where we could make a short break for coffee or beer, on the very popular beach Potpesh. Going back through the typical houses of the Old Town we shall make a stop to visit the tremendous St. Sofija Church, with housing architecture and art from the Middle Ages. The current church was built on the foundations of a metropolitan cathedral demolished in the first decade of the 6th century.
After the tour we shall sit down in a very traditional Ohrid ethno restaurant, with nice hosts, who love to tell stories. They give the customers sometimes something to draw for them for memory and remembrance.
The last part of the tour begins with the visit of the Bay of Bones, the museum on water, an archeological complex and an authentic reconstruction of the pile dwelling settlement, dating back between 1200 and 700 BC. From here we will make a visit of the Sveti Naum Monastery, a place with beautiful fresco painting, rare beauty and tradition from the 9th century. The monastery is on the border with Albania, so we shall have a possibility to take a look at the Albanian town Pogradec.
This will be the perfect ending of this beautiful tour and we will head back to Skopje later in the afternoon.
This tour will bring you closer to our culture, history and religion.
Let’s meet Ohrid!
