Located
on shores of the lake, Ohrid is a city where you can find at the same time, a place
for relaxation and also a place where you can be in touch with the history. This
is a place where you can enjoy the nature, and where you can feel the past beginning
from the ancient times.
Ohrid
is a city in the south-west part of the Republic of Macedonia. It is the
largest city on Lake Ohrid with over 42,000 inhabitants
In
ancient times the city was known under the name Lychnidus, probably
meaning "city of light", from the word lychnidos, meaning
"a precious stone that emits light". By the Middle ages the town was
no longer called Lychnidos but was referred to by the assimilated native people
as Ohrid, possibly from the Slavic words vo hrid, meaning
"on the hill", as the ancient town of Lychnidos was at the top of the
hill.
Today,
the old town is located on the very same hill. At the top of the hill is famous Samuil’s
Fortress, built in the 4th century B.C. From the top of this fortress there is
a beautiful view of Ohrid and the Lake.
Going
down the hill you can see The Upper Gate. Just nearby of the Upper Gate is the
Ancient Theatre built in 200 BC.
All
across the old town there are many historic churches. According to the legend, there
were 365 chapels within the town boundaries, one for every day of the year. Today
this number is significantly smaller, nut nevertheless they are significant as
they were in the past.
You can
visit The Church of St. Sophia, built during the First Bulgarian
Empire, after the official conversion to Christianity. Some sources date
the building of the church during the rule of Knyaz Boris I (852 –
889). Another famous church is Saint John the Theologian, Kaneo or
simply Saint John at Kaneo situated on the cliff over Kaneo Beach
overlooking Lake Ohrid in the city of Ohrid and built before the
year 1447. A church famous for its frescos is the Holy Mary
Perivlepta Church.
Plaošnik
is an archaeological site and holy place in Ohrid, 250 meters below Samuil's
Fortress. The whole complex is consisting of the Church of Saint Clement
of Ohrid, together with several surrounding objects. The church was built
by St.Clement in 893 year on the foundation of an early Christian
basilica, and dedicated to St.Panteleimon. It was here that the Ohrid
Literary School, a center of Slavonic literary and cultural activity where it
was educated more than 3,500 disciples. St. Clement was buried in this
monastery, in the tomb which was built by his own hands.
Ohrid
was also a the center of Christianity for all Slavs, an archbishopric seat, a
seat of schools and universities, the first ones in this region. Because of
that, the city is called a "Jerusalem of the Balkans"
As
a part of the old town there are some famous buildings, like The Robevi
House (today a museum) and many other beautiful houses.
At
the end of the old town is the Lower Gate.
Outside
the old town is the Ohrid Bazaar, that runs from the lake shore until the 1000
years old historic Chinar Tree. The old Bazaar is full with restaurants, shops
and stores.
Although
the city is full with history, you can also enjoy the beauty of nature, lake
and a pleasant climate. You can try some Macedonian and local food, like famous
Ohrid fish soup and grilled Ohrid trout.
You
can enjoy the lake at the nearby beaches like Kaneo beach, but also at the
beaches further south in small villages like Peštani and Lagadin.
During
the summer there are some interesting events, like:
-Ohrid Summer Festival, annual theater
and music festival from July to August
-Ohrid Choir Festival, annual
international choir festival at the end of August
-The Balkan Festival of Folk Songs and
Dances, annual folklore music and dance festival at the beginning of July
-Balkan music square festival, music
festival in August in which ethnic musicians from the whole Balkan peninsular
participate
There
is a nearby international airport, Ohrid Airport (now known as
"St. Paul the Apostle Airport") that is open all year round.