Ohrid

Ohrid is a city in the western part of North Macedonia, situated on the eastern shore of Lake Ohrid near the border with Albania. It is the administrative center of Ohrid Municipality and a major destination for culture and tourism. Lake Ohrid is one of Europe’s oldest and deepest freshwater bodies, contributing to the region’s natural and scenic value.

The town has ancient roots and developed as a key center through the ancient, Roman, and Byzantine periods. In the medieval era it became an important Christian and educational center, home to the Ohrid Literary School, associated with Saints Clement and Naum and linked to the development of the Cyrillic and Glagolitic scripts. The hilltop fortress known as Tsarevgrad Samuil (Samoil’s Fortress) dominates the skyline and reflects the city’s historic strategic importance.

Ohrid is renowned for its historic churches, monasteries, and well-preserved old town. The Church of St. Sophia is a prominent 11th-century Byzantine structure and a symbol of the city. The Church of St. John at Kaneo overlooks the lake from a cliff, illustrating the town’s picturesque setting. The Plaošnik archaeological site nearby contains the rebuilt Church of the Holy Mother Perivlept(a) and related monastic remains, highlighting the city’s religious and educational heritage. The old bazaar and traditional architecture contribute to Ohrid’s cultural character.

Today, tourism, culture, and services sustain the local economy. Ohrid hosts events such as the Ohrid Summer Festival and remains a focal point for visitors seeking heritage, lakeside scenery, and Mediterranean-influenced cuisine. The area is served by Ohrid Airport and road connections to Skopje and other centers.