Ohrid, North Macedonia

Ohrid, North Macedonia

30.04.2021

Ohrid, North Macedonia

FASCINATING FACTS YOU DID NOT KNOW ABOUT OHRID

 

Wrapped up with the mountains of North Macedonia, three hours outside the capital city of Skopje, Ohrid is the perfect spot for your next adventure.

When talking about North Macedonia, Ohrid is one of the must-see locations. Rich in culture and history, it is a place whom you will always be coming back to! Ohrid is a place where you could walk through centuries. The old settlement has a spirit of middle age in Balkan`s style with unique architecture and art. Exploring around the charming old town until you find the Hellenistic-type Ancient Theatre, built-in 200 BC and still hosting concerts and performances in summer.

 

Jerusalem of the Balkans

Ohrid is known for once having 365 churches, one for each day of the year, and has been referred to as a "Jerusalem of the Balkans". Ohrid’s churches and their architecture span more than two millennia, but this is just one of the reasons why UNESCO recognizes this enchanting city.

The most important churches today are:

  • Saint Sofia Church, known as Ohrid`s cathedral, was turned into a mosque, and since 1912. It is an orthodox church again.

  • Saint Jovan`s Church – one the most beautiful viewpoints and the main symbol of Ohrid

  • Saint Naum could be reached by car, but for the full experience, you should take a boat ride without any doubt!

Ohrid Lake is a North Macedonian sea – with nice beaches, warm water, hot summer days & chill nights, clean water, and secrets beneath its surface.

Ohrid Pearls – forever lasting

When visiting Ohrid, make sure that you would not pass by Filevi I Tanev families – only families in the world that know the secret formula for special forever-lasting pearls!

Back in 1927. Russian soldier came to Ohrid lake, which was similar to the lake in his homeland. There was something in common – both lakes were rich in fish plasica. He revealed them a secret – pearls made of multiple layers of scales making small balls and covering them with at least eight coats of emulsion whose recipe stayed a mystery. Each coat is drying out for an hour, and each pearl costs around 5€. Filevi I Tanev families claim that the duration of regular pearls is around 150 years, and the duration of Ohrid pearls is eternal.

By today, secret recipes are being alive for 4 generations.

 

Dive into the war

If you want to have closer look at ages behind us, take a boat and be prepared to dive in the lake. Located around 1000 meters from the coast, there are shipwrecks from WWI. We still do not have detailed information, but it is believed that these ships are used for the transport of large cargo. Most probably, there are 7 ships – 2 main and 5 auxiliaries. The diving club will continue this research with archeologists and they hope that it will be protected as an archeological site.

Also, the bottom of this lake keeps an old British airplane from WWII, prehistoric settlements, sunken ships from the Great War, large crab colonies, and underwater reliefs.