Ohrid, the 'pearl of Macedonia' on one of the oldest and deepest lakes in the world. Positioned on the Via Egnatia at a crossroads with the route north to the capital Skopje.
Tsar Samouil's fortress in Ohrid once the center of a vast Bulgarian Empire. There are 365 churches and holy sites around the lake, one for each day of the year. The city has a long Christian tradition. St Sophia was built as a cathedral, converted to a mosque in the Ottoman Era and now church again. St Panteleimon pictured is a special building, once monastery, built by St Clement who assigned St Panteleimon as its patron saint. This center of learning of the new cyrillic alphabet (created to translate the bible into a Slavic language) is regarded as the 'first university' of its kind in Europe. The Roman Theatre is still used as a modern entertainment place.
Bitola is reached following sections of the VE. Leaving Resen a lonely cobblestone road leads to the Diavato pass via 'skirtiana' a Roman scissors shaped crossroad. A small church stands at the top of the pass. Bitola is a busy center and the Ottoman clock tower is a focal point. It gave the exact hours for the muezzins to sign their call for prayer.
Tsar Samouil's fortress in Ohrid once the center of a vast Bulgarian Empire. There are 365 churches and holy sites around the lake, one for each day of the year. The city has a long Christian tradition. St Sophia was built as a cathedral, converted to a mosque in the Ottoman Era and now church again. St Panteleimon pictured is a special building, once monastery, built by St Clement who assigned St Panteleimon as its patron saint. This center of learning of the new cyrillic alphabet (created to translate the bible into a Slavic language) is regarded as the 'first university' of its kind in Europe. The Roman Theatre is still used as a modern entertainment place.
Bitola is reached following sections of the VE. Leaving Resen a lonely cobblestone road leads to the Diavato pass via 'skirtiana' a Roman scissors shaped crossroad. A small church stands at the top of the pass. Bitola is a busy center and the Ottoman clock tower is a focal point. It gave the exact hours for the muezzins to sign their call for prayer.
Wow Dad, this place is amazing!!! Absolutely stunning
ReplyDeleteOhrid is a special place. Refreshing climate on the Lakeside and dramatic scenery. Travelling away from the lake the terrain is demanding and even desolate in parts
ReplyDeleteThe snow in the Diviato Pass was knee deep in places when I was there in January. I'd love to return to Macedonia in the spring. :)
ReplyDeleteThis place looks lovely
ReplyDeletebeautiful snow-capped mountains across the lake!
ReplyDeleteLooks so beautiful. I've already felt drawn to stay there for a few days when I walk later this year.
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