Ohrid Region

Lake Ohrid is one of the oldest lakes in Europe and home to many endemic fauna species. Human settlement arrived early too, the city of Ohrid has been a cultural centre of great importance for the Balkan. Its churches are renowned for their frescoes and icons.

The site was first inscribed in 1979 only as a natural heritage, although IUCN advised deferral and no clear reasons for the site's natural merits were given. Inscription based on cultural criteria was added in 1980.

Year Decision Comments
1980ExtendedTo include Cultural + Historic area
1979DeferredBureau - IUCN + ICOMOS both unhappy about integrity etc
1979 Inscribed Reasons for inscription

Reviews

George Vaughan (Wales):
Ohrid town has much of architectural interest and there is a lot of attractive scenery around the lake. Bear in mind, though, that it is also a major tourist resort - more so for Macedonians that others - with all that entails. There is some distinctive domestic architecture in the town, although this is rather limited and the principal interest is in the churches and their frescoes. There are many but St. Sophia, for its size and age, and St. John, Kaneo, for its site above the lake are arguably two of the best. (It is also worth mentioning that other such churches are dotted around Macedonia, e.g. Nerezi near Skopje.)

If there are a few too many tourists in and around Ohrid, drive over the mountain road (with good views of both lakes) to Lake Prespa, rather wilder and much less developed but with some interesting villages (such as Brajcino and Maloviste) and churches (e.g. Kurbinovo) within easy reach.
Date posted: July 2006
Ana (Australia):
I have been to Ohrid many times and i must tell you it is the best place to be. It lake looks like dazzeling beads in the sun and the city reminds you of the olden days. Not all the city is old. Part of it has a new landscape to it. There are many beautiful churches there with millions of Byzantine-style icons. Trust me, you will love it if you go there!
Date posted: April 2006


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