Surroundings

Saint Naum monastery

The St. Naum Monastery (IX century ) is located on the southeast side of Lake Ohrid, 28 km from Ohrid in the immediate vicinity of the Macedonian-Albanian Border. Its building is linked to the name of St. Naum – the loyal disciple of the Slavic educators St. Cyril and Methodius. They founded in Ohrid one of the first Slavic University in Europe.

Towards the end of his life St. Naum choose the most picturesque locality on the Ohrid coast – real paradise on earth – to build the monastery which today is named after him – St. Naum, and was buried there in 910 AD. Among the local people there is a belief that the place is holy and sacred and that the ghost of St. Naum helps couples who have problems with having their own children.

The church is cruciform in a square space with a dome supported by four pillars. The tomb of St. Naum is located on the southern side in a separate chamber . In the church there are no preserved frescoes from the time of St. Naum. According to the inscriptions in the church itself, the frescoes were painted in 1806 by the fresco-painter Trpo, son of master Constantine from Korcha, Albania. Particularly impressive are the scenes from the life and miracle of St. Naum of Ohrid.

The iconostasis in the church was carved in 1711. The authors are unknown. They were influenced by the woodcarving traditions of Mount Athos and they created a genuine masterpiece. The icons of the iconostasis: “Crucifixion” and “Entrance into Jerusalem” are treated as one of the best achievements from the first part of XVIII century. Also there are two Cyrillic and one Glagolitic-Cyrilic inscriptions dating from the period between the late X and XII centuries. These inscriptions testify of the development of the oldest Slavic scripts Glagolitic and Cyrillic in the Ohrid region.

Precisely because of the respect towards history and tradition, and in order not to disturb this timeless beauty and harmony which here, in this holy place, seems to have reached its maximum, the “St. Naum” Hotel Complex with its traditional architecture completely melts in with the monastery ambient, but, still, with its rustic and at the same time luxurious interior offers top standards in accommodation and hotel services, which can please even the most selective guests.

The hotel has six wonderful traditional double bed rooms, 22 apartments with an unforgettable view of Lake Ohrid, a restaurant with capacity of 150 guests, a national restaurant “Ohrid Room” and a bar. Here new and exciting meals are created all the time, always prepared with the most quality fish and vegetables, with a special attention being paid to traditional Macedonian cuisine.

So much beauty, history and tradition in one place, accompanied by accommodation and services of the highest standards are a true rarity to find and experience.

This is a place where you will find peace that joins the body and the mind.

The Springs of Crni Drim (Black Drim)

The Black Drin or Crn Drim, meaning "the black deer" is a river in the Republic of Macedonia and Albania. It flows out of Lake Ohrid in Struga, Macedonia. After approximately 50 km (31 mi) it crosses the border to Albania, west of Debar. It merges with the White Drin in Kukës to form the Drin, which flows into the Adriatic Sea. It drains most of the eastern border region of Albania.

The lake basin gets most of its water from Lake Prespa, from the river Crn Drim, which at St. Naum flows into the lake. In the small lake at the springs of Crn Drim, the most specific forms of the animal world are the small turtles, which are very rare and can be seen from June to October.

Under the mountain of Galičica there are numerous springs which flow into the lake on the surface, some of them being strong, karst springs. Such is the spring called Ostrovo near St. Naum. The lake flows out near Struga and forms the river of Crn Drim. The water in Lake Ohrid is characterized with great clarity and transparence and is considered to be one of the most transparent lakes in Europe and the world.

About Ohrid

Hotel complex Saint Naum
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