Cave churches on the shores of lake Ohrid (2 days)
FIRST DAY:
1) St. Archangel Mihail, 13th-14th century, Radozhda, near city of Struga
In one of the most beautiful areas of the western shore of the Ohrid Lake, near the village of Radozhda, in the natural caves located high in the rocks, is the cave church dedicated to the Commander of the Bodiless Army Archangel Michael. Most of the revealed frescoes date from the 14th century. The only preserved composition from the 13th century, with an image of "The Miracle in Hona", created in honor of the patron of the church is particularly unique.
2) St. Athanasius, 14th century, Kalista near Struga
South from the monastery of Kalista, adjacent to the surrounding rocks, is the cave church dedicated to the Archbishop of Alexandria - Athanasius. The greatest composition of medieval fine art in the Struga district is preserved inside this church. Although no written sources have been preserved, the stylistic notes of these frescos very clearly indicate their 14-century origin.
3) Nativity of Virgin Mary, 15th century, Monastery Kalista near Struga
Near the village of Kalista, there is a monastery complex with a church dedicated to the Holy Mother of God, monastery lodging houses (konaci) and one new church, built in accordance with the old tradition.The church of the Holy Mother of God is a cave-church, placed on a cliff near the lake. This small church was built in the 15th century.
4) Holy Saviour , 14th century, Visni near Struga
The church is located about two km to the north-east from the village Vishni, along the canyon of the river Sushica, at the place called 'Trpezite' (dining tables). It is set in a rock, which is about ninety meters high from the foothill up, and the same has been conquered with a tiny path dug in the rocky terrain. Lately it has been improved with steps made of concrete and an iron banister.
5) St. Erasmus, 13th century, by the road Ohrid - Struga
The cave church of St. Erasmus was the first cave which was converted into a church in this area. Since then, the church was reconstructed many times. St. Erasmus is said to have converted the local population to Christianity in the third century and this church was named after him. He is not the founder of the monastery. The oldest part of the cave church are frescoes, which were painted on the cave wall. They are said to be from the beginning of the 13th century. The greatest attention in this cave church should be granted to the portraits of St. Erasmus and the image of the Byzantine emperor Andronicus II Paleologus.
SECOND DAY:
6) Appearance of the Virgin in the Temple, 14th century, near Kaneo, Ohrid
This little known cave church is situated on the rocky slopes on the south side of the main church in Kaneo - dedicated to St. John the Theologian. It is a relatively small cave church which can not be separated from the integral existence of the monastery church of St. John.
7) Virgin Mary, 14th century, Velgosti near Ohrid
Two kilometers away from the Monastery of Sveta Paraskeva (St.Parasceve) and about half an hour walk from the village Velgosti are the remnants of a small cave church. Following the fire of the 3rd of June 1991, the church was restored, painted with new frescoes and re-consecrated on 21st May 1995.
8) St. Stephen Pancir, 15th century, on the road Between Ohrid and St. Naum
The cave church of St. Stephen was built in a natural cave. The cave was closed by a stone wall on its southern side. The age of the church is unknown, but the fresco paintings in the church is dating from 14th century.
9) Holy Virgin Mother, 14th century, near Pestani, Ohrid
This cave church is located about twenty kilometers from Ohrid, on the right-hand side of the road that leads to St. Naum, in the rocks on the eastern shore of Lake Ohrid. In one of the cave churches on the shore of Lake Ohrid the largest fresco painting collection ever preserved can be found. Nowadays, due to the effects of weather, it is very difficult to execute a more systematic analysis inside the cave church. In addition, no written documents exist. Still, by analyzing the artistic style and procedure, one can conclude that this painting possesses most of the distinctive features of the Ohrid School of Fine Arts from the 1360' and it is very similar with the fine art of Markov Manastir (Mark's Monastery).
10) St. Nicholas, 14th century, Tourist Camp Ljubanista near Ohrid
The fresco decoration in this church is fairly well preserved and partially preserved roof. The painting of Mary Magdalene is one of the finest examples of cave church frescoes around Lake Ohrid from the end of the 14th century.
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