Monastery St. Jovan Bigorski
Start the tour in the morning. The group will lead the professional tourist guide. Mijak region in Macedonia known for its natural beauties , national park Mavrovo, canyon along the river Radika is best known for mansion builders , wood carving and icon painting. If you want to experience the overall achievement of this area - the Monastery of St. Jovan Bigorski is an example of the supreme achievements of builders, painters and carvers from this region. The path of this tour goes through Struga, along the Drim and Radika rivers and picturesque canyon of the river Radika. Landscape is impressive complemented by an idyllic atmosphere of the countryside. On these rivers are built two hydroelectric plants, Globocica and Shpilje. Road goes on through Debar, one of the towns in western Macedonia. Arriving at the monastery of St. Jovan Bigorski. Monastery was founded by the monk Jovan in 1020 and in the XVI century the monastery was destroyed by the Turks, and after that only small church left instead of monastery. From the monuments also learns about the restoration of the monastery in 1743 by monk Hilarion who was also the first abbot of the monastery in recent times. St. Jovan Bigorski is widely known for its iconostasis. The iconostasis is made by Petre Filipov - Garkata from Gari village. They build the iconostasis in the period from 1829 to 1835 and created the ultimate work of art in woodcarving. The iconostasis is divided into six horizontal bands. The first is basically made up of rectangular boxes that have the trappings of flora and fauna. The second, which holds the throne icons, ending with a figure of an eagle with widespread wings. The third zone is divided into three smaller horizontal separations that are symmetrically arranged with figures of angels, grapes, wine branches and others. Above them are two rows of icons - holiday with images of apostles. In the centar is represented the large cross on which Christ's Crucifixion is represented. On both sides of the cross standing figures of a dragon whose mouths are holding the icons of St. Jovan and St. Bogorodica. To the beauty of the monastery complex adds the dining room and the old hospices. They were built in the late XVIII century and beginning of XIX century. Grand hospice consisting of ground floor and two floors, with spacious verandas and a large number of chambers, served the monks to live. Some of the rooms are decorated with beautifully wood carved ceilings and carved rosettes. Otherwise, the monastery complex is consists of the monastery church, ossuary, located next to the church, the defensive tower, monastery complex shelters, and newly built guest quarters. Follow the visit the National Park Mavrovo which is also known ski resort. Possibility for organized lunch in Mavrovo. Return to Ohrid in the afternoon.
PRICE OF THE EXCURSION: PLEASE CONTACT US ABOUT THE DETAILS AND PRICE FOR THIS EXCURSION
PRICE INCLUDES:
- transport with modern air-conditioned touristic bus/minibus ;
- service from a professional tour guide
- entrance fee: monastery St. Jovan Bigorski
PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
Lunch in Mavrovo