St. Demetrius Church

St. Demetrius Church is an Orthodox house of worship in Bitola with a carved wooden iconostasis decorated with religious artwork. The building features elevated galleries on its second floor and serves today as the main religious center for Orthodox ceremonies.

The building was constructed in 1830 with permission from Turkish authorities, replacing a chapel from 1726 that had been destroyed by fire. Reconstruction took only four months and was funded by donations from the local Christian community.

The church displays religious artwork from 1842 created by local craftsmen, reflecting traditional Orthodox artistic practices. These works remain central to how the interior looks and speaks to the skill of those who made them.

The building is easily accessible and today functions as an active center for religious celebrations and ceremonies such as weddings and christenings. Visitors should note that the site may have restricted access during services.

The building was deliberately constructed lower than the surrounding mosques and sits partially underground. This construction approach reflected the religious and political conditions of the period.

Location: Bitola Municipality

Inception: 1830

GPS coordinates: 41.02972,21.33389

Latest update: December 14, 2025 14:44