Kališta Monastery, Orthodox monastery near Lake Ohrid, North Macedonia
Kališta Monastery is an Orthodox religious site on the northwestern shore of Lake Ohrid, with structures arranged across the clifftop terrain. The complex contains a main church at ground level, living quarters for monks, and a cave church carved into the rock face with preserved wall paintings from centuries past.
The monastery was established in the 14th century and became an important center of Orthodox spiritual life in the region. Later, the cave church received wall paintings from the 15th century that depict religious scenes and figures from the Orthodox tradition.
The monastery serves as the summer residence of Archbishop Naum, the highest authority in the Macedonian Orthodox Church. Visitors who come here witness an active place of worship where monks and church officials gather for prayer and spiritual life.
The site is located roughly 5 kilometers from Struga and visitors must ask permission from the monastery staff to enter the cave church. The stairs to the cave are steep, so wear sturdy shoes and take your time climbing to avoid slipping on the rock.
The monastery has two entirely different worship spaces: a church at ground level and a hidden cave church accessed by climbing steep stairs cut into the rock. This dual arrangement offers a striking contrast in how religious spaces were designed and used in medieval times.
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