Monastery of Saint Naum, Byzantine monastery on Lake Ohrid, North Macedonia
The Monastery of Saint Naum is a Byzantine sanctuary built on a stone cliff overlooking Lake Ohrid in North Macedonia. The complex features a church with multiple domes surrounded by gardens with fountains that face the water below.
Saint Naum founded the monastery in 905 as an educational center in this region. The building was reconstructed during the 16th century after destruction that occurred under Ottoman rule.
The monastery displays ornate wood carvings from the 17th and 18th centuries that visitors can still see today. The iconostasis from 1711 and the frescoes from the 19th century shape the interior and reflect the artistic tradition maintained here.
The monastery is reachable by boat from Ohrid harbor, bus connections, or taxi services, with travel times between 30 and 90 minutes depending on transport choice. Getting there early in the day helps avoid crowds and allows more time to walk around the grounds.
According to local tradition, visitors can hear a heartbeat at the tomb of Saint Naum within the monastery walls. This centuries-old belief continues to draw pilgrims and travelers curious about this unusual phenomenon.
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