Church of St. John at Kaneo, Orthodox church on Lake Ohrid cliff, North Macedonia.
The Church of St. John at Kaneo is an Eastern Orthodox sanctuary built from brick that sits on a cliff edge above Lake Ohrid. The building features a rectangular base with semicircular arches arranged according to Byzantine architectural principles.
This sanctuary was built in the 13th century and underwent substantial rebuilding in the 14th century. The frescoes inside were restored in the 1960s to preserve the medieval artwork.
The interior walls display religious frescoes that show Christ Pantocrator and various saints in detailed scenes. These paintings reveal how believers expressed their faith through sacred imagery and storytelling on the walls.
This location sits on a steep cliff edge, so sturdy footwear and careful footing are important when visiting. Travelers can reach the site by hiking from Ohrid town or by taking a boat across Lake Ohrid to the clifftop.
A wooden iconostasis inside the church displays craftsmanship from different time periods and shows various artistic traditions at work. This fixture documents how artistic techniques evolved and changed across several centuries.
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