Ohrid, Ancient lake city in North Macedonia
Ohrid is a city on the northeastern shore of Lake Ohrid in North Macedonia, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Whitewashed houses climb the slopes while Orthodox church domes rise above the rooftops and the water shimmers below.
The settlement began in antiquity as the Greek colony Lychnidos and grew into an important religious center during the Middle Ages. In the 9th century, Saints Cyril and Methodius established one of the first Slavic writing schools here.
The name comes from the Slavic "vo hrid," meaning "on the hill," describing its position between lake and fortress. Locals spend summer evenings by the shore, where fish restaurants serve fresh Ohrid trout and families stroll along the promenades.
Most historic churches and museums open daily, though some smaller sites close for several hours at midday. The steep cobblestone lanes require sturdy footwear, and the climbs can be tiring in hot weather.
The lake ranks among Europe's oldest water bodies and hosts endemic species that have lived here for over a million years. Pearl mussels from the water were once used to make buttons and jewelry.
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