Saint Panteleimon, Byzantine monastery on Plaošnik hill, North Macedonia
Saint Panteleimon is a Byzantine monastery situated on Plaošnik hill with characteristic medieval architecture and decorated interior mosaics. The structure has been reconstructed to its original form and displays archaeological excavation areas that visitors can explore.
This monastery was founded in 893 by Saint Clement as an educational center to spread Christianity among Slavic peoples. It was built upon the foundations of an early Christian basilica and later became one of the first Slavic higher learning institutions.
This monastery served as the Ohrid Literary School where the Glagolitic alphabet was taught, spreading Christian knowledge among Slavic communities. Visitors can observe the layout that shows how monks and scholars worked together in this learning center.
The reconstructed building is open to visitors during daytime hours and can accommodate large groups interested in viewing the excavation sites. Comfortable footwear is advisable since the site sits on a hillside with uneven terrain.
Archaeological work uncovered hundreds of medieval Venetian coins, revealing how deeply Ohrid was connected to western trade networks. These findings show that the monastery played a significant role in a busy commercial system linking the region to distant markets.
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