Lychnidos, Archaeological site in Ohrid Municipality, North Macedonia
Lychnidos is an ancient settlement now hidden beneath modern Ohrid, containing remains that span multiple periods of habitation. The site includes a Hellenistic theater along with early Christian basilicas distributed across the excavation area.
The settlement was founded in the 3rd century BCE and grew into a major trading hub positioned on the Via Egnatia. This long-distance trade route connected the Adriatic coast to Byzantium, making the location a crossroads between regions.
The reconstructed theater features inscribed seats that once held the names of prominent local citizens, offering insights into the social ranking and hierarchies that existed during ancient times. These carved designations show how different people occupied specific places based on their status and importance in the community.
Visiting this excavation site requires some orientation since many parts are scattered and some remain hidden beneath modern buildings. A guided tour helps make sense of the different areas and how the underground structures fit together.
The theater is the only known Hellenistic theater structure in North Macedonia, while all other ancient theaters in the country date to the later Roman period. This rarity makes it particularly significant for scholars studying Hellenistic architecture and urban planning.
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