Saint Erasmus, Ohrid, Early Christian basilica and necropolis in Ohrid, North Macedonia
Saint Erasmus is an early Christian basilica with three sections and a cemetery with numerous graves situated beside the highway between Ohrid and Struga. The complex includes cave churches and remnants spanning several centuries.
A holy man named Erasmus came to this place in the third century and lived in a cave, where he helped the sick and spread Christian faith. The site later became an important religious place with buildings that developed over a long period of time.
The frescoes on the walls show how people prayed and lived here during medieval times. They reveal the religious art that mattered to the community.
You can reach the site by following marked signs on the E65 highway and finding the entrance to the cave churches. The area requires comfortable shoes, as you will walk between different sections on foot.
The complex contains two separate cave churches, with the Church of Saint Catherine located about 200 meters uphill from the main site. This hidden church is often overlooked despite having similar historical value.
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