UNESCO‘s Natural and Cultural Heritage of the Lake Ohrid Region
By Engjellushe Icka
In Pogradec we have visitors all over the year, people we have known for years, new acquaintances, friends of the family and also friends of friends who are exited to see what is the Lake Ohrid region and why it is so special. My duty is twofold, to respect the guests and to promote the real values of my beloved region.
Lake Ohrid: A sanctuary of biodiversity, nurturing a tapestry of life with 200 unique species flourishing within its embrace. Lake Ohrid, shared between North Macedonia and Albania, holds exceptional universal natural and cultural significance. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979, it satisfies four out of ten criteria, encompassing both natural and cultural aspects.
Let's take a visual tour of Lake Ohrid, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to see its stunning beauty and understand why it's so famous.
My home-town, Pogradec is in the southwester part of the lake shore. It boasts prehistoric pile dwellings and an Early Christian church on the Lin Peninsula 12,5 miles from the city centre. In 2023, it was confirmed, that the Palafitte settlement of Lin village dates back to 5800 - 6000 years BC, making it Europe's oldest lakeside village discovered to date.
When planning your visit to the Nehemiah Gateway University in Pogradec, remember that you're visiting one of the successors of the first university in the Balkans. The Lake Ohrid area, with its 55 miles of shoreline, boasts three institutions of higher education, one in each of the towns along the lake.
If you love sport, may plan a full day to climb on the Dry mountain where you can enjoy not only the landscape but also skiing in winter and skydiving in summer. From the very top of the mountain or during your paragliding you will see the three lakes, Small and Big Prespa Lakes and the Lake Ohrid as in the palm of your hand. In the feet of the Dry Mountain is the Tushemisht Village famous for its water sources.
Ohrid, situated across Lake Ohrid from Pogradec, showcases rich cultural heritage and breathtaking natural scenery. One of Europe's oldest towns, adorned with historic treasures from the 7th to 19th centuries.
Its religious and vernacular architecture, spanning the 7th to 19th centuries, holds significant cultural and historic value, concentrated in the old urban center.
My friends if you are lovers of art and history, plan an extra day to visit some of the most beautiful archaeological remains and constructions since the era when this zone was firstly populated. You will find useful information in several languages also in the museums.
There are archaeological sites and Byzantine churches you may reach only by boat, which are available for few dollars.
The Byzantine arts is found in over 2,500 square meters of frescoes and 800 iconic icons. Churches like Saint Pantelejmon monastery and over 800 Byzantine icons. Saint Sophia of XI century). The churches of Holy Mother of God Perivleptos, and St. John Kaneo exhibit exceptional frescoes and theological representations by local and foreign artists.
The old town center of Ohrid features well-preserved ancient urban architecture dating back to the ancient town of Lychnidos since 3rd century BC, including forums, public buildings, housing, and religious structures.
Immense basilicas built by ancient architects served as models for centuries. Ecclesiastical life along the lake's shores, with its own religious architecture, frescoes, and icons, highlights the region's significance as a religious and cultural center. Similarities between Lin church's mosaics in the west and early basilicas in Ohrid to the east reveal a shared cultural tradition.
Early Christian architecture from the 4th to 6th centuries is evident in the lofty basilicas of Ohrid and the small church of Lin.
I'm sure you enjoyed the rhetorical and photographic journey! I look forward to joining you on an amazing trip to the Lake Ohrid region in person.