Church of Saints Clement of Ohrid & Panteleimon
OVERVIEW
Home of the first Slavic University and birthplace of Cyrillic alphabet.
Home of the First Slavic University
In the late 9th century (around 893 AD), Saint Clement of Ohrid established the Ohrid Literary School on this site. It is widely considered by historians to be the first Slavic university. Under Saint Clement's tutelage, over 3,500 students were educated here, learning the Glagolitic and Cyrillic alphabets, translating Christian texts from Greek, and spreading literacy across Eastern Europe.
Saint Clement's Tomb
Saint Clement personally built this church, dedicating it to Saint Panteleimon, the patron saint of medicine and healers. Clement was so devoted to the site that he dug his own grave inside the church crypt. When he died in 916 AD, he was buried there, and his tomb remains the spiritual centerpiece of the church today.
A Resurrected Church
The beautiful building you see today is actually a highly detailed, modern reconstruction completed in 2002.
- The original 9th-century church was destroyed by the Ottomans in the 15th century.
- Archaeologists meticulously excavated the site, found the original foundations, and rebuilt the church to look exactly as it did in the Byzantine era.
- To maintain authenticity, builders used traditional materials and techniques where possible, completing the massive reconstruction in just 250 days.
Converted into a Mosque
Following the Ottoman conquest of the region, the church was converted into a mosque in the 15th century, known as the Imaret Mosque. A minaret was built over the church, and a public kitchen (imaret) was established nearby. The mosque was later ruined, but during the 2002 reconstruction, the foundations of the mosque were preserved alongside the church to respect the site's layered history.
The Relics Had a 500-Year Eviction
When the Ottomans converted the church into a mosque, local Christians smuggled Saint Clement’s relics out of the building to protect them. They were kept for over 500 years at the nearby Church of the Virgin Mary Peribleptos. In 2002, when the reconstructed church was consecrated, Saint Clement's relics were returned to his hand-carved marble tomb in a massive, solemn procession.
Atop a 5th-Century Christian Basilica
The site of Plaošnik has been sacred for millennia. Beneath and surrounding the current church are the ruins of a massive 5th-century Early Christian basilica. Visitors can walk along raised wooden pathways to look down at the ancient foundations.
Swastika and Peacock Mosaics
Within the ruins of the 5th-century baptistery, you can see exceptionally preserved floor mosaics.
- These mosaics feature depictions of peacocks (an early Christian symbol of immortality and resurrection) drinking from the water of life.
- Interestingly, the mosaics also feature swastikas, which were ancient, pre-Christian solar symbols representing prosperity and good fortune.
Double Dedication
Originally, Saint Clement dedicated the church solely to Saint Panteleimon. However, because of Saint Clement’s immense historical impact on the region and the fact that he was buried there, the church was later co-dedicated to him. Today, it bears the names of both saints.
Glass Floor Reveals the Past
Inside the modern church, sections of the floor are made of thick, reinforced glass. This allows visitors to look directly down into the archaeological excavations beneath the church, viewing the original 9th-century foundations laid by Saint Clement himself.
Insider tip
There are no signs or explanations inside the complex, but there's a local guide you can hire for a small fee.
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