Lake Ohrid
OVERVIEW
One of the oldest and deepest lakes in the world and a double UNESCO world heritage site.
One of the Oldest and Deepest Lakes in the World
Most of the world's lakes have a lifespan of less than 100,000 years before they fill with sediment. Lake Ohrid is a rare exception. It is a tectonic lake, estimated to be between 1.3 and 5 million years old. This puts it in an elite club of ancient lakes alongside Lake Baikal in Siberia and Lake Tanganyika in Africa. It is also the deepest lake in the Balkans, reaching a maximum depth of 288 meters (945 feet).
A "Double" UNESCO World Heritage Site
Lake Ohrid and its surrounding region are so unique that they hold a rare mixed UNESCO World Heritage status, recognized for both its outstanding natural value and its cultural/historical significance. It is one of only about 40 sites worldwide to hold this double distinction.
The "Jerusalem of the Balkans"
The town of Ohrid was once a massive religious center. According to local legend, the town boasted 365 churches—one for every day of the year. While many were destroyed during the Ottoman era, dozens of historic churches, monasteries, and ruins still stand today, earning Ohrid its holy nickname.
Birthplace of the Cyrillic Alphabet
Ohrid is the cradle of Slavic literacy. In the late 9th century, Saint Clement and Saint Naum (disciples of Saints Cyril and Methodius) established the Ohrid Literary School here. It was at this school that the Cyrillic alphabet was standardized and taught to thousands of students, who then spread it across the Slavic world.
The Secret of "Ohrid Pearls"
Ohrid is famous for its unique, highly prized pearls, but they don't come from oysters. They are man-made using a secret recipe passed down through only two local families (the Filevi and Talevi families) since the 1920s.
- The pearls are made by coating ground shells with an emulsion made from the scales of the Plasica fish, a small endemic fish found only in Lake Ohrid. The result is a brilliant, durable pearl that has been worn by royalty, including Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Diana.
Incredibly Clear Water
The water in Lake Ohrid is so clear that you can see up to 22 meters (72 feet) deep. Much of the lake's water doesn't come from rivers, but from underground springs. Nearby Lake Prespa sits at a higher altitude; its water filters through the porous limestone of the Galičica Mountain range, acting as a massive natural water-filtration system before emerging at the southern end of Lake Ohrid, near the Monastery of St. Naum.
A Living Museum of Prehistoric Species
Because of its age and isolation, Lake Ohrid is a hotspot of biodiversity. It is home to more than 200 endemic species (creatures found nowhere else on Earth). The most famous of these is the Ohrid Trout, a delicious and ancient trout species that has survived since the Ice Age. Today, fishing for Ohrid Trout is heavily restricted to protect it from extinction.
Tip
To best experience Lake Ohrid take one the boat trips or cruises from the Port of Ohrid.
TAGS
NEARBY IN Ohrid
- CHURCHF/ORAY41.11°, 20.79°North Macedonia · Ohrid
Church of Saints Clement of Ohrid & Panteleimon.
★ 4.7 1,223Home of the first Slavic University and birthplace of Cyrillic alphabet.
VIEW ENTRY - ATTRACTIONF/ORAY40.99°, 20.80°North Macedonia · Ohrid
The Bay of Bones.
★ 4.6 4,922Authentic reconstruction of a prehistoric pile-dwelling settlement on Lake Ohrid.
VIEW ENTRY - CHURCHF/ORAY41.11°, 20.80°North Macedonia · Ohrid
Church of the Virgin Mary Peribleptos.
★ 4.8 562UNESCO World Heritage site church with secret messages hidden in frescos.
VIEW ENTRY
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