Country Macedonia at large can be traced back for millennia and as far as the times of the Bible. It is said in there, St. Paul the Apostle went to preach in Macedonia and Greece among Greeks and Macedonians during his first journey out of Asia. Both early Slavic alphabets Glagolyca and Kyrilyca as well as first literature in Old-Slavic language have their roots in Macedonia. In particular, the 10-th century Ohridean School of Old-Slavic Letters and Theology of St. Clement should be noted because it operated at the time when across Europe no university institution existed. Hence this country is a veritable treasury of culture and traditions. Many have named Ohridean Lake "A pearl of the Balkans" and Ohrid Jerusalem of the Balkans, thus largely preserved during long ruling Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman Empires. The City and the region are enlisted in UNSECO world's heritage, for they abound in natural, cultural, and spiritual beauties, as well as they host festivals of music, literature, and fine arts.

Ohrid (www.ohrid.com) is one of the oldest cities in the Balkan Peninsula and one of the oldest human settlements in Europe, a city with tremendous natural and cultural treasure left by the numerous civilizations that have set their foot in the region. Spread by the shores of the wonderful Lake Ohrid, at the footfills of the national park Galicica, Ohrid is a city where every step leads you to evidence of the rich Macedonian history.

Ohrid is a vivid city existing over 2000 years, referred to as 'Jerusalem' of the Balkans and representing Macedonia's entire church history. Built mainly between the 7th and 19th centuries, it has the oldest Slav monastery (St Pantelejmon) and more than 800 Byzantine-style icons dating from the 11th to the end of the 14th century. After those of the Tretiakov Gallery in Moscow, this is considered to be the most important collection of icons in the world. One of Ohrid's most famous buildings is the Dome of Saint Bogorodica Perivlepta which was built back in 1298. Visiting this remarkable monument is truly an experience not to be missed. Other outstanding churches, out of 356 each for one day in a year, are Saint Sophia Church, Saint Pantelejmon Plaoshnik and Saint Jovan Kaneo Church.

Ohrid is one of the cities recognized by the UNESCO as treasure for humanity for which the cultural and natural heritage of Ohrid and Lake Ohrid were in 1989 placed under the UNESCO's protection. Ohrid's major attractions are all located within a remarkably concentrated and eminently walkable area, among and above the narrow streets of the Old Town, itself lined with restaurants and cafes perfectly suited for relaxing on cool summer evenings. Ohrid's many coffee bars and nightclubs also make for vibrant nightlife. Ohrid Lake is one of Europe's deepest and according to most experts the oldest lake in Europe, preserving a unique aquatic ecosystem with more than 200 endemic species that is of worldwide importance. Maximum depth of the lake is 288 m and it covers an area of 358 km2. The Ohrid Lake belongs to a group of Dessaret basins that originated from a geotectonic depression during the Pliocene epoch up to five million years ago on the western side of the Dinaric Alps. Worldwide, there are only a few lakes with similarly remote origins with Lake Baikal and Lake Tanganyika being the most famous.

The full range of water sports, fishing and boating is available, and numerous churches alongside Ohrid's lake shores make for fascinating side trips. One must experience Ohrid, to see its colors, to feel its scent and taste, to dive not only into the lake, but also into the depths of the spirit of Macedonians that have for centuries created culture and preserved their identity despite all historical turbulences. No words can express the beauty and riches of Ohrid. For more information please visit http://wikitravel.org/en/Ohrid.

A PHOTO GALERY on VENUE REGION

A photo of the ancient town of Ohrid on the North-Eastern shore of Ohridean Lake; fortress court and city of Emperor Samuel (969-1014) is readily noticed on the hill top.

Beneath Samuel’s Citadel: Chapel St. Kaneo Ohridski

A Miniature on Hellenic Mythology: Icarus of Ohridean region

Zeus in Action: Another heritage from Hellenic Mythology talking about the impact of Hellenic culture in Macedonia

Monastery of St. Naum Ohridski: Place of the 9th century birth of research and applications of Biology and Medicine in the R. of Macedonia

St. Clement Ohridski: A disciple of St. Cyril and St. Methodius, who created Glagolyca alphabet, and creator of Cyrilyca alphabet for Old-Slavic languages in 9th century (an medieval icon in Ohrid Galery of Icons)