Stone seats
Between two hills.
Sharon Hahn Darlin — CC BY 2.0 · Sharon Hahn Darlin — CC BY 2.0 · This illustration was made by Rašo. An email to Rašo would be appreciated too. — CC BY 4.0 · This illustration was made by Rašo. An email to Rašo would be appreciated too. — CC BY 4.0 · This illustration was made by Rašo. An email to Rašo would be appreciated too. — CC BY 4.0
The Ancient Theatre is set into the hillside of Ohrid's old town between two hills that shelter it from the wind. Built around 200 BC, at the end of the 3rd or the start of the 2nd century BC, it is the only theatre of the Hellenistic period in North Macedonia; the country's other ancient theatres, at Scupi, Stobi and Heraclea, are Roman. Under the Romans it was also used for gladiator fights and for executing Christians, so after the empire fell the people of Ohrid abandoned it and buried it under earth, which is why much of it survived. It was found by accident in the 1980s, when building work near the houses turned up carved stone blocks showing Dionysus and the Muses. Only the lower rows of seats remain, but since the late 1980s the theatre has hosted performances again, and each summer it is one of the main stages of the Ohrid Summer Festival. You can look in for free during the day; tickets are needed only for performances.
Between two hills.
Performances each year.
In the 1980s.
Between two hills in the old town, near the Upper Gate, Ohrid
Samuel's FortressSamuel's Fortress crowns the hill above Ohrid's old town, its walls and towers e3 minutes walk4.6
Church of Saint SophiaThe Church of Saint Sophia is one of the most important medieval monuments in No4 minutes walk4.8
Robevi Family HouseThe Robevi Family House is one of the finest old houses in Ohrid, a tall white t4 minutes walk4.5
PlaošnikPlaošnik is an archaeological site and holy place on the slope about 250 metres 4 minutes walk4.6
Church of St. John at KaneoThe Church of St. John at Kaneo stands alone on a rocky point above the lake at 7 minutes walk4.8Yes, it hosts performances every summer during the Ohrid Summer Festival; tickets are needed only for the shows.