Saint Naum Monastery and Springs

About this place

The Monastery of Saint Naum stands on a green headland at the southern end of Lake Ohrid, about 29 kilometres from the town and just short of the Albanian border. Saint Naum founded it in 905 and was buried in its church, and for more than a thousand years it has been one of the most visited places on the lake. Peacocks wander its gardens, which look out over the water. Below the monastery, the springs that feed the lake rise in clear, cold pools among reeds and trees, and rowing boats take visitors on short trips through them: a quiet half-hour on glass-green water that many people find the best part of the visit. From 1912 the area belonged to Albania, until 1925, when it was handed to the Kingdom of Yugoslavia under an agreement between the two countries. You can come by road, or by boat from Ohrid's harbour in summer. The church is a place of worship, so dress modestly; there is a small fee for the church, and the boat ride through the springs is paid separately. Weekends in July and August are crowded, so a weekday morning is better.