Struga
Struga (Macedonian: Струга, Struga; Albanian: Strugë, Struga) is a town in the western part of the Republic of Macedonia, lying on the shores of Lake Ohrid.
Located on the coast of the magnificent Lake Ohrid and along the banks of the Black Drin river, which flows right out of the lake splitting the city in two sections.
Struga is also a place of important cultural significance in the Republic of Macedonia, as it is the birthplace of the poet Konstantin Miladinov. The main event of the cultural life in Struga is the world's largest poetry gathering, Struga Poetry Evenings, attended every year by at least 20,000 people from all over the world. The festival inter alia bestows a Golden Wreath adorned with diamonds, sapphires and rubies, the highest award for one's overall poetry work. Matching shoes are also awarded to the winner.
There are several cultural monuments in Struga and in its vicinity such as the Monastery of Kalishta, a few kilometers away from the town center, laying on the shore of Lake Ohrid. It is believed that it dates from the 16th century, with frescos from the 14th and the 15th centuries. The Church Sveta Bogorodica (St. Mary) in the village of Vranishta, is believed to be the one where Tsar Samuil was crowned. The church has many doors and far fewer windows and often the people call it "the kings church".
The church of St. George is also located in the town; built on top of Samuil's church, it has many icons from the 14th, 15th, and 16th centuries. Near the village of Ladorishta, a basilica from the 4th century has been discovered, with a mosaic. Struga's old architecture, dating from the 18th and 19th century is also a cultural highlight.
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Cities of North Macedonia by population | ||
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