One of most important thing for a city is its skyline. Very often skyscrapers are built with this intention- to create a characteristic skyline so that in future it can be used as a landmark, reference image, or even a souvenir. What the Eiffel Tower is for Paris and Colosseum is for Rome, is the Kaneo church for Ohrid. The church is positioned on the edge where the land goes the deepest in the lake. The position allows this church to be visible from many points of the town and that is why I present to you St Jovan Kaneo- the profile picture of Ohrid.
The precise info about the building of this church is unknown. By tracking available information, it is estimated to have been built before 1447. The archaeologist suspects that this is built before the Ottoman empire, so, it is classified as a church from the 13th century. The style is Byzantine, and it seems like it was inspired by the Armenian Orthodox churches, especially the dome part. The fresco paintings are very valuable heritage not just for the Orthodox church but also for the general art development in this part of Europe.
The church has a miraculous yard. Being here will immediately put you in a meditative state. Much like the meditative state called Lofoten. The view makes you feel like you are floating above the lake in complete silence. During summer evenings, it is common to hold poetry readings. Even the poetry is mostly in the Macedonian language, and the atmosphere is something you shouldn't miss.
Right under this church, there is another, smaller church, right on the beach called Kaneo, so don't mix these two. The easiest way to reach this place if you take the Bridge of wishes as a shortcut. I recommend you to do this walk either early in the morning, either to catch the sunset up in the St. Jovan Kaneos yard. It is amazing to visit the beach Kaneo, and the cozy restaurant near here, however, don't miss to take the stairs up there. St. Jovan Kaneo is existing in its full surrealism.
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The author
Zlata Golaboska
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