Church of Saint Sophia — Attraction in Municipality of Ohrid

The Church of Hagia Sophia, also known as Saint Sophia, stands at the heart of Ohrid’s Old Town. Dating back to the 9th century, it once served as the seat of the Archbishop of Ohrid and later, during Ottoman rule, was converted into a mosque. Today, it’s part of the UNESCO World Heritage ensemble of medieval monuments along Lake Ohrid’s shore.

Visitors are struck by its classic Byzantine layout: a central nave flanked by aisles and crowned by a dome, all rendered in locally quarried stone. Inside, you’ll find an extraordinary cycle of frescoes—from the 11th through 13th centuries—depicting scenes from Christ’s life and the Theotokos, noted for their vibrant color and remarkably preserved detail.

Unique acoustics make even a whispered prayer resonate throughout the nave, a feature many travelers highlight as “something really special”. The courtyard’s well-tended garden often hosts several curious tortoises, adding a touch of whimsy to your visit. In summer, an adjacent open-air amphitheater stages dramatic sound-and-light presentations projected onto the church walls. A modest entrance fee (around €3) applies; some visitors feel the interior is comparatively simple, but most agree the frescoes alone justify the price.

Tips and Recommendations

Arrive early (9:00 AM) or later in the afternoon to avoid peak crowds. Combine your visit with a stroll through the network of hidden alleys in Ohrid’s Old Town—each turn reveals another chapel, shop, or café. If you’re in Ohrid during summer evenings, check local listings for the church’s night-time light show in the amphitheater. Don’t miss the view of Lake Ohrid from the church’s eastern courtyard, especially at sunset.

Exploring Hagia Sophia opens the door to Ohrid’s thousand-year tapestry of faith, art, and community. After immersing yourself in its frescoed walls, consider a boat trip across the lake or a visit to nearby St. John at Kaneo to round out your medieval...

Sveta Sofija, koju je u drugoj četvrtini 11. veka podigao ohridski arhiepiskop Leon, hartofilaks velike crkve, prvi od Grka na arhiepiskopskoj stolici u Ohridu. Crkva je restaurisana u 12. veku. Tada je prepravljen sadašnji unutrašnji narteks, koji je uz to dobio gore galeriju, u koju se ulazilo stepeništem, instaliranim u jednom posebnom prostoru na severnoj strani. Na istočnoj polovini jednoga svoda u prizemlju narteksa naslikani su ktitori, u kojima se, kako izgleda, mogu poznati „prvi sevastokrator" Isak Komnen i njegova supruga Irena. Njihov sin, Jovan Komnen, ohridski arhiepiskop, verovatno je kao mirjanin, a pod imenom Jovan, sevast Prosenika, naslikan na zapadnom zidu narteksa. 1313/14. dozidao je uz zapadnu fasadu crkve spoljašnji narteks sa gornjom galerijom ohridski arhiepiskop Grigorije, koji se u natpisu na zapadnoj fasadi hvali, da je Mezima (Slovenima) darovao zakone. Gornja galerija ovoga narteksa živopisana je u 14. veku, kako izgleda, za vlade cara Dušana. Sve su signature u živopisu srpsko-slovenske. U stepeništu, malo pre pomenutom, na istočnom zidu naslikan je neki Jovan despot sa suprugom, sa ohridskim arhiepiskopom Nikolom (spominje se 1336—1346), koji je prisustvovao krunisanju Dušana za cara, i sa dvoje dece. Na istočnom zidu Grigorijeve galerije nalazili su se portreti cara Dušana i supruge mu Jelene pred Hristom na prestolu i Sv. arhiđakonom Stefanom. Portreti su danas sačuvani samo u najnižem delu. Ove freske nastale su između 1350. i 1355. godine. Sv. Sofija je kao arhiepiskopska crkva igrala važnu ulogu u istoriji pravoslavne crkve. U njoj su rezidirali i arhiepiskopi srpskoga porekla, kako izgleda već pri kraju 14 veka: Arhiepiskopi Dorotej (svrgnut 1468), Prohor (— 1560), Simeon (— 1561). Crkva predstavlja trobrodnu tzv. orijentalnu baziliku, u kojoj su sva tri broda pod jednim krovom. Na crkvi ima tri apside (srednja je spolja petostrana, dok su bočne i spolja polukružne), od kojih su obe bočne dvokatne. Padaju u oči krstati svodovi u prizemlju unutrašnjeg narteksa. Spoljašnji narteks ima dve kule kao bočne završetke. Njegovo prizemlje predstavlja jedan otvoren portik, a njegova gornja galerija jednu lođu, flankiranu dvema kapelama, koje su presvođene kubetima, izvedenim na pandantifima. Uz severnu stranu crkve bio je kasnije dozidan jedan otvoren portik sa kolonadom. U pravoj crkvi ima dva sloja živopisa. Prvi je iz 11. veka, a drugi iz 12. do 13. Naročito je interesantan živopis u gornjoj galeriji spoljašnjeg narteksa. Tu padaju u oči mnogobrojne scene iz legende o prekrasnom Josipu, jako oštećene. Srpsko-slovenske natpise oko slike izgrebli su Grci, u čijim je rukama bila crkva pre oslobođenja...

Nestled in the picturesque town of Ohrid, The Church of St. Sophia stands as a beacon of historical significance and architectural grandeur.

The Church of St. Sophia is renowned for its miraculous survival through tumultuous times. Despite the Ottoman conquest, which saw many churches converted into mosques, St. Sophia retained much of its original structure and artistry. This resilience makes it not only a testament to the past but an enduring symbol of cultural identity and spiritual continuity.

As visitors wander through its hallowed halls today, they are enveloped in a serene ambiance, where history and spirituality converge. The Church of St. Sophia continues to inspire awe and reverence, inviting travelers to delve into the rich tapestry of Ohrid's past. Indeed, a good...