National park „Galičica" — Attraction in Municipality of Resen

👍👍👍The National Park Galicica is situated on Mount Galicica, that is a part of the mountain range of Sara-Pind. Due to its exceptional natural beauty and extremely opulent and endemic flora and fauna, in 1958 the Macedonian section of the mountain was proclaimed a National Park. The Park covers an area of 227 km2 between the Lakes of Ohrid and Prespa, and it stretches in a meridian direction. The main geological surface on the major part of Mount Galicica are Paleozoic metamorphic silicates covered with 500-550 m horizons of massive limestone that have spongy structure and are highly porous. The massif has developed relief with large and deep valleys and a vast mountain crest that in the southern part of Galicica reaches the altitude of more than 2,000 m.

Such relief, as well as the vicinity of the two Lakes enable continuous, extremely long and beautiful scenic views for visitors. Galicica enjoys moderate Continental climate influenced by a large quantity of water from both Lakes and the hot Sub-Mediterranean influences that break through the relatively low mountain saddles in Albania. In addition to the extraordinary natural beauty and aesthetic values, Galicica is also a unique environment with well-preserved natural flora in several ecosystems. The flora in the National Park Galicica covers more than 800 species, among which there are numerous relict and endemic forms whose farthest limit of distribution is Mount Galicica itself.

The presence of eleven local endemic forms discovered so way is quite remarkable. These forms exist only on the slopes of the Mount Galicica, and are clear evidence of the specific floral structure of the mountain. It should be underlined that there is an on-going intensive research of the flora in the Park. There are indications of an even greater number of endemic forms. The fauna on Galicica is also prolific and diverse. There are no precise data about the number of invertebrate species. Vertebrates are present with 170 species: 10 amphibians, 18 reptiles, 124 birds,...

National Park Galichica is located in the Ohrid - Prespa region. Besides the mountain Galichica, the park encompasses areas of the shores of both Ohrid and Prespa Lakes, which are especially attractive for their beauty and natural wealth. Especially attractive is the area surrounding the monastery St. Naum, where the springs of river Crni Drim are located, which are numerous, some of thm being strong and karst.

The flora life in the National Park Galichica represents over 1,000 species, of which a large number of relicts and endems have the final frontier of its range exactly on the mountain Galichica. There is characteristically presence of up to now 11 discovered local endems to be found exclusively on the slopes of Galichica and nowhere else. This illustrates the specifically floristic composition of this mountain. There are indications that the number of endems is bigger. Typical mark of Galichica National Park is Lynx lynx martinoi or Balkan Lynx which is indigenous to the Balkans with estimated population in Macedonia of around 30-35 individuals.

Of the numerous cultural monuments in the Galichica National Park, with their historical and artistic values, especially significant are the churches St. Spas and St. Holy Mother Zahumska from the 14th century, the Monastery of St. Naum and several cave churches such as St. Holy Mother in the village of Peshtani and the church St. Petar on the island Golem Grad. The village Konjsko is known for its specific rural...

Entry fees: 50MKD per motor vehicle, 30MKD per person, 200MKD per person to climb peak Magaro. Great hiking trails, bike trails for beginners and advanced adventurists. Bring a lot of water with you it is a dry mountain and no places to buy or get water from springs. This get especially if you are planning an entire day to spend in the mountain. If you are visiting just the lake shores you are safe. There are amazing vistas all around the national park, the higher you get the more amazing the view, but even at Lake altitude it is still amazing. At summer you can go swimming. There are few places, like St. Naum and the springs which...