Lake Ohrid – the largest and most important natural lake in Macedonia, the oldest in Europe and, from a biological point of view, the most significant stagnant aquatic ecosystem on the continent. It is characterized by rich history, culture, archeological sites and natural beauty, and is shared by two countries: Macedonia and Albania.
Thanks to such features, in 1980 Lake Ohrid and the city of Ohrid were declared a World Cultural Heritage, under the protection of UNESCO. The world importance of the lake was confirmed in 2010. when NASA and the International Astronomical Union decide to name one of the lakes on Saturn’s moon Titan “Lake Ohrid”.
The lake covers an area of 358.2 km2 and stretches for a length of 30.8 km, with a maximum width of 14.8 km. The length of the coast is 87.5 km. Its depth reaches 289 m. The total volume of the lake is 58.6 km3. The lake is located in a deep and closed valley, bordered on the east by the mountain Galichica (2288 m), and on the west by Jablanica (2257 m).
Located in altitude 695 meters. The catchment area of Lake Ohrid includes 40 rivers, of which 23 on Albanian and 17 on Macedonian territory. The greatest depth of 286 meters was measured between the villages of Peshtani and Trpejca, about 5 km from the lake shore. The average depth of the lake is 151 m. The clear water with a transparency of up to 22 meters, which is a real rarity, is helped by the numerous underwater springs and springs that are located along the east and south coasts.
St. Bogorodica Zahumska, which is known only as Zaum among the local population and the general public, is located right next to the east coast on the stretch between the villages Trpejca and Ljubanishta. It is located at a distance of 20 km from Ohrid, on the shore of the lake, at the foot of the mountain Galichica and in the immediate vicinity of the fishing village Trpejca. It is located in a very difficult accessible place under the rocky ridge of Galichica called Golem Osoj (high 1005 meters above sea level) right on the shore to the waters of Lake Ohrid at an altitude of 695 meters. Immediately above the church from the east rise steep cliffs, while in front of the church in the immediate vicinity is the place with the deepest point of Lake Ohrid. The church can be reached only by water – by boat.
Legend about the monastery Zaum
About the origin and construction, and also as an interpretation of the name of the monastery Zaum, there is a legend that is widespread as a legend, which according to Marko Cepenkov was known to all the people of Ohrid, and which was later written by the modern collector of Macedonian folk legends Apostle Pop-Jovanovski. According to legend, many people tried to measure the depth of Lake Ohrid, but no one managed to reach the bottom. A woman who was a queen spun a thread for three years and set off in a boat in the middle of the lake to measure its depth. But suddenly the calm and quiet lake seemed to distract her from her intention, so she became enraged and understood with waves as high as mountains that threatened to overturn and sink the Empress’s boat and her entourage. The empress was frightened and fell on her knees to pray to God to save her from the raging lake, promising to build a monastery on the spot where he would rescue her from the lake. As soon as she made that promise, the waves began to subside and the lake calmed down, so the woman reached the shore, where she said, “This is a reminder for me (Macedonian translation: ZA-UM) that I should not intervene in God’s work” and gave the order of building a monastery that she named Zaum, because of the great fear she survived so she could see it and remember that she would drown. The legend says that the monastery stands on the shore under the steep rocks at the deepest part of the lake “for the mind” of every person who goes there to be guarded and not to enter it.
SUP Tour
We start the tour in the village Trpejca because for the preparation of SUPs, we need shade and proximity to the vehicle. If there is no possibility to park in the village. Trpejca, the second option is the camp Ljubanishte where with a properly paid parking you can park the vehicle near the beach which convenient for the preparation of SUPs and transport of all equipment (pumps, bags, etc.) back to the vehicle.
We start from the village Trpejca and we easily find parking on the side street (parallel to the main one) – ZoomIn / ZoomOut on the map on the right. This side street (opposite the market) leads us to the less visited beach of Trpejca surrounded by several weekend cottages where we smoothly prepare the SUPs and leave for ZAUM. We immediately cross the mountain ridge that separates the village and begins the silence and untouched nature that abounds in clear green water and wild beaches.
Here the nature is untouched. We often take breaks to enjoy the beautiful green water of the lake. When we think that there is no end to the enjoyment, we briefly arrive at St. Bogorodica Zahumska – for us one of the most untouched natural beauties of Ohrid. We park the SUPs and enjoy the silence and nature. From time to time tourist boats pass, stay for 15-20 minutes and leave. We remain as if this beauty will escape from us.
We decide to continue to Ljubanishta. Wild beaches and beautiful water at every turn. We stop at each of them to take a bath – we can not get enough of this beauty.
It is already late and around 3 pm the lake starts to play. We remembered the legend of ZAUM and decided to immediately head back to Trpejca – about 30 minutes of rowing. When we arrived in Trpejca, the lake no longer allowed normal SUP paddling due to high waves and strong winds.
ZAUM is one of the must-visit places in Ohrid – whether with SUP or organized tour.
Nearby trails:
