SAINT CLEMENT AND SAINT NAUM

As early as the second part of the VIII century the region of Ohrid was an area of affinity for the Bulgarian State. During the reign of the Bulgarian Czar Boris the Macedonian territories were incorporated into several "komitati" (units of local authority). Ohrid was under a "komitat" that covered the regions of Ohrid and Devol. By incorporating the majority of "sclavinias" into the Bulgarian State, their independent development was interrupted.

In Ohrid region Christianity was inaugurated as the official religion as early as IV century AD Since the first part of IV century the town of Lychnidos became an episcopal centre. When the region of Ohrid fell under the reign of the Bulgarian State, Duke Boris imposed Christianity because he wanted to strengthen his power through the church. Christianization in the region of Ohrid became particularly intense after 846 AD when Boris approved the baptism of his subjects by Greek priests.

After a short stay on the Bulgarian court, in 886 Clement (of Ohrid) was sent to Macedonia on a mission of importance for the state. He was sent to the region called Kutmicevica as a teacher. This region covered southwest Macedonia and southern Albania, with their respective capitals of Ohrid and Devol. Both towns were religious centres with cathedrals. During his teaching activity Clement had numerous students. There were approximately 3,500 "chosen" students. By developing so many Slavic clergyman in a short period Clement succeeded to introduce the Slavic religious service in the reconstructed and newly built churches throughout Ohrid region and Macedonia. This activity of Clement denoted the foundation of the Slavic church in Macedonia. After seven years of teaching, in 893 the new Bulgarian ruler Simeon (893-927) promoted Clement into Bishop of Drembica (or Bishop of Velika) and his teaching post was entrusted to Naum. His teaching activity was mainly centered in Ohrid. This is evident form the existence of the Monastery built on the Lakeshore.

The teacher and Bishop Clement, together with Naum, were the founders of the so-called Ohrid Glagolitic Literary School. Clement also wrote or translated about 50 works, thus enhancing the bases of the Macedonian and pan-Slavic literature and culture. The pursuits of Clement and Naum in the second half of IX century lead to Ohrid becoming one of the most developed and most famous medieval centres of Slavic culture. The solid bonds of Clement and Naum with this region are evident from the fact that both were buried in the Monasteries built by themselves on the shore of Lake Ohrid. Naum died in 910 and Clement in 916.

Neolithic and eneolithic period

In the Ohrid region there are several Neolithic settlements: Dolno Trnovo in Ohrid and Zlastrana in the village of Gorno Sredorece (Debarca), as well as the Kutlina site in the village of Velmej (Debarca) that dates back to the Eneolithic period. There are also several sites from the Bronze Age: Lakoceresko Gradiste, Koselsko Gradiste, Tumba near the village of Svinista, and the recently discovered lake-dwelling settlement "Ploca Micov Grad" located near Gradiste peninsula on the eastern shore of Lake Ohrid.

Excavations carried out in the three Neolithic settlements have shown the presence of the remains of buildings, graves and ceramics. On the surface of the sites Lakocersko Gradiste and Koselsko Gradiste fragments of ceramic pots as well as stone and bone tools were found.

Most probably the Neolithic sites now known in the Ohrid region date back from IV - III millenium BC

PREHISTORICAL AND CLASSICAL MONUMENTS OF CULTURE

Classical period

From the time of Philip II of Macedonia entering in the region of Lychnidos, the cultural influences of the Greek-Macedonian world were more present. This notable culture left its mark in this territory and various artifacts have been found: from marble molds, through ceramic and bronze pots, to small pieces of jewelry made of gold, semiprecious gems and glass paste.

Recent archeological examinations have shown that the line starting from St. Erasmus through Gabavci, Paterica and Kozluk to Koselska Reka was an urban entity. This entity in archaeology is known as "Hermeleia". The acropolis is located high in the hill of Gabavsko. Its southeast footage is the lower town, and the sacred and secular buildings are located on the eastern and western sides.

Two necropolises from ancient times were discovered near Ohrid. One of them is located in Trebenisko Kale, and the other was discovered on the site Crvenica near Prentov Most. On the ruins of the former a stronghold was found built in several different periods, as well as ceramic pots and 17 grave units. On the site near Crvenica, 143 tombs dating back to the Hellenic period and the early Middle Ages were found.

Also one Macedonian crypt was found in the area of Varosh, the old part of Ohrid. On the locality Deboj, the central necropolis of Lychnidos and the medieval Ohrid were discovered.

There is another building that is usual for this period - the Roman theatre. It is located in Varos (the old part of Ohrid). It was built in accordance with the Greek and Roman type of theatres. The first findings of this monumental structure, without which a town centre in the classical period would have been inconceivable, date from the beginning of the 20th century, with two relief plates depicting Dionysus with the Muses. The first archaeological probes were carried out during 1959 - 1960, when nine rows of seats in the theatre were discovered. Some of the stone seats contain inscriptions of the names of the families that had subscriptions.

The theatre covers an area of around 4,000 m2. In the excavations carried out in three occasions, the locations of the entrances, theatre building, orchestra with seats reserved for honourable people as well as the arena volume were defined.

In this period in the region of Lychnidos the presence of religion was rather significant. One notable sculpture found in the region of Lychnidos is the goddess of human destiny, Isis.

Lychnidos. Many towns of that period, with the consent of the Macedonian rulers, used the mines and minted coins with the common inscription of MAKEDONWN and the name of the region. Only in the case of Ohrid, the name of the town was also imprinted.