The fortress of King Samuel


The fortress of King Samuel in Macedonia is one of the oldest medieval fortifications , therefore it is the visiting card of the amazing Ohrid . All excursions to the sights of the city ​​pass through the fortress of Samuel. It is located near Ohrid Lake at a hundred meters high. Therefore, the view from the fortress opens stunning, from there you can see some of the most beautiful places in Macedonia.

History of the fortress

In the tenth century, the Bulgarian king Samuel was very fond of Ohrid, he saw in it the center of Macedonia, so he appropriated the status of the capital. He wanted to live there and manage from there his possessions, and therefore Samuel first of all ordered to build new ones on the basis of old defensive structures. As a result, a fortress was built with a length of 3 km and almost with two dozen watchtowers. The fortress, in addition to its main defensive function, still performed administrative duties. This was the only entrance to the city, so strict guardians watched to prevent enemies from entering Ohrid.

In the course of history the fortress was repeatedly destroyed and restored by different peoples and armies, therefore it lost its original appearance and bears the elements of several cultures. When in 2000 archaeological investigations were carried out on the site of the castle, many valuable finds were found, among which are the world-famous "Golden Mask" and "Golden Glove", dating back to the 5th century. BC. These findings made the fortress area priceless.

What to see in the fortress of King Samuel?

The fortress of Samuel is a beautiful structure. Until now, not only the foundation, but also large sections of the walls have been preserved. Thus, every tourist can see with his own eyes the power and grandeur of the fort. Also there were steep staircases and passages, in which defenders of the city hid and waited for the enemies. Today you can freely walk around them, feeling the full force of this place.

Periodically, the restoration works are taking place on the territory of the fortress, therefore, walking along it, creates the feeling that you are on active archaeological excavations. A route with reliable trails is laid throughout the territory, and there are handrails in the necessary places. Going to the Fortress of King Samuel, "arm" with comfortable shoes, because you will have to walk a lot. But it is worth it, because the tour ends with an ascent to the highest point of this territory, from where you can observe a beautiful panorama of the lake and the city of Ohrid.

Tips for tourists

The most successful photos from the fortress on the lake and city are better to shoot in the early morning or before sunset, then they will be excellent. But the walls of the fortress and other buildings - better in the evening, then they are illuminated by lights and emphasize the relief of the walls of ancient buildings.

In order to get to the fortress, you can use the services of a guide or local taxi drivers who will take you there with pleasure, but at the appointed time they will take you. Local residents are so proud of the fortress that they know the most interesting facts about it, so the taxi driver will gladly tell you everything that he knows about the fortress of Samuel.