Ohrid

When I was in Ohrid in June 2017, I did not know that I would start this photoproject. Though I already had the 1926 Yugoslavia photobook of Kurt Hielscher in my possession for 15 years, I did not search for the places to make the same shot. Unfortunately? Well, now as any tourist, I just strolled around this lovely city and discovered the lake and its surroundings with my family like we did a few days before in Skopje. It made me experience the city in another way than I would have had if I was eager to make the five photos Kurt Hielscher made here. Believe me it is also a good thing to visit a place without having any ambition, well except for the selfie with the church of Sv. Jovan Kaneo, which was a must ofcourse. 

Ohrid, 1926. Photo: Kurt Hielscher. I would love to come back one day and try to make this one too.

Here, the must-make-selfie with the famous Sveti Jovan Kaneo church at the shores of Lake Ohrid and at the edge of the city. The tiny church dates back to 1447 AD. You can see my familymembers at the table under the tree next to the most iconic church of the whole of the former Yugoslavia. 

Sveti Jovan Kaneo from anothe angle and in black&white. It really is a pleasure to stroll along the coastline of Lake Ohrid here.

Ohrid has a nice boardwalk, the Крајбрежно шеталиште Охрид, along its coastline from the city center to Sveti Jovan Kaneo. Here Kim and my yougest walking back to the center.

Happy times with my lovely wife Kim in Ohrid.

The sun sets behind the mountains of Albania at the opposite side of Lake Ohrid, here seen from Peštani, just south of the city of Ohrid.

Photo: Casper Molenaar, 5th of June 2017. This is the most popular car in the region, by far: the blue Fićo from the lovely elderly couple Pero & Jule from Ohrid so I have been told by Dragec Simonovski. The car is also known as a Zastava 750. Below some pics of the same car by Andrey Andreev Photography from 2012, one from 2015 from Megan C. Starr, one from April 2021 by Билјана Kотушескa, and one published by Ali ündoğdu in February 2022, all made on the same spot in Ohrid.

Now, I am wondering if it is still there!?

Another Zastava.

Kim and the boys strolling around the streets of Ohrid.

Sveta Sofija in Ohrid.

19th century house in Ohrid on a 1975 stamp on the occasion of the "European Year of the Preservation of Monuments" in my collection of old stamps of Yugoslavia vs. the 5th of June 2017. Photo: Casper Molenaar.

The flag of The Netherlands in Ohrids main street. Several entrepeneurs offering "excursies" with Dutch tourists being the target group. The Dutch connection is Dutch writer and traveler of the interbellum period A. den Doolaard. unfortunately, I didn't take a photo of his statue nor visited the museum about him.

Another view on Ohrid.

A glimpse of the ancient theatre in Ohrid.

Ohrid, 1926. Photo: Kurt Hielscher. 

Around Ohrid

Near Struga

View on Trpejca from the Galičica mountains. A beautiful stunning road brought is uphill through the National Park descending at the other side to Lake Prespa, a journey like in a fairytale.

Enjoying the view. Just wow!!

Trpejca down there. Here we went out for dinner at a fine restaurant here on the photo on the right.

In Elšani just a short inland drive.

In Elšani wit a view on Lake Ohrid.

Sveti Naum close to the border with Albania.

Sveti Naum is also famous for its peacocks. We found a feather and brought it home as a souvenir, while my youngest son made a beatiful drawing of a peacock.

Time to throw some stones in the water at Sveti Naum.

Stenje Beach at Lake Prespa.

From a little closer and in color. The boys took the opportunity to go for a swim in Lake Prespa.

From Lake Prespa to Capari. We didn't make it to Bitola though.

Below: View on Trpejca on the left and Lake Ohrid.