Holy Mary Perybleptos Church, Ohrid, North Macedonia

Built in 1295, the Holy Mother of God Peribleptos is one of the oldest churches in the historic town of Ohrid in southwestern Macedonia. The domed cross-in-square church was commissioned by the Byzantine governor Progonos Sgouros, a son-in-law of emperor Andronikos II Palaeologos.

The frescoes in the church, which have substantially contributed to current knowledge of Palaeologan painting, include images from the Passion and the Gospels, the life of the Virgin Mary, and the life of John the Baptist. Byzantine painters Michael and Eutychios signed their work at the church, making Holy Mother of God Peribleptos one of only four churches that preserves the signatures of these important artists.

An ambulatory was added to the church in the fourteenth century, but closed off in the nineteenth century, giving the entrance to the building its unusual appearance. Holy Mother of God Peribleptos has suffered from improper roof conservation in the past, which has allowed additional moisture to enter the building. As a result, rising damp and salts leeching out of the walls have severely affected the Byzantine frescoes. Changes in pigment are noticeable, and in some areas the paintings have started to fall from the walls. The local community is eager to restore the church, but requires international assistance to do so.

References:

wmf.org

Religious sites in North Macedonia

User Reviews

Honest (6 months ago)
Pretty place and view from there. Beautiful architecture. Didn’t enter inside the church though. The entrance fee around 2€ (for dec 2020)

Zarko Markovski (10 months ago)
Most precious Byzantine Church in Ohrid. 13 century masterpiece of the celebrated fresco painters Mihail and Eutichios Astrapas.

Sofija Gacovska (12 months ago)
Historical site and great icon gallery

M. Çağatay Göktan (14 months ago)
The most interesting temple I have ever seen in my life. Paintings and the story about them are very impressive. You can ask the official why the eyes on the icons of the outer surface have been removed.

Gea Outdoors (2 years ago)
Beautiful old church, but we visted it at night after opening hours. A local guide told me that above the main door, on the inside, there are 4 paintings from the 13th century depicting the different human races (red, yellow, black and white)

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