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Founded: 14th centuryCategory: Historic city squares, old towns and villages in North Macedonia
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This sleepy fishing village of Radožda is Lake Ohrid’s hidden gems. Situated at the point of Macedonia which is closest to Albania, visitors can enjoy a culture here rich with the influences of both nations, and can even hop across the border for a wonderfully varied traveling experience. Calm, tranquil and picturesque, Radožda offers a taste of real Macedonian rural life and history, with the town first having been mentioned in historical documents between 1342 and 1345.
The Saint Archangel Micheal Church makes for an excellent day out, having been built into a mountainside just above the village centuries ago. A true piece of untouched paradise by the lakeside, visitors should be sure to put this town on their list and experience the authentic lifestyle, food, and culture of its native people.
References:The Castle of Gruyères is one of the most famous in Switzerland. It was built between 1270 and 1282, following the typical square plan of the fortifications in Savoy. It was the property of the Counts of Gruyères until the bankruptcy of the Count Michel in 1554. His creditors the cantons of Fribourg and Bern shared his earldom. From 1555 to 1798 the castle became residence to the bailiffs and then to the prefects sent by Fribourg.
In 1849 the castle was sold to the Bovy and Balland families, who used the castle as their summer residency and restored it. The castle was then bought back by the canton of Fribourg in 1938, made into a museum and opened to the public. Since 1993, a foundation ensures the conservation as well as the highlighting of the building and the art collection.
The castle is the home of three capes of the Order of the Golden Fleece. They were part of the war booty captured by the Swiss Confederates (which included troops from Gruyères) at the Battle of Morat against Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy in 1476. As Charles the Bold was celebrating the anniversary of his father's death, one of the capes is a black velvet sacerdotal vestment with Philip the Good's emblem sewn into it.
A collection of landscapes by 19th century artists Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot, Barthélemy Menn and others are on display in the castle.