The bones bay in Ohrid

Whenever I invite people to Ohrid and I say it is a place full of history and monuments, you can expect the very first history of human existence, even. Being an area of fewer than 400 km2, and having so many historical periods vividly presented through physical monuments is what makes Ohrid a “must visit” spot on every traveler's list. Now, let's go back to prehistory and get introduced to the museum on water: the Bay of Bones.

This is a bay in Ohrid Lake and archaeological site of prehistoric settlement on the peninsula. The depth is 3 to 5 meters. The place has been named "Plocha Micov Grad" and today there is a reconstruction of the endowed living quarters. Above it, there is a renewed Roman fortification (castrum) with military facilities from that time. This pile-dwelling settlement that has been erected was in the past spreading at a total surface of 8.500 m2. Bay of the Bones is an authentic reconstruction of a part of the settlement, dating back to between 1200 and 700 BC.

Lake Ohrid

2PR9+QH Ohrid, North Macedonia

The reconstructed settlement is assumed to have been a platform of about 8,500 m², and there may have been 60 habitats. Many remains of tools, ceramics, stone objects and parts of animals such as horns were discovered on the site.

The surrounding settlements were also cities made on platforms, which stood on wooden piles stuck at the bottom of the lake. On those pile-up platforms stood the houses of the prehistoric people, who with a flexible bridge were linked to the shore. The inhabitants of these settlements dealt mostly with fishing, agriculture, and hunting. This is indicated by the various vessels and items of ceramics and stone found both in the land and underwater.

That's my Ohrid! A travel machine that can take you from Prehistory through this bay, to Ottoman Empire, then again back to Antic period, and front to modern Ohrid, and back again to medieval period... Travel to Ohrid is traveling through time. You should not miss it, for sure.

Bay of bones, Ohrid

Bay of Bones Museum,Р501, North Macedonia

In this museum complex, you can visit the reconstructed part of the settlement on the water, indoor museum, cozy restaurant, beautiful park, diving center, and an all-renewed Roman Castrum. All in all, a place to bookmark or to ''backpack'' as we on itinari would like to say.

I found this visit completely unique and different than all other spots around Ohrid. Probably it is the vivid presentation of a distant period of humanity, through reconstruction. It was like visiting the scenography of a movie. Well done.