Travel Guide Gorna Belica

This small mountain village has become a holiday destination for the inhabitants of Struga, who can enjoy warmer temperatures in summer than on the shores of the lake. To access it, you must exit from Struga towards Albania and drive for about 2 km to the sign pointing left direction Zagračani. The road then becomes very narrow. Continue on a little over one kilometre to a T junction, turn right and then the next left. The road climbs through a landscape of garrigue to the small village of Visni. A paved road leads along a torrent to Gorna Belica, passing through a vast beech and oak forest. Caution: the lacets are many! The implantation of the Vlachs in this village dates back to 1769, when the inhabitants of Moskopole, in southern Albania, were hunted by the local bey. They settled in this peaceful mountain corner with their herds and all their possessions. The village has two interesting churches to visit. The church Saint-Clément, the first one arriving in the village, dates back to the th century and was the residence of St. Clement of Ohrid before he finally settled on the lake. Higher in the village, Saint-Petka church dates back to the early th century. It is typical of the vlach religious architecture, with the bottom of its iconostasis decorated with floral motifs and its carved wooden eagle. It should be noted that most of the inscriptions are in Greek, as it was in the 1830 s, while the Greek influence was very strong. This small, quiet village takes place once a year, on August 8 th and 9 th, for the celebrations of Saint Petka and Saint Clement. From Gorna Belica, you can go on an excursion to a glacial lake higher in the mountain. But, given the proximity of the Albanian border, it is imperative to obtain information before the local garrison of the Macedonian army. In any case, it would be unconscious to leave alone, without a guide that knows the ground well!