Church of the Virgin Mary Peribleptos

Church of the Virgin Mary Peribleptos is one of Ohrid’s finest medieval landmarks, celebrated for its exceptional frescoes and its role in shaping Balkan art. Built in 1295, it became the seat of the Archbishopric after Saint Sophia was converted into a mosque, turning Peribleptos into a spiritual and cultural anchor for the city. Its architecture is modest from the outside, but the interior reveals a masterpiece of the Palaiologan Renaissance. Inside, the church’s fresco cycle is the main attraction. Created by the painters Michael and Eutychios, these images transformed Orthodox art with their emotional realism, dynamic movement, and vivid color. Scenes such as the Nativity and the Dormition of the Virgin stand out for their expressive faces and intricate details, offering a glimpse into a period when Ohrid was a major artistic center. Another highlight is the adjoining Icon Gallery, which houses some of the most important icons from the region, spanning several centuries. These works illustrate how local artists blended Byzantine tradition with distinctive Ohrid influences. Visitors can also see fragments of earlier decorative layers, revealing how the church evolved over time.