Icon Gallery of Ohrid

The Icon Gallery of Ohrid, has one of the most important collections of Byzantine and post-Byzantine icons in Southeast Europe.

The gallery is housed within the complex of the Church of Church of St. Mary Perivleptos and preserves icons created between the 11th and 19th centuries. Together, they tell the story of Ohrid as a major spiritual, artistic, and cultural center of the Orthodox world.

Many of the icons you see here come from churches and monasteries in Ohrid and the surrounding region. They were created by highly skilled painters, trained in the finest Byzantine traditions. Some works are associated with famous medieval workshops, while others reflect the unique local style known for its elegance, harmony, and emotional depth.

As you move through the gallery, notice the changing artistic styles over the centuries—from the strict and symbolic forms of early Byzantine iconography to the more expressive and decorative works of later periods. The icons are not just works of art; they were objects of devotion, meant to inspire prayer and spiritual reflection.

Particularly valuable are the icons from the 11th and 12th centuries, considered masterpieces of Byzantine painting. Their refined faces, gentle gestures, and rich colors place Ohrid alongside major artistic centers such as Constantinople and Thessaloniki.

The Icon Gallery is more than a museum. It is a quiet space where art, faith, and history meet. Each icon carries a story—of the artist who painted it, the church it once adorned, and the people who prayed before it.

Take your time here. Look closely. In these painted faces and golden backgrounds, you will discover why Ohrid is often called a city of light, faith, and timeless beauty.

Read more:

• Saint Clement of Ohrid - Monument in the center of Ohrid
• Monument of Saint Naum of Ohrid
• Ohrid - Hospital Churches of St. Nicholas and St. Mary
• House of Urania, Ohrid
• Robevci House – City Museum of Ohrid
• Memorial House of Hristo Uzunov, Ohrid
• Saint Sophia Church – Ohrid (11th century)
• Manchevci Archaeological Site, Ohrid
• Ancient Theatre of Ohrid
• Church of St. Mary Perivleptos – Ohrid (1295)
• Icon Gallery of Ohrid
• Samuil’s Fortress, Ohrid, Macedonia
• The Turbé of Sinan Chelebi, Ohrid
• Plaoshnik and the Church of Saint Panteleimon, Ohrid, Macedonia
• Church of St. John at Kaneo - Ohrid
• Ohrid Lake