Sights · Our pick
Samuel’s Fortress
Crown of the hill
Massive medieval walls on the summit of Ohrid’s hill, with the lake spread below.
Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © kallerna · CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © kallerna · CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons1 / 3
About Samuel’s Fortress
Ohrid’s fortress, one of the largest medieval fortifications in the country, covers the whole hill above the old town, about 100 metres above the lake. Its walls and towers run for some three kilometres, rising between 3 and 16 metres, and most of what survives dates from the time of Tsar Samuel (976–1014) and his successors, when Ohrid was their capital. Enter the Citadel through its main gate flanked by two semicircular towers, then walk the ramparts for sweeping views over the rooftops, the lake and the mountains beyond.
Our take
- Medieval ramparts
- Wide lake views
- Above the old town
- Address
- Ohrid, the Balkans
- Our city guide
- On our Skopje guide
- Price guide
- € (sights price guide)
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Samuel’s Fortress before you go.
Last checked: October 2026 How we choose
Location
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