Ohrid Lake, lying between southwestern Macedonia and eastern Albania, is one of Europe's deepest and oldest lakes, preserving a unique aquatic ecosystem that is of worldwide importance, with more than 200 endemic species. The importance of the lake was further emphasized when it was declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1979 and when, in 2010, NASA decided to name one of Titan's lakes (Titan is a moon of Saturn) after Lake Ohrid (Ohrid Lacus).
Ohrid Lake represents a real pearl of natural beauty. This relict phenomenon attracts people of all profession and interests, tourists and scientists, artists and people seeking spiritual and religious experience, sportsmen and adventurists. And geocachers, of course!
On the Macedonian lakeside are situated two towns, Ohrid and Struga, and numerous villages. Tourist guides mostly promote the eastern side of the Ohrid Lake, from the town of Ohrid to Sveti Naum on the Albanian border. Yes, this part of Ohrid Lake is spectacular and breathtaking. However, the western side of Ohrid Lake, starting from the city of Struga along the western lake coast to the village Radozhda, offers many things to see and experience too. Natural beauties, splendid views, sacral objects, good food and crystal water. The same as on the eastern side, but still different. Explore it, I am sure you will not be sorry…
The cache will lead you to a place called Deer Rock (Macedonian “Elen Kamen”), a small settlement some 5 km south from the center of the Struga city, on the shore of the Ohrid Lake. Deer Rock represents an unusual mixture of tourist objects, private villas and sacral objects of highest importance for Macedonian cultural and religious life.
Deer Rock settlement
The cache is located on the top of this rocky settlement. From here opens a splendid view on Ohrid Lake. Ohrid Lake has its own mood, it can be joyful and calm, gloomy, tearful, shiny or playful, depends… Maybe the Lake reflects moods of some Lake Emperor living in its depths…
The most interesting places to visit on Deer Rock is the Monastery complex Kalishta (Kališta) and the Cave church Sveti Atanas (Saint Atanasius).
Kalista monastery complex is located on the shore of the Ohrid lake, south of Kalishta village. You can visit this beautiful place from two directions.
The easiest way is to drive south from Struga toward Hotel Biser, where you can park the car. Hotel Biser is located next to the Monastery complex, immediately after the village Kalishta (at R1 continue straight). Or at the same point, R1, you can turn right after the village Kalishta toward RADOZHDA. This road will lead you toward the cache on the top of the Deer Rock. From here road descends down, to a cross road toward the settlement Deer Rock. You can enter the Monastery Complex from here.
Monastery Complex Kalishta
Central place in the Kalishta monastery complex takes the new church Holy Mother of God, renovated in 1977 over an older 17th century church. Here you can see a rare icon of the Holy Mother of God with black face and clothing, holding in her hands black baby Jesus.
The oldest part of the Kalishta monastery complex is a cave church, built in the 13th century, deep into a rock. Close to the Holy Mother of God church is an other small church dedicated to Saint Peter and Paul (built in 1990). From its base flows water, which according to the local beliefs heals many diseases.
Russian girls visiting the cave church in Monastery Kalishta
Saint Atanasius cave church is located about 500 meter south from the Monastery of Kalishta, adjacent to the surrounding rocks, quite close to the steep ridge looking toward the lake. This cave church is dedicated to the Archbishop of Alexandria - Athanasius, who lived in the 4th century, and is celebrated on the January 31. The greatest composition of medieval fine art in the Struga district is preserved inside this church. This cave church can be approached via stone stairs, built recently.
The cave church Saint Atanasius
The cache is hidden on the side of a narrow road with lot of curves, so be very careful. You can park the car on the side of the road, or if you are lucky, on few parking places near a restaurant Villa Eros. The cache is a small glass juice jar.
Sources: Wikipedia, other internet sources. Photos: Internet and original (by Galejnik)