Church of Agios Achilios in Lake Prespa

The Church of Agios Achilios, located on the eastern side of the island of Agios Achilios in Lake Prespa, is the most imposing monument in the area and one of the most significant Byzantine monuments in Northern Greece. The church, built in the 10th century by the Tsar of the Bulgarians, Samuel, is dedicated to Agios Achilios and houses his relics, which were brought by Samuel from Larissa. The basilica, measuring 44.7 x 22 meters, is of the three-aisled wooden-roofed type with a narthex and is characterized by the grandeur of its architecture and its harmonious integration with the natural landscape of Prespa.

Inside the church, the frescoes belong to at least three phases of artistic decoration, with the most important being the second phase (1037-1056), which preserves scenes from the lives of saints and soldiers. In the apse of the sanctuary, the synthronon and the painted arches, which inscribe the sees of the bishops of the Archbishopric of Ohrid, stand out.

Also noteworthy is the burial system around the church, as richly furnished tombs of important figures from the time have been discovered in the area. The restoration of the church and the conservation of the surrounding area have made Agios Achilios one of the most visited and attractive destinations in the region.