Draslajca

Monastery St Nedela Draslajca North Macedonia
St Nedela

Draslajca is a village about 5 km north of Struga. I noticed on a map that there are two churches in the north part of Draslajca and decided to have a look at them since I was in the neighbourhood.

Monastery St Nedela Draslajca North Macedonia
St Nedela

The Monastery of St Nedela is basically a just church, apparently without the lodging houses that you usually find at a monastery (N41° 13′ 04.1″ E20° 41′ 38.8″).

Monastery St Nedela Draslajca North Macedonia
St Nedela

The church is atypical in that it has a pool and bridge in front of it.

Monastery St Nedela Draslajca North Macedonia
St Nedela

St Nedela was open and seems to be built over a spring that probably has healing water.

St Bogorodica Draslajca North Macedonia
St Bogorodica

The other church, dedicated to St Bogorodica is just 5 minutes walking from St Nedela on the cemetery (N41° 13′ 01.7″ E20° 41′ 28.9″).

St Bogorodica Draslajca North Macedonia
St Bogorodica

Unfortunately St Bogorodica was closed. I was told by a local that it dates back to the 1890’s. There are some huge old trees next to the church.

On my way to Draslajca I passed through the villages Lozhani and Bidzhevo which also had a cemetery with a church.