Leskoec

Leskoec (Leskoets) is a small village close to Ohrid. It is on the road from Ohrid to Bitola. The view of Ohrid is very nice from the hills of Leskoec. If you walk uphill from the main road from Ohrid to Bitola, the first church in Leskoec that you will see is the Church of St Toma. It is a new church, and it was not completely finished when we got there in 2008. Next to the church is a little chapel dedicated to St Petka. In 2021 I re-visited Leskoets and its churches during a hike.

Church of St Nikola

The Church of St Nikola is a bit uphill from the newly built Church of St Toma in Leskoec.

Church of St Spas

The Church of St Spas (The Holy Savior) lies further uphill from the churches of St Toma and St Nikola. It is located on the local graveyard. There is an inscription mentioning more than 20 names as founders of the church. Two founders had a special role, Tode and his wife Bulka. They are painted in the frescoes. St Spas was built in 1462 and renovated in 1898. The frescoes also date from the 15th century. An interesting fresco shows St Clement in full size, holding a model of the village. The only other similar portrayal of St Clement can be found in Ohrid in the Lesser Physician Saints Church (Mali Sveti Vraci), also named the Church of Saints Cosmas and Damian.

Church of St Naum

The Church of St Naum is located uphill from the churches mentioned above. It is on the hill, next to a huge metal cross. Stairs lead from the asphalt road to the church. You can also follow the asphalt road uphill to St Naum. When we visited in 2008, the site was in the process of being renovated and seems to be turned into either a monastery or place where people gather in the weekends for picnics etc.

Church of St Ilija

Additionally, in the hills between Leskoec and the village Velgosti you can find the Church of St Ilija, with a good site for a picnic.

Church of St Nikola

Further towards Velgosti are the church of St Nikolai and the Cave Church St Bogorodica. Also here you’ll have the possibility for a picnic.

Cave Church of St Bogorodica

Some of the hikes that we did in Galicica National Park also pass some of these churches in Galicica National Park, suchs at the hike from Zavoj to Ohrid (24 km) and the hike from Ohrid to Velgosti (25 km).