Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Ottomans

After the end of the Macedonian-Roman War in 168 BC, Illyria came under Roman protectorate and in 146 BC the Romans built the Via Egnatia trade route, which was a direct link between Rome and Byzantium as a continuation of the Via Appia. Rest areas were established at regular intervals along this route, one of which was in Scampa, what is Elbasan today. Scampa was developed into a fortress by the Romans. Even today, the remains of late antique walls are still visible in some places up to a height of three metres. The position of the wall rectangle of 348 metres by 308 metres still forms the boundary of the old town today. The Via Egnatia ran through the two city gates located in the centre of the west and east sides. Scampa became the seat of a bishop in the 5th century. The remains of an early basilica were uncovered on a hill outside the city walls. From the 7th century onwards, there were Slavic invasions and the town was destroyed by fire. The place was then probably abandoned. It is unclear whether a settlement existed under the Byzantines. It may still have been abandoned when the Ottomans built a military camp there and a massive four-sided castle was constructed in order to fight Skanderbeg, due to an ongoing conflict between the Ottomans and Albanians. In 1467 many Christians from Skopje, Ohrid, Serres and Kastoria were forcibly deported to Elbasan. By the end of the 17th century it had 2,000 inhabitants. At the beginning of the 20th century it was estimated that 15,000 people lived in Elbasan. The King Mosque is considered the oldest preserved mosque in Albania. Built at the end of the 15th century, the mosque is located in the old town within the fortress walls. The mosque consists of a quadrangular prayer room, the sides of which are around 14 metres long. In front of it is a wooden vestibule and in the north-west corner stands the minaret. After religion was banned in Albania in 1967, the building was repurposed and altered. It served as a centre for popular political education. By 1979, only the prayer room remained of the building - the minaret had been demolished. In 2013, the mosque was extensively and faithfully restored. The minaret was also rebuilt.

After the end of the Macedonian-Roman War in 168 BC, Illyria came under Roman protectorate and in 146 BC the Romans built the Via Egnatia trade route, which was a direct link between Rome and Byzantium as a continuation of the Via Appia. Rest areas were established at regular intervals along this route, one of which was in Scampa, what is Elbasan today. Scampa was developed into a fortress by the Romans. Even today, the remains of late antique walls are still visible in some places up to a height of three metres. The position of the wall rectangle of 348 metres by 308 metres still forms the boundary of the old town today. The Via Egnatia ran through the two city gates located in the centre of the west and east sides. Scampa became the seat of a bishop in the 5th century. The remains of an early basilica were uncovered on a hill outside the city walls. From the 7th century onwards, there were Slavic invasions and the town was destroyed by fire. The place was then probably abandoned. It is unclear whether a settlement existed under the Byzantines. It may still have been abandoned when the Ottomans built a military camp there and a massive four-sided castle was constructed in order to fight Skanderbeg, due to an ongoing conflict between the Ottomans and Albanians. In 1467 many Christians from Skopje, Ohrid, Serres and Kastoria were forcibly deported to Elbasan. By the end of the 17th century it had 2,000 inhabitants. At the beginning of the 20th century it was estimated that 15,000 people lived in Elbasan.

After the end of the Macedonian-Roman War in 168 BC, Illyria came under Roman protectorate and in 146 BC the Romans built the Via Egnatia trade route, which was a direct link between Rome and Byzantium as a continuation of the Via Appia. Rest areas were established at regular intervals along this route, one of which was in Scampa, what is Elbasan today. Scampa was developed into a fortress by the Romans. Even today, the remains of late antique walls are still visible in some places up to a height of three metres. The position of the wall rectangle of 348 metres by 308 metres still forms the boundary of the old town today. The Via Egnatia ran through the two city gates located in the centre of the west and east sides. Scampa became the seat of a bishop in the 5th century. The remains of an early basilica were uncovered on a hill outside the city walls. From the 7th century onwards, there were Slavic invasions and the town was destroyed by fire. The place was then probably abandoned. It is unclear whether a settlement existed under the Byzantines. It may still have been abandoned when the Ottomans built a military camp there and a massive four-sided castle was constructed in order to fight Skanderbeg, due to an ongoing conflict between the Ottomans and Albanians. In 1467 many Christians from Skopje, Ohrid, Serres and Kastoria were forcibly deported to Elbasan. By the end of the 17th century it had 2,000 inhabitants. At the beginning of the 20th century it was estimated that 15,000 people lived in Elbasan. The excavation of an early basilica (6th c.). The remains of the floor mosaics lie protected under the tarpaulin.

Ohrid became a "polis" under the name Lychnidos after Alexander the Great conquered the area around 335 BC. Around 148 BC, Lychnidos became part of the Roman Republic and thus a "colonia". When the empire was divided in 395, Lychnidos was awarded to the Eastern Roman Empire. Lychnidos became a bishopric under the Byzantines in late antiquity. Lychnidos was destroyed by a devastating earthquake and it is unclear whether the city continued to exist or was re-founded by Slavs. The place was first mentioned under the name Ohrid around 880. Ohrid was developed into a cultural and religious center of the Bulgarian Empire. Today, a citadel, built on the walls of an ancient fortress, towers over the city. When Emperor Basil II incorporated Ohrid into his empire in 1018, he had the fortress demolished. At the end of the 12th century, the Bulgarians regained their independence and reconquered Ohrid in 1198. The Ottomans took possession of Ohrid in the years around 1400. In the following centuries, the city became a supra-regional center of Islam, where mosques and places of the dervish cult were built. The city also remained a center of Christian art until the middle of the 15th century. The conversion of St. Sophia's Church into a mosque took place during the reign of the Ottoman Sultan Mehmed I (1413–1421). In 1462, the Albanian resistance fighter Skanderbeg conquered the city. But it was recaptured in 1466. Around 1568, the city was badly damaged by an earthquake. The present St. Sophia Church was built on the foundations of a cathedral destroyed in the first decade of the 6th century by the invasions of the early Slavs. The next church was built during the First Bulgarian Empire after the official conversion to Christianity. Some date the construction of the church to the reign of Knyaz Boris I (852 – 889). It was essentially rebuilt as a patriarchal cathedral in the form of a domed basilica in the last decade of the 10th century. It was then, under the rule of Tsar Samuil (958–1014), that Ohrid became the Bulgarian capital. It was the seat of the Bulgarian Patriarchate. During the rule of the Ottoman Empire, it was converted into a mosque. Inside the church, frescoes from the 11th, 12th and 13th centuries have been preserved, representing some of the most significant achievements of Byzantine painting of that period. The main part of the church was built in the 11th century. The numerous frescoes with which the walls were painted in the 11th century can now be seen again in the church. The frescoes are to be seen in the context of the iconoclastic controversy against the emperors Leo and Constantine, who were both iconoclasts. All of the frescoes in St. Sophia's Church were painted over during the rule of the Ottoman Empire and the use of the church as a mosque and were forgotten. The frescoes were rediscovered between 1950 and 1957.

Ohrid became a "polis" under the name Lychnidos after Alexander the Great conquered the area around 335 BC. Around 148 BC, Lychnidos became part of the Roman Republic and thus a "colonia". When the empire was divided in 395, Lychnidos was awarded to the Eastern Roman Empire. Lychnidos became a bishopric under the Byzantines in late antiquity. Lychnidos was destroyed by a devastating earthquake and it is unclear whether the city continued to exist or was re-founded by Slavs. The place was first mentioned under the name Ohrid around 880. Ohrid was developed into a cultural and religious center of the Bulgarian Empire. Today, a citadel, built on the walls of an ancient fortress, towers over the city. When Emperor Basil II incorporated Ohrid into his empire in 1018, he had the fortress demolished. At the end of the 12th century, the Bulgarians regained their independence and reconquered Ohrid in 1198. The Ottomans took possession of Ohrid in the years around 1400. In the following centuries, the city became a supra-regional center of Islam, where mosques and places of the dervish cult were built. The city also remained a center of Christian art until the middle of the 15th century. The conversion of St. Sophia's Church into a mosque took place during the reign of the Ottoman Sultan Mehmed I (1413–1421). In 1462, the Albanian resistance fighter Skanderbeg conquered the city. But it was recaptured in 1466. Around 1568, the city was badly damaged by an earthquake. The present St. Sophia Church was built on the foundations of a cathedral destroyed in the first decade of the 6th century by the invasions of the early Slavs. The next church was built during the First Bulgarian Empire after the official conversion to Christianity. Some date the construction of the church to the reign of Knyaz Boris I (852 – 889). It was essentially rebuilt as a patriarchal cathedral in the form of a domed basilica in the last decade of the 10th century. It was then, under the rule of Tsar Samuil (958–1014), that Ohrid became the Bulgarian capital. It was the seat of the Bulgarian Patriarchate. During the rule of the Ottoman Empire, it was converted into a mosque. Inside the church, frescoes from the 11th, 12th and 13th centuries have been preserved, representing some of the most significant achievements of Byzantine painting of that period. The main part of the church was built in the 11th century. The numerous frescoes with which the walls were painted in the 11th century can now be seen again in the church. The frescoes are to be seen in the context of the iconoclastic controversy against the emperors Leo and Constantine, who were both iconoclasts. All of the frescoes in St. Sophia's Church were painted over during the rule of the Ottoman Empire and the use of the church as a mosque and were forgotten. The frescoes were rediscovered between 1950 and 1957. - Medieval Murals www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/album/1290430 Ohrid, "Lake Ohrid", "Lychnidos", "Alexander the Great", Byzantine, "Bulgarian Empire", "Basil II", Ottomans, Skanderbeg, "Saint Sophia", "Knyaz Boris I", "Tsar Samuil", fresco, apse, "Byzantine Iconoclasm", "North Macedonia",

Ohrid became a "polis" under the name Lychnidos after Alexander the Great conquered the area around 335 BC. Around 148 BC, Lychnidos became part of the Roman Republic and thus a "colonia". When the empire was divided in 395, Lychnidos was awarded to the Eastern Roman Empire. Lychnidos became a bishopric under the Byzantines in late antiquity. Lychnidos was destroyed by a devastating earthquake and it is unclear whether the city continued to exist or was re-founded by Slavs. The place was first mentioned under the name Ohrid around 880. Ohrid was developed into a cultural and religious center of the Bulgarian Empire. Today, a citadel, built on the walls of an ancient fortress, towers over the city. When Emperor Basil II incorporated Ohrid into his empire in 1018, he had the fortress demolished. At the end of the 12th century, the Bulgarians regained their independence and reconquered Ohrid in 1198. The Ottomans took possession of Ohrid in the years around 1400. In the following centuries, the city became a supra-regional center of Islam, where mosques and places of the dervish cult were built. The city also remained a center of Christian art until the middle of the 15th century. The conversion of St. Sophia's Church into a mosque took place during the reign of the Ottoman Sultan Mehmed I (1413–1421). In 1462, the Albanian resistance fighter Skanderbeg conquered the city. But it was recaptured in 1466. Around 1568, the city was badly damaged by an earthquake. The present St. Sophia Church was built on the foundations of a cathedral destroyed in the first decade of the 6th century by the invasions of the early Slavs. The next church was built during the First Bulgarian Empire after the official conversion to Christianity. Some date the construction of the church to the reign of Knyaz Boris I (852 – 889). It was essentially rebuilt as a patriarchal cathedral in the form of a domed basilica in the last decade of the 10th century. It was then, under the rule of Tsar Samuil (958–1014), that Ohrid became the Bulgarian capital. It was the seat of the Bulgarian Patriarchate. During the rule of the Ottoman Empire, it was converted into a mosque. Inside the church, frescoes from the 11th, 12th and 13th centuries have been preserved, representing some of the most significant achievements of Byzantine painting of that period. The main part of the church was built in the 11th century. The numerous frescoes with which the walls were painted in the 11th century can now be seen again in the church. The frescoes are to be seen in the context of the iconoclastic controversy against the emperors Leo and Constantine, who were both iconoclasts. All of the frescoes in St. Sophia's Church were painted over during the rule of the Ottoman Empire and the use of the church as a mosque and were forgotten. The frescoes were rediscovered between 1950 and 1957. Dormitio (?) Mary surrounded by the appostels dies and Jesus takes her sould to heaven.

Ohrid became a "polis" under the name Lychnidos after Alexander the Great conquered the area around 335 BC. Around 148 BC, Lychnidos became part of the Roman Republic and thus a "colonia". When the empire was divided in 395, Lychnidos was awarded to the Eastern Roman Empire. Lychnidos became a bishopric under the Byzantines in late antiquity. Lychnidos was destroyed by a devastating earthquake and it is unclear whether the city continued to exist or was re-founded by Slavs. The place was first mentioned under the name Ohrid around 880. Ohrid was developed into a cultural and religious center of the Bulgarian Empire. Today, a citadel, built on the walls of an ancient fortress, towers over the city. When Emperor Basil II incorporated Ohrid into his empire in 1018, he had the fortress demolished. At the end of the 12th century, the Bulgarians regained their independence and reconquered Ohrid in 1198. The Ottomans took possession of Ohrid in the years around 1400. In the following centuries, the city became a supra-regional center of Islam, where mosques and places of the dervish cult were built. The city also remained a center of Christian art until the middle of the 15th century. The conversion of St. Sophia's Church into a mosque took place during the reign of the Ottoman Sultan Mehmed I (1413–1421). In 1462, the Albanian resistance fighter Skanderbeg conquered the city. But it was recaptured in 1466. Around 1568, the city was badly damaged by an earthquake. The present St. Sophia Church was built on the foundations of a cathedral destroyed in the first decade of the 6th century by the invasions of the early Slavs. The next church was built during the First Bulgarian Empire after the official conversion to Christianity. Some date the construction of the church to the reign of Knyaz Boris I (852 – 889). It was essentially rebuilt as a patriarchal cathedral in the form of a domed basilica in the last decade of the 10th century. It was then, under the rule of Tsar Samuil (958–1014), that Ohrid became the Bulgarian capital. It was the seat of the Bulgarian Patriarchate. During the rule of the Ottoman Empire, it was converted into a mosque. Inside the church, frescoes from the 11th, 12th and 13th centuries have been preserved, representing some of the most significant achievements of Byzantine painting of that period. The main part of the church was built in the 11th century. The numerous frescoes with which the walls were painted in the 11th century can now be seen again in the church. The frescoes are to be seen in the context of the iconoclastic controversy against the emperors Leo and Constantine, who were both iconoclasts. All of the frescoes in St. Sophia's Church were painted over during the rule of the Ottoman Empire and the use of the church as a mosque and were forgotten. The frescoes were rediscovered between 1950 and 1957. - Medieval Murals www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/album/1290430

Ohrid became a "polis" under the name Lychnidos after Alexander the Great conquered the area around 335 BC. Around 148 BC, Lychnidos became part of the Roman Republic and thus a "colonia". When the empire was divided in 395, Lychnidos was awarded to the Eastern Roman Empire. Lychnidos became a bishopric under the Byzantines in late antiquity. Lychnidos was destroyed by a devastating earthquake and it is unclear whether the city continued to exist or was re-founded by Slavs. The place was first mentioned under the name Ohrid around 880. Ohrid was developed into a cultural and religious center of the Bulgarian Empire. Today, a citadel, built on the walls of an ancient fortress, towers over the city. When Emperor Basil II incorporated Ohrid into his empire in 1018, he had the fortress demolished. At the end of the 12th century, the Bulgarians regained their independence and reconquered Ohrid in 1198. The Ottomans took possession of Ohrid in the years around 1400. In the following centuries, the city became a supra-regional center of Islam, where mosques and places of the dervish cult were built. The city also remained a center of Christian art until the middle of the 15th century. The conversion of St. Sophia's Church into a mosque took place during the reign of the Ottoman Sultan Mehmed I (1413–1421). In 1462, the Albanian resistance fighter Skanderbeg conquered the city. But it was recaptured in 1466. Around 1568, the city was badly damaged by an earthquake. The present St. Sophia Church was built on the foundations of a cathedral destroyed in the first decade of the 6th century by the invasions of the early Slavs. The next church was built during the First Bulgarian Empire after the official conversion to Christianity. Some date the construction of the church to the reign of Knyaz Boris I (852 – 889). It was essentially rebuilt as a patriarchal cathedral in the form of a domed basilica in the last decade of the 10th century. It was then, under the rule of Tsar Samuil (958–1014), that Ohrid became the Bulgarian capital. It was the seat of the Bulgarian Patriarchate. During the rule of the Ottoman Empire, it was converted into a mosque. Inside the church, frescoes from the 11th, 12th and 13th centuries have been preserved, representing some of the most significant achievements of Byzantine painting of that period. The main part of the church was built in the 11th century. The numerous frescoes with which the walls were painted in the 11th century can now be seen again in the church. The frescoes are to be seen in the context of the iconoclastic controversy against the emperors Leo and Constantine, who were both iconoclasts. All of the frescoes in St. Sophia's Church were painted over during the rule of the Ottoman Empire and the use of the church as a mosque and were forgotten. The frescoes were rediscovered between 1950 and 1957. The Magi?

Ohrid became a "polis" under the name Lychnidos after Alexander the Great conquered the area around 335 BC. Around 148 BC, Lychnidos became part of the Roman Republic and thus a "colonia". When the empire was divided in 395, Lychnidos was awarded to the Eastern Roman Empire. Lychnidos became a bishopric under the Byzantines in late antiquity. Lychnidos was destroyed by a devastating earthquake and it is unclear whether the city continued to exist or was re-founded by Slavs. The place was first mentioned under the name Ohrid around 880. Ohrid was developed into a cultural and religious center of the Bulgarian Empire. Today, a citadel, built on the walls of an ancient fortress, towers over the city. When Emperor Basil II incorporated Ohrid into his empire in 1018, he had the fortress demolished. At the end of the 12th century, the Bulgarians regained their independence and reconquered Ohrid in 1198. The Ottomans took possession of Ohrid in the years around 1400. In the following centuries, the city became a supra-regional center of Islam, where mosques and places of the dervish cult were built. The city also remained a center of Christian art until the middle of the 15th century. The conversion of St. Sophia's Church into a mosque took place during the reign of the Ottoman Sultan Mehmed I (1413–1421). In 1462, the Albanian resistance fighter Skanderbeg conquered the city. But it was recaptured in 1466. Around 1568, the city was badly damaged by an earthquake. The present St. Sophia Church was built on the foundations of a cathedral destroyed in the first decade of the 6th century by the invasions of the early Slavs. The next church was built during the First Bulgarian Empire after the official conversion to Christianity. Some date the construction of the church to the reign of Knyaz Boris I (852 – 889). It was essentially rebuilt as a patriarchal cathedral in the form of a domed basilica in the last decade of the 10th century. It was then, under the rule of Tsar Samuil (958–1014), that Ohrid became the Bulgarian capital. It was the seat of the Bulgarian Patriarchate. During the rule of the Ottoman Empire, it was converted into a mosque. Inside the church, frescoes from the 11th, 12th and 13th centuries have been preserved, representing some of the most significant achievements of Byzantine painting of that period. The main part of the church was built in the 11th century. The numerous frescoes with which the walls were painted in the 11th century can now be seen again in the church. The frescoes are to be seen in the context of the iconoclastic controversy against the emperors Leo and Constantine, who were both iconoclasts. All of the frescoes in St. Sophia's Church were painted over during the rule of the Ottoman Empire and the use of the church as a mosque and were forgotten. The frescoes were rediscovered between 1950 and 1957.

Ohrid became a "polis" under the name Lychnidos after Alexander the Great conquered the area around 335 BC. Around 148 BC, Lychnidos became part of the Roman Republic and thus a "colonia". When the empire was divided in 395, Lychnidos was awarded to the Eastern Roman Empire. Lychnidos became a bishopric under the Byzantines in late antiquity. Lychnidos was destroyed by a devastating earthquake and it is unclear whether the city continued to exist or was re-founded by Slavs. The place was first mentioned under the name Ohrid around 880. Ohrid was developed into a cultural and religious center of the Bulgarian Empire. Today, a citadel, built on the walls of an ancient fortress, towers over the city. When Emperor Basil II incorporated Ohrid into his empire in 1018, he had the fortress demolished. At the end of the 12th century, the Bulgarians regained their independence and reconquered Ohrid in 1198. The Ottomans took possession of Ohrid in the years around 1400. In the following centuries, the city became a supra-regional center of Islam, where mosques and places of the dervish cult were built. The city also remained a center of Christian art until the middle of the 15th century. The conversion of St. Sophia's Church into a mosque took place during the reign of the Ottoman Sultan Mehmed I (1413–1421). In 1462, the Albanian resistance fighter Skanderbeg conquered the city. But it was recaptured in 1466. Around 1568, the city was badly damaged by an earthquake. The present St. Sophia Church was built on the foundations of a cathedral destroyed in the first decade of the 6th century by the invasions of the early Slavs. The next church was built during the First Bulgarian Empire after the official conversion to Christianity. Some date the construction of the church to the reign of Knyaz Boris I (852 – 889). It was essentially rebuilt as a patriarchal cathedral in the form of a domed basilica in the last decade of the 10th century. It was then, under the rule of Tsar Samuil (958–1014), that Ohrid became the Bulgarian capital. It was the seat of the Bulgarian Patriarchate. During the rule of the Ottoman Empire, it was converted into a mosque. Inside the church, frescoes from the 11th, 12th and 13th centuries have been preserved, representing some of the most significant achievements of Byzantine painting of that period. The main part of the church was built in the 11th century. The numerous frescoes with which the walls were painted in the 11th century can now be seen again in the church. The frescoes are to be seen in the context of the iconoclastic controversy against the emperors Leo and Constantine, who were both iconoclasts. All of the frescoes in St. Sophia's Church were painted over during the rule of the Ottoman Empire and the use of the church as a mosque and were forgotten. The frescoes were rediscovered between 1950 and 1957.

Ohrid became a "polis" under the name Lychnidos after Alexander the Great conquered the area around 335 BC. Around 148 BC, Lychnidos became part of the Roman Republic and thus a "colonia". When the empire was divided in 395, Lychnidos was awarded to the Eastern Roman Empire. Lychnidos became a bishopric under the Byzantines in late antiquity. Lychnidos was destroyed by a devastating earthquake and it is unclear whether the city continued to exist or was re-founded by Slavs. The place was first mentioned under the name Ohrid around 880. Ohrid was developed into a cultural and religious center of the Bulgarian Empire. Today, a citadel, built on the walls of an ancient fortress, towers over the city. When Emperor Basil II incorporated Ohrid into his empire in 1018, he had the fortress demolished. At the end of the 12th century, the Bulgarians regained their independence and reconquered Ohrid in 1198. The Ottomans took possession of Ohrid in the years around 1400. In the following centuries, the city became a supra-regional center of Islam, where mosques and places of the dervish cult were built. The city also remained a center of Christian art until the middle of the 15th century. The conversion of St. Sophia's Church into a mosque took place during the reign of the Ottoman Sultan Mehmed I (1413–1421). In 1462, the Albanian resistance fighter Skanderbeg conquered the city. But it was recaptured in 1466. Around 1568, the city was badly damaged by an earthquake. The present St. Sophia Church was built on the foundations of a cathedral destroyed in the first decade of the 6th century by the invasions of the early Slavs. The next church was built during the First Bulgarian Empire after the official conversion to Christianity. Some date the construction of the church to the reign of Knyaz Boris I (852 – 889). It was essentially rebuilt as a patriarchal cathedral in the form of a domed basilica in the last decade of the 10th century. It was then, under the rule of Tsar Samuil (958–1014), that Ohrid became the Bulgarian capital. It was the seat of the Bulgarian Patriarchate. During the rule of the Ottoman Empire, it was converted into a mosque. Inside the church, frescoes from the 11th, 12th and 13th centuries have been preserved, representing some of the most significant achievements of Byzantine painting of that period. The main part of the church was built in the 11th century. The numerous frescoes with which the walls were painted in the 11th century can now be seen again in the church. The frescoes are to be seen in the context of the iconoclastic controversy against the emperors Leo and Constantine, who were both iconoclasts. All of the frescoes in St. Sophia's Church were painted over during the rule of the Ottoman Empire and the use of the church as a mosque and were forgotten. The frescoes were rediscovered between 1950 and 1957.

Ohrid became a "polis" under the name Lychnidos after Alexander the Great conquered the area around 335 BC. Around 148 BC, Lychnidos became part of the Roman Republic and thus a "colonia". When the empire was divided in 395, Lychnidos was awarded to the Eastern Roman Empire. Lychnidos became a bishopric under the Byzantines in late antiquity. Lychnidos was destroyed by a devastating earthquake and it is unclear whether the city continued to exist or was re-founded by Slavs. The place was first mentioned under the name Ohrid around 880. Ohrid was developed into a cultural and religious center of the Bulgarian Empire. Today, a citadel, built on the walls of an ancient fortress, towers over the city. When Emperor Basil II incorporated Ohrid into his empire in 1018, he had the fortress demolished. At the end of the 12th century, the Bulgarians regained their independence and reconquered Ohrid in 1198. The Ottomans took possession of Ohrid in the years around 1400. In the following centuries, the city became a supra-regional center of Islam, where mosques and places of the dervish cult were built. The city also remained a center of Christian art until the middle of the 15th century. The conversion of St. Sophia's Church into a mosque took place during the reign of the Ottoman Sultan Mehmed I (1413–1421). In 1462, the Albanian resistance fighter Skanderbeg conquered the city. But it was recaptured in 1466. Around 1568, the city was badly damaged by an earthquake. The present St. Sophia Church was built on the foundations of a cathedral destroyed in the first decade of the 6th century by the invasions of the early Slavs. The next church was built during the First Bulgarian Empire after the official conversion to Christianity. Some date the construction of the church to the reign of Knyaz Boris I (852 – 889). It was essentially rebuilt as a patriarchal cathedral in the form of a domed basilica in the last decade of the 10th century. It was then, under the rule of Tsar Samuil (958–1014), that Ohrid became the Bulgarian capital. It was the seat of the Bulgarian Patriarchate. During the rule of the Ottoman Empire, it was converted into a mosque. Inside the church, frescoes from the 11th, 12th and 13th centuries have been preserved, representing some of the most significant achievements of Byzantine painting of that period. The main part of the church was built in the 11th century. The numerous frescoes with which the walls were painted in the 11th century can now be seen again in the church. The frescoes are to be seen in the context of the iconoclastic controversy against the emperors Leo and Constantine, who were both iconoclasts. All of the frescoes in St. Sophia's Church were painted over during the rule of the Ottoman Empire and the use of the church as a mosque and were forgotten. The frescoes were rediscovered between 1950 and 1957.

Ohrid became a "polis" under the name Lychnidos after Alexander the Great conquered the area around 335 BC. Around 148 BC, Lychnidos became part of the Roman Republic and thus a "colonia". When the empire was divided in 395, Lychnidos was awarded to the Eastern Roman Empire. Lychnidos became a bishopric under the Byzantines in late antiquity. Lychnidos was destroyed by a devastating earthquake and it is unclear whether the city continued to exist or was re-founded by Slavs. The place was first mentioned under the name Ohrid around 880. Ohrid was developed into a cultural and religious center of the Bulgarian Empire. Today, a citadel, built on the walls of an ancient fortress, towers over the city. When Emperor Basil II incorporated Ohrid into his empire in 1018, he had the fortress demolished. At the end of the 12th century, the Bulgarians regained their independence and reconquered Ohrid in 1198. The Ottomans took possession of Ohrid in the years around 1400. In the following centuries, the city became a supra-regional center of Islam, where mosques and places of the dervish cult were built. The city also remained a center of Christian art until the middle of the 15th century. The conversion of St. Sophia's Church into a mosque took place during the reign of the Ottoman Sultan Mehmed I (1413–1421). In 1462, the Albanian resistance fighter Skanderbeg conquered the city. But it was recaptured in 1466. Around 1568, the city was badly damaged by an earthquake. The present St. Sophia Church was built on the foundations of a cathedral destroyed in the first decade of the 6th century by the invasions of the early Slavs. The next church was built during the First Bulgarian Empire after the official conversion to Christianity. Some date the construction of the church to the reign of Knyaz Boris I (852 – 889). It was essentially rebuilt as a patriarchal cathedral in the form of a domed basilica in the last decade of the 10th century. It was then, under the rule of Tsar Samuil (958–1014), that Ohrid became the Bulgarian capital. It was the seat of the Bulgarian Patriarchate. During the rule of the Ottoman Empire, it was converted into a mosque. Inside the church, frescoes from the 11th, 12th and 13th centuries have been preserved, representing some of the most significant achievements of Byzantine painting of that period. The main part of the church was built in the 11th century. It looks as if a lot of previously used Roman material was used for the construction of the walls. A relief - Fight between a centaur and a human

Ohrid became a "polis" under the name Lychnidos after Alexander the Great conquered the area around 335 BC. Around 148 BC, Lychnidos became part of the Roman Republic and thus a "colonia". When the empire was divided in 395, Lychnidos was awarded to the Eastern Roman Empire. Lychnidos became a bishopric under the Byzantines in late antiquity. Lychnidos was destroyed by a devastating earthquake and it is unclear whether the city continued to exist or was re-founded by Slavs. The place was first mentioned under the name Ohrid around 880. Ohrid was developed into a cultural and religious center of the Bulgarian Empire. Today, a citadel, built on the walls of an ancient fortress, towers over the city. When Emperor Basil II incorporated Ohrid into his empire in 1018, he had the fortress demolished. At the end of the 12th century, the Bulgarians regained their independence and reconquered Ohrid in 1198. The Ottomans took possession of Ohrid in the years around 1400. In the following centuries, the city became a supra-regional center of Islam, where mosques and places of the dervish cult were built. The city also remained a center of Christian art until the middle of the 15th century. The conversion of St. Sophia's Church into a mosque took place during the reign of the Ottoman Sultan Mehmed I (1413–1421). In 1462, the Albanian resistance fighter Skanderbeg conquered the city. But it was recaptured in 1466. Around 1568, the city was badly damaged by an earthquake. The present St. Sophia Church was built on the foundations of a cathedral destroyed in the first decade of the 6th century by the invasions of the early Slavs. The next church was built during the First Bulgarian Empire after the official conversion to Christianity. Some date the construction of the church to the reign of Knyaz Boris I (852 – 889). It was essentially rebuilt as a patriarchal cathedral in the form of a domed basilica in the last decade of the 10th century. It was then, under the rule of Tsar Samuil (958–1014), that Ohrid became the Bulgarian capital. It was the seat of the Bulgarian Patriarchate. During the rule of the Ottoman Empire, it was converted into a mosque. Inside the church, frescoes from the 11th, 12th and 13th centuries have been preserved, representing some of the most significant achievements of Byzantine painting of that period. The main part of the church was built in the 11th century. It looks as if a lot of previously used Roman material was used for the construction of the walls.

Ohrid became a "polis" under the name Lychnidos after Alexander the Great conquered the area around 335 BC. Around 148 BC, Lychnidos became part of the Roman Republic and thus a "colonia". When the empire was divided in 395, Lychnidos was awarded to the Eastern Roman Empire. Lychnidos became a bishopric under the Byzantines in late antiquity. Lychnidos was destroyed by a devastating earthquake and it is unclear whether the city continued to exist or was re-founded by Slavs. The place was first mentioned under the name Ohrid around 880. Ohrid was developed into a cultural and religious center of the Bulgarian Empire. Today, a citadel, built on the walls of an ancient fortress, towers over the city. When Emperor Basil II incorporated Ohrid into his empire in 1018, he had the fortress demolished. At the end of the 12th century, the Bulgarians regained their independence and reconquered Ohrid in 1198. The Ottomans took possession of Ohrid in the years around 1400. In the following centuries, the city became a supra-regional center of Islam, where mosques and places of the dervish cult were built. The city also remained a center of Christian art until the middle of the 15th century. The conversion of St. Sophia's Church into a mosque took place during the reign of the Ottoman Sultan Mehmed I (1413–1421). In 1462, the Albanian resistance fighter Skanderbeg conquered the city. But it was recaptured in 1466. Around 1568, the city was badly damaged by an earthquake. The present St. Sophia Church was built on the foundations of a cathedral destroyed in the first decade of the 6th century by the invasions of the early Slavs. The next church was built during the First Bulgarian Empire after the official conversion to Christianity. Some date the construction of the church to the reign of Knyaz Boris I (852 – 889). It was essentially rebuilt as a patriarchal cathedral in the form of a domed basilica in the last decade of the 10th century. It was then, under the rule of Tsar Samuil (958–1014), that Ohrid became the Bulgarian capital. It was the seat of the Bulgarian Patriarchate. During the rule of the Ottoman Empire, it was converted into a mosque. Inside the church, frescoes from the 11th, 12th and 13th centuries have been preserved, representing some of the most significant achievements of Byzantine painting of that period. The main part of the church was built in the 11th century. It looks as if a lot of previously used Roman material was used for the construction of the walls.

Ohrid became a "polis" under the name Lychnidos after Alexander the Great conquered the area around 335 BC. Around 148 BC, Lychnidos became part of the Roman Republic and thus a "colonia". When the empire was divided in 395, Lychnidos was awarded to the Eastern Roman Empire. Lychnidos became a bishopric under the Byzantines in late antiquity. Lychnidos was destroyed by a devastating earthquake and it is unclear whether the city continued to exist or was re-founded by Slavs. The place was first mentioned under the name Ohrid around 880. Ohrid was developed into a cultural and religious center of the Bulgarian Empire. Today, a citadel, built on the walls of an ancient fortress, towers over the city. When Emperor Basil II incorporated Ohrid into his empire in 1018, he had the fortress demolished. At the end of the 12th century, the Bulgarians regained their independence and reconquered Ohrid in 1198. The Ottomans took possession of Ohrid in the years around 1400. In the following centuries, the city became a supra-regional center of Islam, where mosques and places of the dervish cult were built. The city also remained a center of Christian art until the middle of the 15th century. The conversion of St. Sophia's Church into a mosque took place during the reign of the Ottoman Sultan Mehmed I (1413–1421). In 1462, the Albanian resistance fighter Skanderbeg conquered the city. But it was recaptured in 1466. Around 1568, the city was badly damaged by an earthquake. The present St. Sophia Church was built on the foundations of a cathedral destroyed in the first decade of the 6th century by the invasions of the early Slavs. The next church was built during the First Bulgarian Empire after the official conversion to Christianity. Some date the construction of the church to the reign of Knyaz Boris I (852 – 889). It was essentially rebuilt as a patriarchal cathedral in the form of a domed basilica in the last decade of the 10th century. It was then, under the rule of Tsar Samuil (958–1014), that Ohrid became the Bulgarian capital. It was the seat of the Bulgarian Patriarchate. During the rule of the Ottoman Empire, it was converted into a mosque. Inside the church, frescoes from the 11th, 12th and 13th centuries have been preserved, representing some of the most significant achievements of Byzantine painting of that period. The main part of the church was built in the 11th century.

Ohrid became a "polis" under the name Lychnidos after Alexander the Great conquered the area around 335 BC. Around 148 BC, Lychnidos became part of the Roman Republic and thus a "colonia". When the empire was divided in 395, Lychnidos was awarded to the Eastern Roman Empire. Lychnidos became a bishopric under the Byzantines in late antiquity. Lychnidos was destroyed by a devastating earthquake and it is unclear whether the city continued to exist or was re-founded by Slavs. The place was first mentioned under the name Ohrid around 880. Ohrid was developed into a cultural and religious center of the Bulgarian Empire. Today, a citadel, built on the walls of an ancient fortress, towers over the city. When Emperor Basil II incorporated Ohrid into his empire in 1018, he had the fortress demolished. At the end of the 12th century, the Bulgarians regained their independence and reconquered Ohrid in 1198. The Ottomans took possession of Ohrid in the years around 1400. In the following centuries, the city became a supra-regional center of Islam, where mosques and places of the dervish cult were built. The city also remained a center of Christian art until the middle of the 15th century. The conversion of St. Sophia's Church into a mosque took place during the reign of the Ottoman Sultan Mehmed I (1413–1421). In 1462, the Albanian resistance fighter Skanderbeg conquered the city. But it was recaptured in 1466. Around 1568, the city was badly damaged by an earthquake. The present St. Sophia Church was built on the foundations of a cathedral destroyed in the first decade of the 6th century by the invasions of the early Slavs. The next church was built during the First Bulgarian Empire after the official conversion to Christianity. Some date the construction of the church to the reign of Knyaz Boris I (852 – 889). It was essentially rebuilt as a patriarchal cathedral in the form of a domed basilica in the last decade of the 10th century. It was then, under the rule of Tsar Samuil (958–1014), that Ohrid became the Bulgarian capital. It was the seat of the Bulgarian Patriarchate. During the rule of the Ottoman Empire, it was converted into a mosque. Inside the church, frescoes from the 11th, 12th and 13th centuries have been preserved, representing some of the most significant achievements of Byzantine painting of that period. The main part of the church was built in the 11th century.

Ohrid became a "polis" under the name Lychnidos after Alexander the Great conquered the area around 335 BC. Around 148 BC, Lychnidos became part of the Roman Republic and thus a "colonia". When the empire was divided in 395, Lychnidos was awarded to the Eastern Roman Empire. Lychnidos became a bishopric under the Byzantines in late antiquity. Lychnidos was destroyed by a devastating earthquake and it is unclear whether the city continued to exist or was re-founded by Slavs. The place was first mentioned under the name Ohrid around 880. Ohrid was developed into a cultural and religious center of the Bulgarian Empire. Today, a citadel, built on the walls of an ancient fortress, towers over the city. When Emperor Basil II incorporated Ohrid into his empire in 1018, he had the fortress demolished. At the end of the 12th century, the Bulgarians regained their independence and reconquered Ohrid in 1198. The Ottomans took possession of Ohrid in the years around 1400. In the following centuries, the city became a supra-regional center of Islam, where mosques and places of the dervish cult were built. The city also remained a center of Christian art until the middle of the 15th century. The conversion of St. Sophia's Church into a mosque took place during the reign of the Ottoman Sultan Mehmed I (1413–1421). In 1462, the Albanian resistance fighter Skanderbeg conquered the city. But it was recaptured in 1466. Around 1568, the city was badly damaged by an earthquake. The lawns in the old part of Ohrid are a paradise for turtles.