29/04/2026
Over 2,000 years ago, the people of ancient Lychnidos (today’s Ohrid) built a stone theatre into the hillside above the lake.
Here, they watched tragedies, comedies and poetry, a Hellenistic stage open to the sky.
Then Rome arrived.
The theatre was transformed into an arena for gladiator fights and even public executions of Christians.
The people of Ohrid grew to hate what it had become. After the fall of the Roman Empire, it was abandoned and slowly buried, disappearing from sight for over a thousand years.
In the 20th century, during construction works, workers began finding massive stone blocks carved with Dionysus, the Greek god of theatre, and his muses.
Archaeologists uncovered the Ancient Theatre of Ohrid, remarkably preserved under the houses of the old town.
Today, this 200‑BC theatre once again hosts music, theatre and summer concerts, looking out over one of Europe’s most beautiful lakes.
At Villa Amfora, just a short walk away, you’re not only staying by the water – you’re staying in a living amphitheatre of history.
Had you heard this story before?
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