If you are looking for quiet village life, beautiful lake views and unspoilt natural beauty visit the village of Elshani. Photo: Wikipedia
Nestled amidst large gardens, surrounded by mountain trees and offering wonderful views over the Lake Ohrid, Elshani village offers true hospitality to all who wish to explore this scenic region. It is also a great place to experience some traditional Macedonian homemade food.
If you are looking for quiet village life, beautiful lake views and unspoilt natural beauty visit the village of Elshani. Traditional life goes on here as if time has stood still. Each family has its own vineyard, animals are still kept and traditional processes such as the distillation of rakija are still practised.
Woodcarvers and coopers still pursue their trades. A wonderful base for mountain walks, the village offers accommodation, shops providing food and drinks, and mountain guides.
The local tourist organization offers a wide range of organized activities such as guided tours into the mountain and surroundings and the famous donkey safari. They can introduce you to the fascinating natural beauties and cultural treasures of the area including many villages, medieval churches and monasteries.
For centuries, Orthodox Christianity has been the traditional religion in Elsani and the dating of the oldest church in the village goes back as far as 1408. The Cathedral Church is dedicated to St. Elijah (restored in 1859; painted in 1944), and there is a chapel dedicated to St. Mina's (built in 1994). The chapel of St. Petka from 1947 is shared with the neighboring village of Pestani.
Elshani is located approximately 10 km south of the City of Ohrid, between the green heights of Mount Galicica and the blue waters of Lake Ohrid. It is spread across the western slopes of Galicica National Park, and 0.1 - 2 km from the shore of Lake Ohrid.
The National Park of Mount Galicica with its flora and fauna, breathtaking views, caves, fresh air and tranquility is the best choice if you want to forget everyday stress. The Lake of Ohrid, which is one of the oldest in the world and among the deepest in Europe, has all the things a lake should have: clear water, delicious fish and extraordinary beauty that you can hardly forget.
The main part of the village is located at 850 - 950 meters above sea level, while the new satellite settlement of Eleshec rises directly from the shores of Lake Ohrid, at 700 meters. Elshani is a village whose inhabitants of all generations are enjoying the comforts of the 21st century, still surrounded by the smell of homemade bread, brandy, wine, and traditions that never fade.
Most hosts will provide cooking facilities, and even will be happy to serve home cooked food. The nearest restaurants are located outside the village, by the lakeside.
All year round activities enlighten the rural experience in Macedonia! The people of Elshani welcome visitors and will be happy to introduce you to their style of living. From early April to late October, days are long with many sunny hours and medium temperatures of the air between 20o and 30o C. This is the right time for outdoor activities, such as water sports and mountain hiking.
Winter brings lower temperatures, and sometimes it can snow, as well. However, frost and fog are rarely seen here. Elshani is a wonderfull base for mountain walks and rock climbing in the Galichica National Park. On the other hand, the wide network of paths, narrow village streets and local low traffic roads are ideal for use as walking, jogging or cycling trails by all levels of ability and age groups.
- See more at: http://www.independent.mk/articles/2757/The+Village+of+Elsani++Paradise+Nestled+Between+the+Lake+and+the+Mountain#sthash.EYjK7lp8.dpuf
