Explore Galichica

Galicica National Park, known for its rich and rare nature and unique beauty, in 1958 was declared a national park in order to preserve the flora and fauna and the natural appearance of Mount Galicica. About 2/3 of the Park is included in the boundaries of the World Natural and Cultural Heritage of the Ohrid region, inscribed on the list of UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage.

Galicica National Park is located in the southwestern part of Macedonia, on the Galicica mountain massif, including parts of its branches East and Petrino, as well as the island of Golem Grad in Lake Prespa. Mount Galicica is part of the Sharo-Pind mountain system. The large open areas towards Lake Ohrid and Lake Prespa, which limitation is coming from the east and west, contribute to its clear visual separation as a separate entity.

The altitude of the mountain massif Galicica in Macedonia ranges from 695 meters above sea level. (the level of Lake Ohrid), ie 850 meters above sea level. (the level of Lake Prespa), up to 2265 m. on the border pillar F10. More striking elevations that dominate the relief are Magaro-2254 m; Lako Signoj-1984 m.n.v ; Goga-1737 m.n.v. etc. 

Connection of the Lake Ohrid & Lake Prespa

The basic geological base of Galicica is made of Paleozoic metamorphic silicates, covered with a layer of massive porous limestone, 500-550 m thick. Due to the porosity of the massive limestones, there is an underground connection between Lake Prespa and Lake Ohrid, which has been scientifically confirmed. The waters of Lake Prespa on the western slopes of Galicica spring up on many coastal and underwater karst springs. The most impressive karst springs on Lake Ohrid are the springs at the monastery of St. Naum. They consist of 30 underwater and 15 coastal springs, with a total capacity of about 7.5 cubic meters of water per second.

The park is a hotbed of biodiversity in the region and beyond, globally. The park stands out from other areas of similar size due to the exceptional wealth of habitats and species in a relatively small area. On an area of ​​approximately 24,000 hectares, there are more than 37 habitat types, 40 plant communities, about 1600 taxa of vascular plants, over 143 species of lichenoid fungi, more than 480 species of fungi, and over 3279 taxa of fauna. There are 4 taxa of invertebrates and 13 of vertebrates that are considered globally endangered in the park.

Species & Archeological Sites

Hundreds of rare and protected species in the park are represented by significant populations. Some of them are found only within the park: 29 taxa of algae, 12 species of vascular plants, 68 taxa of invertebrates, and 4 taxa of vertebrates. In addition, the park is inhabited by a large number of taxa found only in Macedonia or the Balkans: 46 taxa of higher plants, 89 taxa of invertebrates and 14 taxa of vertebrates.

The cultural-historical region contains several layered values. They consist primarily of the geographical-ambient properties of Lake Ohrid and the mountain ranges that are the border of the protected region. Using the lake as a basic source of life, many generations have left behind syntheses of the natural, rural and urban. From the large number of cultural and historical monuments on the territory of the Park, the most important are: the monastery "St. Naum ", the church" St. Bogorodica Zaumska ”, the archeological sites on the island of Golem Grad and many others.

As a complex, the National park, together with Ohrid Lake and Prespa, is a relatively limited area with very rich biodiversity, high degree of heterogeneity and endemism and in that sense is considered a very valuable site in Europe.

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