The medieval Church of Saint John the Theologian at Kaneo overlooking Lake Ohrid in North Macedonia. Photograph by Michał Sitek.
High above the blue waters of Lake Ohrid, the medieval Church of Saint John the Theologian at Kaneo seems to exist somewhere between history, faith and landscape.
I photographed this view on a clear August day, when the warm sunlight illuminated the old stone walls and terracotta roofs of the church. Behind it, the calm lake stretched towards the distant mountains, creating a scene that felt almost untouched by the passage of time.
Known locally as St. Jovan Kaneo, the church was built on a rocky promontory overlooking the lake. Its medieval Byzantine architecture, decorative brickwork and distinctive octagonal dome make it one of the most recognisable landmarks in North Macedonia. Despite its popularity, there are moments when the surroundings become unexpectedly peaceful and the centuries-old building seems to reclaim its original silence.
Standing above the church, I felt as though the noise of the modern world had been left somewhere behind me. There was only warm stone, blue water and a place that had been watching the lake for hundreds of years.
Some places tell their stories loudly. Others prefer medieval silence.- Date
- 2026-01-01