Church of St. John at Kaneo

The Church of St. John at Kaneo is a small Macedonian Orthodox church perched on a cliff above Kaneo Beach, overlooking Lake Ohrid in the city of Ohrid, North Macedonia. It is dedicated to John of Patmos, the writer of the Book of Revelation.

Its date is not known for sure. Papers about the church's property show that it was built before the year 1447. The view of the church above the blue lake is one of North Macedonia's most famous postcards, and Lake Ohrid below is one of the oldest lakes in Europe. Some people believe that John of Patmos was the same person as the apostle John.

How it is built

The church has a cruciform plan, which means the floor is shaped like a cross, on a rectangular base. Nobody knows who the architect was.

It was repaired in the 14th century, shortly before the Ottoman Turks arrived in the region. The exact building date is unknown, but papers about the church's property show it existed before 1447, which is why its repairs in the 14th century help date it.

Inside the church

Inside there is a wooden iconostasis, the screen of holy images that separates the altar. Saints and the Virgin Mary are shown on the apse, the curved end of the church, and a painting of Christ Pantocrator, the "ruler of all", fills the dome.

A fresco of Saint Clement of Ohrid is also here. His monastery, Saint Panteleimon, is close by.

On the globe

The model shows the small church perched on its cliff above the lake.