Since July 2019, Lake Ohrid has been included in UNESCO’s list as a combined natural and cultural heritage site.

Minister of Economy, Culture, and Innovation, Blendi Gonxhja, has underscored the significance of reflecting on the conservation and protection of this natural and cultural treasure during this anniversary.

“These efforts are crucial to ensuring that future generations can appreciate and learn from this enchanting location,” Minister Gonxhja remarked.

Lake Ohrid, located between Albania and North Macedonia, is renowned as one of the world’s oldest and deepest lakes, showcasing a stunning landscape, rhythmic waves, and unparalleled biodiversity. It annually attracts millions of visitors from around the globe, captivating the attention of many who visit Albania.

The lake provides a unique habitat for numerous endemic and relic species of flora and fauna in its oligotrophic waters. It harbors over 200 endemic species, demonstrating significant levels of endemism among benthic organisms, including algae, diatoms, flatworms, nematodes, crustaceans, and 17 endemic fish species. Along its shores, submerged sites bear witness to millennia-old prehistoric pile-dwelling settlements in the shallow waters near the lake’s edge.

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