General Information
Galichica National Park, recognized for its rich and rare nature and unique beauty, was declared a national park in 1958 in order to preserve the flora and fauna and the natural appearance of the Galichica Mountain. About 2/3 of the Park is included within the boundaries of the World Natural and Cultural Heritage of the Ohrid Region, inscribed on the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage List. Galichica National Park is located in the southwestern part of Macedonia, on the Galichica Mountain Range, including parts of its branches Istok and Petrino, as well as the island of Golem Grad in Lake Prespa. Galichica Mountain is part of the Shar-Pindus Mountain System. The large open areas towards Lake Ohrid and Lake Prespa that limit it from the east and west contribute to its clear visual separation as a separate entity. The altitude of the Galichica Mountain Range in Macedonia ranges from 695 m.a.s.l. (the level of Lake Ohrid), i.e. 850 m.a.s.l. (the level of Lake Prespa), up to 2265 m.a.s.l. at the border pillar F10. More striking elevations that dominate the relief are: Magaro-2254 m.a.s.l.; Lako Signoj-1984 m.a.s.l.; Goga-1737 m.a.s.l., etc.The basic geological base of Galichica is made of Paleozoic metamorphic silicates, covered with a layer of massive porous limestones, 500-550 m thick. Due to the porosity of the massive limestones, there is an underground connection of Lake Prespa and Lake Ohrid that has been scientifically confirmed. The waters of Lake Prespa on the western slopes of Galichica spring up at many coastal and underwater karst springs. The most impressive karst springs of 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 hotspot of biodiversity in the region, but also more broadly, globally. The park stands out from other areas of similar size for the exceptional richness of habitats and species in a relatively small territory. On an area of approximately 24,000 hectares, there are more than 37 habitat types, 40 plant communities, about 1,600 taxa of vascular plants, over 143 species of lichenoid fungi, more than 480 species of fungi and over 3,279 taxa of fauna. The park is home to 4 invertebrate and 13 vertebrate taxa that are considered globally threatened. Several hundred rare and protected species in the park are represented by significant populations. Some of them are found only within the boundaries of the park, namely: 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 larger number of taxa that are found only in Macedonia or the Balkans, namely: 46 taxa of higher plants, 89 taxa of invertebrates and 14 taxa of vertebrates. The cultural-historical region contains multiple layered values. They are primarily composed of the geographical-ambient properties of Lake Ohrid and the mountain ranges that represent the border of the protected region. Using the lake as a basic source of life, many generations have left behind syntheses of the natural, the rural and the urban. Of the large number of cultural and historical monuments on the territory of the Park, the most significant are: the monastery "St. Naum", the church "St. Bogorodica Zahumska", the archaeological sites on the island of Golem Grad and many others. As a complex whole, the park, together with Lake Ohrid and Lake Prespa, represents a relatively limited area with very rich biological diversity, a high degree of heterogeneity and endemism and in that sense is considered a truly valuable site in Europe.
Contact
Info Center Ohrid
- Directorate
- +38946261473
- galicica@galicica.org.mk
Manager
- Frose Gjorgievska
- +38946261473
- galicica@galicica.org.mk
Department of Legal, Economic and General Affairs
- Head: Sanja Rilkoska
- +38975282203
- sanja@galicica.org.mk
Department of Nature Protection
- Head: Andon Bojadzi
- +38975282200
- andon@galicica.org.mk
Department for Sustainable Use of Natural Resources
- Head: Naumche Noveski
- +38975282201
- jimmy@galicica.org.mk
Department for Alternative Activities and Environmental Education
- Head: Ognen Dostinoski
- +38975282206
- ognen@galicica.org.mk
Info Point Prespa – Stenje
- +38947484195
- prespa@galicica.org.mk