Skip to content
Mixroutes
Heraclea Lyncestis

Ancient Greek city in Macedon

Her­a­c­lea Lyn­c­e­s­tis

Heraclea Lyncestis, also transliterated Herakleia Lynkestis, was an ancient Greek city in Macedon, ruled later by the Romans.

Plan a trip to Heraclea Lyncestis From Ohrid

Its ruins are situated 2 km (1.2 mi) south of the present-day town of Bitola, North Macedonia. In the early Christian period, Heraclea was an important episcopal seat and a waypoint on the Via Egnatia that once linked Byzantium with Rome through the Adriatic seaport of Dyrrachium. Some of its bishops are mentioned in synods in Serdica and other nearby towns. The city was gradually abandoned in the 6th century AD following an earthquake and Slavic invasions.

Get in

Getting to Heraclea Lyncestis

  1. 01
    Bitola railway station
  2. 02
    Bitola bus station
See

Worth seeing

Bitola has been a major city in this region for most of its history, evidenced by ancient Macedonian and Roman ruins, a significant bazaar and other Ottoman monuments, multiple military cemeteries, a dozen consulates, and important churches. The city is known for having perhaps the most neoclassical architecture in North Macedonia, giving it a more European feel than elsewhere in the country.

  1. 01
    Clock Tower

    The clock tower is the pride of the people of Bitola and a main symbol of the city.

  2. 02
    Širok Sokak

    Širok Sokak, meaning "Wide Alley", is a pedestrian street lined with colourful romantic and neo-classical buildings.

  3. 03
    Yeni Mosque

    Located in the centre of Bitola and one of the city skyline's most prominent features, the Yeni Mosque was built in 1558.

  4. 04
    Magnolia Square

    Located on the northern portion of Širok Sokak, Magnolia Square is the most prominent square of Bitola.

  5. 05
    Church of Saint Demetrius

    The cathedral church of Bitola and the most beautiful example of the so-called “revival period” churches in Macedonia.

  6. 06
    Church of the Holy Mother of God

    This church is a triple-flight church with an octagonal cupola with an onion dome on the west side.

Do

Things to do

Bitola Metro Zoo, Tumbe Kafe (Тумбе Кафе b.b.) street,.

  1. 01
    City Park
  2. 02
    Culture House
  3. 03
    Olympic Swimming Pool
  4. 04
    The Champions Park
  5. 05
    Sport Hall for Children
  6. 06
    Stiv Naumov Park
Eat

Where to eat

Bitola also has a good selection of bars, pubs and restaurants with fair prices. Grne. Is recommended, near the clock tower, local specialties, grill.

  1. 01
    Kus Kus

    Salads, French cuisine, local specialties.

  2. 02
    Fish Restaurant Mountain House
  3. 03
    Restaurant Oskar

Text adapted from Wikipedia and Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photograph: Petar Milošević (see Commons), Wikimedia Commons.