The Parliament of the People’s Republic of Macedonia declared part of the Galičica mountain a national park in 1958. The area was protected because of its distinctive natural beauty, characteristic flora and fauna, and high biodiversity and endemism.

Galičica National Park is a biodiversity hotspot in the region and beyond. It stands out for its exceptional richness of habitats and species within an area of approximately 24,000 hectares. The park contains more than 37 habitat types, 40 plant communities, approximately 1,600 vascular plant taxa, and a high diversity of fungi and animal species. Several hundred rare and protected taxa occur in the park, some found only within its boundaries.

The basic geological foundation of Galičica consists of Paleozoic metamorphic rocks, covered by thick limestone layers. The karstified terrain connects Lake Prespa and Lake Ohrid, with many underwater and coastal springs.

On an area of approximately 24,000 hectares, there are more than 37 habitat types, 40 plant communities, around 1,600 taxa of vascular plants, over 143 species of lichenized fungi, more than 480 species of fungi, and over 3,250 faunal taxa. The park is home to 4 invertebrate taxa and 13 vertebrate taxa that are considered globally threatened. Several hundred rare and protected species are represented in the park by significant populations. Some of them occur exclusively within the park, including 29 algal taxa, 12 species of vascular plants, 68 invertebrate taxa, and 4 vertebrate taxa.

In addition, the park is inhabited by a large number of taxa that are found only in North Macedonia or the Balkan Peninsula: 46 taxa of higher plants, 89 invertebrate taxa, and 14 vertebrate taxa. The international importance of the park is confirmed by numerous designations, including Important Plant Area, Prime Butterfly Area, and a proposed NATURA 2000 site. A significant feature of the park is the high number of endemic and relict species.

Galičica, together with Lake Ohrid and Lake Prespa, served as a refuge for many species during the Ice Age. The position of Galičica, its geological substrate, and its specific microclimate have created a landscape of exceptional natural beauty.

The basic geological foundation of Galičica consists of Paleozoic metamorphic silicate rocks, covered by a layer of massive porous limestone with a thickness of 500–550 meters. Due to the porosity of these massive limestones, there is an underground hydrological connection between Lake Prespa and Lake Ohrid. The waters of Lake Prespa emerge on the western slopes of Galičica through numerous coastal and underwater karst springs. The most impressive karst springs of Lake Ohrid are those near the Monastery of St. Naum, consisting of 30 underwater and 15 coastal springs, with a total discharge of approximately 7.5 cubic meters of water per second.

As a complex, the park—together with Lake Ohrid and Lake Prespa—represents a relatively limited area with exceptionally rich biodiversity, a high degree of heterogeneity and endemism, and is therefore considered a site of outstanding value in Europe.

The park has a rich cultural heritage, including several cultural monuments such as the Monastery of St. Naum, the Church of the Dormition of the Holy Mother of God, the Church of St. Stephen (Pančira), the early Christian basilica of Studenčišta, and the culturally rich island of Golem Grad. During the First World War, Galičica was part of the Macedonian Front.

The Spring of St. Naum, together with its immediate surroundings, stands out for its unique combination of natural and cultural values, making it one of the most important tourist destinations in North Macedonia and the wider region.

Galičica National Park is located between Lake Ohrid and Lake Prespa, which are the main tourist destinations in North Macedonia. Exceptional natural beauty and landscape–aesthetic values, long panoramic views of both lakes and the surrounding mountains, together with high biological diversity, are the reasons for the large number of visitors. In addition to the traditionally high number of hikers, the slopes of Galičica are also attractive for many adventure sports (paragliding, mountaineering, photo safaris, etc.).

The national park develops and maintains well-established tourist infrastructure. Within the park there are two Info Centres, more than 250 km of marked and maintained hiking and cycling trails, two picnic areas, registered and equipped paragliding take-off sites, a via ferrata, and arranged viewpoints.

Numerous hotels, restaurants, apartments, and campsites are located within the park area.

The park is visited by approximately 200,000 visitors annually. Tourism and recreation are the park’s main ecosystem services. The value of this service, assessed using internationally accepted methodology, is estimated at EUR 37,000,000 per year.

Galičica National Park can be reached via the western main road from Skopje, passing through Tetovo, Gostivar, and Kičevo, as well as via Bitola and Resen. An airport is located near the city of Ohrid.

On the southern side of the park, there are two border crossings with Albania. Within the park, there is a well-developed network of paved and forest roads.

JAVNA USTANOVA NACIONALNI PARK “GALIČICA”
6000 Ohrid, Republika Severna Makedonija
Tel: +389(0)46/261-473
E -mail: galicica@galicica.org.mk
Web: http://www.galicica.org.mk