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Bay of Bones Museum

A reconstructed Bronze Age pile dwelling settlement built out over Lake Ohrid on wooden platforms.

Updated 2 September 2026

UNESCO World Heritage

Typemuseum
WhereSouthwestern North Macedonia
Nearest cityOhrid
Best seasonMay to September
Time to allowTwo hours
Getting thereOn the eastern shore of Lake Ohrid at Gradiste, between Ohrid and Sveti Naum
EntryCharged

Underwater survey in the Bay of Bones on Lake Ohrid found thousands of wooden piles driven into the lakebed, the remains of a settlement built out over the water between roughly 1200 and 700 BC. A reconstruction was built on the site in 2008: a platform on piles carrying two dozen thatched houses furnished with reproductions of the finds, reached by a walkway from the shore, with a small Roman fort above. It lies within the inscribed Ohrid region.

What's there

  • The pile platform - a reconstructed settlement built out over the water.
  • The thatched houses - two dozen buildings furnished with reproductions.
  • The underwater site - the original piles still in the lakebed below.
  • The Roman fort - the later fortification on the slope above.

When to go

May to September is the season. It is busiest in July and August. Diving on the original site is possible by arrangement.

Before you go

Everything above water is reconstruction; the original remains are on the lakebed. The site is small and an hour covers it. It is crowded in summer.

Nearby

Trpejca is south, and Ohrid is north.

Key facts

Heritage statusHeritage Site in North Macedonia
Location40.9947° N, 20.7979° E · map

Source: Wikidata, item Q15621932, read on 18 October 2026.

What to pack for Bay of Bones Museum

Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.

  • Your own mask + snorkel - A well-fitting mask is the single biggest comfort upgrade underwater. Find on Amazon
  • Comfortable walking shoes - Sightseeing means kilometres of pavement and cobbles daily. Find on Amazon
  • Rash guard or thin wetsuit - Sun cover on the surface and warmth on longer or deeper dives. Find on Amazon
  • A slim anti-theft daypack - Zips that close properly; keep it in front in crowds and on transit. Find on Amazon

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Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.

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