"Golem Grad" Ostrovo Golem Grad by Jannick-DK

At the junction of the borders between Macedonia, Greece and Albania, surrounded by the still and clear waters of the Lake Prespa we find the only Macedonian island - the island of Golem grad.
Today the island is uninhabited but archaeological excavations undertaken on the island have shown that it was inhabited from Hellenistic to mediaeval times. Traces of the various historical periods can be found on the island, including two 14th century churches, St. Peter and St.
Dimitrija.

The island is home to many endemic plants, rare birds, and many snakes. The island is therefore also known as the Snake Island. When I went to the island I only saw one snake and that was a dead one. I don't know why there were no snakes, but I have been told that there were plenty of snakes hanging from the trees just a couple of years ago. Maybe it had something to do with the time I went there? I don't know.
The island now is a part of the National Park of Galicica that is home to rare flora and fauna. The island provides excellent scenery and tranquillity for picnics and photographs.

You can reach the island if local people take you there on a boat. However, all visits to the island have to be agreed with the administration of the “Galicica” national park. Some travel agencies arrange trips to the island so I guess this might be the easiest way reaching the island.