Golem Grad (The Snake island)

Golem grad or as it calls THE SNAKE ISLAND is a special attraction, a reserve of rare plants on Prespa Lake. You can arrive at Golem grad by boat. Due to the steep decline in the water level of Prespa Lake, thirty meters high and white coasts of Golem grad can be seen from all the surrounding places on the left and right coast, including the Arvati village. Previously the island was visited by researchers and scientists but also by people curious and hungry for knowledge. It is rich in herbal and animal species some of which are endemic. Upon the request by the UNESCO the flora and fauna experts are currently working on cataloguing these species.

Golem grad is a part of the National park Galičica. From 14th July 2008 Golem grad is open to visitors. The stony pathways have been built and the signs with the information in both English and Macedonian have been posted. There are nine archaeological sites on the island, mostly the remnants of churches and residential objects dating from the fourth to the nineteenth century. It is suggested that in the antic period the island was inhabited by the Macedonian tribe Oresti. The proof to this theory are recently discovered remnants of the monastery complex of three churches in which the graves of the priests who used to live there were found. The special attraction is the stone cistern that was used as a reservoir for drinking water.

Source:
www.arvati-etnoselo.com