Tourists Climb on Submerged Historic Church in Mavrovo, Sparking Public Outrage

Photos and videos of the submerged "Sveti Nikola" church in Lake Mavrovo sparked a wave of outrage on social media, after they showed a group of tourists climbing directly onto the roof and walls of the church, dressed in swimwear — some even jumping off the building as though it were a diving board at a pool.

Residents and locals from the Mavrovo and Rostuše area reacted immediately, calling for urgent intervention from the municipality, the National Park, police, and municipal inspection services. The message from the community was blunt: tourists are welcome, but a religious and cultural landmark deserves respect, not treatment as a waterpark prop.

A Church With a Difficult Fate Since 1953

Sveti Nikola was built in 1850 by master carvers, then submerged beneath the artificial Lake Mavrovo in 1953 during construction of the Mavrovo hydro system. Depending on water levels, the church has alternated between disappearing underwater and resurfacing for decades, with its iconostasis and other valuable items long since rescued and preserved. That unusual, half-submerged state is exactly what made it one of Mavrovo's most photographed and recognizable sights.

A Real Risk of Further Damage

Beyond the religious dimension, residents also point to a concrete physical risk — the structure is already weakened after more than seven decades of exposure to water and sun, and every additional person climbing on it increases the chance of damaging an already fragile structure. Authorities have not yet said whether the individuals shown in the footage will face any sanctions.

MKNews Hub · Macedonia · August 17, 2026