Partially clothed tourists climb submerged Church of St. Nicholas in Mavrovo, region in shock

Photos of partially clothed tourists climbing the stone walls of the submerged Church of St. Nicholas at Mavrovo Lake have become a viral controversy across the region, provoking sharp criticism and disbelief online.

The images, first posted on Facebook by Toni Chalovski, show visitors in bathing suits — including women in thongs — using the church’s exterior walls and its tower as if they were a climbing prop or a backdrop for photos. The pictures spread quickly through Macedonian social media and were picked up by neighbouring outlets.

Historic building treated as a spectacle

“Is anyone even warning visitors that this is a church? Are there rules for access and behaviour around the site?” asked Toni Chalovski, who published the material that ignited the public reaction. He also noted that many of the tourists arrive in organized vans and behave disrespectfully toward cultural and religious heritage.

The Church of St. Nicholas was built in 1857 and is one of Mavrovo’s most recognisable landmarks. Flooded during the mid-20th century when the artificial lake was created, the stone walls and the large bell re-emerge when the water level drops.

Rather than serving as a reminder of history and spiritual life, the scenes of scantily clad visitors climbing the old walls have shocked people across the Balkans and reopened an urgent debate in North Macedonia: when will the responsible institutions stop remaining silent, and when will clear rules and protection for this unique historical site be established?

Photo: press material from the event