Budapest, May 15, 2026
Photo: baumit.mk
An Orthodox cathedral in North Macedonia’s capital has claimed top honors in the public voting category of a major European architectural competition, bringing international recognition to its recent restoration project.
The Macedonian Orthodox Cathedral of St. Clement of Ohrid in Skopje won the public vote award at the Baumit Life Challenge 2026, a European competition showcasing exceptional facade designs and renovations. The contest took place in Budapest, and drew entries from multiple European countries, reports crkovenzurnal.com.
The cathedral competed in the Historical Renovation category, with recognition specifically acknowledging the church’s renovated façade.
The Cathedral of St. Clement of Ohrid is one of Skopje’s most recognizable religious landmarks. The rotunda-style structure measures 118 by 118 feet and covers approximately 10,800 square feet, with capacity for nearly 6,000 worshippers. The building features domes and arches, with the main church dedicated to St. Clement of Ohrid and a lower church devoted to the Theotokos.
Inside, an oak wood iconostasis stretches 64 feet in length and 41 feet in height, decorated with carved flora including vine leaves, poppy buds and acorns. The church complex includes a 148-foot bell tower in the courtyard north of the main entrance, housing three Austrian-cast bells weighing 2,200, 1,100, and 660 pounds respectively. Two chapels within the complex are dedicated to Sts. Constantine and Helen, and to the Holy Martyr Mina.
The Baumit Life Challenge is an international architecture competition organized by Baumit, an Austrian building materials company, that focuses on innovative and aesthetically significant building facades across Europe.
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