About six kilometres down the road from Galichnik, Saint Jovan Bigorski Monastery sits on a rocky cliff above the Radika River gorge. Founded in the 11th century and rebuilt repeatedly, the current complex dates mainly from the early 19th century. The Church of St John the Baptist contains an extraordinary iconostasis, a floor-to-ceiling carved wooden screen whose level of intricate detail — human figures, vines, birds, mythological beasts — seems almost impossible to have been made by human hands.
The monastery is active and monks live here year-round. Visitors are welcome but should dress modestly; a head covering is required for women. From the monastery terrace, views up and down the Radika gorge are some of the finest in western Macedonia. The drive from Galichnik winds steeply down through pine and beech forest and is spectacular in autumn.