People have lived here for thousands of years. Underwater excavations off the shore by Albanian and Swiss archaeologists have revealed a prehistoric pile-dwelling village dated to around 6000 BC, which the team believes is among the oldest lakeside settlements known in Europe. Much later, in the mid-6th century AD, an early Christian basilica was built on the hilltop above the village; it burned in the 10th–11th centuries and was never rebuilt.
A walk of about ten minutes leads from the village up to the ruins on the hill of Shën Thanas, where the church’s mosaic floors feature geometric patterns, scenes from nature, bees and birds pecking at grapes. The mosaics were opened to visitors in 2025, and the hilltop also offers beautiful views across the lake. Back in the village, look out for fresh fish from the lake.
Peaceful and steeped in history, Lin is a rewarding stop on any journey along the Albanian shore of Lake Ohrid.
