House of Family Metulevi
Buildings/The Metulevi House is located in the Ohrid Bazaar at the corner with Argir Marinchev Street and is one of the larger buildings in the area. The building is interpolated among a dense architectural core dominated by 19th-century structures. Built in the third decade (of the 20th century), it does not show a tendency to blend into the general architectural environment. The building is executed in the style of early modern European architecture, which resulted in only a certain degree of "modernization" through geometric assumptions in the basic design. The entire house is conceived on sloping terrain, with levels that adapt as the ground rises.
Architect Kosta Hadžiev
Construction year 1936
Investor / Owner Metulevi
City / Municipality Ohrid
/ Ohrid
Address Argir Marinchev St. No. 2
Floors B+3+A
Original typology
Current purpose
Protection status not protected
- Number of floorsB+3+AStructureThe building is constructed with a massive system, featuring a stone foundation, solid brick walls, and a wooden roof structure.RoofMulti-pitched roof covered in roofing tiles.FaçadeThe façade treatment on the Argir Marinchev Street side, which is on a slope, is more rational in terms of decorative relief, while the façade facing the bazaar is more representative, with a greater play of volumes, decoration, and an aspiration toward symmetry, although true symmetry is not achieved. There are terraces with arched shapes and semicircular endings, as well as one terrace that is covered and supported by columns. There are several elements of decorative relief. The exterior finish is plaster.CarpentryThe carpentry is wooden.ContextIt is located on the Ohrid Bazaar, which has historically been a street for trade and crafts. This street marks the boundary between the old town on the hill and the new town on the plain. Along this street, there are other significant historical buildings with similar purposes, some of which are protected as cultural monuments. The side of the building follows a secondary street that slopes downward and develops organically with an irregular shape, while on the opposite side, it is attached to another building of smaller size.
- RoofMulti-pitched roof covered in roofing tiles.FaçadeThe façade treatment on the Argir Marinchev Street side, which is on a slope, is more rational in terms of decorative relief, while the façade facing the bazaar is more representative, with a greater play of volumes, decoration, and an aspiration toward symmetry, although true symmetry is not achieved. There are terraces with arched forms and semicircular endings, as well as one terrace that is covered and supported by columns. There are several elements of decorative relief. The exterior finish is plaster and façade tiles. Advertising panels are also present.CarpentryThe carpentry of the building has been replaced with aluminum and PVC doors and windows.Interior / Communal spacesThe shops on the ground floor have been adapted to their new purpose and renovated without regard for authenticity.Interior / Private spacesThe building is currently being physically maintained.Exterior conditiongoodExterior authenticitypoorInterior authenticitypoorModificationsSeveral changes can be observed, starting with the materials used for the carpentry, which are now PVC and aluminum instead of the original wood. The terrace railings have been replaced with stainless steel bars. An additional floor has been built. A large number of external air conditioning units and many advertisements have been installed. Some terraces have been enclosed or partitioned, the façade color is different, and different materials have been used for the ground floor façade.
- Complete loss of the building’s appearance may occur if interventions that are not in accordance with the authentic look continue.
- not protected It does not have protected status, but it is on the list of recorded buildings that deserve to be protected by the NI Institute and Museum Ohrid.
- architectural and aesthetic
- Recommendation to the owners: The value of the building should be respected when installing elements directly on the façades, and if changes are made, they should be aimed at preserving its authenticity.
- Grčev, K. (2003). The architectural styles in Macedonian architecture from the end of the 19th century and the interwar period. Skopje: Institute of Folklore "Marko Cepenkov".