Struga is an old settlement dating from the Neolithic period. In Antiquity, Struga was located on the road Via Egnatia, the road connecting the Eastern and Western Roman Empires. The name Struga is an Albanian word “te ruga” meaning on the road.

The old name of Struga was Enhalon, an old Illyrian expression, and  in today Albanian language, “ne valon” which  has a meaning of the waving or flowing.  This is not surprising, since the river Drini i Zi flows out from the lake Ohri. The significant si that the water of the river does not mix with the water of the lake. The river was named based on the road that connected this southern part of Illyrian with the Adriatic coast or the city of Saragusa.  In the ancient time, many people who took this road,  some of them have  never come back. Therefore, the lake was named as a Black Drin.  In addition, the name “Drin” means a key to lock or something locked. Based on Roman writings, the area was populated with Illyrians tribes of Parthynes, Phenestes, and some  Enhelians. During the period of 300 - 400, many of those people were of Jewish religious believes.

In the villages around Struga are churches build by the Albanians, and taken over from the Slavic populations. Some of those churches are basilicas in the village of Radolista, village of Oktisi and village of Delogozda, dating from the early-Christian period, 5-6 century. It is clear that by the time when the Slaves came in this region in the 13-14 century, Struga and its surroundings  was a city of  intensive Albanian Christian life development.  This can be proved by different subjects dating from this period, and their excellent treatment. Also, a gorgeous tomb inscription with a pure art design confirms that  there were Albanian people who knew how in the utilitarian to try to find elements of real art. The art works are characterized by the famous special style from an architectonic viewpoint, especially with rich and valuable carved iconostasis on which a lot of “throne” and "festive” icons can be found, and the church interior is ornamented with wall fresco-painting. On of the remarkable work is the icon of St. John which was carved in the walnut piece of lumber dating since a 12-13 century AD.

During the Ottoman Turkey, Struga survived an Asiatic architectural plans consisting of many Turkish monasteries, baths, masques and other objects. For Example, Asan Baba in the 18-century AD has built the Muslim monastery called “Halveti Teqe”. The monastery consists five rooms, that form the letter "T" , and mean  the mosque which comprises the minaret and the balcony, caféé-inn, summer inn and reception room. The cub from the minaret is in octagonal form, which is a symbol of eight heavenly doors, and the crown of the scheih as well.