 Kastoria town
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Kastoria is considered one of the most enchanting cities in Greece and undoubtedly one of the most beautiful in Western Macedonia. It is the capital of Kastoria prefecture. it is 555 km from Athens and 219 km from Thessaloniki.
Kastoria is built at the banks of Orestiada lake or Kastoria lake, as it is mostly known. The lake is considered the most beautiful in Greece and has been proclaimed as a “Monument of Natural Beauty”.
Kastoria has a rich historic heritage and natural beauties. It is a city–museum of Byzantine and Post Byzantine Monuments and Mansions.
The famous mansions of Kastoria represent the financial robustness that the city once met. They are very imposing and grandiose constructions with remarkable paintings and architecture.
Those mansions were samples of the city’s economic development, as a result of the citizens’ industrial and commercial activities in fur business here and abroad.
The imposing mansions are built at an original Macedonian rhythm that is expressed excellently by these Kastorian constructions.
They have three floors and many but small windows. Their ceilings are wooden with carved details. They were made by Macedonian and Epirote craftsmen.
The 70 Byzantine and newer churches are witnesses of the city’s superior cultural and social level.
The older ones’ are those of Saints Anargiri, Saints Taxiarhes, Saint Stefano, Panagia Koumpelidiki, Panagia Mirtiotissa, Panagia Zevgostasiou, Saint Georgios Omorfoklisias and Saint Nicolaos of Kasnitzi.
During your stay in Kastoria don’t miss visiting the cities museums. In the traditional settlement Doltso, the mansion Neratzi Ajvazi accommodates the city’s’ Folklore Museum that travels the visitor back in time. In the museum the visitor can see objects of domestic use, traditional costumes, furniture, tools used in fur processing, etc.
The Byzantine Museum hosts Byzantine and post Byzantine paintings of the 12th up to the 17th century. It exhibits approximately 550 paintings, rich in artistic creation, which represent part of local art and painting via the museum’s presentation.
Kastoria is the perfect place for sport activities. We recommend you to try rowing or sailing at the lake of Kastoria.
If you happen to be in the area during a rowing championship, you will have the chance to attend this fascinating sport. The lovers of mountain can try mountaineering, skiing and hiking at Grammos and Vitsi mountains.
In order to enjoy your walks at the cold winter Kastoria, we recommend you to buy a fur, a suede or a leather coat from the famous fur shops all around Kastoria. You are in the center of fur. Take advantage of it!
The city has all the appropriate infrastructures, hotels and rooms to let that can accommodate even the most demanding visitors. Kastoria is also famous for its night life. The options are many for those who love to dance and have fun.
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