Kastoria, Greece: attractions and photos

Greece is a sin to complain about the numberattractions, but there are areas in it that do not quite fit in the trails traversed by millions of feet. There is an amazing place in this country, where even winter is not Greek, but with real frost and snow. And here, on the peninsula, washed on three sides by a lake, is the city of Kastoria. Greece in the Middle Ages became famous as a country producing fur products.

So it remains to this day. In the city, which has only 17,000 inhabitants, there are numerous small shops and large factories producing fur coats, the largest fur center in Europe is EDIKA.

City `s history

There is a beautiful legend that around 2000BC. e. founded the city of the mythical demigod Cecrop, who has a male body, standing on two snakes instead of legs. At his behest, a wall was built around Kastoria, which received his name and protected the peninsula from attack.

According to another version, Kastoria (Greece) was foundedin 840 BC. e. and she received her name thanks to the huge number of beavers in the lake ("castoras" in Greek). Everyone is free to choose for himself, what to believe, but the wall did exist - on its ruins in 525, by the decree of the Byzantine emperor Justinian, the 1st was erected a tower with a fortress wall.

At that time (3-4 th century AD.) the city was a Byzantine bastion on its western outskirts. Since that time, many ancient monuments have survived, there are objects related to the Neolithic and Roman times. Thanks to the Byzantine culture in Kastoria, 70 temples were built and preserved to the present day, the oldest of which dates back to the 9th century.

Travelers wishing to know in more detail whatrepresented by ancient Kastoria (Greece), the ethnographic and Byzantine museums are expected. In the latter, for example, one of the largest collections of Byzantine icons of the 12th-14th centuries is collected.

This place is not suitable for those who like to spendtheir vacation on the beaches, because they are simply not there, and in the local lake it is not accepted to swim, although it is considered a good form to fish and feed waterfowl here.

Cave of the Dragon

Just 15 meters from Lake Orestiada there is an entrance to theCave, reminiscent of its outlines, the mouth of the dragon. Maybe that's why it's called Dragon, although there is a legend that once he lived here and guarded the entrance to the gold mine with an enormous gold reserve. So it is or not, it is unknown, but there is no gold under the arches of the cave, but there is an extraordinary beauty of stalactites and stalagmites of the most bizarre form.

There are a dozen rooms and 7 lakes with fresh water, andthe cave itself goes down to 600 m, of which only 300 meters are open for inspection to tourists. Speleologists do not let people go further in order to ensure their safety. To view the beauty, hidden from human eyes, it is possible from a floating bridge, from which a stunning view of the lakes and galleries of the cave opens. Here such a tourist attraction is the city of Kastoria (Greece). Feedback from those who have visited the caves of the cave, say that the ventilation and lighting of its arches allow you to stay there for a long time without harm to health.

Church of Panagia Mavriotissa

Built in honor of the victory of ByzantineEmperor Alexius the First Comnenus over the Normans in 1082, this church has survived and continues to function until our time. Today it is located in the center of the city at the intersection of tourist routes, so it will not be difficult to notice it.

It was in the 11th century adorned from the outside by the richfrescoes, now from them there were only small scraps. Something destroyed the time, but something the Turks, who were not too ceremonious with Christian relics during the reign of the Ottoman Empire. Interior decoration is better preserved.

Once there was a monastery around the church, but todayOnly one bell tower of the 13th century and a thousand-year-old plane tree survived, a witness of many events in the city. To make it more convenient to reach all the sights, you can stay at the Esperos Palace Hotel (Greece, Kastoria). It is located just 3 minutes from the center and offers its guests not only comfortable rooms, but also relaxation in a spa with a swimming pool.

Lake Orestiada

Located at an altitude of 600 m above sea level,this picturesque lake is the "home" for numerous species of birds, mammals, amphibians and waterfowl. Not inferior to them in terms of the number of flora and underwater inhabitants, among them: catfish, carp, perch, line and roach. The local people have great success in fishing, to which tourists often join, organizing real competitions.

According to legend, the lake bears the name of Orestes - one of theloved by the Greeks heroes of ancient myths, but the reservoir itself is millions of years older than any of them. Today, you can go water skiing or rent a boat, feed cormorants, pelicans, wild ducks and swans. This is a favorite holiday destination for residents of the city of Kastoria (Greece).

Limnos Iquimos

How many more secrets does the earth contain? Sometimes they open up to people quite unexpectedly, as it was with the ancient village of Limnios Ikizmos. In the 30s of the last century, the waters of Lake Orestiada moved away and exposed unknown structures.

If Greece is called ancient, then what to sayabout the find, which was declared the oldest settlement in Europe? As it turned out, it was on an artificially created island on stilts and has preserved to our days unique everyday objects of the Neolithic times, among which is a sign with unknown inscriptions.

On the site of the settlement an exact copy of it has been built, which has become a museum in the open air, and in the huts one can see the very utensils, tools and tools.

Fur coats of Kastoria

Having visited these places, it is impossible not to pay attention to the main source of the city's income - fur products, known throughout the world, no less than its attractions.

Many local hotels, such as Esperos Palace 4 *(Greece, Kastoria), offer free accommodation provided they purchase a fur coat. This offer is readily enjoyed by tourists from the CIS countries, combining rest and shopping. Annually in May there is a grandiose exhibition of leather and fur products, on which more than 1200 factories represent their goods.

Since at this exhibition prices from the manufacturer,then in May, the most popular route for tourists - Kastoria (Greece). Rhodes, beloved by many an island for recreation, which is located 1000 km from this city, is empty when the sale of fur coats and leather jackets begins. Such is the ancient and modern Kastoria.