Kastoria
Seat of the prefecture: Kastoria Kastoria, Argos Orestiko, Vitsi, Dispilio, Eptachori, Klissoura, Nestorio.
The prefecture of Kastoria is one of the 13 prefectures of Macedonia. It is situated at the northwestern edge of Western Macedonia and it borders with Albania, and the prefectures of Florina, Kozani, Grevena and Ioannina.
The main source of income in the prefecture is the field of handicrafts and the small-scale fur processing. In the area there is a long tradition in fur manufacturing, going back 500 years.
The area is popular with many visitors, especially in the winter months. It’s well known for its abundant natural beauty, the rich historical past, the traditional villages, the majestic mansions, the archaeological sites, the historical monuments and the churches dating back to the Middle Age and the Byzantine era.
The city of Kastoria
You can stroll in the streets and the slab-paved lanes of the city, you can take a tour of the lake in a small boat and relax and enjoy the picturesque scenery. An absolute must is the Cave of the Dragon , close to the lake, with a 500 m visitors’ route and a rich decor of stalactites and stalagmites. In this cave the petrified remains of the Cave Bear were found.
The renowned mansions of Kastoria, with their characteristic post-Byzantine architectural style, characteristic of the times of the Turkish occupation, stand as an evidence of the economic prosperity of the town in the 18th century and later, thanks to the manufacturing and commercial activity of the local fur professionals. The impressive interior decoration and the unique architectural style of the mansions, characteristic of northern Greece, make them a unique monument of tradition and a very important sight.
Byzantine walls and many Byzantine churches decorate the modern city of Kastoria. Visit the churches Panagia (Virgin Mary) “Tsondou Varda”, Taxiarchi Mitropoleos, Agion Trion, Agiou Nicolaou (St. Nicolas) “Megaliou” and Panagia (Virgin Mary) “Koumbelidiki” with amazing murals. The monastery of Mavriotissa, built in the 12th century, is also decorated with murals on the outside, a practice usual in northern Greece, while the Turks have destroyed the eyes of the saints in the murals, during the Turkish occupation of the area. The country church of Ai Nikolas “Kremastos” is built inside a natural cave in the rocks, and it is of significant cultural and religious value.
Visit the Folk Museum, housed in the mansion of Nerantzia Aivazis, in the village Doltso
At a distance of 7 km from Kastoria is situated the area Dispilio , where the first lake settlement has been discovered, dating back to 5.000 B.C. The first Greek Ecology Museum has been created in the same area. The petrified forest of Nostimo , dating back to 20 million years ago, is a unique geological monument. Between the foothills of Grammos and the banks of Aliakmonas river is built the beautiful village Nestorio
In the modern town of Argos Orestiko Eptachori Klissoura
Other areas of the prefecture with interesting sights are: Mavrochori, Chryssi, Messopotamia.
The nature lovers can explore the area of the mountain Grammos , from where the river Aliakmonas , the longest (297 km) river of Greece receives its water. They can also explore the wetland habitat along the river and the dense forests of the area, as well as admire the flora and fauna of this great ecosystem.
22 km from the city of Kastoria operates the Vitsi Ski Centre , a great destination for the lovers of winter sports and adrenaline. The area generally lends itself to long walks that overwhelm the visitor with the wild beauty of the landscape.
The prefecture of Kastoria with the abundant natural beauty, the traditional villages, the majestic mansions, the Byzantine monuments and the picturesque landscape, invites you to get to know it and it promises to offer you unforgettable experiences.
By bus: There is frequent daily service with KTEL busses to and from Athens and Thessalonica.By car: You can get to Kastoria by car via the Athens-Thessalonica National Road.
The distance from Athens is 593 km.
By Air: Daily flights from the Eleftherios Venizelos Airport of Athens to Kastoria.
Municipality of Kastoria
24670 22312
Athens Bus Depot (KTEL)
210 5151548
Kastoria Hospital
24670 55600
Thessalonica Bus Depot (KTEL)
2310 522162
Kastoria Police Dept.
24670 83422
Kastoria Airport
24670 22275, 24648
Kastoria Police Emergency
24670 22100
Eleftherios Venizelos (Athens) Airport
210 3530000
Kastoria Traffic Police
24670 83500
Kastoria TAXI
24670 82100
Kastoria Bus Depot (KTEL)
24670 83455
Vitsi Ski Centre
24670 24884
