Kastoria (Greece). Greek city of Kastoria City of Kastoria

Kastoria is a unique and distinctive culture, completely different from what tourists see on the beach and island greek resorts... At the same time, it is the main center of the Greek Orthodox Church. These two circumstances shape the image of the city in the eyes of travelers and determine the course for the must-see attractions.

An incredible number of churches have survived in Kastoria and its immediate environs - more than 75, Byzantine and post-Byzantine. True, they are all small in size, and often are simply small chapels. But even the smallest ones command respect: after all, they can be more than a thousand years old.

Church of Agii Anargyri, “St. Unmercenaries ", was built in the 10-11th centuries. It is distinguished by a rather non-standard design, but it is not the main advantage of the temple. Inside, amazing frescoes have been preserved, and in two layers: the older one, 11th century, and the newer one, 12th century. The old ones are rather primitive, but the new ones can rightfully be ranked among the most outstanding monuments of Byzantine art.

The very small church of Panagia Kumbelidiki, or Scutariotissa, built in the 10th century, became the emblem of Kastoria.

St. Stephen's Basilica is one of the oldest monuments of religious architecture on the Balkan Peninsula. It features attractive tiling and wall paintings, the oldest dating back to the 9th century. Also noteworthy are the frescoes in the Church of St. Nikolaos Kasnitzis, a small one-nave church, the interior of which was successfully used to create murals in the 12th century.

The monastery of Panagia Mavriotissa stands out especially, its church was built, probably in the 11th century. The paintings here are very detailed and have been created since the 11th century. from the 13th century, so they look not quite traditional for this area.

The very small church of Panagia Kumbelidiki, or Skutariotissa, built in the 10th century, became the emblem of Kastoria. The combination of small size with a high dome and a variety of stonework make it a true architectural gem of the city.

Take a look at the Dragon's Cave, which is very close to the lake shore. There are seven underground lakes, ten halls and five tunnels inside it. According to legend, all this was once in the possession of a fire-breathing lizard.

Museums of Kastoria

If you are interested in local culture, there are at least a few museums in Kastoria worth exploring. First, two folklore: in one of them the dwelling of a merchant of the 16-17 centuries was recreated, in the other - the life of the 19-20 centuries. Both are very interesting and deserve a tour with a guided tour, without which it can be difficult to understand why this or that item was needed, and what the owners were doing in a particular room. Another museum dedicated to local traditions and customs is the Museum of Costume, which displays not only formal clothes, but also everyday, household costumes, men and women, and accessories to them. Well, as a kind of "cheat sheet" for Kastoria, you can use the Museum of Monuments, which contains copy scale models of all the most important architectural monuments cities.

Surroundings of Kastoria

There are at least two places near Kastoria that are especially famous among tourists. Both of them are somehow related to ancient history... One of them is the Museum of Fossils in Nostimo, where you can see fossilized trees and the remains of shellfish and ancient animals that were found here when the area was covered by the sea. The second place is even more surprising: it is a Neolithic settlement in Dispilio, which is located practically on the lake. Here the famous Dispilio tablet with hieroglyphic writing was discovered.

Main natural attraction of Kastoria is the lake of the same name, also called Orestiada, which is considered the most picturesque lake in Greece and was even declared a "Natural Monument" by order of the Ministry of Culture. From the southern part of the peninsula, an amazing view of the coastal road opens, which goes around the whole peninsula and ends in its northern part.

Another attraction of Kastoria is the Monastery of Our Lady of Mavriotis (XII century). It is located almost on the cape of the peninsula, about 4 kilometers from the city itself. The monastery was founded during the reign of Alexei I Comnenus (1081 - 1118 AD). Its central temple was painted in different periods. Biblical scenes date from the 12th century. The large scene of the Second Advent, depicted on the eastern and southern walls of the narthex, evokes iconographic interest and dates from the end of the 12th century. The Epiphany scene was added later. The exterior wall paintings depicting portraits of the emperors and Saints Demetrius and George date from around 1260.

The Monastery of Our Lady of Mavriotis played an important role in the cultural and spiritual life of the city of Kastoria at various periods of its life, therefore, a special interest in it from the authorities of the Byzantine Empire. In the south coastline is the old quarter Doltso with the square of the same name. You can walk along it to the northern part of the city and admire the amazing manors of the city. The manor houses Aivazis, Nadjis and Emmanouil, located next to the square, gladly invite tourists to their place. In Kastoria there are Byzantine and Ethnographic museums with rich collections.

The next natural attraction of Kastoria is its cave - "Cave of the Dragon". The cave is located to the north of the city center, on the 2nd km of the lake embankment - st. Suggaridi, near the monastery of the Mother of God Mavriotis. The entrance to the cave is located 20 meters from the lake shore. From the inside, it consists of 10 halls with stalactites and stalagmites and 7 underground lakes, the largest of which is 70 m long.The route is 300 meters long through the halls (the central route leads to the lakes), and four of the seven lakes and some halls with stalactites are accessible via five separate corridors - tunnels and two artificial bridges.

Outside the city of Kastoria, there are many natural and architectural attractions, for example, the striking beauty of Mount Vitsi, which became famous during the civil war. It is an ideal place for nature lovers and for walks in the fresh air. Various hikes are organized here in summer and ski resorts... Main length ski slopes is 1,000 meters, the other two side stretches for 2,500 and 1,300 meters. On the way to the mountains, there are three beautiful villages Vissinia, Oxia and Polykeraso.

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

So it has remained to this day. In the city of only 17,000 inhabitants, there are numerous small shops and large factories for the production of fur coats, the largest fur center in Europe EDIKA is located.

History of the city

Exist beautiful legendthat around 2000 BC. e. founded by the demigod Kekrop, who has a man's body, standing on two snakes instead of legs. At his behest, a wall was erected around Kastoria, which received his name and protected the peninsula from attack.

According to another version, Kastoria (Greece) was founded in 840 BC. e. and it got its name thanks to the beavers living in huge numbers on the lake ("castoras" in Greek). Everyone is free to choose for himself what to believe in, but the wall really existed - on its ruins in 525, by the decree of the Byzantine emperor Justinian I, a tower with a fortress wall was erected.

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

Travelers wishing to learn more about what ancient Kastoria (Greece) was like will find Ethnographic and Byzantine museums. The latter, for example, contains one of the largest collections of the 12-14th centuries.

This place is not suitable for those who like to spend their holidays on the beaches, as there are simply no beaches here, and it is not customary to swim in the local lake, although it is considered good form to fish and feed waterfowl here.

Dragon cave

Just 15 meters from Lake Orestiada, there is a cave entrance resembling a dragon's mouth. Perhaps that is why it is called the Dragon, although there is a legend that he once lived here and guarded the entrance to the gold mine with an innumerable supply of gold. Whether it is true or not is unknown, but there is no gold under the arches of the cave, but there is extraordinary beauty of the most bizarre form.

There are ten halls and 7 lakes with fresh water, and the cave itself goes down to 600 m, of which only 300 meters are open for tourists. Cavers do not let people go further for their safety. You can view the beauty hidden from human eyes from the floating bridge, which offers stunning views of the lakes and cave galleries. This is the sight of the city of Kastoria (Greece). Reviews of those who have visited the vaults of the cave indicate that ventilation and lighting of its vaults allow you to stay there for a long time without harm to health.

Church of Panagia Mavriotissa

Built to commemorate the victory of the Byzantine emperor Alexei the 1st Comnenus over the Normans in 1082, this church has survived and is still active today. Today it is located in the city center at the intersection tourist routes, so it will be difficult not to notice it.

It was decorated on the outside with rich frescoes in the 11th century; now only small fragments remain of them. Something destroyed time, but something the Turks, who did not stand on ceremony with Christian relics during the reign of the Ottoman Empire. The interior decoration is better preserved.

Once a monastery grew up around the church, but today only one bell tower of the 13th century and a thousand-year plane tree have survived, witnessing many events in the city. To make it easier to get to all the attractions, you can stay at the Esperos Palace (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 600 m above sea level, this picturesque lake is home to numerous species of birds, mammals, amphibians and waterfowl. Flora and underwater inhabitants are not inferior to them in quantity, including: catfish, carp, perch, tench and roach. The locals are very popular with fishing, which is often joined by tourists, arranging real competitions.

According to legend, the lake is named after Orestes - one of the heroes of ancient myths loved by the Greeks, 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. it favorite place recreation of residents of the city of Kastoria (Greece).

Limneos Ikizmos

How many more secrets does the earth keep? Sometimes they open up to people completely unexpectedly, as was the case with the ancient village of Limneos Ikizmos. In the 30s of the last century, the waters of Lake Orestiada receded and exposed unknown structures.

If Greece is called ancient, then what can we say about the find, which was declared the oldest settlement in Europe? As it turned out, it was located on an artificially created island on stilts and has preserved to this day unique household items from the Neolithic period, including a tablet with unknown inscriptions.

On the site of the settlement, an exact copy of it was built, which became an open-air museum, and in the huts you can see the very utensils, tools and implements of labor.

Fur coats of Kastoria

Having visited these places, one cannot but pay attention to the main source of income of the city - fur products, known all over the world no less than its attractions.

Many local hotels, for example Esperos Palace 4 * (Greece, Kastoria), offer free accommodation on condition of buying a fur coat. This offer is willingly used by tourists from the CIS countries, combining leisure and shopping. Every year in May there is a grand exhibition of leather and fur products, where more than 1200 factories present their products.

Since at this exhibition the prices are from the manufacturer, in May the most popular route among tourists is Kastoria (Greece). Rhodes, the beloved holiday island 1000 km from the city, is empty when the sale of fur coats and leather jackets begins. This is ancient and modern Kastoria.

On a picturesque peninsula, surrounded by the waters of the famous mountain lake Orestiada, in Western Macedonia there is a magical city - Kastoria. The crystal-clear waters stretch out in the heart of the plain, hidden by two Greek massifs - Vitsi and Grammo. The second occupies a third of the territory of the prefecture of Kastoria in the southwest. Mountain ranges rise to a height of one thousand to 2520 meters above sea level, and the waters of the Aliakmon River rush along their slopes.

Those who only dream of a trip here should imagine a charming picture of these lands: the tranquility of a small town, the purest mountain air filled with the aromas of plants and herbs, cozy streets where ancient churches are everywhere, as well as incredibly beautiful landscapes - this is the essence of Kastoria. The picture is complemented by a mirror lake, as if embracing the city, located 650 meters above sea level.

In summer, the air warms up to an average of 25 degrees, and in winter it rarely drops below 5 degrees. It happens that in cold periods at temperatures below 0 the lake freezes. For such atypical frosts for Greece, Kastoria was called the Greek "Siberia" for a long time. Swimming in Orestiada is not accepted here, so the residents of the city use the lake for fishing, which is very successful.

History of the city

Tracking the beginning of the history of Kastoria is an unsolvable task, because it is lost somewhere in the distant past. Research by some scientists suggests that the first settlers appeared on the territory of the present city around 5500 BC. The myths about the divine king Kekrop with a human body and serpentine legs tell about Kefalonia. The city was founded in 840 BC, so it is considered one of the oldest in Western Macedonia.

Under the rule of a semi-mythical king, it was ordered to erect a "Kekrop wall". The structure blocked the only passage to the peninsula hidden by the waters of Lake Orestiada. The reservoir was named after the leader of the Hellenes Orestes of Argos from southern Greece, who was persecuted by the Doryans in the 11th-10th centuries BC.

The erected wall was destroyed, and in its place in 525, already our time, Emperor Justinian I ordered the construction of a fortress wall with tower structures. This is due to the fact that Kastoria in the Byzantine era served as the western bastion of the empire.

There are several versions of the origin of the name of the settlement. Popular is the one, according to which the name of the city is associated with the word "castor" from the ancient Greek language. It translates as "beaver": a lot of these animals really live in the lake. The second hypothesis explains the origin of the name Kastoria with the help of myths. Castor is the name of the ruling god Zeus. According to legend, the young man lived on the mountain. Seli, which is located near the city. In the morning, he gazed into the waters of Lake Orestiada, only then he was able to meet his great father, whose anger instilled fear in the Greeks.

Entertainment

The most famous entertainment in this Greek city is the local theater. Noisy concerts and festivals gather hundreds of guests. In anticipation of new year holidays Carnival "Raguzaria" is held here, which dates back to the Winter Dionysius. The carnival procession covers everyone who is in Kastoria these days. Noise, songs, dances, brass bands, sounding from all over the city - and all this is supported by the local wine.

The name of the carnival comes from the Latin "beggars". Discharged townspeople come to their homes, asking for gifts, and in return they offer to expel the evil spirits that live in their homes. Initially, the costumes resembled various animals, the Byzantine period introduced a ban on such outfits, so the set of images has expanded significantly since that time.

Another advantage of winter in Kastoria is Mount Vitsa, where a modern ski complex is located. Lovers of skiing on the mountain slopes from all over the world come here. Also at a distance of 16 kilometers you can visit the hydrotherapy of the village of Ammoudara, famous for its healing mineral springs.

The city itself is rich in various bars, taverns, fun discos and shops. In summer, the theater offers wide choose concerts and performances for every taste and age. A lot of entertainment is available thanks to the lake: water skiing, fishing, sailing, water rowing - each tourist can choose what is closer to him.

Fur history of Kastoria

The rich history of the city, spanning more than one century, is full of numerous sieges and invasions of Bulgarians, Normans and Turks. But even such a dangerous situation in Kastoria did not affect the preservation of the Byzantine churches, historical relics and luxurious mansions, testifying to the heyday of the city. It came at a time when an active trade in fur products began with major European cities.

Fur products were considered a sign of the nobility of their owners, a manifestation of social status, therefore, such an element of clothing was a necessity for wealthy people of that time. Antoine Olivier, a 17th-century traveler, said that Constantinople women of that era had about 12 outfits with fur trim, each of which cost fabulous money. Poor Greeks also wore furs, but cheaper skins of animals were used: hares, jackals, sheep. The enterprising people immediately reacted to such attention to fur from the nobility, so fur masters became especially appreciated, and trade in products expanded to Holland, Austria and Hungary.

The glory of Kastoria as one of the fur capitals of Greece is still known today. Numerous fur coat shops sell their products throughout Europe, and the quality of the manufactured products makes them truly luxurious and not accessible to everyone. Every year a large-scale fur exhibition is held here, and it is an honor for local producers to take part in it.

Despite the attractiveness of a relaxing holiday and the opportunity to touch the history of Greece through ancient churches, tourists still prefer "fur" trips to Kastoria. The city's fur factories make up an important part of the budget. Almost all families in Kastoria own either a fur factory or a store from which the products are distributed all over the world. This zest of the city has become a defining feature that attracts guests from different parts of the world. The high quality of the products is not their only difference. Local manufacturers follow fashion trends, so buying a fur coat or cape here, you get a truly modern thing. Of course, following the fashion significantly raises the cost of the purchase, but those who try to follow the trends of the fur industry are ready to give quite a lot of money.

sights

Kastoria nestles on a peninsula surrounded by the crystal waters of Orestiada. The local landscape looks like a painting by a talented artist, and the views of the city are created to become a filming location for a wonderful film: streets paved with colored stones, intricate architectural solutions of buildings, various flowers, greenery - and all this complements the hospitality of the local population, joyfully welcoming guests of the city.

The historical wealth of Kastoria is its important distinguishing feature, which cannot be ignored once in the city. Byzantine churches, which have retained their original appearance, amaze with filigree frescoes and paintings. You should definitely visit at least a few of the 72 that have survived. The oldest of them is the 10th century Church of the Virgin Mavriotisa. But old icons can be seen in the Byzantine Museum located nearby.

A visit to the fish market, the marina, and the Omonim Square will help to make a walk around Kastoria full.

Unique place located not far from the city: moving away from it for 24 kilometers, the tourist finds himself in the town of Mostimo. It is here that there is a stone forest, where fossilized trunks of ancient trees and animal remains are preserved. The age of this find, made during the extraction of coal, is about 15-20 million years. Once there was the bottom of the sea, and later a tropical forest grew. The volcanic lava and ash that poured into this place stopped time, hiding all life in stone. The sea inhabitants retained their shape almost entirely, the trunks of chestnuts and palms were also identified, it was these plants that were the basis flora antiquities. More fossils can be seen in the museum. The most interesting exhibits are a 25-meter shark jaw, huge teeth of herbivorous creatures that lived here many millennia ago.

The miracle of Kastoria, hidden from the eyes of the traveler, is located next to the monastery of the Virgin. The Dragon Cave is so named due to the natural shape of the entrance, similar to the open mouth of this mythical creature. Another version of the origin of the name is associated with ancient legend, according to which a dragon lived here, guarding the gold mines.

There are about a dozen underground rooms and freshwater lakes, caves galleries descend 600 meters, delighting researchers. The cave is notable for natural ventilation and an incredible indoor microclimate. Stalactites and stalagmites continue to grow, so the cave is constantly changing. Tourists are allowed to dive to 300 meters, which, although not the full depth of the place, allows you to feel the scale of the natural monument. Equipped with paths for travelers and lighting, you can see in detail the unique growths and deposits, the birth of which goes back centuries.

The real open-air museum is Limneos Ikizmos (also called Dispilio). A unique object was discovered about a century ago during excavations. Scientists have discovered an ancient European settlement that arose about 7 thousand years ago and belongs to the Neolithic era. A detailed study of the monument, carried out at the beginning of the twentieth century, made it possible to determine that approximately in the 5th millennium BC. an island was artificially created here, where houses were built on piles, and the pavements were made of wood.

Also, the researchers found various artifacts - household items, weapons, as well as a tablet from Dispilio containing icons reminiscent of ancient letters. These objects can be seen in the museum, and to see how the settlement itself looked like, the reconstruction, erected at the excavation site, helps.

Fans of fur coats will sooner or later learn about the existence of a truly heavenly place: a small cozy town surrounded on three sides by the waters of a large mountain lake.

The name of this place is Kastoria, and fur coats were sewn here even when in most northern lands people walked just in animal skins.

A picturesque ancient settlement in the mountains annually holds the largest fur fair in Europe, because it is here that the most famous and oldest "fur coat" factories of the Old World are concentrated.
Isn't it a paradise for shopaholics?

Where to buy a fur coat

Every year, Kastria receives hundreds of thousands of tourists, most of whom come here by "swoop", that is - within the "fur coat" tour, for 2-3 days.

A 2-minute drive from the center of Kastoria is Kiknon Avenue (Kiknon Avenue), along which factories for the production of fur works of art are located: most often these are small buildings, on the ground floors of which there are shops (they are also show rooms), and above - production premises.

If you come here as part of a fur coat tour, a comfortable bus will take you along the avenue.
If you are traveling on your own, you will need to take a taxi to visit this place.

There are hundreds of fur coat manufacturers in Kastoria, just a few of the names you'll see on Kiknon Avenue signs.

CHRISOS FURS

One of the most famous fur coat manufactures, not only in Kastoria, but also in Greece, was founded at the end of the 20th century, which is recently by the standards of Kastoria.

However, within a few decades Chrisos Furs became a famous fur house and opened stores in Greece, Dubai and Russia.

The company only specializes in black mink fur the highest quality, which acquires at world auctions. Add designer models to this, and the price for the product will be clear.
For example, a knee-length fur coat with 4 buttons starts at 3,700 euros.

However, buying a fur coat in Kastoria will still be cheaper than in Moscow or Novy Urengoy. In appearance, the store looks quite modest and has a small area.

ELF PAPADOPOULOS FURS

A slightly futuristically finished store on Kiknon Avenue (in which, by the way, the owner himself works) you will surely be remembered not only for its interior, but also for its choice.

This manufacturer works with all types of high-quality fur and does not limit itself in models, therefore there is a black mink, and a white arctic fox, and “floor-length” fur coats, and fur jackets.
The handouts claim that most of the work is done by hand.

A classic mink coat with astrakhan fur inserts will cost 1,700 euros, a gray fox coat with lynx inserts - 4,500 euros.

RIZOS BROS FURS

The Rizos brothers' factory has been operating for more than 40 years and sews fur coats, as they would say in Russia, for "real life", that is, the products of the factory are most often classic models of fur coats from familiar types of fur up to astrakhan fur.

Although the company's website claims that Rizos buys furs for its products at the largest auctions in Canada, America and Scandinavia, fur coats in this store are cheaper than in neighboring showrooms.

A classic knee-length black mink coat costs about 1,700 euros here, a lynx coat of the same length - from
2500 euros.

AVANTI (1st km Dispilio-Kastoria, 52100)

One of the oldest family businesses in Kastoria (the factory was founded in 1864), which is known both in Greece and far beyond its borders.

In Kastoria, the store of this fur coat manufacturer covers an area of \u200b\u200b1000 sq. m., 5 more stores have been opened in Greece, but AVANTI fur creations are sold in many countries of the world.

The company consists of 35 small family workshops, which are constantly improving their production, and the models are invented by 4 designers from Italy, France and Russia.

ANANTI fur coats are really unusual, beautiful and high-quality, every fashionista will be able to choose the fur and style to her taste, however, the price for fur products of this brand is appropriate: classic mink fur coats from 1800 euros, exclusive products have no upper cost limit.

There is also a kind of fur fair - the Edika trade and exhibition center (address: Leoforos Gunaradon, Chloe district, Kastoria), where both small workshops that do not have their own shops and large fur factories present their products.

Fur shops in Kastoria are almost at every turn. Prices in "Edik" are lower than in branded showrooms, but the quality is not always inferior.

Whichever store you visit, a warm welcome and a great selection await you. But in order for your shopping to be the most successful, remember:

• If you come with a group of women who dream of buying a fur coat, you should be prepared for the fact that the prices for the products will be slightly higher than if you came as a simple tourist and buyer.
• Stores of branded fur coats are not an oriental bazaar, but you can bargain here too. However, you need to bargain skillfully, showing your knowledge in the field of furs and their prices. The argument “Yes, it's cheaper in Moscow” is also very effective.
• You will not find price tags on fur coats, because the price for them changes almost every day and depends on many factors. To understand the real order of prices, talk to locals before shopping, find out how much fur coats cost this season on average. In any case, you need to prepare at least 1000 euros.

There is no need to stock up on phrasebooks and dictionaries of the Greek language - at least one Russian seller works in most fur shops in Kastoria.

A couple of days will be enough to take a tour of the largest fur coat manufacturers and buy your desired wardrobe item, but hardly to appreciate the town itself.

Few people know, but Kastoria is in the top ten the most beautiful cities Greece, although in the number of attractions it can hardly compete with most of them.

How to get there

The small town is located in the mountains in the northwest of mainland Greece, in Macedonia, and it is much colder here than in most of the country.

Perhaps it was the climate that became the main reason for the development of furrier and fur crafts in these places, because there is snow on the mountains and freezing temperatures often occur.

The easiest way to get to Kastoria is from Thessaloniki.
Not so long ago, these two cities were connected by a new highway, which can be reached by car in over 2 hours.

The way to Kastoria by bus will take about 4 hours (360 km), the bus runs from 7.30 in the morning every two hours from bus station Thessaloniki.

As a rule, a two-day stop in Kastoria is certainly included in various "fur-coat tours", so you can get to the town by a tourist bus, which leaves from Athens and other large Greek cities along the "fur" route.

What to see

Lake Orestiada

The symbol and main decoration of the city. Large, inhabited by swans and geese (the pelican family also lives here), it creates a unique landscape for almost any part of the city.

The lake can be bypassed on foot or by a one-way road, you can sit on its shore in a tavern or take a ride on an old boat (5 euros).

But you will definitely be advised to go fishing on Orestiada, earlier it was this fishery that fed the whole city on a par with the furrier's craft. But it will not be possible to swim on the contrary in the legendary lake, simply because it is not accepted here.

Dragon cave

Another creation of nature, located near the center of Kastoria and discovered by local residents in 1940.

A huge cave with a dozen underground lakes is well lit and equipped for a safe walk.

The tour lasts about 20 minutes and costs 6 euros. The guides speak only Greek and English, but Russian tourists are given a brochure.

You can get to the Dragon Cave on foot (about an hour's journey) or by taxi (15 euros).

Antiquities and museums

Despite the fact that the city of Kastoria was founded before our era, there are almost no ancient structures here, with the exception of a few walls of the once majestic buildings.

But 73 churches, monasteries and several Byzantine mansions remained unharmed.

A must-see is the Byzantine Museum located on a hill. The ticket price is 5 euros.

Where to stay

Unlike the coastal regions of Greece, Kastoria welcomes tourists-buyers all year round, so there are enough hotels here, except perhaps there are no luxury five-star chain hotels.

Keletron Hotel 2 *

Located in the heart of the old town by the address: 52 11th November St, the hotel allows you to fully immerse yourself in the spirit of ancient Kastoria and enjoy the views of the lake from any window.

Rooms for 2 and 3 people, meals - breakfast only, there is a parking near the hotel.

If you are traveling in winter, be aware that heating is weak and the room can be cold despite the heaters working.

A significant advantage of the hotel is the prices: two days here will cost only 3.5 thousand rubles per person.
At the same time, as a rule, there are no complaints about the level of service at the hotel.

There are many cafes and taverns near the hotel, along the lakeside promenade. You can recommend, for example, the colorful Palia Poli tavern on the banks of the Orestiada.

Chloe Hotel 3 *

Address: Antheon & Giasemion, Kastoria

Away from the old center, there is another popular Kastoria hotel, which provides tourists with such high service and good food that, according to many, deserves a 4-star rating.

The rooms are two-room, breakfasts and dinners are varied, there is even a small underground parking.

The hotel restaurant is considered one of the best in Kastoria. Separately, they note the hospitality of the hostess, who treats each guest like a relative.

Two overnights for one person at the Khloe Hotel cost from 3 to 5 thousand rubles.

Calma Hotel and Spa 4 * (Calma Hotel and SPA)

Address: 3rd km of the Kastoria - Vitsi highway

This new hotel - a rarity for a compact mountain town. It is large enough with a pool, sun loungers and a bar nearby.

The rooms are spacious and bright, there are balconies with seating, and a large parking lot.

So unlike most city hotels in Kastoria, the Kalma hotel is built in the suburbs and this is its only drawback.

The city center, as well as many shops, is far away. However, if you are traveling by car, then this hotel will be an ideal option for you.

A day here will cost a guest about 4 thousand rubles.

A visit to Kastoria, which many tourists plan in terms of choice and savings when buying a coveted fur coat, will almost certainly become one of the most enjoyable moments of traveling in Greece. Especially if in this heavenly place there is still a fur coat of your dreams.