Kastoria, one of the noblest Greek cities with a long history and unique beauty, with its 76 Byzantine churches and a special architecture, offers excitement that will fascinate every visitor.

The origin of the name of Kastoria is not surely known. It is a common belief that it came from the legendary hero Kastor, mortal brother of immortal Polydeukes, who was worshiped in the region, while other sources indicate that it probably came from the word Castle. A less likely scenario is that the name came from the beavers (kastores in Greek Language), small fur animals which are believed to have once lived in the region, but nevertheless there is no evidence for their presence.

Reference point and one of the most beautiful elements of the city is the lake Orestida which is amongst the most beautiful lakes in Greece. It has been declared as «a Monument of Natural Beauty» by the Ministry of Culture. Either snowy, icy or with good weather, the lake is the center of Kastoria’s beauty. The visitor can wander the streets of the city to admire the traditional mansions, in some of them the city museums are housed, such as the Museum of Costumery in Emmanuel mansion, the Byzantine Museum with portable icons, frescoes and hagiographies and the Folklore Museum in the mansion of Nerantzis Aivazis in Ntoltso.

Apart from the interesting museums, Kastoria has very important churches (of the Archangels, St. Nicholas of Kasnitzi, Saint Athanasios, Virgin Mary Koumpelidiki and Saint Stephan).

A boat ride with in the lake is another way to admire the beauty and the distinct nature of Kastoria, where you can watch the amphitheatric arrangement of houses from afar.

Links: Municipality of Kastoria

Kastanochoria

In Orestida municipality, Kastanochoria is located in the region that extends along the borders between the Prefecture of Kastoria and Kozani. Kastanochoria is a cluster of villages scattered in the vast chestnut forest from which it took its name. These are small villages of great historical importance that adorn the southern tip of the Prefecture of Kastoria with their beauty and special character. The most remarkable among them is Nostimo, Spilea, Kastanofyto, Damaskinia, Zefgostasio and Amoudara with its famous spas, suitable for treating diseases of the limbs and rheumatic diseases.

A tour to the fascinating and beautiful landscape of the forest that hosts many species of rare plants and large mammals and a visit to the settlements is a unique experience for each traveller.

Arrenes - Lake Moutsalia

The picturesque lake Moutsalia, also known as lake Arrenes, one of the few sub-alpine lakes in Greece, at an altitude of 1740 meters lies on the road between Chrysi and Aetomilitsa. The route is a challenge for those seeking adventure, after all the wonderful landscape rewards the traveler.

Links: Off-Road Adventures

Petrified Forest of Nostimo Argos Orestiko

At a distance of 15 km from the village Nostimo of Argos Orestiko is the Petrified Forest, one of the most remarkable geological monuments in Greece. This forest is the subject of multi-annual study, as they discovered within it various fossils of animal and plant origin, as well as sea origin such as starfish, mussels and shark bones, a phenomenon extremely interesting since the region has an altitude of approximately 900 meters above the sea level.

The discovery of the Petrified Forest came accidentally during lignite mining in the region, in 1935. The excavations started in 1997 by Geology Professor Evangelos Velitzelos with the participation of German scientists and until now invaluable findings have come to light, whose age is estimated at 20 million years from now.

The formation of fossils is a result of the intense volcanic activity during the Meiokenos era, which covered the forest with volcanic materials and dust, leading to preserve fossils of animals and plants, which testify to the wealth of the biota. As for the unexpected discovery of sea fossils in a region of this altitude, they derive from intercontinental sinks created at that time in north-western Macedonia, where sediments of lakes, rivers and streams created lignite layers.

The Petrified Forest in Nostimo is internationally recognized as a «preservable monument of nature» and its care is undertaken by a research team of the University of Athens. The findings of the excavations are kept in the Museum of Palaeontology and Palaeobotany operating in the settlement under the supervision of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and with the assistance of the Municipality of Orestida.

Open Hours:

• 10.00–17.00 (November - March),
• 10.00-14.00 & 17.00-20.00 (April - October)

Contact Tel: 24670 84585

Links:
Nostimo Kastoria the Petrified Forest
Nostimo Kastoria - Internet Forum
Nostimo Palaeodological Museum