Listed 94 sub titles with search on: Main pages for wider area of: "MAKEDONIA WEST Region GREECE" .
AGII THEODORI (Village) GREVENA
Tel: +30 24620 85864
AGIOS GEORGIOS (Village) GREVENA
AGIOS GERMANOS (Village) PRESPES
Tel: +30 23850 51419
Fax: +30 23850 51419
The most traditional village of the area, with houses built in the
local architectural style. The homonymous Byzantine church that formed the nucleus
of the present village dates to the beginning of the 11th c. It has very interesting
frescos painted in three different phases. Nearby, the aisle less church of Agios
Athanassios was built at the end of the 18th c. Beside the post office, there
is the Information Centre ready to help the visitors with useful information on
the area, bird watching sites, hikes and the restrictions imposed in the area.
There, one can also see permanent exhibitions about the cultural and environmental
aspects of the region. On the northeast of the village, there is the Agios Germanos
small river with falls and purling waters hosting the Trout Salmo trutta peristericus,
an endangered endemic subspecies. This species has extremeiy iow populations,
so fishing is not allowed in the area. One can also see the restored water mills
along the river. Following the paths, one can reach the impressive mixed fir-beech
forests,and the summits of Kitsevo or Despotiko (2,177m).The Sarakatsani, pastoralists
from Thessaly, have the tradition of bringing their herds to graze on these mountains
every year from May to October.
AGIOS KOSMAS (Village) GREVENA
Tel: +30 24620 82807
ALATOPETRA (Village) GREVENA
AMYGDALIES (Village) GREVENA
Tel: +30 24620 88300
DASSOCHORI (Village) GREVENA
ELEFTHEROCHORI (Village) GREVENA
Tel: +30 24620 61317
ERATIRA (Small town) KOZANI
Tel: +30 24650 31382
Fax: +30 24650 31203
GALATINI (Small town) KOZANI
Tel: +30 24650 41224
Fax: +30 24650 41105
GRAMMOS (Mountain chain) MAKEDONIA WEST
The mountains of Grammos with the springs of the river
Aliakmonas, constitutes an interesting destination for the visitor of Kastoria.
The area o Grammos constitutes one of the most productive virgin forest complexes
in Greece. The population of
the area is sparse and the main activities are forestry, hunting and cattle-breeding.
The area, with its excellent geomorphology and the rare flora and fauna, is an
ideal place for walking and sightseeing.
In the mountains of Grammos has its sources the river
Aliakmon, the longest river in Greece
(297km). Form the sources of the river and alongside the riverbed there is a unique
hydrobiotope. The visitor may walk in an area, rich in water sources surrounded
by dense forests, and admire the exquisite beauty of the ecosystem of flora and
fauna.
This text (extract) is cited June 2003 from the Prefecture
of Kastoria tourist pamphlet.
KASTORIA (Town) MAKEDONIA WEST
Kastoria is one of the most important cities of West
Macedonia, with a long History which cannot fade with the passing of time.
Proof of this, are the rich prehistorical and archaeological finds
(signs of habitations near the lake at Dispilio,
Armenohori e.t.c.). It was named after the mythological Macedonian hero Kastoria,
Jupiter's son.
Geographically the area has connections with the ancient Macedonian
state of 'Orestias' where the ancient Orestes used to live, having Argos
Orestikon, as their capital.
From this area the Macedonian kings started to join the rest of the
small states, which constituted the big Macedonian state having as its capital
Eges (Vergina)
and later Pella.
Initially, Philippos and later Alexander the Great joined this state
with the rest of the Greeks.
In Roman period Kastoria shared the same destiny as the rest of Macedonian,
however, it gained glory in the Byzantine years.
This is the city of the Byzantine 'Titoularios', the city of the Byzantine
architecture.
It developed and flourished to become an excellent religious, commercial,
artistic and military centre.
According to the famous Belgian specialist in Byzantine art Gregoire:
the city can write the History of the Byzantine art itself.
The castles which were built by Justinianos and Vassilios Voulgaroctonos
are examples of the interest which the Byzantine Emperors showed because of Kastoria
strategical position.
In the past Byzantine years, Kastoria had many benefactors and teachers
of Greek Culture, who were really outstanding.
It took an active part in the preparations for the Revolution of 1821
where it participated with a special group of fighters. The 19th century it took
part in Revolutionary movements in order to defeat the Turkish tyranny.
Kastoria played an important role in the Macedonian fight against
the Turks and Bulgarians. In 1912, it is joined with freed Greece.
The 75 Byzantine and others churches are samples of a higher civilization and
sociability of the city.
One can meet the architectural style of 'Basilica' as they are the
churches of Saint Stefanos,
Saints Anargyri, Saints Taxiarches, 'Monoclites' as Saint Nicola Kasnitzi church,
the Holy Virgin of
Mariotissa Monastery and the Holy
Virgin (Panagia) Koumbelidiki. All of them are perfectly built with excellent
structure with local materials, in a rich alternation of shapes and colors which
pour out from the same material and the good taste of the maker. The outer walls
are varied with perfect ceramics. The inners wallpaintings have great expressive
strength, which explains the metaphysics of Christianity and the Greek-Christian
spirit.
This text (extract) is cited June 2003 from the Municipality
of Kastoria tourist pamphlet.
KASTORIA LAKE (Lake) KASTORIA
The lake of Kastoria is the most precious treasure of the town. It
is a jewel that both the visitors and the inhabitants can enjoy, as a place of
recreation and as a stimulus for romanticism and reminiscence.
At the lakeshore there are enough squares and parks. In these specially
formulated spaces, the visitor has the possibility to walk on the stone pavements
and to admire the unique natural beauty of the lake at all seasons. Lake Orestida
of Kastoria is considered morphologically the most beautiful lake of Greece
and has been announced a "Monument of Natural Beauty " by the Ministry
of Culture.
The natural basin of the lake, which is enclosed by mountains of excellent
geomorphology, constitutes a unique hydrobiotope. It is a hydrotope of great importance
for the aquatic but also for the birds of prey and uses as an area of reproduction,
nourishment and hibernation. It maintains a rich bird fauna, which includes rare
and menaced species. More specifically: Pygmy Cormorant, White Pelican, Dalmatian
Pelican, Great White Erget, Glossy Ibis, Goosander, Marsh Harrier, Whiskered Tern,
etc.
In the lake there are great quantities of various fish species, and
offers the possibility for fishing, both with the traditional boats in the deep
waters and with fishing rod in he lakeshores. In the lake's waters there are fishes
such as, Carps, butterfly fishes, Italian bleak, northern pike, etc. Fishing is
allowed almost throughout the year, except the period of the fish reproduction.
You can find fishing equipment in the special shops in the town of Kastoria
and Argos Orestikon.
This text (extract) is cited June 2003 from the Prefecture
of Kastoria tourist pamphlet.
LEMOS (Village) PRESPES
Lemos, Presra's largest village with nearly 250 permanent inhabitants, is the
administrative centre of the area. The visitor may enjoy a splendid view of both
lakes from the hill of Ayios Ioannis with its picturesque chapel. The church of
Ayia Paraskevi, in the centre of the village was build in 1896 probably on the
site of an earlier church aw well. The church of the Ipapandi is locaded at the
south edge of the village. It dades to the 15th c according to the frescosin the
sanctuary.
MEGA SIRINI (Village) GREVENA
Tel: +30 24620 23905
MEGALI PRESPA (Lake) FLORINA
A unique landscape for a visitor. From the mountain Col sinking into
Megali (Large) Prespa, we can see the village
of Psarades on the left and in the north Megali Prespa with its crystal-clear
blue water.
Finally in the background there is a high mountain range being snowy
all year long with the historic village of Aghios
Germanos nesting at its foot.
Right ahead we can see a wide stretch of land above the surface of
Mikri (small) Prespa. Here
the banks are swampy and full of water-lilies and reed with the rarest species
of birds nesting in it.
On the contrary, the banks of Megali Prespa are absolutely clean and
pebbly exactly the same as its bottom. Besides, the fish living in it (trout,
petaloudes, chubs, tsironia) differ from the ones living in Mikri
Prespa (grivadia, skoubouzia, gouliani, tsironia, trout and eel).
Prespes National Park is one of the ten National Parks in Hellas,
created mainly to protect the rare species of birds - pelicans, cormorants, herons,
vultures - nesting within it, as well as in a clump (unique in Europe) constisting
of perennial mountain cedars and cypresses.
Apart from the above, the creation of the National Park is justified
fro the following reasons:
• The landscape around the lakes and the surrounding mountains
are of exceptional beauty.
• Within the limited are of the National Park the habitat is
of great diversity.
• The species of flora and fauna existing in the area - that
is to say, its natural variation - are with regard to its extension, of the highest
number in Hellas and Europe
itself.
• The traditional villages as well as the Byzantine and post-Byzantine
monuments of Prespa are of high aesthetic and scientific value.
Spring is the best time of the year for one to see those rare water
birds (pelicans, herons and cormorants) during their reproduction procedures.
Except for the magnificent panoramic view of the lake a visitor can
have, all sights are characterized by a small, discrete scale and if one wants
to really enjoy them, one should come to them, "recognize" them, lean
over them and "feel" them.
Each place within the National Park has its own beauty and its own
special features.
(text: Andreas Andreou)
This text (extract) is cited October 2003 from the Prefecture
of Florina - Florina
Prefecture Tourism Committee tourist pamphlet.
MIKRI PRESPA (Lake) FLORINA
A unique landscape for a visitor. From the mountain Col sinking into
Megali (Large) Prespa, we
can see the village of Psarades
on the left and in the north Megali
Prespa with its crystal-clear blue water.
Finally in the background there is a high mountain range being snowy
all year long with the historic village of Aghios
Germanos nesting at its foot.
Right ahead we can see a wide stretch of land above the surface of
Mikri (small) Prespa. Here the banks are swampy and full of water-lilies and reed
with the rarest species of birds nesting in it.
On the contrary, the banks of Megali
Prespa are absolutely clean and pebbly exactly the same as its bottom. Besides,
the fish living in it (trout, petaloudes, chubs, tsironia) differ from the ones
living in Mikri Prespa (grivadia, skoubouzia, gouliani, tsironia, trout and eel).
Prespes National Park is one of the ten National Parks in Hellas,
created mainly to protect the rare species of birds - pelicans, cormorants, herons,
vultures - nesting within it, as well as in a clump (unique in Europe) constisting
of perennial mountain cedars and cypresses.
Apart from the above, the creation of the National Park is justified
fro the following reasons:
• The landscape around the lakes and the surrounding mountains
are of exceptional beauty.
• Within the limited are of the National Park the habitat is
of great diversity.
• The species of flora and fauna existing in the area - that
is to say, its natural variation - are with regard to its extension, of the highest
number in Hellas and Europe
itself.
• The traditional villages as well as the Byzantine and post-Byzantine
monuments of Prespa are of high aesthetic and scientific value.
Spring is the best time of the year for one to see those rare water
birds (pelicans, herons and cormorants) during their reproduction procedures.
Except for the magnificent panoramic view of the lake a visitor can
have, all sights are characterized by a small, discrete scale and if one wants
to really enjoy them, one should come to them, "recognize" them, lean
over them and "feel" them.
Each place within the National Park has its own beauty and its own
special features.
(text: Andreas Andreou)
This text (extract) is cited October 2003 from the Prefecture
of Florina - Florina
Prefecture Tourism Committee tourist pamphlet.
MIKROLIMNI (Village) PRESPES
Mikrolimni is a small riparian village, with a long fishing tradition.
At the entrance of the village stands the large stone church of Ayios Athanassios,
dating from 1908. By walking carefully along the wet meadows next to the reed
beds, or from the observation tower nearby, in the north of the village, one can
see and fhotograph the rare herons that feed in the shallow waters on frogs, snakes,
fish, insects ahd other aquatic organisms. Please keep distant from the animals
to avoid disturbing them. Setting off on foot from Mikrolimni and following a
path to the south, the visitor can reach the fabulous bay of Latsista with its
amazing view of the lake and aquatic birds. The building next to the path is the
Elliniki Etairia's Biological Station, used by scientists working in the area
in the past. After a nice walk the visitor can enjoy fresh fish at the local tavernas
near the lake.
MIKROLIVADO (Village) GREVENA
Tel: +30 24620 81496
MONI AGIOU NIKANOROS (Monastery) GREVENA
MONI PANAGIAS KLEISOURAS (Monastery) KASTORIA
Tel: +30 24670 22714
OXYA (Settlement) PRESPES
Oxia is a small settlement with few permanent residents. On the road from Mikrolimni
to Oxia, stands the church dedicated to Ayia Paraskevi, dated from 1868. In the
village's cemetery, the church of Ayios Athanasios has frescos and icons dated
to the 19th Century. Towards the east, in spring, one can admire and photograph
the narcissus fields.
PALEOCHORI (Village) GREVENA
Tel: +30 24620 51233
PELEKANOS (Village) KOZANI
Tel: +30 24650 51282
Fax: +30 24650 51164
PLATY (Village) PRESPES
Tel: +30 23850 51208
One kilometer east of the village of Platy is the church of Ayios
Nikolaos, which according to the local tradition is dedicated to the Transfiguration
of the Saviour and is called Ayia Sorita. Its simple exterior contrasts strongly
with the lavishily painted interior decoration, which belongs to the end of the
16th c. Nearly Mikpi
Prespa the visitor may see the ruins of the village of Opayia, which was abandoned
before the 2nd World War due to malaria. The area limited by opayia, the Koula
site and the asphalted road, includes the most sensitive part of the National
Park core. Vromolimni ("Stinking Lake") is an internal body of water that communicates
with the waters of Mikri Presra. Here large colonies of Pelicans and Cormorants
can be found .Being such a delicate area, admission here is strictly forbidden.
The visitor can watch the birds with binoculars or telescope from the observation
post of the north, next to the road. This is one of the best places in Prespa
for bird watching in spring.
POLYDENDRO (Village) GREVENA
Tel: +30 24620 41670
PSARADES (Village) PRESPES
Tel: +30 23850 46207
The chapel of Agios Yeorgios lies at the highest point of the road
Koula-Psarades. The place is surrounded by a stand of centenary Lunipers ( Juniperus
foetidissima and J. excelsa), unique in Europe. This is so because they grow in
an area considered holy and were therefore left undisturbed by the locals along
the centuries. This is the second nucleus of complete protection of the National
Park. In Psarades, the visitor may eat fresh fish from lakes in the local tavernas.
Fishermen can take the visitor to the blue- green beaches of the lake and its
steep rocky shores.
In these, natural and carved cavities in the rocks were places often
used as hermitages and retreats, with frescos painted on the rocks and two churches.
There is a path from Psarades one of them, the 'Metamorphosis'(Transfiguration),
which dates from the early 13th c. The other is only reachable by boat-'Panayia
Eleoussa' (The Virgin of Charity), dating to the end of the 14th c. and with remarkable
wall paintings. According to the locals, this church is dedicated to Agios Petros
(Saint Peter). Between these two monuments, is the hermitage of the Mikri Analipsi
located high up in a small cavity in the rocks, dating to the 15th c. Kape Roti
is at the end of the very nice footpath beginning from Psarades and heading north.
At this point the visitor stands before the borders with Albania and FYROM found
into the lake and above the deepest point of Lake Megali Prespa.
PYLI (Village) PRESPES
On the way from Agios Achilios to Pili, an Information Centre has
permanent exhibitions about Birds and the Lakes, including Fish and Fishing. Southwest
from the village of Pili, the visitor will find the ruins of a church dedicated
to Agios Nikolaos, standing among the fields of beans and clovers and the wild
lakeside plants. This church has many interesting architectural and decorative
singularities, and there are many discussions on its dating (12th - 14th c ).
After about an hour's walk from Pili to the south, the visitor will
arrive at the deserted village of Dasseri. The stone building at the highest part
of the village, near the dirt road, used to be the school before its desertion
in the civil war. The visitor also enjoys the beautiful view of the lake, the
oak tree forests next to the reed beds and flooded green meadows. At the west
of Pili, there is the "cave of Zachariades", used as the partisans? headquarters
during the civil war.
This text is cited September 2004 from the Municipality of Prespes URL below, which contains images
SIATISTA (Town) KOZANI
Siatista is a small country town in West Macedonia, 28 km on the west
side of Kozani, rooted on Mt. Velia's slope at an altitude of over 900 feet and
is the capital of Voio it is an odd picturesque village. It consists of two continuing
close together very large neighbourhoods "Gerania and Hora". In each
separate place dominates a belfry, which signifies and determines morphological
elements, which compose the towns (Siatista’s) two traditional masts. The
narrow paths give you the impression that you have been trapped in an isolated
place enclosed around bare mountains.
Searching for independence and faith the first inhabitants came to
this difficult of passage area. The sterile grounds drew them to cultivate vineyards
and leather and fur processing as well as external and internal trade.
This activity brought them close to foreign cultures form, which they
adopted their art they used to decorate the mansions and churches, which fitted
in so perfectly with the local tradition and architecture.
Apart from creativity they brought quality to their lives and built
a rich social life style. They quickly realized the importance of knowledge and
their first priority was education and liberation.
This text (extract) is cited October 2003 from the Municipality
of Siatista tourist pamphlet.
SISSANI (Village) KOZANI
Tel: +30 24630 92355
Fax: +30 24630 92355
TAXIARCHIS (Village) GREVENA
Tel: +30 24620 61396
VATHYLAKOS (Village) KOZANI
Tel: +30 24610 71204
VERNO (Mountain) FLORINA
The mountainous complex of Vitsi with the dense beech forests, the
rare fauna and flora, constitute one of the most interesting destinations of the
visitor in Kastoria. The
region has remained untouched by the human activity and maintains the unique beauty
of the wild nature. The area, with its exquisite geomorphology and its picturesque
neighbourhoods, is a treat place ofro walking and sightseeing. Vitsi is protected
on a national level as a shelter for games and constitutes an ideal biotope for
the menaced species of bear.
On the mountain Vitsi and in a distance of 22 km from the city
of Kastoria there is an organised ski centre. The ski centre is situated on
the road that leads from Kastoria
to Florina, on the north
side of the village Polykerasos.
The road asphalt paved and it is cleared from the snow.
This text (extract) is cited June 2003 from the Prefecture
of Kastoria tourist pamphlet.
VRODERO (Village) PRESPES
Tel: +30 23850 46132
The road to the west of Pili
leads to the ruined village of Pyxos, just before dedicated to Agia Paraskevi
is standing proudly on the hill opposite the village. Dated from 1899, it is a
typical example of the 19th c. basilicas in the Prespa, region. Located at the
very western side of Prespa, Vrodero is a village of long stock-farming tradition.
The Information Centre has exhibitions on the Animal Husbandry in the whole area
and the Forests. From Vrodero there is a path that leads south to Agathoto, which
is a ruined village on the shore of Lake Mikri
Prespa with another church dedicated to Agia Paraskevi. Nearby the path, there
is a cave, which sheltered the 'hospital' during the civil war.
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