Kastoria lies amphitheatrically on a strip of land surrounded by Lake Orestiada. This makes cultural history and the lakeside landscape central to a variety of discoveries. Planning your stay around your interests lets you explore churches and museums as well as the habitats by the lake.
Icons, Domestic Life and Churches
The Byzantine Museum of Kastoria, a museum devoted to icons, is located in Dexamenis Square. Its permanent exhibition is divided into three sections: “Byzantine Kastoria,” “Post-Byzantine Kastoria” and “Post-Byzantine Art Workshops.” These titles give the visit a clear thematic framework, bringing together Byzantine and post-Byzantine art, with a particular focus on the workshops.
The Tsiatsiapas Mansion stands in the Apozari quarter in northern Kastoria. In the traditional Doltso quarter, the Kastoria Folklore Museum is housed in the Nerantzis-Aivazis Mansion. Its exhibits illustrate the customs, celebrations and daily life of an aristocratic Kastoria family. The ground floor includes a stone-paved courtyard and ancillary rooms. The museum also displays a traditional kitchen, the hagiati, a well and a traditional wooden boat from Kastoria. Another room is devoted to everyday life in winter and summer. Together, the rooms and objects offer different insights into domestic life and culture.
The churches also offer distinct points of interest. The Church of the Archangels of the Metropolis is a small, three-aisled, barrel-vaulted basilica dedicated to the Archangel Michael. “Three-aisled” describes the layout of the church interior, while the barrel vault is another architectural feature. The original frescoes in the Church of Agios Nikolaos of Archontissa Theologina date from the late 15th century. According to the regional tourism source, the Church of Agios Stefanos contains the oldest depiction of the Last Judgment in Greece. The architecture, frescoes and subject matter each offer a different way to explore Kastoria’s sacred art.
The Monastery of Panagia Mavriotissa is located about four kilometres from the centre of Kastoria. It was originally known as the Monastery of Mesonisiotissa and is dedicated to the Dormition of the Mother of God. Its name and dedication give the monastery a distinct historical point of reference alongside the city’s churches and museums.
Lake Orestiada and the Landscape
Reed beds and small wet meadows stretch along the shores of Lake Kastoria; a lakeside forest lies on its northwestern edge. The lake is an important breeding ground for many species and provides a feeding area for the two pelican species that breed at nearby Lake Mikri Prespa. The regional tourism description characterizes the birds at Lake Kastoria as accustomed to the continual activity along the shore; they can be observed from unusually close range.
Lake Kastoria has been designated a natural monument of special beauty by the Greek Ministry of Culture and included in the European Natura 2000 network for environmental protection. A short circular path around the lake passes plane trees, old mansions and churches, with views of the calm waters of Lake Orestiada. The perspectives differ: museums foreground collections and interiors, while the lakeside route highlights the shoreline, trees and buildings along the way.
The Kastoria Aquarium adds another dimension to this focus on nature with an exhibition on freshwater fish. It displays 56 species, mostly native and endemic to Lake Orestiada. The number of species and their connection to the lake give the visit a specific focus on local biodiversity, adding a perspective on the fish of the lake to the exploration of its shoreline habitats.
An Annual Event in January
The Kastorian Ragoutsaria festival takes place in Kastoria every year on January 6, 7 and 8. If you are considering a stay during this period, you can take these fixed dates into account when planning.
Discover more destinations: Maniakoi, Kleisoura, Aghia Triada, Nea Kotili, Dispilio, Kato Nestorio, Áyios Zakharías, Argos Orestikón
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