Castoria and the prehistoric settlement of Dispilio

Who doesn’t know this little town, lost somewhere in northern Macedonia? We say, "Castoria," we mean fur coats. This strong association, of course, appeared for a reason. Kastoria certainly still has the status of the leading squeezing center, known all over the world, but few people know that it is also a surprisingly beautiful and unusual place, since the city itself is located on the peninsula of mountain lake Orestiada at an altitude of 630 meters above sea level surrounded by mountains. It has preserved a distinctive architecture and more than 70 Byzantine temple buildings.

According to the Swedish Byzantologist Jacob Josef Bjørnstal, visiting Castoria, you can study the history of Byzantine icon painting through its temples. During the tour you can get a great aesthetic pleasure from the stunning views: it is the mirror surface of the lake, which reflects the city itself, and the lush nature of this region, and the bottomless blue sky. These are ornate cobbled streets with colorful mansions - mansions; this is a charming embankment; these are Byzantine temples and monasteries with unique frescoes of various schools and styles.

It is an amazing opportunity to get acquainted with the peculiarities of traditions, lifestyle of this region atypical for Greece, with the history of Castoria, and finally find out why not in the coldest country, where due to climatic conditions and fur coats it is not necessary, produce some of the best fur products in the world.

The tour begins with a visit to a very interesting place at the entrance to Castoria – Dispilio. The reconstructed village-settlement of the early Neolithic period 5500-5000 B.C. is installed on the site of archaeological finds that opened the veil of secrets of ancient settlements, the life of the Neolithic and surprisingly preserved, due to the limited access of oxygen in the water at the bottom of the lake. Next, in the context of exploring the city, a visit to the 11th century Mavriotissa Monastery with unique frescoes of the 11th and 16th centuries, drowning in the leaves of plane trees on the shore of the lake.

The next point of the excursion program is the inspection of the Museum-estate of Arkhondiko, which has the opportunity to get acquainted with life, way of life, as well as with the first technical devices and tools for mooring and much more.

And, of course, a walk in the center of Castoria and the opportunity to plunge into the atmosphere of the city on your own.

Interesting facts:
Beavers (Greek: κάστορες) were kept in Lake Orestiada until the end of the 18th century, which confirms the sale of made beaver skins to Venice;
There is a special type of flatboat, which can only be found in Castoria - "Castorian ship", created by locals specifically for sailing on Lake Orestiada;
About 70 Byzantine temples have survived in Castoria;
The number of large and small squeezing factories in Castoria is about 2,500, with a population of about 16,000 people;
The first mention of fur fishing refers to 1574, but in fact it developed from earlier times;
The first refrigeration chambers for fur storage, which were produced in Austria, were called "Castoria" and reproduced the average temperature and humidity level of Castoria in the winter period;
The water temperature in Lake Orestiada never rises above 22° and swimming is prohibited.
Lake Orestiada with a peninsula on which the center of modern Castoria is located when viewed from above resembles the shape of a butterfly.

Useful information:

total mileage of the excursion (with departure from Thessaloniki) - about 400 km;
For your comfort and safety, wear comfortable shoes; do not forget to bring headgear with you;
The route program can be changed for reasons beyond the control of the company (force majeure); weather conditions and at the discretion of the guide if necessary.

All transfers under the program on comfortable transport Mercedes Vito.
services of a Russian-speaking driver (350 – the cost of a tour with a Russian-speaking guide);
* the cost is indicated for leaving Thessaloniki / when leaving the other region changes are possible;

separately paid:

* Lunch;
Entrance tickets to museums and archaeological parks.