Lake Castoria

The greatest depth is about 9 meters, the average depth reaches 4 meters. In the western part of the lake there is a peninsula on which the city of Kastoria is located.

The lake serves as a refuge for hundreds of birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians (about 200 species of aquatic, coastal and predatory birds live here). On the shores of the lake grow surprisingly high plane trees, poplars and willows. Due to its rich vegetation and wildlife, it is included in the European Network NATURA 2000, created in 1992 to protect regions in Europe in order to preserve biological diversity. The lake is also designated by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Greece as a natural monument.

In addition to its rich flora and fauna, the lake also has cultural value - on its shore there is one of the monuments of Greek Orthodoxy, the Church of Mavriotis of the XI century.

There are many hypotheses about the name of the lake. According to one of them, the city of Kastoria was founded by Orestes in honor of his sister Elektra. Grateful residents honored the founder proudly, naming him after the lake. According to another version, the city and the lake were named after the son of Zeus (Dias), one of the Dioscuris, that is, the sons of Diaz, named Castor.