Kastoria, a city that awakens senses and memories, a city that combines natural beauty and cultural heritage. Its amphitheatrically view from the north and the south, the surrounding verdurous mountains, the picturesque villages and the ellipsoid shape of the lake exalt its beauty. The natural beauty of Orestiada lake is magnificent, the waters of which when frozen offer a spending spectacle. The swans and the other birds that fly above its waters are additional touch to the lake’s picturesque ness and bewitchment.
Only a visit to Kastoria will convince you.
The city of Kastoria Is built on the peninsula saddle that enters the lake at an attitude of 627 meters. It is located in the center of the prefecture of Kastoria, between the Grammou and Vitsi Mountains. The lake and the city are indissolubly bonded since several centuries. It is estimated that the lake was formed about 10.000.000 years ago and its today’s form is the remainder of an older lake that covered an area of 164 square kilometers and had a depth of 50 meters. Today the lake covers an area of approximately 28 square kilometers, with a mean depth of 4, 40 meters and maximum depth of 8, 50 meters.
It has been classified as a place of particular natural beauty by the ministry of culture and has been incorporated in the European network ‘’ NATURA 2000’’ registered with the code GR 1320001. Hunting is forbidden throughout the whole area and has been included in the list of important areas for the birds of Greece and Europe (SRA).
The lake and the wider area is very important natural ecosystem with varied and rear Natural habitats that sustain the big biodiver-city, including several rear and endangered species. It is the only natural lake of Greece with important riparian forests of hygrophilous trees that consists today one of the rarest natural habitats of the European continent.
The lake and the riparian forests constitute an important food and nesting source for thousands of aquatic and water- depended birds throughout the year.
The total number of species is almost 200 and many of them are rare and endangered species, protected by international regulations.