#117 A gem in the vast mountains of Northern Greece

April 28, 2022: Kastoria

Several Greeks recommended Kastoria, a city in Northern Greece, as one of the most beautiful cities in Macedonia. It is located directly on or in a lake and was long known for the fur trade. We were so enthusiastic about this region that we made the three-hour drive through the vast mountains of Northern Greece. During the drive, we enjoyed the wonderful views of huge rocks, barren, densely forested or snow-covered mountains, and vast valleys. We rarely encountered another car or a shepherd with his flock. Every now and then, we were warned about crossing bears and wolves on signs. Unfortunately, we didn't see any of these impressive animals, only a few stray dogs.

Kastoria is a beautiful city located on a peninsula in Lake Orestiada. It is surrounded by the lake and closely connected to it. There is a lot going on in the numerous cafes on the shore. Although we are still in Greece, everything seemed a bit different to me. I can't exactly describe what it was, but both the people and the culture and architecture seemed different to me than in the places we had been to before. This may be due to the landscape, the climate, but also to the history, as the region of Macedonia has only been part of Greece since 1912. There is still a discussion about how "Greek" ancient Macedonia was.

Since the 17th century, Kastoria has been known for its fur processing, embroidery, and weaving, and has become rich, particularly through the fur trade. Therefore, there are still numerous mansions from the 18th and 19th centuries in the beautiful old town. We visited one that was still traditionally furnished. I noticed that many of the furniture pieces were particularly low. Not only did you have to sit on a low table on a cushion on the floor to sew, but the fur-covered beds were also about the height of a mattress. There was also a noble room with upholstered benches/sofas for the gentlemen and the ladies. I was also impressed by the kitchen, which was located in a small hut in the backyard. In the backyard, there was also the family's boat. Because in the past, Kastoria had hardly any roads and everything was transported by the lake; in summer by boat, in winter by sled.

We took a walk through the city, admired the furs in the shops (caps, scarves, decorations, blankets, coats, etc.), and strolled along the shores of the lake.

Day 195 - Total tour 15,101 km

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