| Kastoria Καστοριά |
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|---|---|
 Panorama of Kastoria with its lake |
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| Location | |
  Kastoria
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| Coordinates | 40°31′N 21°16′E / 40.517°N 21.267°ECoordinates: 40°31′N 21°16′E / 40.517°N 21.267°E |
| Government | |
| Country: | Greece |
| Periphery: | West Macedonia |
| Prefecture: | Kastoria |
| Population statistics (as of 2001[1]) | |
| City | |
| - Population: | 16,218 |
| - Area: | 57.3 km2 (22 sq mi) |
| - Density: | 283 /km2 (733 /sq mi) |
| Other | |
| Time zone: | EET/EEST (UTC+2/3) |
| Elevation (center): | 700 m (2,297 ft) |
| Postal: | 521 00 |
| Telephone: | 24670 |
| Auto: | KT |
Kastoria (Greek: Καστοριά, Kastoriá, IPA: [ˌkasto̞ɾˈja]) is a city in northern Greece in the periphery of West Macedonia. It is the capital of Kastoria Prefecture, located at 40°31′00″N 21°16′00″E / 40.5166667°N 21.2666667°E. The town's population is estimated as some 20,660 people (1991 census). It is situated on a promontory on the western shore of Lake Orestiada, in a valley surrounded by limestone mountains. The town is known for its many Byzantine churches, Ottoman-period domestic architecture, and trout.
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There are several theories about the origin of the name Kastoria.[2] The dominant of these is that the name derives from the Greek word κάστορας (kástoras, meaning "beaver"). Trade in the animal's fur, sourced from nearby Lake Orestiada, has traditionally been an important element of the city's economy. Other theories propose that the name derives from the Greek word κάστρο (kástro, meaning "castle"; from the Latin word castra) or from the mythical hero Κάστωρ (Kástōr), who may have been honoured in the area. From Greek, the name was borrowed into Turkish as Kesriye. The Bulgarian and the Slavic Macedonian name of the city is Kostur (Cyrillic: Костур).
Kastoria is believed to have ancient origins; it has been identified with the ancient town of Celetrum, which the Romans captured in 200 BC. The Byzantine historian Procopius records that it was later renamed Justinianopolis. The town's strategic position led to it being contested between the Byzantine Empire and the Bulgarian Empire since the 9th century and later the Despotate of Epirus during the 13th century. The town was conquered by the Bulgarian Empire in the mid 9th century and remained in Bulgarian hands until the fall of the First Bulgarian Empire in the beginning of the 11th century, when it re-joined the Byzantine Empire. The town was later re-conquered by Bulgaria under Kaloyan and Ivan Asen II in the 13th century but was recovered by the Nicaean Empire in 1246.[3] It was held by the Serbian Empire between 1331 and 1380.
Around 1385, the Ottoman Empire conquered Kastoria. The city would remain under Ottoman rule until the First Balkan War (1912), when Greece took Kastoria. The 1913 treaties of London and Bucharest incorporated Kastoria into the Greek state.
During both World War II and the Greek Civil War, the town was repeatedly fought over and heavily damaged in the process. It was nearly captured by the Communist ELAS movement in 1948, and the final battles of the civil war took place on the nearby Mount Gramos.
In 1940 the Jewish population in Kastoria numbered 900,[4] composed predominantly of Ladino language speaking Sephardic Jews. Many family names were of Italian origin as a result of emigrations (originally from Spain) via Italy in 17th and 18th centuries.
In late March 1944, under Nazi German occupation during World War II, 763 Kastorian Jews were taken prisoner by Nazi troops and sent to Auschwitz-Birkenau[4], as part of a program of deliberate extermination of Jews during the Holocaust. Kastoria was liberated by Allied troops less than 4 months after the Jewish citizens were forced to the concentration camps. By the end of the war in 1945, only 35 of the original population had survived, the vast majority of the community having been killed in concentration camps.[4]
Kastoria is an international centre of fur trade, which dominates the local economy. Indeed (as mentioned above) the town was possibly named after one of the former staples of the trade – the European beaver (kastóri in Greek), now extinct in the area. Trading in mink fur now predominates and every year an international showcase of fur takes place in the city. Other industries include the sale and distribution of locally grown produce, particularly wheat, apples, wine and fish. Recently a large shopping center has been built in the city of Kastoria. Kastoria has 16 local radio stations[5], 2 TV stations, 5 daily newspapers and 7 weekly ones[6]. The town's airport is named Aristotelis Airport.
Kastoria is an important religious centre for the Greek Orthodox Church and is the seat of a metropolitan bishop. It originally had 72 Byzantine and medieval churches, of which 54 have survived. Some of these have been restored and provide useful insight into trends in Late Byzantine styles of architecture and fresco painting. The Museum of Byzantine History located on Dexamenis Square houses many examples of Byzantine iconography. Kastoria is filled with old manors dating to the Ottoman period, while parts of the old Byzantine walls also stand.
Kastoria FC is the town's football team. It was established in 1963 when three local sides joined to form one stronger team representing the town. The team's most successful years to date were 1974 when it was promoted to the Greek first division and competed there for a year, and then 1980 when it won the Greek Cup after an impressive 5-2 victory over Iraklis FC in the final. The team are hoping to return to the first division this year as they are currently competing for the second division (Beta Ethniki) title.
| Year | Population | Change | Municipal population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | 20,660 | - | - |
| 1991 | 14,775 | 5,885/-28.48% | - |
| 2001 | 14,813 | 38/2.57% | 16,218 |
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Kastoria is a city in Greece.
By plane to Argos Orestiko, 15 km away from the Kastoria city center. Ailines are only available through Athens.
Or by air to Thessaloniki, and then 2 hours travel to Kastoria by car (or bus).
Buy Furs from the numerous local furriers Buy Fur accessories as well. Take a walk by the beautiful lake
Good local 'tsipouro' (just like ouzo) and wine
The city of Kastoria is very touristic an has a lot of great places to spend your night. One of them is the Castor Hotel [3] Phone number is 00302467082160 Email: info@castorhotel.gr that besides the comforts and reasonable prices also has got a lovely museum of unique traditional folk art inside the hotel.
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Kastoria is a Greek city and it is one of 51 prefectures of Greece in the region of Macedonia. Kastoria it is built on the bank of lake Orestiada. There are 17,038 people living in the city. Kastoria has an old neighbourhood which is picturesque and it is named Doltso. It has nice old houses with particular local architecture.
The name Kastoria means "place of the beavers" which used to live in the lake.[1] These have all been hunted and killed for their fur.
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| | - quick info about Kastoriá - Kastorian Furs : Information about Kastoria |
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