Lake promenade
Under plane trees.
Jolovema — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Annatsach — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Jolovema — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Jolovema — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Annatsach — CC BY-SA 4.0
Lake Orestiada, or Lake Kastoria, is a mountain lake in northwest Greece that wraps around the town of Kastoria, about 140 km west of Thessaloniki in a straight line. It lies at 630 metres in a natural basin ringed by mountains. The lake is what remains of a huge ancient Miocene lake that once covered 164 square kilometres. Today it covers 28 square kilometres, with 34 km of shoreline and a maximum depth of about 9 metres. Nine streams feed it, and the Kastoria peninsula, on which the town stands, splits it in two. Large numbers of water birds live here, including pelicans and swans. A long promenade runs along the shore under plane trees, which turn red and gold in autumn and are mirrored in the still water. Mist often covers the lake in the morning, and swans swim by the quay among fishermen's wooden boats. Visitors circle the peninsula on foot, by bike or by car, stopping at the Mavriotissa monastery on the shore. The town keeps old mansions from the days of the fur merchants Kastoria was famous for, the finest in the Doltso quarter near the water.
Under plane trees.
By the quay.
Old mansions.
Kastoria, Western Macedonia, Greece
Autumn, for the colours.
A few hours on foot, less by car.