Admittedly, Florina is a city that does not have the respect and attention it deserves. Oxymoron if you consider that this is a place drowned in greenery, full of unspoiled natural landscapes. Mountains, forests, lakes and rivers create a spectacular earthly paradise. Add to all this, the rich history of the city, the elegant architectural buildings, the Macedonian hospitality and the whole will certainly not leave you complaining.
A few words about the city
Florina is located in Western Macedonia and is the capital of the Florina Regional Unit. It is established at an altitude of 687 meters, while you pass through the Sakuleva River. The ancient name of the city was "Lygestis" thanks to its mythical King, the hero and Argonaut Lygeas. According to mythology, its current name, however, seems to come from the name of the mythical Floridos, who was a friend of Kings Ida and Castor. Today it has about 17,686 inhabitants within the city and about 32,881 in the greater metropolitan area. It is considered the coldest city in Greece, since due to its location on the map it has the coldest climate of the country. With an average annual temperature of just 12 °C and the minimum temperatures in the winter months often reach -10 °C! It is widely known as the city of letters and arts, as it is the birthplace of many great people of culture. Finally, it is also proud of its impressive mansions along the river, the fascinating manners and customs such as the bonfires of Florina, and of course the Florina peppers, no longer cultivated there. Let's discover it.
10) Vigla – Pisoderi Ski Center
At the junction of the Varnouda and Vernos mountain ranges, 19 kilometers west of the city of Florina and at an altitude of 2000 meters, we find the ski center of Vigla Pisoderi. It is one of the oldest and largest ski centers in Greece, with the first sliding lift installed in 1967! In a terrific location full of towering beeches, the visitor will enjoy, in addition to the excellent facilities of the ski resort, the tremendous view towards the Prespes Lakes. If you are not a fan of skiing, you can simply relax in the ski chalet, considered one of the most beautiful in the Greek mountains.
9) Amyntaio
In the ninth place I have placed a picturesque town, which you should definitely visit while in Florina, Amyntaio. It is located about 33 km from the city of Florina and is a focal point for the whole of Western Macedonia, with a unique view to all the points of the horizon. Characteristically from there one can see Mount Vermio, Vintsi, Kaimaktsalan, Lake Petron and the vineyards of the area. It has many historical sites and attractions such as the prehistoric settlement of Saint Panteleimonas, the Hellenistic city of Petron, as well as byzantine and post-Byzantine monuments. Ultimately, the area is characterized by its visitable wineries, while the mineral water "Xino Nero" is bottled there.
8) Lakes Vegoritis, Cheimaditis, Petron, Zazari
Florina is known by many nicknames, one of them being "the land of the lakes". This occurs as the region is traversed by six lovely lakes. Vegoritis, Cheimaditis, Lake Petron, Zazari and of course small and Big Prespa (for the last two I will talk more extensively below). The largest of the four is Vegoritis, which essentially spreads in the prefectures of Pella and Florina and in the municipalities of Amyntaio and Edessa. It is surrounded by the mountains of Verno, Voras and Vermio and has been the productive core of the area since prehistoric times. Second in size is Lake Cheimaditis, which is located in the southern part of Florina very close to the prefecture of Kozani. According to scientists, this lake is related to geological phenomena during the ice age when the whole region was covered by ice. Third in a row comes the lake of stones located at the foot of Mount Voras. This particular lake is an important ecosystem and is home to many bird species including some rare ones such as the langona. Finally, the smallest of the four is Lake Zazari or Lake of Saint Theodoroi. It is essentially the feeder of Lake Cheimaditis, while along with all the aforementioned belong to the Natura 2000 network. Around these lakes you will find picturesque lakeside villages, stone settlements and various monuments hundreds of years old!
7) Hellenistic city of Florina
On the hill of Saint Panteleimonas is the ancient city of Florina, which experts date to the classical and Hellenistic period. This archaeological site is part of a town in the Kingdom of Lyngestis in Upper Macedonia that began to be excavated in 1981. It is speculated that the city was founded in the time of Philip II and that its habitation was continuous from the second millennium BC and the Byzantine times, until it was forcibly abandoned, probably, after some attack. At this point, four city blocks with vertical streets have been discovered, where each city block had from four to five houses. Many finds such as tools, jewellery, burnt grain and storage vessels were also discovered within them, which help us understand how the local people lived. Finally, many coins from other cities (Athens, Thassos, Rhodes, Kos, Pella, Amphipolis etc.), which proves their commercial dealings with other people. The most important of these findings are exhibited in the Archaeological Museum of Florina.
6) Nymphaio
Another village a few kilometers outside Florina, in fact 53, worth visiting is Nymphaio. It is a picturesque-preserved settlement, with stone cobbled streets in which the traffic of cars is prohibited! It is located at an altitude of 1,346 meters, on the eastern slope of Mount Vitsi and is one of the most famous winter destinations in the region. Nymphaio was abandoned for many years, but with the help of the state and various individuals, it managed to regenerate from its ashes and acquire its former glory. In the village you will find beautiful stone mansions (Boutari, Missiou, Mertzou, Tsirli, Papadopoulos etc.), remarkable buildings (Church of St. Nicholas, the Nikeios School, Museum of Silversmithing, Folklore and history), as well as the shelter for the protection of the brown bear, Arcturos.
5) Folklore Museums
Another "nickname" of Florina is "the city of artists". Many notable artists originate from or have spent part of their lives in the city of Western Macedonia, so the element of art is very strong in its air. In Florina you will find several museums and art spaces worth visiting. Initially, there are two remarkable folklore museums, the Folklore Museum of the Association of Aristotle and the Folklore Museum of the Florina Culture Club.
The first one started operating in 1941 and inside you will find local costumes from neighbouring areas such as Eastern Rumelia, Northern Epirus, the villages of Kato Kleines and Flambouro. You will also admire textile objects, traditional kitchenware, jewelry, shoes, cameras and also garden tools and wax processing, an art that began in the area since the Byzantine era and has survived to our days.
The second one has been created in order to preserve everyday objects of the residents of Florina. All exhibits are accompanied by photographs and texts, which help the visitor to understand in the best possible way their use. The museum specializes in beekeeping species, possessing one of the most remarkable collections in Greece.
4) Florina Museum of Contemporary Art
Another very interesting museum worth visiting in Florina is the Museum of Contemporary Art. It is one of the most important and prestigious art centers in the country! It was founded in 1977 and until 2006 it operated in a magnificent mansion next to the Sakuleva River, the Gounari mansion. However, in 2006 it moved to a listed neoclassical building, the Exarchos building, on par with its exhibits. In the museum you will find 600 paintings, sculptures and engravings, with more important exhibits some works by Domenikos Theotokopoulos (El Greco), from the National Gallery of Florence.
3) Archaeological Museum of Florina
Of course, the most important art space of the city, the Archaeological Museum, could not be missing from the list. It opened its doors in 1970 with the aim of promoting the findings of the area and their promotion. In the two-storey building that houses the museum, there are five rooms full of exhibits that start from the prehistoric era! You will also find information about the morphology of the soil and its variations, as well as exhibits of sculpture from the Roman and Hellenistic periods. Finally, a small section of the museum is dedicated to the Byzantine period of the region.
2) Prespes Lakes
Prespes Lakes are among the most beautiful spots not only in the region, but also in the whole country. These are essentially two lakes, the Big Prespa and the Small Prespa, which spread out and unite three countries, Greece of course, Albania and North Macedonia. The Prespa National Park is the first designated transnational protected area in Eastern Europe, the so-called "Transboundary Prespa Park".
Small Prespa is almost entirely Greek, since only a minor part of it belongs to Albania! It is located at an altitude of 857 meters and in its waters there are the islands of Saint Achilleios and Vidronisi. In them you will discover many Byzantine churches and you will have the opportunity to meet the few locals who live there (21 with the last census). The other lake, Big Prespa, covers an area of 288 square kilometers and most of it belongs to North Macedonia. On its banks you will find the traditional settlement of Psarades with remarkable examples of Macedonian architecture. Finally, Prespes are considered home to many species of animals and plants, many of which actually live only there!
1) Sakulevas River
At the top of the list, there could be nothing other than the Sakuleva River. This river flows through almost the entire Prefecture of Florina, while it also passes through the city being its biggest attraction. It originates from Mount Varnountas and enters the territory of North Macedonia, where it joins the river Erigonas and together they enter Axios. Along the river beats also the heart of the city. There are some of the most important and graceful buildings of Florina, as well as countless cafes and restaurants. From the left side of the river, you will have the opportunity to admire the 2nd Primary School, the House of Tegos Sapountzis (the first mayor of the city), workshops of two Florin painters, the Old Museum of Contemporary Art and the House of Voyatzis where several scenes of the film "The Beekeeper" were filmed. Opposite still stands the three-storey house of "Peios", one of the oldest traditional mansions of the city.
What to eat
Florina's cuisine is unique using, mainly local raw materials. So in the city and generally in the wider area you will find the famous red peppers of Florina, extremely delicious beans (Giants and elephants), wild mushrooms, quinces, leeks, apples and chestnuts. In addition, due to the low temperatures, the cooking method was also adapted. Soups, fatty sauces and meats are in the everyday life of the locals. Good choices to taste traditional delicacies are Kontosoros in the town of Florina and the restaurant on the islet of Agios Achilleios in mikri Prespa.
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Mouzakidis Pantelis
