Kastoria

Template:Infobox Town GR

Kastoria (Greek: Καστοριά IPA /kastorˈja/, South Slavic: Костур / Kostur) 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 / 40.51667°N 21.26667°E / 40.51667; 21.26667. 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.

Name

There are many theories regarding the name Kastoria (in Greek: Καστοριά IPA /ˌkasto̞ɾˈja/). It has been claimed that the name derives from the Greek word κάστορας/kástoras (beaver), who may have lived in the nearby lake (Lake Orestiada). Other theories propose that the name derives from the Greek word κάστρο/kástro (castle; from the Latin word castrum) or from the mythical hero Κάστωρ/Kástor, who may have been honoured in the area. The name for the city in Slavic is Kostur/Костур (literally translated a skeleton), the Aromanian name is Kastoria and the Turkish name is Kesriye.

Ancient History

Kastoria is believed to have had 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 Despotate of Epirus during the 13th century; it was held by the Serbian Empire between 1331 and 1380.

Ottoman Kastoria

Around 1385, the Ottoman Empire conquered Kastoria.

During the First Balkan War (1912), Greece took Kastoria. The 1913 treaties of London and Bucharest confirmed Kastoria as Greek territory.

Greek Kastoria

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 Grammos.

Economy

Kastoria is renowned for its fur trade, which dominates the local economy. Indeed, the town is named for 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. Other industries include the sale and distribution of locally grown produce, particularly wheat, apples, wine and fish.

The town's airport is named Aristotelis Airport.

Sights of interest

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 a useful insight into Greek Orthodox styles of architecture and fresco painting.