Prespa Travel  Guide

Welcome to the magical, serene and melancholic landscape of Prespa. Here  they peacefully coexist hundreds of species of the animal kingdom  and fauna as well as three different people. The Prespa  Lakes are on the borders of our  country with Albania and FYROM about 35 km west of the town of Florina  and approximately 40 km from the city of  Kastoria.

These are two of the oldest lakes  in Europe. Their underground waters pour  into the lake of Ohrid (from the oldest,  deepest and largest lakes of the continent lying north  and share FYROM  and Albania) and from there through the  river Drin in the Adriatic.  Prespa located at  an altitude of over 850 meters and the height of the falls only Drakolimnes. They are one  of extraordinary beauty and biodiversity ecosystem to  global data. It has been declared a National Park in 1974 and in fact  this is the largest Park in the country. According to census living here  over 1500 species of plants, 19 species  (2 endemic), 11 species of amphibians organizations, 21 species of reptiles, 45 mammals and 261 bird species.

A visit to Lake Prespa is a dream  for many, a dream that is enhanced by the degree of distinctiveness of the area, the beauty and the  enigmatic, mystical characters.

Askitaria of Great Prespa

The Great Prespa with long beaches  and dozens of caves has been and still is a place of isolation and Christian prayer. You can see  some of them (there are at least 7,  4 and 3 in  Albanian to Greek coast) by boat from fishermen.  Initially you will see the askitaria of the Transfiguration of the 13th century, then  the askitaria of Short Ascension of the 15th century  and finally the hermitages of Mary Merciful of the  15th century to visit you will climb 184  stairs 40 meters  from the lake level. The third  askitaria is the most impressive because of its location and the amazing murals  inside the temple. Along with the  hermitages will see the rock  paintings of the Gulf Psarades (Sweet Mary,  St. Nicholas and Platytera).

Agios Axilleios

St Achilles is a unique  beauty inhabited island in Mikri  Prespa. The 23 residents  have the luxury of living on a private island and a curse to wait years to be joined to the mainland by a fixed structure

Basilica of St. Achilles
 
  Located near the shores of Lake Mikri Prespa, on the island of St.  Achilleus. Built in  983 AD by the Slav Czar Samuel (his  kingdom was established Ohrid) who transferred  from Larisa relics of the saint. Indeed in  1963 and found relic considered to belong to Samuel. From the Church  preserved a few fragments  and frescoes from the 11th and  12th centuries found  in the museum of Florina. Were in  operation by mid-century 15ai.

Saint Germain

  Beautiful and picturesque stone village after  village in the neck. Agios Germanos has  anymore and taverns and hostels and is  ideal for relaxing holidays and detoxification  of urban life and the hectic  pace. Citation village  Byzantine church of  St. Germain-11th century in the  central square that coexists with  the larger church of 1882.  Church is a cruciform  church with a dome dedicated, in one aspect, the Byzantine emperor or of the German  bishop who posted here Gkerman Bulgarian  Tsar Samuel.

Panagia Porfira
 
  Located south of  the small island of St. Achilles  and is a universal one old monastery.  Impression you will make the landscape in which  it is located are excellent  frescoes of 1524 inside. Previously there was a fantastic  hagiography of Saint Kitts destroyed by someone who dug into the wall of  the temple to find treasure!

Prespa ecosystem
 
  The nature revels in Prespa. Here's  furled quadrupeds, winged waterfowl and you have not seen anywhere else. On  the shores of Little Prespa will see huge buffalo graze transferred here from  Kerkini in 1997. Moved  to eat and place of reeds that prevent the reproduction of fish in the lake,  thus fulfilling important ecological role. Fishermen  and also in the island of St. Achilles will meet the Petite vrachykerates cows  Prespa reaching barely 1 meter. Today the area is  only about 50 animals. The  area is also known for the Colonies 2 European species pelican pelican and the  Pelicans, birds until the beginning of the 1970 killing a fee to government  exhortations because they considered harmful. Prespes  lives and a small species of Pygmy Cormorant and goosander species considered  remnant of the Ice Age after the find in northern European countries. Even  you will find greylag, tailed and many more items. From  the bird should note the existence and reproduction 2 endemic species of trout  and Bran Prespa. By  vegetation Particular highlights the willow, the alder, the wild roses, reed  beds and woodland soot mainly deciduous (oak, poplar, oak, wild cedar, beech,  anchovy, fir) the edges of the mountains of the basin. Many  furry friends roam the area as deer, wildcats, badgers, squirrels, brown bears,  wolves.

Activities in Prespa

Popular sports in  the region is mainly bird  watching spring when birds  fish to feed their  young. Ideal spot for observing the pelicans is  the hill of lilies. Remarkable places are  the Microlimni and Vridonisi. If you love off  road routes and holds 4x4 car or motorcycle  here is your paradise.  The area has fantastic beauty gravel roads in  landscapes of outstanding natural beauty:  Saint Germain-Spot, Fishermen-boxwood, Vrodero  Barbed-Portal-Daseri,  Beech-Wasp, Microlimni-Opagia, Agios Germanos Koula. Finally, for  fans of winter sports in Prespa  near the road that  comes from the town of Florina  is the ski center Vigla Pisoderiou that  is very popular in Western Macedonia.