Kastoria and Lake Orestiada
February 22, 2019
Photographer: Bazil Van Sinner
Summary Author: Bazil Van Sinner
Featured above is Kastoria, a historic city in the Macedonia region of far northern Greece. Sitting on a peninsula on the western shore of Lake Orestiada, it's surrounded by limestone mountains. Kastoria is particularly known for its many Byzantine churches and Byzantine and Ottoman-era architecture such as the monastery of Panagia Mavriotissa.
Lake Orestiada, or as it's sometimes called Lake Kastoria, formed some 10 million years ago. It covers an area of approximately 11 sq mi (28 sq km) and drains into the Haliacmon River. The lake is named for the Oreiades, nymphs of the mountain conifers in Greek mythology. During an investigation of a Neolithic settlement in 1993, a wooden tablet dating back about 7,000 years was discovered instigating a discussion about the possibility of early writing. Following a severe cold spell and heavy snowfall, Lake Orestiada is shown frozen over and snow-covered on this photo, taken on January 23, 2019.
Photo Details: Nikon D5200 camera; Sigma lens 17-70; ISO 400; 70 mm; f/6.3; 30 second exposure.