Aminteo,
a modern market town, lies 41 kilometres from Florina, while 6 kilometres
from there, on the shores of Lake Vegoritis, there is the picturesque
village of Agios Panteleimonas, where an ancient settlement and cemetery
have been excavated. Nimfeo (53 km. from Florina), on the slopes of Mt.
Vitsi (alt. 1.350 m.), is both a winter and summer resort, with delightful
houses built in the local style. Further up the mountain in the village of
Pissoderi (alt. 1.420 m.), where are Vigla ski centre is located. Further
up the mountain in the village of Pissoderi (alt. 1.420 m.), where are
Vigla ski centre is located. The part of this prefecture that holds the
greatest interest for visitors, whether Greek of foreign, is its two
lakes, which form the natural borders of Greece with Albania and the
former Yugoslavia.
The
part of this prefecture that holds the greatest interest for visitors,
whether Greek of foreign, is its two lakes, which form the natural borders
of Greece with Albania and the former Yugoslavia. These lakes, Mikri
and Megali Prespa are situated 850 metres above sea level and are
separated by a narrow strip of land. The shores of the smaller lake are
filled with reeds that every year provide shelter for many kinds of birds.
Looking as though it is floating in the middle of the lake is the islet of
Agios Ahilios, with both ancient and Byzantine ruins; its rocky coast
harbours caves once used as shrines, whose walls are decorated with
religious paintings.
On
the shores of Megali Prespa, which may be either steep and rocky of flat
and lush, there is a delightful little village called Psarades, which is
very reminiscent of an Aegean hamlet with its characteristic architecture.
Here, as well
as at Agios Germanos, where there is a byzantine church dedicated to St.
Germanos with excellent frescoes, one will find tavernas serving freshly
caught fish from the lakes.
Archaeological
Museum of Florina - The
museum was built in the years 1963-1969. The
exhibition includes topographical and architectural plans, excavation
photographs, a model of the archaeological site of Petres and
a representation of the storage and workshop areas of the same site. The
museum contains collections of sculptures, reliefs and inscriptions,
displayed on the ground floor, excavation finds from two cities, Petres
and the hill of Ag. Panteleimon in Florina, displayed on the first floor,
and a collection of Byzantine antiquities also exhibited on the first
floor.
The
Modern Art Museum of Florina was founded in 1977. It includes about
200 paintings, sculptures and engravings, donated by well-known Greek and
foreign artists and is constantly being enriched. In 1991 an art workshop
was established in the Museum and is presently in operation. Its aim is to
bring out and encourage the artistic talents of the young people of the
region.
In Florina, measures will focus on policies and training schemes to enhance employment and combat exclusion, particularly the development of tourism, leisure, health and social welfare.
