Kastoria (Kastoria) is located in the northwestern part of Greece and is one of the oldest cities in western Macedonia. In Kastoria, as well as in the surrounding area, it has been preserved huge number of Byzantine churches and post-Byzantine periods, and where today you can admire the unique wall paintings and beautiful icons.

One of the most important and interesting attractions of Kastoria is considered religious monastery of Panagia Mavriotissy. Lovely Byzantine church is located on the shores of picturesque Lake Orestiada 4 km from the city center. It was built in the XI century (probably in 1082) during the reign of the Byzantine Emperor Alexius Comnenus first to commemorate the victory over the Normans.

KATHOLIKON main monastery is a nave basilica with a wooden roof. The interior of the church impresses with its splendor. Interestingly, the mural takes six painters, each had his own unique technique, however, the whole ensemble looks more than harmonious. The outer part of the building was painted in the 13th century and a part of these wonderful masterpieces survived to the present day. It is remarkable, but the frescoes, which were located in the well-lit areas, remained much better than those who were in the shade.

The monastery is also a chapel in honor of St. John, which dates from the XVI century. Near the entrance to the monastery is growing a magnificent plane tree dating back 900 years (its height is 67 meters and a trunk circumference of 8, 5 m).

Visit the monastery of Panagia Mavriotissy, you can not only admire the stunning frescoes of the Byzantine era, but also to enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings of Lake Orestiada.