Prespa Lakes & National Park Attractions
The Prespa Lakes National Park was established in 1974. It is 4,650 hectares/11,485 acres (including surrounding area 16,550 hectares/40,880 acres). Special features include a waterfowl reserve.
The part of the Florina prefecture that holds the greatest interest for visitors, both Greek and foreign, is its two lakes, which for the natural borders of Greece with Albania and the Former Yugoslavia.
These Lakes, Mikri and Megali Prespa (Small and Big Prespa) 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 Áyios Akhilíos, with both ancient and Byzantine ruins; its rocky coast harbors 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 or 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 Áyios Yermanós, where there is a Byzantine Church dedicated to St Germanos with excellent frescoes, one will find tavernas serving freshly caught fish from the lakes.
The part of the Florina prefecture that holds the greatest interest for visitors, both Greek and foreign, is its two lakes, which for the natural borders of Greece with Albania and the Former Yugoslavia.
These Lakes, Mikri and Megali Prespa (Small and Big Prespa) 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 Áyios Akhilíos, with both ancient and Byzantine ruins; its rocky coast harbors 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 or 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 Áyios Yermanós, where there is a Byzantine Church dedicated to St Germanos with excellent frescoes, one will find tavernas serving freshly caught fish from the lakes.
