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- Road
- Region Boundaries
- Accommodation
- Gastronomic Centre Restaurants-Taverns
- Winemakers
- Campsite
- Thermal springs & Spa Centres
- City
- Village
- History and Culture
- Folklore Cultural Events
- Country
- Sports & Recreation
- Ski resorts
- Tour guide needed
- Archaeological Sites & Monuments
- Natural Environment
- Church
- Female Cooperatives
- Plants local delicacies
- Local Products & Recipes
- By Foot
- By Car
- By Bicycle
- By Bus
- Port
- Railway Station
- Airport
- Seniors
- Families
- Youth
- The whole year
- Best Month
- Best Season
The regional unit of Kozani is located at the east part of West Macedonia. It is one of the border areas in North Greece. Mountainous and semi-mountainous areas cover a 74% of the total extent of this regional unit. Although the morphology of the area has a harsh mountainous feel, still, it is rich in natural resources.
The unexplored nature, the wild beauty of the mountainous and semi-mountainous areas, the Aliakmon river with its water-rushing tributaries -the source of life in the region since ancient times-, the artificial lake of Polifito with the impressive ecosystem and the preserved natural habitats, all, make our region an attractive destination for 12 months a year. Meanwhile, ancient Greek and Byzantine cities with impressive archaeological findings, brilliant tombs, Byzantine and post-Byzantine churches with intact murals, mansions with their distinctive architecture -these lasting witnesses of a golden age in the past-, picturesque mountainous villages, stone-built bridges crossing rivers and streams, the customs and traditions, and the authenticity of the locals who know how to organize events and maintain the tradition of showing the cultural wealth of the region, mark the wealth of the region and are waiting for the visitors to discover them.
ROUTES
Vlasti - dream or reality
Our journey starts from the city of Kozani, within Egnatia road from Kozani to Ioannina and then, entering A2 / E90 high street towards Grevena / Siatista. Follow the exit to Siatista and drive on Bara-Siatista road in order to arrive at the beautiful town of Siatista further on.
Stroll around the picturesque narrow streets to get a glance of the nicest mansions of North Greece built in the traditional Macedonian architecture style, the post-Byzantine churches, the Botanic and the Church Museum of the town.
If you want to stay overnight, there are hotels and traditional guesthouses.
Search for quality and traditional food such as ‘palio’ that is, grilled lamb ribs, ‘zigouri’ lamb, fried pork slices or ‘tigania’, ‘souvlaki’, goat on the casserole, and don’t forget to taste the famous local wine, which called “liasto”. Discover the secrets of wine-making and visit the local wineries and traditional cellars. Learn about the production process, taste fine and aromatic wines and do your shopping. Don’t forget though, to stop by the shops and workshops of leather and fur, the excellent quality and the great variety of which, have made the town of Siatista famous for its leather and fur production all over the world. Continue your trip on the way to the north to meet the historic village of Eratira, built on the slopes of Askio Mountain.
Visit the traditional mansions of Eratira, remnants of the glorious past of Macedonian architecture and look for the Byzantine and post-Byzantine churches of the village. There are many restaurants in the village where you can taste different varieties of local cheese, the famous ‘kichia’ (local pies) and meat dishes cooked according to local recipes. Leaving Eratira behind, follow the way to the north, in order to arrive at the village of Sisani, famous for its beans. There, you can enjoy the view from the new artificial lake as well. Leaving the village of Sisani you will come across the village of Vlasti, a settlement of unique beauty, known for its dairy products. Walk on the cobbled paving and get a glance of its restored mansions. Visit the historic monasteries of St. Markos, St. Nicolas and the church of St. Dimitrios. In the village center, look around for coffee-bars, restaurants, traditional coffee-shops, grocery stores and many traditional guesthouses of great aesthetics.
Our route continues to Ptolemaida, a modern industrial city with the biggest reserves of lignite in Greece. Visit the Anthropological - Folklore Museum and the old aqueduct.
Return to Kozani where you can travel back in time in the Archaeological Museum, the Museum of Contemporary Local History, the Museum of History and Folklore, and the preserved Lassanis and Vourkas mansions. At the Central square you can enjoy your coffee and taste local dishes like ‘giaprakia’, pies, ‘kichia’ etc. in the surrounding restaurants.
Colors and scents
The itinerary starts from the city of Kozani. Follow the Ionia and Ioakim Lioulia street to arrive at the village of Krokos, also famous for the krokos (saffron) flower that is produced since the 17th century retaining its particular flavor, pigment and medicinal properties.
Visit the Forced Cooperative of Krokos Producers where you will be informed about the production process of krokos and you will be provided with a few grams of the krokos ‘gold’ from the soil of Kozani.
Our route continues southwest.
Go through the villages of Ano and Kato Komi, Kipos and Kesaria in order to meet the village of Aiani, one of the most important Byzantine and post-Byzantine settlements in the region. Don’t forget to visit the Archaeological Museum of Aiani. Aiani is well known in the region for its grills and local food. It is a meeting place for food-lovers.
Leaving the village of Aiani behind, we go east. Our next stop is the village of Mikrovalto, where, on the east part of the village you will come across ‘Boucharia’, an impressive geological phenomenon unique in Greece revealing the artistic brushstrokes of nature. After Mikrovalto, we arrive at Servia, a town between the river Aliakmon and the foothills of the Pierian Mountains. Climb to the Castle of Servia where apart from the ruins of the Byzantine church and the stone-built arch bridge that connects the Byzantine hill with the contemporary town, you can enjoy a walk on the stone path and get a magnificent view of the fertile valley up to the lake of Polifito.
If you like adventure and hiking, cross both the big and the small gorges of Servia and admire the ‘sculptures’ of the nature.
Starting from Servia, take the country road to ‘Velventos’. Having traveled about 15km you will meet the beautiful town of Velventos featuring lots of canals and parks, numbering more than 50 churches and chapels and many magnificent peach-tree fields.
Visit the folklore museum and admire the Byzantine and post-Byzantine churches.
Hike to find the waterfalls of ‘Skepasmeno’, 3km northeast of Velventos. Of course, you cannot leave Velventos without visiting the cellars and wineries that are open to visitors.
In case all the above has made you feel hungry, the local taverns will satisfy every single whim and appetite of yours as you can buy a variety of homemade jams and candied fruits from the local women producers’ association units.
Our next stop is the village of Neraida, a tourist destination with spectacular view, built on the top of the hill, exactly above the High Bridge of Servia. Its privileged location attracts many visitors 12 months a year.
Our journey ends in Kozani, where you can travel back in time in the Archaeological Museum, the Museum of Contemporary Local History, the Museum of History and Folklore, and the preserved Lassanis and Vourkas mansions. In the city square you can enjoy your coffee and taste local dishes like ‘giaprakia’, pies, ‘kichia’ etc. in the surrounding restaurants.