History

Paleontology

Nostimo is situated on the south-west of the region of Kastoria, in a distance of 15krn from Argos Orestikon and on an altitude of 900 meters almost.Its soil presents mainly the Fossilised Forest, 20 million years old, with tropical and subtropical plants, according to the first findings of the professor of Palaeontology-Palaeobotanology of Athens University, Mr Velitzelos, who undertook its discovery.

The main features of the Fossilised Forest are the perfect fossilisation of the tree trunks and the uniqueness of thefindings.The palms possess an outstanding position as they are the only ones found in continental Greece, a fact that attributes a special importance to the historical evolution of the plants and the climate of the past, not only in the Greek territory but also on an international level.All around the village exist also rare sea fossils, such as starfishes, mussels, cockles, snails, shark tooth, etc.

There have also been found some animal fossils with special scientific importance, that reverse the hitherto historical data. The fossilised tooth of a huge prehistoric herbivorous animal is very impressive.Until the termination of the researches and the studies, the visitors may seethefindings of the forests in the Primary School of Nostimo, where there is a temporary exhibition room. This room is open everyday and two young persons from the village offer you a conducted tour. For more information, please call: 0467/845E~8,84566,84572,84591

Historic Years

arxaia7The wider geographic area is identified with the are of ancient Orestida, where the Orestes -“Macednoi”, as Hirodotus calls them- lived. Form there the Macedonian Kings started uniting the other states to form the great Macedonian State. During the Roman Empire period the region was dominated by the Romans in 197 BC, who allow the formation of a particular local independence.

ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT WORKS OF ART IN MACEDONIA

In Pentavriso, in the summer of 1999, came to light a very important sculpture ever found in Kastoria. It is the most ancient tomb anaglyph of the Upper Macedonia and one of the best classical works ever discovered in the entire Macedonia. This part of the tomb monument represents the calm and sad face of a woman who lived and died here 24 centuries ago (one generation before Philippos 2nd). At that time, Orestida was an independent kingdom that already participated actively in the political things of Greece.

This work of art, though, proves that Orestida was actively participating in civilisation and aesthetics of the central Greece, as its style reveals that of Vioitia, Attica in the post- Parthenon era (40013C).

The presence of such an excellent work of art, together with the recent discoveries of more classical antiquities in the surrounding area (epitaph writings, helmets, ancient pottery workshop) lead with certainty to the conclusion that we have to do with a unique ancient urban centre and that the history of the area has to be rewritten.

Also important archeological foundings have been discovered in Psalida of Kastoria, in Nestorio and remains of ancient Dioklitianoupoli of Argos Orestiko.

Byzantine Era

byzantini_eikonaIn 395 AC, when the Roman Empire was divided, the region was a part of the East Roman State, which was developed in the Greek Byzantine.

The natural beauty of the region attracted the Byzantine emperors, while the strategic position of the region constituted the base of operations against the attempts of Bulgarians, who appeared after the 10 century AC, to expand.

The region was occupied from time to time by the Bulgarians, the Petsenegoi, the Norman, the crusaders, the Serbs, and for a very little period the Albanians, and finally, in 1385, the Turks.

The Macedonian War

kastoriasnowThe region of Kastoria constituted the centre of preparation and action of the armed liberating Macedonian War

In that region the resistance against the Bulgarians is organised and important historic personalities appear, such as Pavlos Melas, Germanos Karavagelis and Ion Dragournis, who, with their robust attitude, led the War to the liberation of the region in 11 November 1912.

MODERN HISTORY

During the Balkan Wars (1912-13), the World War 1 (1914-18) and the World War 11 (1940-45) the contribution of the region’s people to the war against the Italian, the Slavs and the German conquerors. During the civil war (1946-49)- this black page of the Greek history- the area of Kastoria constituted the theatre of progress of the armed bloodshed and the affective social consequences that followed.

Calendar

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