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Macedonia | Kastoria

Kastoria Museums

Museums in Kastoria.   
 
Museum of Palaeontology in Nostimo:  The Museum of Palaeontology is in Nostimo Village, 24 kilometers from Kastoria houses sea, plant, and animal fossils found during the 90’s in this area, that are dated 20,000,000 years ago.
  
Byzantine Museum:  The museum is located on Plateia Dexamenis (Dexamenis Square) and houses around 550 artistically outstanding icons from many of the town’s 80 Byzantine churches, each of which is a museum in itself.  The icons date from the 12th to the 17th centuries and are maintained in mint condition; a visit to the museum will help you appreciate the beauty of the Byzantine churches themselves.
 
Folklore Museum:  This museum is housed in the mansion of the Nerantzi Aivatzis family, built in the 16th or 17th century in Kastoria’s Dolco district.  It is sumptuously furnished and displays ornaments, kitchen utensils, and various tools of that period. (10, Kapetan Lazou St., Kastoria)

Costume Museum:  This is found in the Dolco area and is housed in the traditional mansion of the brothers Emmanouil.  Here you can find an important collection of traditional local costumes and a rich collection of coins.


They are not very many but they are very important. The Byzantine Museum, the Kastoria Folklore Museum, the Traditional Costumes Museum, the Delinanio Folklore museum, the Dispilio open-air Neolithic Lake Settlement, each will be allocated one full page, but the work is time consuming and we apologize for not being ready to show everybody all the treasures they hide. Please do visit us from time to time to see this album grow.

Select Page of the Album:


Click on any of the pictures to enlarge.

The Kastoria Folklore Museum

The Kastoria Folklore Museum is housed in the Nerantzis-Aivazis Mansion, in the district of Doltso. This mansion is not as richly decorated as the ones of Siatista, but it turns out much more interesting to the visitor since there are many everyday use and household items in it. These exhibits, no matter how dusty, show the life of Kastorian merchants of the 17th-18th centuries. There are also many very interesting tools and fur processing and fur-coat making machines, next to the ones for leisure time and feasting. It must be noted that the exhibits are not shown on museum-like shelves; on the contrary, they are positioned where they would be in a fully functioning house of the time, also serving as a fur manufacturing and trading center. The various rooms are equipped with genuine pieces of furniture and other facilities. The sitting room (Ondas) with its fireplace and its furnishings, the wine cellar and the commodity store-rooms, the dough kneading facilities, laundry facilities, everything is in place, the “karavi” (flat-bottom lake-boat) included; the latter was the only means of transportation of people and goods from and to the mansion and the lakeside neighboring mansions and shops. Please note that going through the 'Kastoria Mansions' and 'Siatista Mansions' albums with their comprehensive intro texts could be very helpful to our guests.


Kastoria Folklore Museum Entrance

Kastoria Folklore Museum Entrance


Housed in Nerantzis-Aivazis Mansion
Kastoria Folklore Museum Entrance Sign

Kastoria Folklore Museum Entrance Sign
Kastoria Folklore Museum: Mansion Gate Locks

Kastoria Folklore Museum: Mansion Gate Locks
Kastoria Folklore Museum: Mansion Gate Locks

Kastoria Folklore Museum: Mansion Gate Locks


One of the locks shown in the previous photo
Kastoria Folklore Museum: Ceiling 'Navel'

Kastoria Folklore Museum: Ceiling 'Navel'


Hand-carved wooden decoration resting against the entrance hall wall
Kastoria Folklore Museum: Ceiling 'Navel'

Kastoria Folklore Museum: Ceiling 'Navel'
Kastoria Folklore Museum: Ceiling 'Navel'

Kastoria Folklore Museum: Ceiling 'Navel'
Kastoria Folklore Museum: Traditional Sledge

Kastoria Folklore Museum: Traditional Sledge


For rides on the frozen surface of the lake! Please note the bones fastened underneath, in the place of steel blades!
Kastoria Folklore Museum: Store Room with Loft

Kastoria Folklore Museum: Store Room with Loft
Kastoria Folklore Museum: The chest on the loft in the previous photo

Kastoria Folklore Museum: The chest on the loft in the previous photo
Kastoria Folklore Museum: The food safe

Kastoria Folklore Museum: The food safe
Kastoria Folklore Museum: Ground floor store room with loft

Kastoria Folklore Museum: Ground floor store room with loft
Kastoria Folklore Museum: Bottom half of the previous photo, the Wine Cellar

Kastoria Folklore Museum: Bottom half of the previous photo, the Wine Cellar
Kastoria Folklore Museum: Top half of the previous photo

Kastoria Folklore Museum: Top half of the previous photo
Kastoria Folklore Museum: Potable Water Jar

Kastoria Folklore Museum: Potable Water Jar
Kastoria Folklore Museum: Sign for Dough kneading Facilities and Commodity Store-room of the Mansion (in the following photos)

Kastoria Folklore Museum: Sign for Dough kneading Facilities and Commodity Store-room of the Mansion (in the following photos)
Kastoria Folklore Museum: Commodity Store-room of the Mansion

Kastoria Folklore Museum: Commodity Store-room of the Mansion
Kastoria Folklore Museum: Dough kneading Facilities of the Mansion

Kastoria Folklore Museum: Dough kneading Facilities of the Mansion
Kastoria Folklore Museum: Fur processing and fur-coat making workshop

Kastoria Folklore Museum: Fur processing and fur-coat making workshop


The ceiling, heavily decorated, is gradually disintegrating. The vintage fur-coat sewing machine in the corner is shown in the next photo
Kastoria Folklore Museum: The very first fur-coat sewing machine that ever came to Kastoria, make JACOBY

Kastoria Folklore Museum: The very first fur-coat sewing machine that ever came to Kastoria, make JACOBY
Kastoria Folklore Museum: Fur processing and fur-coat making workshop

Kastoria Folklore Museum: Fur processing and fur-coat making workshop


Detail of the workshop wall decorations
Kastoria Folklore Museum: Built-in wardrobe with decorated doors, locally called 'misandra'

Kastoria Folklore Museum: Built-in wardrobe with decorated doors, locally called 'misandra'
Kastoria Folklore Museum: Entrance to 'Iliakos' to the right and everyday 'Sitting-room' to the left.

Kastoria Folklore Museum: Entrance to 'Iliakos' to the right and everyday 'Sitting-room' to the left.


(Please see introductory text to Kastoria Mansions Album)
Kastoria Folklore Museum: Interior of the Sitting-room (Ondas)

Kastoria Folklore Museum: Interior of the Sitting-room (Ondas)
Kastoria Folklore Museum: Interior of the Sitting-room (Ondas)

Kastoria Folklore Museum: Interior of the Sitting-room (Ondas)


The camera is pointing slightly to the left, compared to the previous photo
Kastoria Folklore Museum: Interior of the Sitting-room (Ondas)

Kastoria Folklore Museum: Interior of the Sitting-room (Ondas)


The fireplace of the previous photo and a cupboard to the left
Kastoria Folklore Museum: Interior of the Sitting-room (Ondas)

Kastoria Folklore Museum: Interior of the Sitting-room (Ondas)


Sewing machine resting on the window-sill (Photo diagonally up)
Kastoria Folklore Museum: Interior of the Sitting-room (Ondas)

Kastoria Folklore Museum: Interior of the Sitting-room (Ondas)


Musical instrument resembling a lute, also on the window-sill
Kastoria Folklore Museum: Interior of the Sitting-room (Ondas)

Kastoria Folklore Museum: Interior of the Sitting-room (Ondas)


Model of a 'Karavi', flat-bottom lake boat, also visible in one of the previous photos
Kastoria Folklore Museum: Reception Hall Entrance

Kastoria Folklore Museum: Reception Hall Entrance
Kastoria Folklore Museum: Wall decorative painting of Constantinople, picturing Hagia Sophia Temple

Kastoria Folklore Museum: Wall decorative painting of Constantinople, picturing Hagia Sophia Temple
Kastoria Folklore Museum: More wall-paintings

Kastoria Folklore Museum: More wall-paintings
Kastoria Folklore Museum: Decorated Cupboard

Kastoria Folklore Museum: Decorated Cupboard
Kastoria Folklore Museum: Decorated Cupboards

Kastoria Folklore Museum: Decorated Cupboards


Please notice the grilled opening: It was through this opening that the daughter of the family could secretly take a look and approve (or disapprove) the young man visiting to ask for the parents' concession to marry her. In case he was accepted, he was treated to sweet coffee, otherwise to bitter sugarless coffee; a speechless way to turn down a marriage proposal!
Kastoria Folklore Museum: Decorative niches in the cupboards

Kastoria Folklore Museum: Decorative niches in the cupboards
Kastoria Folklore Museum: Violin

Kastoria Folklore Museum: Violin
Kastoria Folklore Museum: Decorated ceiling of one of the sitting-rooms (Ondas)

Kastoria Folklore Museum: Decorated ceiling of one of the sitting-rooms (Ondas)


The ugly electric light cable is a later addition!
Kastoria Folklore Museum: Another decorated ceiling

Kastoria Folklore Museum: Another decorated ceiling


They are made of wood, for insulation purposes, and painted (or carved) when in place, except for the central decorative element (the Navel), which was usually carved in the workshop and put in place last.
Kastoria Folklore Museum: Traditional mirror

Kastoria Folklore Museum: Traditional mirror


Behind and above the mirror, a dowry declaration is framed and hanging on the wall. It consists of a detailed list of all moneys, jewellery, linen, clothes, blankets, kitchenware, cushions and pillows brought into the marriage by the bride, including a vineyard.
Kastoria Folklore Museum: The Dowry declaration partly visible in the previous photo

Kastoria Folklore Museum: The Dowry declaration partly visible in the previous photo
Kastoria Folklore Museum: 'Doxatos' Main Celebrations Room

Kastoria Folklore Museum: 'Doxatos' Main Celebrations Room


This is where folk dancing as well used to take palce.
Kastoria Folklore Museum: 'Doxatos', Main Celebrations Room

Kastoria Folklore Museum: 'Doxatos', Main Celebrations Room
Kastoria Folklore Museum: 'Doxatos', Main Celebrations Room

Kastoria Folklore Museum: 'Doxatos', Main Celebrations Room


Wall and ceiling decoration
Kastoria Folklore Museum: The Kioski seen from the Doxatos

Kastoria Folklore Museum: The Kioski seen from the Doxatos


Mainly a gathering place for men. It had open views towards the South, East and West, i.e. over the lake as well. Most elegantly decorated and comfortable to sit and exchange views.
Kastoria Folklore Museum: Kioski

Kastoria Folklore Museum: Kioski


Not actually a kiosk, but a siiting room with plenty of light and panes to look through.
Kastoria Folklore Museum: Kioski

Kastoria Folklore Museum: Kioski
Kastoria Folklore Museum: Kioski

Kastoria Folklore Museum: Kioski
Kastoria Folklore Museum: Kioski

Kastoria Folklore Museum: Kioski
Kastoria Folklore Museum: Kioski

Kastoria Folklore Museum: Kioski


Sunlight falling on glassware
Kastoria Folklore Museum: The 'karavi' parking place

Kastoria Folklore Museum: The 'karavi' parking place


Covered to protect the boat from snowfall. It was at the end of a waterway connecting the Mansion to the lake. Nearly all goods and raw materials for fur processing were carried by boat.
Kastoria Folklore Museum: Hand-made coffer with ornamental Crochet Hook work cover

Kastoria Folklore Museum: Hand-made coffer with ornamental Crochet Hook work cover
Kastoria Folklore Museum: Hand-made coffer with ornamental Crochet Hook work cover

Kastoria Folklore Museum: Hand-made coffer with ornamental Crochet Hook work cover
Kastoria Folklore Museum: Children Everyday Room with fireplace and bronze brazier

Kastoria Folklore Museum: Children Everyday Room with fireplace and bronze brazier
Kastoria Folklore Museum: Children Everyday Room, Brazier

Kastoria Folklore Museum: Children Everyday Room, Brazier
Kastoria Folklore Museum: Children Room, Desk with hand-written documents

Kastoria Folklore Museum: Children Room, Desk with hand-written documents
Kastoria Folklore Museum: Children Everyday Room, Craddle rocker

Kastoria Folklore Museum: Children Everyday Room, Craddle rocker
Kastoria Folklore Museum: Children Everyday Room, Shelf with photographs above the Craddle rocker

Kastoria Folklore Museum: Children Everyday Room, Shelf with photographs above the Craddle rocker
Kastoria Folklore Museum: Children Everyday Room

Kastoria Folklore Museum: Children Everyday Room
Kastoria Folklore Museum: The Small Everyday Room

Kastoria Folklore Museum: The Small Everyday Room


It was parallel to the Doxatos. It is here that the bride-to-be was 'uncovered' (unveiled), for the bridesmaid to take her to the church, where the groom was waiting
Kastoria Folklore Museum: The Small Everyday Room

Kastoria Folklore Museum: The Small Everyday Room
Kastoria Folklore Museum: The Loom

Kastoria Folklore Museum: The Loom
Kastoria Folklore Museum: The Reel

Kastoria Folklore Museum: The Reel
Kastoria Folklore Museum: The Comber and other utensils

Kastoria Folklore Museum: The Comber and other utensils

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