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Siatista Town
Siatista Town |
Welcome to Siatista!
... well, this is what we would say if there was any chance of your visiting this city, which, unfortunately, is improbable since Siatista is far off the beaten tourist path! There is no chance that you'll find it listed in any tour operator’s fancy brochure! There are only some Australian travelers around each year, having been persuaded that this trip is highly rewarding by some travel agent in Australia, who originated from Siatista! Even most Greeks have difficulty ignoring other, much more “convenient” destinations, and fail to make the trip here.
And what a pity this is, because this city is, literally, an artistic revelation; the beauty and richness of its art treasures are unbelievable to the eye! If you have any interest to learn about a place that you may never manage to visit, then read through the rest of our text and ‘leaf’ through our relevant albums. The latter are constantly enriched, though it takes hundreds of work-hours to evaluate, comment, process and put the appropriate photos online. However, it's worth the effort ...since, as is often said, photos do not lie!
Siatista is a large town in Kozani Prefecture, 28 kilometers (17 miles) away from Kozani City, at an altitude of 900 meters (2700 feet) on the slope of Mt. Velia. It was founded by runaway Greeks from Asia Minor, or Thessaly, during the time of the Ottoman expansion, who were seeking freedom and the right to worship their own religion. The landscape, easy to defend, was nevertheless arid and difficult to cultivate. Vineyards and animal husbandry were the only solutions. Hence, the local economy was based on wine production, fur and leather processing and trade, and the people of Siatista excelled in all of these activities. Trade with Venice, and later with the Balkans, was the basis for wealth, which eventually financed a degree of autonomy and other privileges by the Turkish rulers. The flourishing economy made it possible for the local people to have elaborate mansions and churches built, importing manpower from other parts of Greece. Some of the finest schools were built and functioned in Siatista, thus creating a tradition of Letters and Arts. Many teachers and freedom warriors originated from Siatista.
Why should one insist on visiting Siatista? Firstly, to travel about and admire the fantastic mansions and churches (take your own photos and send them to us, and we shall put them online). Secondly, to taste the local “Iliasto” (= sun-sweetened) wine. One could also combine staying at a very good and clean hotel and go skiing at the nearest ski center, a 15-20 minute drive away. Also, to participate in the various local Carnival festivities, held more than once a year. Lastly, but not the least, to buy fur and leather coats at about one third of the price back home! But, as we said, there is little chance that you will ever visit this fantastic city of Makedonia ...
Siatista, in Kozani Prefecture |
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Siatista Argyriadis_Maliongas Mansion: Frescoe depicting Frankfurt |
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