# Kastoria

> city in Macedonia, Greece

**Wikidata**: [Q206954](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q206954)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kastoria)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kastoria

## Summary
Kastoria is a city in the region of Macedonia, Greece, known for its historical significance, cultural heritage, and administrative role as the capital of both Kastoria Municipality and Kastoria Regional Unit. It is distinguished by its rich Byzantine architectural legacy and its historical namesake, the beaver, which reflects its ancient economic ties to fur trading.

## Key Facts
- Located in the Kastoria Regional Unit, Greece
- Population: 12,548 (2021 census), previously 15,615 (2001), 16,156 (1991), 13,387 (2011)
- Elevation: 630 meters above sea level
- Area: 57.30 km²
- Named after: Beaver (Greek: Καστοριά derives from "beaver")
- Coordinates: 40.5181° N, 21.2688° E
- Lake Orestiada borders the city
- Patron Saint: Menas of Egypt
- Official language: Greek
- Postal code: 52100
- Local dialing code: 24670
- Capital of Kastoria Municipality and Kastoria Regional Unit
- Twinned with: Kyiv, Enna, City of Wanneroo, Plovdiv, Brașov, Shevchenko Raion, Paralimni, Haining
- Notable architectural style: Byzantine architecture
- Home to monuments including the Kastoria Banner and Kastoria Regional Unit Maps
- Hosts a rich collection of historical and cultural data in multiple languages across global encyclopedias and databases

## FAQs
### What is Kastoria known for?
Kastoria is known for its historical significance in Greek culture, particularly its Byzantine architecture and its role in the fur trade, which is reflected in its name, derived from the Greek word for beaver. It also serves as the administrative center of both Kastoria Municipality and Kastoria Regional Unit.

### Where is Kastoria located?
Kastoria is located in the Kastoria Regional Unit in the region of Macedonia, Greece. It is situated near Lake Orestiada, with geographic coordinates of approximately 40.5181° N and 21.2688° E.

### What is the population of Kastoria?
The population of Kastoria was recorded as 12,548 in the 2021 Greek census, down from 15,615 in 2001, 16,156 in 1991, and 13,387 in 2011.

### What is the significance of Kastoria's name?
The name "Kastoria" is derived from the Greek word for beaver, reflecting the city's historical association with beaver fur trading in earlier centuries.

### What architectural styles are prominent in Kastoria?
Kastoria is particularly known for its Byzantine architecture, which is evident in many of its churches and historical buildings.

### What is the elevation of Kastoria?
Kastoria is located approximately 630 meters above sea level.

### What is the official language of Kastoria?
The official language of Kastoria, like the rest of Greece, is Greek.

### What is Kastoria's postal and local dialing code?
The postal code for Kastoria is 52100, and the local dialing code is 24670.

### What is Kastoria's patron saint?
The patron saint of Kastoria is Menas of Egypt.

### What is the website for Kastoria?
The official website for Kastoria is [http://www.kastoria.gov.gr/](http://www.kastoria.gov.gr/), and it is in Greek.

### What are some notable features of Kastoria?
Notable features include its rich historical heritage, its status as a regional capital, and its cultural landmarks such as the Kastoria Banner and the Kastoria Regional Unit Maps.

### What is Kastoria twinned with?
Kastoria is twinned with several cities including Kyiv, Enna, City of Wanneroo, Plovdiv, Brașov, Shevchenko Raion, Paralimni, and Haining, with formal agreements dating back to 1992.

### What encyclopedias and databases reference Kastoria?
Kastoria is referenced in the Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary, Encyclopædia Britannica 11th edition, the Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana, and the Great Russian Encyclopedia, among others.

## Why It Matters
Kastoria holds significant historical, cultural, and administrative importance in Greece. As the capital of its own regional unit, it plays a central role in local governance. Its rich Byzantine heritage and architectural legacy make it a key site for cultural tourism. The city's name, derived from the Greek word for beaver, reflects its historical role in the fur trade, which once made it a hub of economic activity. Its twinning relationships with cities across the globe also highlight its role in international cultural exchange.

## Notable For
- Being the capital of both Kastoria Municipality and Kastoria Regional Unit
- Its name deriving from the Greek word for beaver, reflecting its historical fur trade
- Hosting a rich collection of Byzantine architecture
- Being twinned with cities such as Kyiv, Plovdiv, and Haining
- Its detailed documentation in global encyclopedias and cultural databases
- Its role in regional administration and cultural preservation

## Body

### History and Etymology
Kastoria's name originates from the Greek word for beaver, reflecting its historical significance in the fur trade. The city's etymology is tied to its ancient economic activities, with the name evolving through various forms including Celetrum, Kéletro, and Kastoriá. The city's historical importance is further emphasized by its detailed documentation in global encyclopedias such as the Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary and the Encyclopædia Britannica 11th edition.

### Administrative and Geographic Details
Kastoria serves as the capital of both Kastoria Municipality and Kastoria Regional Unit. It is located in the Kastoria Regional Unit and is bordered by Lake Orestiada. The city covers an area of 57.30 square kilometers and is situated 630 meters above sea level. Its geographic coordinates are 40.5181° N and 21.2688° E. The city's administrative and geographic centrality is highlighted by its role in regional governance and its detailed population data from multiple censuses.

### Demographics
Kastoria's population has seen a gradual decline from 16,156 in 1991 to 12,548 in 2021. The city's population data is sourced from the Greek censuses of 2001, 2011, and 2021, with the 2021 figure being the most recent.

### Culture and Religion
Kastoria is known for its Byzantine architecture, which is a significant part of its cultural heritage. The city's patron saint is Menas of Egypt, and it is home to a rich collection of historical and cultural data. The city's cultural significance is also reflected in its detailed documentation in global encyclopedias and databases.

### International Relations
Kastoria is twinned with several cities globally, including Kyiv, Enna, City of Wanneroo, Plovdiv, Brașov, Shevchenko Raion, Paralimni, and Haining. These relationships, some dating back to the 1990s, highlight the city's role in international cultural exchange.

### Digital and Administrative Presence
Kastoria is documented in numerous global databases and encyclopedias, including the Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary, Encyclopædia Britannica, and the Great Russian Encyclopedia. The city's official website is [http://www.kastoria.gov.gr/](http://www.kastoria.gov.gr/), and it is referenced in multiple international databases, including the VIAF, WorldCat, and the Library of Congress. The city's digital presence is also evident in its detailed documentation in the Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana and other cultural databases.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.kastoria.gov.gr/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/%CE%91%CE%A0%CE%9F%CE%A6%CE%91%CE%A3%CE%97_%CE%94%CE%A3_%CE%A3%CE%A4%CE%A1%CE%91%CE%A4%CE%97%CE%93%CE%99%CE%9A%CE%9F%CE%A3_%CE%A3%CE%A7%CE%95%CE%94%CE%99%CE%91%CE%A3%CE%9C%CE%9F%CE%A3_2015_2019.pdf)
2. [Source](http://www.joondalup.wa.gov.au/files/councilmeetings/1992/SP921113.DOC)
3. [Source](https://www.plovdiv.bg/en/about-plovdiv/побратимени-градове/)
4. [Source](https://www.brasovcity.ro/file-zone/strategii/Strategia%20de%20Dezvoltare%20Durabila%20Brasov%202030/Strategia-dezvoltare/Strategia%20de%20dezvoltare%20a%20Municipiului%20Brasov.pdf)
5. [Source](https://www.paralimni.org.cy/index.php/el/history-culture/twinings/180-twinnings-with)
6. BnF authorities
7. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
8. Czech National Authority Database
9. 2021 Greek census
10. Flickr Shapefiles Public Dataset 2.0
11. GeoNames