Doltso Quarter

The old lakeside Doltso quarter in Kastoria is among the best-preserved and last remaining traditional quarters of the city. It is characterized by rich old mansions built between the 17th and 19th century by rich traders. During this time the city flourished due to the processing and exporting of animal furs to Europe. Trade created wealth and city mansions, of particular architectural and decorative value, were built. Those mansions still exist until now and they can be admired along with 72 beautiful byzantine and post-byzantine churches that are testament to Kastoria’s rich Byzantine past, when one visits the old quarter of Doltso. The coexistence of churches and private houses constitutes a rare example of a Byzantine and post-Byzantine township, and remains inhabited to this day.

Some of the mansions have been restored and are still being used by local families as residences, others have been turned into small hotels, guesthouses and even museums. They are two-storey buildings made of stones, mud and wood. Each house has a paved rectangular yard, surrounded by a tall stone fence. The ground floor used to serve as a storehouse and the first floor accommodated the family. On the upper room was the living room and the place where all the social events used to take place. The Doltso quarter is probably the most scenic part of Kastoria, however it is not the only old quarter in town. The “Apozari” neighborhood is equally picturesque and should never be missed.