Climate
Prespa is a small microclimate found in a mountainous region. The lakes are approximately 850m above the sea level and the higher mountain around the lake are above 2100m. Generally speaking the climate and biology of the area reflect that of the Balkans rather than Mediterranean that many people expects of Greece. Prespa can be very hot in summer reaching 35 degrees in August, however it have cool nights. In winter there will be snow and temperatures can fall lover than -15 degrees although generally will be around -5 degrees.
Understand
Located in the north-western corner of Greece at 850 metres above sea level and surrounded by mountains, the Prespa Lakes region is a natural park of great significance due to its biodiversity and endemic species. Prespa is a transboundary park shared between Greece, Albania and fYR of Macedonia. The main features of the region are the two lakes, that also gives the name to the area: Macro Prespa 259.4 km2 and Micro Prespa (47.4 km2 , which lap the shores of the three countries and connect them in this way symbolically.
Prespa is well known for its natural beauty and its high biodiversity with unique characteristics. It hosts more than 1,500 species of plants, 40 species of mammals, 260 of birds, 32 reptiles and amphibians, and 17 species of fish including a number of species found only here.The mountains are one of the last European homes of brown bears, wolves, chamois and wild boar whilst the lake host breeding colonies of Dalmatian and White Pelicans as well as pygmy cormorants.
In addition, is a place where a unique natural environment coexists with notable Byzantine monuments like churches, monasteries, hermitages and rock paintings dating from the 10th century onwards.
The life of the local people is concentrated in villages around the lakes. The houses are built in a traditional style, out of stone and clay bricks with roofs of straw or stone tiles
The three main traditional occupations in the region are fishing, animal husbandry and a small agricultural community which over the centuries has shaped and preserved a wealth of natural and cultural values that account for the areaâs international importance.
Prespa is a place where nature, art and history come together in and around the lakes; there are also villages with hospitable inhabitants, always worth a stop on the way to listen to their stories and the histories of the place.
There are a lot of paths, guiding you into the heart of nature; perhaps up into the high mountains, or to old abandoned villages, which little by little are being returned once more to natureâs embrace. The mountains surrounding the lakes are often over 2000 meters high, and offer marvellous views to the lake blueness and the settlements on the shores. The smell of herbs on the mountain meadows calm the senses, already cleared by the fresh air and the spring waters
The lucky visitor might arrive to a peaceful natural setting with impressive sunsets, that gives the impression of having remained unchanged since time immemorial, unique within Greece in traditions, methods of fishing and producing and preserving food, and a rich cultural heritage.
Flora and fauna
Due to the extraordinary beauty of the lakes and the surrounding mountains, the high biodiversity and the rich plant and animal life, in this region three national parks have been declared, one in each of the neighbouring countries. In Greece and Albania have the same name called the National Park Prespa and in FYR Macedonia the National Park Galichitsa.. In the year 2000 it was declaresd the trasboundery park Prespa which includes the whole watershed area of bolth Prespa Lakes and has a surface of aprox 2000km2.
Prespa is protected under the Ramsar convention as a wetland of international importance and a European Importand Bird Area as well as being include in Natura 2000, a network of the EU most precious natural areas.Prepa contains the largest breeding colony of Dalmatian pelicans in the world, a mixed colony of pelicans and the largest colony of Pygmy cormorants in Europe.It provides shelter to over 200 species of birds, many of which belong to rare or declining populations within Europe. That´s why Prespa is something of a paradise for bird lovers as it contain so many species reflecting such different habitats in close proximity.
It is worth mentioning the presence of rare mammal species, endangered throughtout Europe, such as the Brown Bear, the Grey Wolf, the European Otter and the Chamois.
The botanists will delight in the many species of Orchids to be found here as well as the endemic species Centurea Prespana. Indeed amateur lovers of all plants can find something for themselves in Prespa strolling through the plains by the like, exploring the beach, oak and juniper forests of striding across the open alpine spaces of the mountain tops
History
Prespa has always been a place where people and culture have met. Itâs story has seen the rule of Bulgars, Serbs, Franks, Byzantians and Ottomans, giving the area a rich and interesting cultural heritage. Prespa has many Byzantine and post-Byzantine monuments. The most famous is certainly the Basilica of Agios Achillios, on the island of same name, built by Samuel, Czar of the Bulgars in the late 10th century. However many other churches are interesting to visit too: the 11th century church of Agios Germanos with its beautiful frescoes, the recently restored 15th century church of Agios Nikolaos on the edge of Pili village, or the church of the Virgin of the Porphyra on the island of Agios Achillios. After the collapse of the Byzantine Empire in the mid 14th century, came five centuries of Ottoman rule. However, Prespa being so remote, the Turkish presence was relatively light. This period then saw a flourishing Christian presence, with the building of churches, monasteries and hermitages. On the shore of lake Megali Prespa one can find the remains of numerous hermitages, still decorated with impressive frescoes dating up to the 14th century. These are easily accessible by boat, but a bit more difficult is the walk to them. However a lucky trekker will be granted an amazing view over the lake.
The XXth Century was incredibly eventful. The Macedonian Struggle and the Balkan wars saw fights for regional identities and the division into tree countries. The First World War brought the occupation by the French army, and the subsequent debacle of the Greek army and forced population exchanges emptied the region of all the Muslims, who had to move to Turkey in exchange for Asia Minor Greeks.However, the most painful part of the century was the Greek civil war, Prespa being under Communist partisan control. There are still remains of their headquarters and a field hospital to be found in cave. At the end of the war, most of the inhabitants were forced to flee the area. Later few ever returned, and some villages disappeared.In the 50s, the Greek government settled Vlach communities and immigrants from Asia Minor in Prespa. However, like most of the Greek countryside, Prespa suffered strong rural desertification in the 70s, people leaving for the city or abroad. Unfortunately, the population of Prespa has never returned to its pre-war level.