In Dispilio, the Neolithic lakeside settlement and its archaeological context are at the heart of the story. There is also an annual commemoration and a route that includes a visit to the settlement. This brings together different perspectives: the way of life of Neolithic farmers and herders, the remembrance of Major Ioannis Paparrodou, and the place of the lakeside settlement along the route. For planning purposes, note that visits to the Archaeological Collection are available by request.
The Neolithic Lakeside Settlement and Its Way of Life
The Archaeological Collection of Dispilio is dedicated to the Neolithic lakeside settlement of Dispilio. It explores the settlement’s organization, economy and technology, as well as the way of life of Neolithic farmers and herders. These themes lead from the structure of settlement life to questions of economic activity and technological practices. The focus is therefore not only on the settlement as a place, but also on how people lived and worked there.
Visits to the collection are possible by request to the Ephorate of Antiquities of Kastoria. Arrange your visit in advance so you can take the visiting arrangements into account before adding this stop to your itinerary.
Commemoration and Route Connections in Dispilio
The Paparrodeia are held annually as a commemorative event for Major Ioannis Paparrodou. The 2026 edition included a flag-raising and a memorial prayer at the monument to Major (Artillery) Ioannis Paparrodou. This distinguishes the annual commemoration from the specific 2026 ceremony: the former refers to the recurring occasion, while the latter refers to the elements of that year’s event.
The Lake Tour also includes the lakeside settlement in Dispilio: the route passes it in the village and provides for a visit. This describes a planned stop on the route, not a guided excursion currently being offered. For further context, this route connection complements the Archaeological Collection with another perspective on the same lakeside settlement.
Kastoria: Lakeside, Architecture and Museums
The wider destination of Kastoria adds its own urban cultural and landscape highlights. Kastoria is built amphitheatrically on a piece of land surrounded by Lake Orestiada. The lake is designated a natural monument of particular beauty and is included in the European Natura 2000 network for environmental protection. A short circular route around the lake passes plane trees, old mansions and churches, with views of the calm water.
Kastoria’s architecture and museums also offer their own points of interest. The traditional Papaterpou mansion on Kastoria’s waterfront road, on Megalou Alexandrou Street, is dated to 1880. In the traditional district of Doltso, the Folklore Museum is housed in the Nerantzi Aivazi mansion; it presents the life of an aristocratic family from Kastoria. Also in Doltso, the Costume Museum in the mansion of the Emmanuel brothers displays authentic costumes from across Greece, including elaborately crafted costumes from Kastoria.
In the Apozari district, the Tsatsiapa mansion was built in 1754. It is the city’s only surviving three-storey mansion with a rectangular floor plan and a pronounced horizontal axis. The Kastorian Ragoutsaria custom offers another view of Kastoria’s history: it takes place there every year on January 6, 7 and 8. These examples give the regional addition its own focus on urban history, architecture and traditions.
If you are looking for hotels for a trip to Dispilio, your trip’s focus can help you choose where to stay: here, Dispilio is associated with the lakeside settlement, the Archaeological Collection and the commemoration; Kastoria with its own lakeside, museum and architecture highlights. You can first decide whether your main interest is the archaeology of Dispilio or a broader exploration of Kastoria’s sights.
Discover more destinations: Vogatsiko, Argos Orestikón, Mesopotamia Aliakmonas, Áyios Zakharías, Maniakoi, Aposkepos, Kato Nestorio, Korisós
For the broader travel overview: Kastoria.
