It is about 200 km from Thessaloniki (2 hours by road) – in recent years it tends to become the hottest destination for “Weekend Break” in Northern Greece
By Nicolas Bard
Florina is a city of Western Macedonia, built at an altitude of 687 meters and with 17,188 permanent residents. It is about 200 kilometers from Thessaloniki (2 hours by road) and in recent years it tends to become the hottest destination for a “weekend break” in northern Greece. The Sakoulevas River, which crosses it, gives it a special beauty and charm, while the old buildings and modern cafes that exist along the river are an attraction for many tourists, who choose it not only for its history but also for Her great natural beauty. The climate of Florina is Greece’s coldest, due to its geographical location and altitude. The lowest temperature ever recorded in the area is -25.1 ° C!
History
The ancient name of the area was Lygistis. It was an autonomous Macedonian state, in which they were inhabited by a relative of Greek – Macedonian leaves of Doric origin, and which Philip II joined his own, great Macedonian kingdom. The area owes its name to its first mythical king, the hero and Argonautis Lygea. The area was flooded with Greek -speaking tribes around the 19th century BC. When the northernmost Pelagonia was one of the two main centers of the Greek -speaking world.
During the Turkish occupation, Florina was a commercial and craft center, and the majority of its inhabitants were Muslims. In the middle of the 19th century, the city became an important tobacco processing center, and it was also famous for its tobacco cherries. Florina was liberated by the Greek army on November 7, 1912, and by 1936 the residents of the area, regardless of age, spoke both Greek and Bulgarian, and the city’s lawyers had to speak both languages about the process of their affairs. Today there are few bilingual residents who speak the local dialect, the so -called “local”, which is classified in the Slav -Macedonian language.
The ‘frozen fog’
Noteworthy is the phenomenon of “frozen fog”, known in the area and as “Siniaki”, usually observed in the winter months, specifically in January. It is a dense veil of fog that covers the whole city of Florina and the valley of Pelagonia. The phenomenon can last for several weeks (especially if apnea prevails) and results in beyond very low visibility, temperature maintenance even in the city center below 0 ° C throughout the day, the same A moment when in areas just a few kilometers from there, and are outside the basin, the temperature is much higher.
On January 18, 2012, the lowest temperature was recorded at the EMY station. (-25.1 ° C) with several references to the local press to speak of temperatures in municipal villages that touched their -32 ° C, but there has been no official record of such temperatures. The Athens National Observatory station in the city was a day earlier -22.2 ° C, while the same station was constantly recorded minimum temperatures below -20 ° C from 16/1/12 to 19/1/12, With the average maximum temperature for January only -0.6 ° C, and with the prevalence of thirteen consecutive days of total frost conditions. The above situation resulted in the General Secretariat for Civil Protection to declare the municipality of Florina on 16/1/12 in an emergency, due to the polar temperatures and the intense snowfall, which prevailed in those days.
Sights
The rich and distinctive natural landscape of the county, as well as the efforts of significant Florinians, gave Florina the opportunity to develop through ecotourism promotion programs, exploiting European Union funds and the Community support framework for alternative forms of mild tourist development.
It is considered a city of artists, with dozens of painters, poets and musicians, professionals and amateurs. The famous ski resort of Pisoderi, located in Vigla in a beech forest, is just 19 kilometers from the city of Florina. There has been a beautiful chalet and twelve routes: 9 tracks, 2 streets of endurance and 1 snowmobile track. For winter sports enthusiasts is one of the best ski resorts in our country!
In addition, on Christmas Eve, and in particular at midnight from December 23 to 24, the inhabitants of both Florina and the surrounding villages, light fires in many neighborhoods and neighborhoods, with the most popular “Tsekouri Mahala” fire. These fires light up with wood from the mountain, mainly cedar, that make noise when burned, and according to local myths they expel evil spirits. Preparation for this custom begins long ago, and in the past, the stealing of woods between the neighborhoods of every fire, as part of the custom. Around the fires there is a large feast and a buckwheat with traditional dishes, which includes all the residents and visitors to the city.
Florina, however, has many tourists not only in winter, but also in the summer, where there are many events from dancers, clubs, painters, choirs and musicians. In mid -August 2016, the renovated zoo of the city was also in operation, which has been adorning it since 1967.
Source :Skai
I am Frederick Tuttle, who works in 247 News Agency as an author and mostly cover entertainment news. I have worked in this industry for 10 years and have gained a lot of experience. I am a very hard worker and always strive to get the best out of my work. I am also very passionate about my work and always try to keep up with the latest news and trends.
