Lake Prespes

Lake Prespes

Greece
West Macedonia
Region of Prespes at the borders with Albania Skopja
Psarades village

The region of lake Prespes is located in the remotest part of West Macedonia at the borders with Albania and Scopje. It is one of the poorest and yet of the most beautiful parts of Greece comprising two big lakes and forming one of the most proliferative bird habitas in Europe. It is included in the European ecological net Natura 2000 nesting a great number of rare bird and animal species.The two lakes Big Prespa and Small Prespa are encircled by mountains snow covered during the long winters and the land is very poor to provide substantial crops to the few local villages. For many years this region was very much behind development with cattle and fishing beinf almost the only occupations for the locals.Gradually, the beauty of the place in any season of the year and the improved road net, enhanced turism not only from Greece but from other parts of the world giving a good push and more opportunities for the locals to improve their living. Psarades remains the most picturesque village in the region but still very much behind of what we call progress and comfort. A short stroll in the village will turn you immediately familiar to its poverty with still many houses on the verge of collapse. The older houses of the 5o's and 60's were primitively built mainly with stone, wood and hay and it is quite interesting to observe the simplicity of their architecture that offers very little comfort either during the cold winters or the extreme hot summers. But there are couple of tavernas where one can taste fresh fish and cheer himself with a sip of local ouzo.
It's a real paradise for photographers and bird watchers. Lately wintery sports are provided in the surrounding mountains. I keep enjoying the region since my childhood and quite often I spend hours lingering over photos reflecting the progress of the place.

The above photo is a relatively old one of the village taken more than ten years ago as it spreads till the bord of the lake. It's more or less bare land....