Siatista

Siatista ( _el. Σιάτιστα) is a town of the Kozani prefecture, 28 km southeast of its capital city. It was built on the austral slope of the Velia mountain on an (average) height of 930 m. The first name of the city was Kalivia, because the city was known for its huts. This name is referenced in the archives of the Zavordas Monastery. In 1745, the city was called "Siatista city", as it is referenced in a formal document of Joseph, Patriarch of Ohrid. Siatista was liberated from the Ottoman Turks by the Greek army, on November 4, 1912. The commercial ties between Siatista and many European countries during 17th and 18th centuries were very successful, and allowed the inhabitants to build many mansions and churches with wonderful frescos and icons.

Siatista lies in a unique setting of where its mountains and wilderness provide a strong sense of solitude. In its historical past, this area remained one of the only unsubjugated parts of Macedonia, which allowed for the inhabitants to establish trade with Europe and flourish. The Siatistan merchants left abroad temporarily when they were forced out by the morass the Greek market had become and returned with material and intellectual wealth. Their famous mansions have very strong walls, imposing doors, lavishly decorated and elegant on-dades, gorgeous stained glass, and lively colors of the folk paintings on the walls. All of this embodies a somewhat high standard of living for an isolated town.

Celebrations

*August 15 - Assumption of Mary - The male inhabitants of Siatista parade with their horses down to a chapel in the plane and return with the icon of the Panagia. In the feast and party that ensues the men dance on the backs of the horses. The local wine flows freely, even for their equine friends.

*December 23 - Κλαδαριές (Klatharies) - On this day the inhabitants gather brush from the surrounding area. Each neighborhood group builds a tall, three to six meters, conical shaped mounds that are decorated sparsely with balloons and tinsel. After nightfall a parade, including a brass band playing local music, begins at the lower town, Γεράνια (Yerania). In succession each mound of brush is set afire as the parade reaches the neighborhood. The inhabitants then dance around the fires. Many of the villages youth then stay up all night around the remnants of the bonfires to start carolling early in the morning of Christmas Eve, collecting money while singing door to door.

External links

* [http://www.siatista.gr Siatista]
* [http://www.www.siatistanews.gr Siatista News]